---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I return to the sprinklers and sit down…"
description: "\"“I return to the sprinklers and sit down. George plunks down next to me. “Did you know that a bird-eating tarantula is as big as your hand?” “Jase does..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bc/huntley-fitzpatrick-4385_loyal-fans_i-return-to-the-sprinklers-and-sit-down_285188.jpg"
---

#  I return to the sprinklers and sit down. George plunks…

![“I return to the sprinklers and sit down. George plunks down next to me. “Did you know that a bird-eating tarantula is as big as your hand?” “Jase doesn’t have one of those, does he?” George gives me his sunniest smile. “No. He useta have a reg’lar tarantula named Agnes, but she”—his voice drops…” quote by Huntley Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bc/huntley-fitzpatrick-4385_loyal-fans_i-return-to-the-sprinklers-and-sit-down_285188.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bc/huntley-fitzpatrick-4385_loyal-fans_i-return-to-the-sprinklers-and-sit-down_285188.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bc/huntley-fitzpatrick-4385_loyal-fans_i-return-to-the-sprinklers-and-sit-down_285188.jpg)

> ““I return to the sprinklers and sit down. George plunks down next to me. “Did you know that a bird-eating tarantula is as big as your hand?” “Jase doesn’t have one of those, does he?” George gives me his sunniest smile. “No. He useta have a reg’lar tarantula named Agnes, but she”—his voice drops mournfully—“died.” “I’m sure she’s in tarantula heaven now,” I assure him hastily, shuddering to think what that might look like. Mrs. Garret’s van pulls in behind the motorcycle, disgorging what I assume are Duff and Andy, both red-faced and windblown. Judging by their life jackets, they’ve been at sailing camp. George and Harry, my loyal fans, rave to their mother about my accomplishments, while Patsy immediately bursts into tears, points an accusing finger at her mother, and wails, “Boob.” “It was her first word.” Mrs. Garret takes her from me, heedless of Patsy’s damp swimsuit. “There’s one for the baby book.””

[Huntley Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huntley-fitzpatrick/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Life’s small moments intertwine with grief, humor, and connection.

**In simple terms:** Everyday scenes reveal deeper emotions.

Key Takeaway

Notice the layers in ordinary interactions.

Themes

grief friendship memory humor

Mood

melancholic warm nostalgic

Type

fiction narrative reflective

When to use this quote

- family gatherings
- camp experiences
- talking about loss

Key Concepts

existential reflection human connection

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you balance humor with sorrow?
- What does the tarantula symbolize for you?

A Different Perspective

The narrative may romanticize tragedy, overlooking real pain.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Baby Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/baby-book/) [Loyal fans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loyal-fans/)

## Related quotes

> [“The Baby Name book can be a very dangerous tool in the hands of a prolific author.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-m-pillow/the-baby-name-book-can-be-a-very-dangerous-tool-in-the-hands-of-a/)

[Michelle M. Pillow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-m-pillow/)

> [Most baby books also tend to romanticize the mother who stays at home, as if she really spends her entire day doing nothing but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-chira/most-baby-books-also-tend-to-romanticize-the-mother-who-stays-at-home/)

Susan Chira

> [Certainly I do not wish that instead of these masters I had read baby books, written down to children, and with such ignorant dullness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-fuller/certainly-i-do-not-wish-that-instead-of-these-masters-i-had-read-baby/)

[Margaret Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-fuller/)

> [“To her further surprise, she found a breakfast tray waiting for her on the table with bagels, cheese and an assortment of fruit. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-banks/to-her-further-surprise-she-found-a-breakfast-tray-waiting-for-her-on/)

[Maya Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-banks/)

> [There may never be a baby book that offers the conclusive answer to every question, but it's possible to extract some wisdom from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libby-copeland/there-may-never-be-a-baby-book-that-offers-the-conclusive-answer-to/)

