Boy, I had a bout of sadness this morning. I’d been thinking about Scoutie and Winston and Riley. Don and I were remembering how much Scoutie loved to be in on the opening of gifts and that Winston used sit in front of our San Diego fireplace staring at his stocking because he could smell the rubber/vinyl of the toys that were hidden inside. He’d sit there for an hour – staring.
Then I thought about my parents and brother and how much I missed them.
Sometimes it comes over you in a wave.
Last week, I was chatting with my favorite dealer Sydney, of Fox Run Antiques. (Source of the egg cup cubby, the vintage dollhouse in the kitchen, many butter pats and countless other things including putz sheep.) I asked her if she had any putz sheep this year and she said she did but she wasn’t going to display them because they’re fragile and people steal them. They are indeed fragile. But stealing? So sad.
She sent me some photos of them and I picked out two, which she dropped off at a local antique barn where she has a booth. I paid for them over the phone and on Friday morning, Don waited in the car while I ran into the shop, picked up the bag, said hello to the owner, and immediately ran out again. I haven’t been in an antique shop since March and oh, how I wanted to wander and look and pick up things – especially at Christmas time!
But I didn’t stay. Because that would be foolish. Sigh. Someday.
You know I love to rescue things and both of these sheep have some damage. They needed a home.
A petite putz sheep, with a little stain on the fleece, and the ubiquitous broken ears – that happens a lot with putz sheep. They can break quite easily. My friend Helga, who lives in Germany, actually repairs and replaces parts on her putz sheep. She has a large collection of them, including putz goats and black sheep!)
The other is now the tallest sheep in my collection.
He has a wonky back leg, his fleece is stained, his ears are broken, and the beautiful eye you see has worn away on the other side of his face.
Some of my sheep are in fairly pristine condition. Others are damaged and worn.
All are welcome.
I’ll try to take a panoramic photo of all of them on the mantel above my desk.
We have to do a bit of work outside today. I’m hanging our outdoor lights, we’re storing more things in the shed, and I have to empty a few more pots that now hold dead plants.
Stay safe.
Happy Tuesday.
Claudia, I wonder… what material is used for those sheep ? I’ve been googling “putz” but it doesn’t tell me much.
I have a post from last year about putz sheep – you can search for it on the sidebar. They’re made of wood and wool and often have a ribbon around the neck – some of my ribbons have ‘Germany’ stamped on them. They were used in Putz scenes under Christmas trees – little worlds with houses and fences and animals and things from the natural world.
Hope this helps!
Stay safe, Petra.
Hi Claudia, yesterday I had a wave of grief. I was sitting in my chair and all of a sudden I started to cry. Out loud I said how much I missed my husband Bill and how much I wanted him to be here. It made me sad. You never know when grief will hit you. Just wanted to share that with you. I love your sheep. I have always wanted to collect them. Have a good day! xo
It must be so hard to without your husband, April. You are entitled to that grief. I hope your memories of Bill bring you happiness.
Stay safe.
A couple of days ago my hubs and I were chatting and he asked me about my great grandparents and when they came to the US. I truly don’t know. I didn’t know any of them. One set from Poland and the other set from Germany. What hit me is there is no living person remaining in my family who I could ask that question. No one. I guess I am now the oldest remaining person. And I know nothing about them. It made me cry. People: if you have older family member still here with you, TALK to them. Probably only over the phone right now, but ask them questions. Start a conversation. Someday you will be so very happy that you did. I only wish I had done so. And I imagine they would be thrilled to hear from you and so happy to share some memories with you.
The Putz sheep are beautiful. Imperfections and all. Just as all of us have after the years go by!
Take care!!
I talked to my maternal grandmother a lot when I was young, but I haven’t retained all of that information. My dad’s sister was the keeper of family information and again, I talked to her but never recorded it. I should have. I could kick myself.
Thanks, Chris.
Stay safe.
Oh Claudia, waves of sadness are so very normal! Unexpected. Never welcome. But, in the end they always bring with them fond memories of those we are missing. With those memories somehow the sadness leaves, and when it does we are not quite so fragile. I have learned to embrace the sadness, and shed a few tears . After which, I store the memories in my heart until the next time.
Exactly. I embrace it, too. Wise advice, Trudy.
Stay safe.
It hasn’t happened yet — probably because there’s been so much other stuff on my mind — but I expect a wave of the sads soon. This is the month my dad died, which always makes me terribly sad — the missing him, the remembering, the wondering if there was anything more I could have done (let it go, Jeanie). They pass, but I suspect this year might be tougher because one sad triggers another and there are plenty to go around this year.
I love the Putz sheep. things like that needn’t be pristine. In fact, the whole thought of them being loved enough to have a stain or missing ear makes them all the more dear.
This year seems to be all about sadness, so I imagine the feeling of loss is stronger than ever.
