Notre Dame rooster - old, new, and mine

[UTUSN]

1. An immodest confession: I might have an eye for things.

So, the above - *spontaneous* - acquisition was not the first. All my bells and stuff have been purchases at flea markets, second hand places, and such. But this, below, was like the rooster.

Some 30 years ago, I stopped by a dive far from here, and noticed this ceramic figure almost a yard high. The place was buzzing, doing well, and I asked the owner where he got it (so I might get one), or whether he would sell it to me. He said no, wouldn't sell it because it was the place's patron or good luck piece. Fine. So, about ten years later I stopped in and the place was on its last legs, one customer. The attendant now might have been the son. Way in a corner, covered in dust and spider webs, was the figure. I asked the fellow whether I could buy it. He readily agreed, for the price of my paying a beer for him and the customer. I paid the beers and added a nice bill. The paint job in the pics is my doing.