Libby Copeland

> [I mean, if someone asked for my birth certificate, I'd get my baby book and hand it out and say 'Here it is.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vicky-hartzler/i-mean-if-someone-asked-for-my-birth-certificate-i-d-get-my-baby-book/)

[Vicky Hartzler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vicky-hartzler/)

> [When my wife was pregnant, she got very upset with me because I didnt read the baby books. She looked at that, understandably so,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-rudd/when-my-wife-was-pregnant-she-got-very-upset-with-me-because-i-didnt/)

[Paul Rudd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-rudd/)

> [“the perversity is not lost on me that the most oft-cited, well-respected, best-selling books about the caretaking of babies—Winnicott, Spock, Sears, Weissbluth— have been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-nelson/the-perversity-is-not-lost-on-me-that-the-most-oft-cited-well/)

[Maggie Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-nelson/)

> [Names are hard. I have a library of What to Name Your Baby books, and I’m always picking up new books, and books of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin-2/names-are-hard-i-have-a-library-of-what-to-name-your-baby-books-and-i/)

[George R. R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin-2/)

> [I won’t lie. Walking into a room and seeing your girlfriend reading a baby-name book can kind of make your heart stop. “I’m no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/i-won-t-lie-walking-into-a-room-and-seeing-your-girlfriend-reading-a/)

[Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/)

> [Don't listen to anyone's advice. Listen to your baby ... There are so many books, doctors, and well-meaning friends and family. We like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mayim-bialik/don-t-listen-to-anyone-s-advice-listen-to-your-baby-there-are-so-many/)

[Mayim Bialik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mayim-bialik/)

> [“All the baby books written by women who had the most perfect birth experience in the world said you should talk to your child…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-sivec/all-the-baby-books-written-by-women-who-had-the-most-perfect-birth/)

[Tara Sivec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-sivec/)

## More by Huntley Fitzpatrick

> [“Maybe she's a gymnast with superior muscle control." "She'd have to be in Cirque de Soleil to manage this.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huntley-fitzpatrick/maybe-she-s-a-gymnast-with-superior-muscle-control-she-d-have-to-be/)

[Huntley Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huntley-fitzpatrick/)

> [“I never felt with her the way I feel whenever I even catch sight of you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huntley-fitzpatrick/i-never-felt-with-her-the-way-i-feel-whenever-i-even-catch-sight-of/)

[Huntley Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huntley-fitzpatrick/)

> [“You can't do this. You have to give me a chance to fix whatever it is I've done. What have I done?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huntley-fitzpatrick/you-can-t-do-this-you-have-to-give-me-a-chance-to-fix-whatever-it-is/)

[Huntley Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huntley-fitzpatrick/)

> [“Feel sorry for anyone who thinks what they think is right should be some universal law”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huntley-fitzpatrick/feel-sorry-for-anyone-who-thinks-what-they-think-is-right-should-be/)

[Huntley Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huntley-fitzpatrick/)

> [“The right thing to do is so easy to see when you're seventeen years old and don't have to make any big decisions. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huntley-fitzpatrick/the-right-thing-to-do-is-so-easy-to-see-when-you-re-seventeen-years/)

[Huntley Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huntley-fitzpatrick/)

> [“It is as if everything else in the world stops as we lie here in the summer night.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huntley-fitzpatrick/it-is-as-if-everything-else-in-the-world-stops-as-we-lie-here-in-the/)

[Huntley Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huntley-fitzpatrick/)

> [“I cannot help but wonder if any parents ever actually schedule in adolescent drama on their day planners. Looks like a slow week, Sarah.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huntley-fitzpatrick/i-cannot-help-but-wonder-if-any-parents-ever-actually-schedule-in/)

[Huntley Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huntley-fitzpatrick/)

> [“When she's worried Vivien gives herself pedicures and facials. Nic lifts weights. I bake. So, Vivien ends up looking more glamourous. Nic gets fitter.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huntley-fitzpatrick/when-she-s-worried-vivien-gives-herself-pedicures-and-facials-nic/)

