According to The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language,
the definition of sprinter is
a person running a short race at top speed.
According to My Mind's Dictionary of the Uneventful Imagination,
the definition of sprinter is
the time of year when the calender says it is officially winter,
but it is trying very hard to pass for spring...
therefore, the combination of
Spring + Winter = Sprinter!
One of the iconic signs of spring is sheep in the meadows,
with their offspring cavorting around them.
"White sheep, white sheep
on a blue hill,/
when the wind stops/
you all stand still."
Christina Rossetti
Lambs are used in all aspects of
describing springtime
and new beginnings...
...as a symbol of newborn sweetness
on a nursery dish...
...in a fairy tale setting
of stuffed animals, nursery rhymes,
tea parties, and children's story books...
...on vintage post cards portraying Easter messages...
...and following Mary to school.
These lambs have been a part of my life
since I made them
over forty years ago.
As a young wife and mother,
I wanted to have a little extra spending money of my own
to buy the things that I enjoyed
and used to fix up our home...
so we invested in a kiln
and I went to work.
That was right at the peak of the French country decorating style
that was prevalent in the late 1970's.
All white animals
from pigs to chickens to cows and beyond
were the decorating trend.
It was a popular take-off
on French faience pottery.
I sold a lot of these animals,
among other pieces,
and they were the reason I could realize my independence,
buy the things I wanted
and be able to stay home
while the kids were growing up.
For some reason
these lambs are the only things that have stayed on
and have become regular members
of our family.
They have spent
many a year outdoors,
mainly as front porch decorations...
...to celebrate spring...
...during Memorial Day celebrations and on through Independence Day...
...as the leaves were changing...
...and the coming of Christmas.
They have spent a very limited amount of time
in the house
but over the forty year span,
they have mainly graced
the porches and the gardens
of two houses.
They have not always been
treated kindly over the years.
They have sat out in their share of rain and snow storms
and, needless to say,
a few ears and tails have been knocked off
and glued back on.
All that has changed,
however,
in this time of "Sprinter".
On a trip to the market
where all sorts of beautiful spring blooms are abundant
and a new pom-pom maker has fashioned
a wreath
as soft as lamb's wool...
...the well deserving sheep
have come back into the Cottage
to a place of warmth
and celebration...
...while the world outside
is still trying
to make up it's mind...
is still trying
to make up it's mind...
...is it spring
or winter
around here?...
...or will it continue
to remain
"Forever Sprinter"?
...Judy...
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