Silence of the Lambs!

  Sometimes I think I am a 62 year old child, who plays with his toys, loves his dog and often forgets what day it is or what has to be done next. A lot of adults have toys. Mine just happen to be a little different than most, they are Antiques.Where a lot of men have  fancy cars, guns,bikes and other weird contraptions, I have antiques. I dream about them, long for them, hunt for them and do what ever I can to get them. I like to refer to antique shopping as a sport,but, we antique hunters, use money, instead of a gun and bullets.And we both come home with trophies. The point where you find that one special thing, is a very big  high, and to me, that is the kill, and that is what it is all about. And to say, I only paid so-in-so, is like saying, I  got it with one shot. If you go deer hunting, you can only do it in season, whereas, antiques are always in season. The limit on deer is 1 or2, on antiques there are no limits,well, there is, if the money runs out. I usually put a limit on my shopping quests. I only pay so much for this and so much for that. I think it makes it more fun to hunt, when there is a price on the head. But, I have to admit, I have often broken the rules and paid way to much. Being in these golden retirement years of my life and with an economy that has falling completely apart, antique hunting  has not been as fun as it once was. I still get to buy mercandise for the shop, and once in awhile, a little something-something, just happens to go home with me.

Sweet little black boy!

Most of the time, my sheep, live on the Kitchen mantle.

Both of these are German Meissen. Love the quality for the porcelain and details.

Doesn't this Staffordshire Sheep look like he is smiling?

Little Shepard Girl.

   One of my favorite things to hunt are sheep. Don't ask me why? I am not one of those collectors that buys any sheep statue they see. I try and be more picky and only buy a really beautiful one,or a really old one. I  really love the English Staffordshire ones and the German Meissen, are my very favorite. Some would say, what 's the difference? Well, a lot. If you put one of each together, you will soon see. I guess sheep or lambs have been long time collectable, as factories  have been making them for centuries. The English Staffordshire factories made  them with a soft paste porcelain, as early as 1820's.. They were more country looking. A little simple, almost crude.Some seemed to have a smile on there face. The Germany  Meissen company made fine porcelain ones, as early as 1790's.  They were beautiful, great details and yummy! I love to play with my sheep, like a kid with his toys. I rearrange them, move them for place to place and often use them on the dining table along with a flower centerpiece. For some reason or other, I love them under the Christmas Tree. I guess it reminds me of the Shepards with there flocks, from the Bible.
    I thought it would be fun to do a Blog Post about my sheep. Most of the time they live on the mantle in the kitchen. As I got into this project, I also thought it would be fun to add some photos of real sheep. Well it was only 102 degrees hot, yesterday, here in the country, but I got in the car and drove out to the farm to take some photos. I had to leave Ms. Sissy home, as it was way to hot for her to be out side.  On the way to the farm, I had to stop and take some photos of the tree lined road, looked  like something out of a movie. Finally, I made it to the farm and went out to take the pictures of the real sheep. The poor things, they had been shaved, not near as cute as my statues, they were hot, and the flies were terrible. I couldn't stand it. Went and got  the farmer, complained that they needed water and fly spray. He assured me they were fine. Well, all I could think about was that movie, Silence of the Lambs, where Jodie Foster said, make them stop. Make them stop. Baaaaaa Baaaaa.So I got in the car and came home and turned the air down  for Ms. Sissy Dog. I would do with out, but,  for her, I have air.I just can not stand to see poor animals  suffer. I wanted to bring all those sheep  home with me, and give them some water. Well, any how, now that I have ranted and raved,Here's the sheep blog.

I thought this section of Highway W. in Missouri looked like something out of  a movie .

Sheep dog on duty.

Poor little babies. They were so hot. Baaaaaaa!Baaaaaaaaa!

    I wish you all could come by some day for a tour of, My Old Historic House ,and see all the beauty we have here in Missouri. I never seem to stop finding something wonderful to look at.  I will leave the lights on and Sissy Dog will meet you with a jump and a kiss.
             HAPPY HUNTING!
     

The Sheep n the back is English, Staffordshire. The one in the front is German, Meissen.

I love this Staffordshire sheep in the old dome with flowers. Kinda reminds me of all the Clotche people on the blogs.

The iron Porch Rails at, My Old Historic house, with a lamb.

Word for today. Determination: Firm, fixed intention to achieve.