[Huntley Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huntley-fitzpatrick/)

> [“Dressed-up Cass is like a creature from another planet. One I want to colonize.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huntley-fitzpatrick/dressed-up-cass-is-like-a-creature-from-another-planet-one-i-want-to/)

[Huntley Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huntley-fitzpatrick/)

> [“I thought I’d just go and come back a Sophisticated Woman Who Took Her Relationship to the Next Level in the Big Apple.” I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huntley-fitzpatrick/i-thought-i-d-just-go-and-come-back-a-sophisticated-woman-who-took/)

[Huntley Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huntley-fitzpatrick/)

> [“So here we are, in the family planning aisle with a cart full of sports drinks and our hands full of . . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huntley-fitzpatrick/so-here-we-are-in-the-family-planning-aisle-with-a-cart-full-of/)

[Huntley Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huntley-fitzpatrick/)

> [“Who are these people, and why do they think their own opinions are the only right ones?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huntley-fitzpatrick/who-are-these-people-and-why-do-they-think-their-own-opinions-are-the/)

[Huntley Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huntley-fitzpatrick/)

> [“You can do better than that." He loops his arms around my waist and pulls me to him. "Where are your gloves?" "Better than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huntley-fitzpatrick/you-can-do-better-than-that-he-loops-his-arms-around-my-waist-and/)

[Huntley Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huntley-fitzpatrick/)

> [“Right. Because if you have trouble putting ketchup and mustard on a hot dog, you should totally move on to saving lives.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huntley-fitzpatrick/right-because-if-you-have-trouble-putting-ketchup-and-mustard-on-a/)

[Huntley Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huntley-fitzpatrick/)

> [“I lie on top of him, skin to skin. He's tall, I'm not, but when we lie like this, we fit together. All the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huntley-fitzpatrick/i-lie-on-top-of-him-skin-to-skin-he-s-tall-i-m-not-but-when-we-lie/)

[Huntley Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huntley-fitzpatrick/)

[Explore all 108 Huntley Fitzpatrick quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huntley-fitzpatrick/)

## More Loyal fans quotes

> [I think metal fans are more loyal than other fans, and they are often more inclined to collect the albums of their favorite bands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/varg-vikernes/i-think-metal-fans-are-more-loyal-than-other-fans-and-they-are-often/)

[Varg Vikernes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/varg-vikernes/)

> [We’re super fortunate in Pearl Jam to have such loyal fans...who really want to come &amp; see us play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stone-gossard/we-re-super-fortunate-in-pearl-jam-to-have-such-loyal-fans-who-really/)

[Stone Gossard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stone-gossard/)

> [Sci-fi fans are the most loyal fans on the planet - there's no doubt about it. I've done a few of those conventions, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-evigan/sci-fi-fans-are-the-most-loyal-fans-on-the-planet-there-s-no-doubt/)

[Greg Evigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-evigan/)

> [The length of stay that you play in Boston allows people to understand and appreciate you because you've been loyal to the team and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-havlicek/the-length-of-stay-that-you-play-in-boston-allows-people-to/)

[John Havlicek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-havlicek/)

> [The Latino community, they're some of the most loyal fans on the planet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-sanchez/the-latino-community-they-re-some-of-the-most-loyal-fans-on-the-planet/)

[Mark Sanchez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-sanchez/)

> [I have the best and most loyal fans in the world, and they are used to connecting with me since the very beginning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kane-brown/i-have-the-best-and-most-loyal-fans-in-the-world-and-they-are-used-to/)

[Kane Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kane-brown/)

> [I have loyal fans, really loyal fans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tricky/i-have-loyal-fans-really-loyal-fans/)

[Tricky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tricky/)

> [I literally post swing videos. Like, how is that interesting? But I've created such a following, and they're loyal fans. It's really cool to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paige-spiranac/i-literally-post-swing-videos-like-how-is-that-interesting-but-i-ve/)