Stay safe, Jeanie.
The sheep are adorable and must be happy they are living at Mockingbird Hill Cottage now. I’ve recently allowed myself to visit one antique mall that requires masks and has wide aisles. I go once a week, early on a weekday afternoon (after lunch hour). Shoppers are scarce at that time. It’s mostly dealers filling/fluffing their booths for the coming weekend. It is easy for me to ensure I am the only person on the aisle while shopping.
Since I order/pick-up groceries and stay home all the time, these little shopping trips have really been good for my mental health.
I miss my husband, father and others every day. When the sadness wells up, I focus on a good/funny memory and that usually uplifts me.
Stay safe!
I may have to do that, but it will be a while since we’re in this second wave and now Don and I are even more cautious. It’s a good idea, Cindy.
Stay safe.
The Christmas season is always sad for me. Just got to keep moving and enjoy what we enjoy.
Christmas lights are my favorite part of the season. I appreciate people who make an effort to put them even one simple string is cheerful. My father put up lights every year until he died. Now I am tearing up.
Good luck with your lights.
I loved your dad and mom, Kay. Sending you a big hug.
Stay safe.
My daughter insists on putting up lights every year since her Dad/my husband died. She’s very afraid of heights, and it takes her a long time to climb the ladder, but I noticed this year that she got up there more quickly and with more confidence…a few years of practice helped! December is always sad for me…my husband’s birthday and his day of death. And this is the first Christmas without my Dad.
When we get to “a certain age”, we do feel that mixture of sadness and joy, don’t we? I hope everyone’s memories of their loved ones who have gone will help them feel better.
Stay positive, Claudia! You’re a good Putz Sheep rescuer!
I’m sorry December is so tough for you, Wendy. Sending you a big virtual hug.
Stay safe, Wendy.
I’m so glad and excited you mentioned me in your blog, Claudia. Thank you very much, you made my day. I’m very honoured you called me your friend, I just can return that to you.
And for Petra1945 (first post in comments today): there is a post on this blog, from December 9, 2019, Claudia and Don visited an antique shop, Claudia bought 2 putzsheep and made some explanations about putzsheep and their history.
Putz comes from the German word “herausputzen” which means “to decorate” or “to dress up”, specially on Christmas.
Isn’t it funny, Claudia, that you made a similar post about putzsheep almost exactly one year ago and how far away this is and what strange things happened ever since.
And I have to set this right: I still don’t have no black putzsheep! I’m looking for that. I know they are there. I see them on Ebay, on Instagram, on Pinterest. I will be so happy, if I finally find one. (that’s a collector’s luck). To be honest, I thought about colouring a less good looking sheep black (is this a fake?), and no, I dismissed that! Stay safe, Claudia
It’s more fun to discover the black sheep, don’t you think? The thrill of discovery! And you will. I wish I was in Germany where it is easier to find them! Until I get there, I’ll feast my eyes on your collection, Helga!
Stay safe.
With all the joyous events this month, the sadness seems even more intense, it seems to me. Early December always sends me an anniversary wave of regret and longing. For babies and dogs and family. It’s comforting to know I’m not alone in feeling this way.
Thank heavens for your putz sheep–my happy place. My nativity sheep (guarded by the new sheepdog) are grazing on a newly discovered linen from my stash that reminds me of crocheted snowflakes.
And now, onwards to a creative day…making the world more beautiful one ornament at a time!
You are not alone in feeling that way, Roxie. It’s a mixture of joy and sadness, this season.
Thank you.
Stay safe.
Claudia I understand. This is a hard month for me. I miss sweet Charlie and how much her loved laying under the tree. I miss my brother always but since he passed on Dec 23rd it makes this months hard in may ways. I’m just so blessed to have my Grandchildren who bring such joy and light to my life. I love seeing your little Putz sheep collection and I especially like that ‘all’ are welcome. Hugs!
Thank goodness your sweet grandchildren are nearby, Linda. I’m so glad for you.
Stay safe.
I’m always shunted into grief at Christmas even in the best of times. I’m so sorry this flooded you all at once. It’s a lot! I’ve been looking at stuff about how to weather this holiday “unlike any other” (if I hear that phrase once, I hear it 100 times a day and I’m sick of it…there was at least one Christmas during the Spanish flu epidemic, and several during the Depression and WWII which were equally painful and sad). Bottom line: no help in figuring out how to weather it. Stay away from others who may be sick and not know it or who you may infect without knowing it, wear a mask if you go out, and as much as possible count your blessings. This is not my advice, it’s the only things I see on the help sites. Thin soup for the soul when we miss our loved ones and can’t gather even for a cup of coffee. Thanks for re-homing the precious Putz sheep, esp. the ones who’ve been thru a lot.
