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Natural Heritage

History, Culture & Craftsmanship

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Growing Up

I'm growing very big and tall,
Almost to my mother's shoulder;
And though some things of course I like,
In getting to be older,

My legs and arms have grown so long
That father laughs and Bobby
Just grins and says, "Oh, gee, Pauline,
Your knees are awful knobby!"

And uncle calls me "Spindle-shanks"
And "Polly-doodle-dandy"
And says, "My child, be thankful that
Your lovely legs aren't bandy."

It's nice to reach high hooks and things,
If anybody pleases,
But I do wish my family
Weren't all such awful teases.

I don't know where to put myself
When mother tries to hold me;
I wish she knew some comfy way
To take me up and fold me.

Of course she's always letting down
My skirts and sleeves to hide me —
But, oh, I wish my bones would wait
Till I grow up inside me!

— Edna Kingsley Wallace
"I knew I wouldn't have a Christmas gift under the tree that night.

"
After the Christmas program was over, Santa came. He started calling out the names of children and — he called my name! I couldn't believe it!

"I carried the gift back to the seat where Mother and Daddy were sitting and Mother whispered, 'Open it." I was so excited! Inside was the most beautiful doll I had ever seen, with a lovely pink dress, bonnet and little white shoes.

"I can still see that doll today and recall the thrill of that wonderful Christmas...."

— page 49,
Snyder, Virginia, Virginia's Song: A Country Quilt of Memories, Barnabas Publishing Services, 1996.
Dolls and dollmaking are scarcely inherent to the Ozarks, but, like many other forms of craftsmanship, the art has survived well in these hills.

And the memories attached to many a Christmas doll are no less dimmed.

the editor