[Paige Spiranac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paige-spiranac/)

> [Science fiction's been good to me. The fans are the most loyal fans in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-picardo/science-fiction-s-been-good-to-me-the-fans-are-the-most-loyal-fans-in/)

[Robert Picardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-picardo/)

> [The fans know what's happened to me over the past couple of years. I lost my family. I pretty much got devastated financially and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hulk-hogan/the-fans-know-what-s-happened-to-me-over-the-past-couple-of-years-i/)

[Hulk Hogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hulk-hogan/)

> [I have always said that 'The Real Housewives of New Jersey' has the most amazing and loyal fans on the planet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teresa-giudice/i-have-always-said-that-the-real-housewives-of-new-jersey-has-the/)

[Teresa Giudice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teresa-giudice/)

> [It's an under-represented demographic and it's a really loyal fan base and it's really nice to play those roles without making a big deal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaime-murray/it-s-an-under-represented-demographic-and-it-s-a-really-loyal-fan/)

[Jaime Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaime-murray/)

> [I'm very proud; I have such loyal fans, and they would follow me to the ends of the Earth, and that's an amazing, amazing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mickie-james/i-m-very-proud-i-have-such-loyal-fans-and-they-would-follow-me-to-the/)

[Mickie James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mickie-james/)

> [We've got the most loyal fans on earth and probably the most craziest fans I've seen since the Pantera days.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivan-moody/we-ve-got-the-most-loyal-fans-on-earth-and-probably-the-most-craziest/)

[Ivan Moody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivan-moody/)

> [I don't think there is a person who loves the Nets as much as I do - from our fans, all the employees in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-williams/i-don-t-think-there-is-a-person-who-loves-the-nets-as-much-as-i-do/)

[Jayson Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-williams/)

[Browse all 38 Loyal fans quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loyal-fans/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“I return to the sprinklers and sit down. George plunks down next to me. “Did you know that a bird-eating tarantula is as big as your hand?” “Jase doesn’t have one of those, does he?” George gives me his sunniest smile. “No. He useta have a reg’lar tarantula named Agnes, but she”—his voice drops mournfully—“died.” “I’m sure she’s in tarantula heaven now,” I assure him hastily, shuddering to think what that might look like. Mrs. Garret’s van pulls in behind the motorcycle, disgorging what I assume are Duff and Andy, both red-faced and windblown. Judging by their life jackets, they’ve been at sailing camp. George and Harry, my loyal fans, rave to their mother about my accomplishments, while Patsy immediately bursts into tears, points an accusing finger at her mother, and wails, “Boob.” “It was her first word.” Mrs. Garret takes her from me, heedless of Patsy’s damp swimsuit. “There’s one for the baby book.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Huntley Fitzpatrick"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huntley-fitzpatrick/i-return-to-the-sprinklers-and-sit-down-george-plunks-down-next-to-me/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Loyal fans"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huntley-fitzpatrick/i-return-to-the-sprinklers-and-sit-down-george-plunks-down-next-to-me/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bc/huntley-fitzpatrick-4385_loyal-fans_i-return-to-the-sprinklers-and-sit-down_285188.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bc/huntley-fitzpatrick-4385_loyal-fans_i-return-to-the-sprinklers-and-sit-down_285188.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bc/huntley-fitzpatrick-4385_loyal-fans_i-return-to-the-sprinklers-and-sit-down_285188.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I return to the sprinklers and sit down. George plunks down next to me. “Did you know that a bird-eating…” — Huntley Fitzpatrick",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Huntley Fitzpatrick",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huntley-fitzpatrick/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“I return to the sprinklers and...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huntley-fitzpatrick/i-return-to-the-sprinklers-and-sit-down-george-plunks-down-next-to-me/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huntley-fitzpatrick/i-return-to-the-sprinklers-and-sit-down-george-plunks-down-next-to-me/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