We are pretty good at counting our blessings and do it every day. I take in our home and the tree and the things we love around us and utter thanks for this shelter, this safe place.
Stay safe, Nora.
I know all too well those waves of grief. Of course, the worst is for my oldest son. But then sometimes I will have waves of…I don’t know if you’d call it grief, but times of truly missing someone…
I think of my maternal grandma, “Nanny” quite often and today I was thinking about my dad and actually missing him, which I found a bit ironic. You see, I wasn’t that close with my dad. He wasn’t an “involved” father. And he could be quite abusive at times, both physically and mentally. However, today I was thinking of how intelligent and well-read he was and how he was mostly serious, but then had that dry sense of humor which would come out of the blue. I can see now (after 22 years) how he was obviously depressed and I wondered if he would’ve ever gone for counseling if someone had seriously encouraged him.
I also greatly miss my fur baby, Zippo who has been gone two years now.
Those Putz sheep are adorable. I’d love to see your entire collection.
xoxo
Time is a great healer – the distance helps us see someone with fresh eyes. I know both Mere and I feel that way about my Dad. We made some discoveries about Dad and PTSD and his subsequent emotional fragility and alcoholism. I wish we’d known that earlier.
Stay safe, Melanie.
Sometimes those bouts of sadness just hit us. I’ve been thinking of my oldest son lately. He and his wife were supposed to join us this year for Christmas. I haven’t seen him in two years. Yes, we FaceTime quite frequently, and he sends a lot of pics my way…but it’s not the same. Oh, I need one of his giant hugs. Sigh.
I’m really glad you were able to rescue those Putz sheep. I haven’t been in an antique or a thrift store since early last March. I miss that, too.
Stay safe! ;)
I’m sorry it’s been so long since you’re seen your son. Meredith and I haven’t seen each other in person for at least 3 years. She told me she just wanted to hug me and I feel the same way. It’s awfully hard, isn’t it?
Stay safe, Donna.
glad you let those feelings out by talking with don and recalling the sweet memories. hope doing all those outside chores got rid lingering energy behind the toughest feelings.
thanks for sharing that with us here, too.
i can relate to that sadness and loneliness for missing people and animals in my family … and i look very much forward to that wonderful reunion.
sending you and everyone else a virtual hug and keeping you in prayers.
love your new sheep … very sweet, especially seeing the signs of how well loved they were/are. amen to that “all are welcome” (the attitude behind those words being one of the many great and loveable things about you).
also, the design on that little turquoise pitcher (behind the sheep in both photos) looks to me like a very stylized, art deco “c h” logo … probably it’s for the company who made the pitcher. or it could be for your pre-don initials. :)
though none are happening here now, i also enjoy wandering around antique shops. Christmas markets, too. been doing that virtually, but perhaps the vaccine will change things for the better next year. here’s hoping and praying!
dollhouse is looking great. i love that wallpaper and wicker table! please carry on!
hope you are having a nice night.
stay safe!
kathy in iowa
I bought the pitcher because of the CH, which is probably a stamp from the company that made it, but happen to be my initials. They are still my initials. I never changed my name when we got married, so my legal name remains “Claudia Hill.”
Thanks, Kathy.
Stay safe!
Hi Claudia, I enjoy reading your blog everyday. You and I are kindred spirits in many ways – politics, dollhouses, having wonderful partners. But I wanted to mention something that MAY work on some of the staining on the Putz sheep.
My aunt, whom we called Mrs. Betty Crocker, shared that baking soda mixed with a few drops of water ,not enough to make a paste, just enough to barely hold together, gently placed on the stained area left for 2 or 3 days and then, without shaking off the baking soda place the item in a strong sun for a day. She claimed this sort of drew the staining out.
And by golly, I have tried it and it has worked! Since only a tiny bit of water is involved, a gentle blowing on the item often takes away the baking soda but I have used a soft paint brush, dry, to work the baking soda out.
Might be a project for the warmer months. Your sheep are lovely. I have inherited my grandmother and great grandmothers Putz houses – small but so detailed and lovely. Quality items.
Stay safe! Isn’t Dr. Fauci just wonderful? He should win an award for bravery! Take care!
I would be a wee bit nervous as I wouldn’t want to damage the wool, but it sounds like a good idea, Ellen. Thank you for telling me about it.
I love Dr. Fauci!
Stay safe!
” Some of my sheep are in fairly pristine condition. Others are damaged and worn.
All are welcome. ”
and you are so dear to rescue them!
I could just see Scout loving opening his presents…
and Winston… sitting there staring at his stocking over the fireplace! how wonderful!
yes. sometimes it all just washes over us in waves.
a part of our lives. bittersweet now because of loss. but always beautiful nonetheless.
thank you for sharing your life with all of us. xoxo
Always beautiful, Tammy.
Thank you.
Stay safe.