Wednesday, December 30, 2020
Friday, December 25, 2020
CELEBRATE!
Snow is gone it’s going to be in the sixties today and twenties tomorrow! Happy skating!
As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by.........*s*
Wednesday, December 23, 2020
Friday, December 11, 2020
JUST WHISTLE
When I have been away from making whistles for a time I always need to make some throwaways to get back in practice.
I usually make ‘bag whistles’. They are pinched from small balls of clay and end up looking like scrunched brown paper bags. Good for practice, but I generally wad them up and recycle once I can make a decent whistle.
This time looking at them I saw funny little scrunched up faces. So I added eyeballs and cleaned them up a bit. I am not sure what will become of them, butI will glaze and once fire them.
We’ll see, grasshopper..........we’ll see...........
Have a safe and enjoyable weekend.
As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by...........*s*
Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Thursday, December 3, 2020
Memories
Tuesday, December 1, 2020
December 1, 2020
I know bunnies are traditional for the first day of the month, but this gang of Santas and one Mage are wishing everyone a fortuitous and joyous Yuletide!
Sunday, November 29, 2020
Thankfullness
I have had some pretty terrible years in my life but I have to say 2020 wins hands down as WORST YEAR EVER! And yet, without being too corny, I find I have much to be thankful for.
I am thankful that Proge is willing to live with me and make it possible for me to continue to live in my own house.
I am thankful and relieved that we will have a new president and vice-president in 2021. We just have remember that we have not elected a combo of Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy. There is a long road of truth and healing ahead. But there is hope for a better future.
Wishing all good wishes to everyone.
As always, stay safe and healthy and thanks for stopping by...............*s*
Wednesday, November 25, 2020
Thursday, November 19, 2020
Thankful Thursday
What are you thankful for in what is a pretty bleak 2020?
We’ll see, grasshopper........we’ll see.As always, stay safe and healthy, and thanks for stopping by........*s*
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
Wednesday, November 4, 2020
Tuesday, November 3, 2020
Feathered Friends
I have had most of my plants in since our several frosty nights. It wasn’t cold enough to kill the petunias so I may still bring a few more in. Most of them are reseeds and sort of a purple. Every once in a while there is a pretty sport. I have a pink and a purple and white that should bloom in few weeks.
Things are loading oddly. Here are some Santas and a Wizard. These are handbuilt. Sometimes I throw a basic form. It all depends on what I am doing at the time. These are all whistles.
As always, thanks for stopping by.........*s*
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Friday, October 23, 2020
Here We Go Again
I am indeed going through another bout of Lyme. Saw my doc yesterday for what was basically a follow up appointment. Showed her a bite I got less than a week ago, which was already showing a ring. Immediately prescribed three weeks of antibiotics.
At least I don’t have to worry about reaction to sun, but it’s still a drag. I am more annoyed than anything.
GRRRRR!!!
We’ll see, grasshopper......we’ll see.......
As always, stay safe, enjoy the weekend, and, as always, thanks for stopping by...........*s*
Wednesday, October 21, 2020
Monday, October 19, 2020
Fall Flowers
This is outside my second story bedroom window. The idea was that I would have morning glories to look at when I woke up.
We’ll see, grasshopper.........we’ll see.......
As always, stay safe and thanks for stopping by.............*s*
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
Sunday, October 11, 2020
It’s Always Sumthin’: Part ???
Woke up this morning with weird pain under my arm, spreading across chest. First half asleep thought was “OMG! Heart attack!”
NO! A deer tick! Embedded in my armpit, hitting a nerve. Got it off. Will keep an eye out. I have a feeling this might be a bad one.
Watch out for them.
Just when you thought it was safe to go in the woods......
We’ll see, grasshopper........we’ll see.............
As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by...........*s*
Tuesday, October 6, 2020
Bread
Monday, October 5, 2020
Rain, Rain Stay A Day
We need days of slow persistent rain, but this will probably end by tomorrow.
Meanwhile our leaves are turning, probably due to stress since we have not had anything near a freezing temp. And my morning glories which were planted very late in the summer have tons of buds. If we get a few more weeks of the present weather we may have a blue Halloween!
Blogger and I are not agreeing today, so I will wish all a good week.
As always, thanks for stopping by...........*s*
Wednesday, September 30, 2020
Who’s The Culprit?
Stay well and safe.
As always, thanks for stopping by.......*s*
Monday, September 28, 2020
Trials and All
My this is fun! I am learning to use the *new* *improved* Blogger! I find it difficult to think about new methods while I am trying to type comprehendable sentences.
ANYWAY:
I have been thinking a lot about glazing and why so many potters appear to loathe the process. I have feeling part of it is due to the thrill of hands in clay and making something vs. the mechanics needed to learn glazing. I am not talking chemistry here, but the methods of applying and combining glazes.
Below are two tea canisters glazed in Spectrun #799 Majolica White. The designs are Mason Stains. The luna moths are my own mix. The interesting thing is that this green on Linda Arbuckle’s majolica white is exactly the color of a luna moth. The difference is most likely in the glaze recipes.
Speaking of luna moths I have only seen a few at the beginning of the summer. Our lack of rain and hot weather may have something to do with that.
Monday, July 27, 2020
Mermaid
She is pinched and hollow. One very nice thing about paper clay is that I can go back to it when it's too dry, moisten it, and continue to work.
The top photo is her more or less finished state. In the bottom photo I have begun to add various coats of slip. There's still a lot more to do.
We drained the pool and have been madly scrubbing. Toes crossed we get water next week so we can enjoy a bit of swimming. It's been time consuming as I am still building up my stamina but totally worth it.
It doesn't seem possible that we are in the last week of July. Summer is passing way too quickly.
I do hope everyone is staying safe and healthy.
As always, thanks for stopping by.............*s*
Monday, July 6, 2020
Hello? July?
Now everything is going like gangbusters to make up for lost time.
I think I bought the double yellow below when my pond guy was going out of business. Our caterpillar infestation of a few years ago almost did it in. I am delighted at how well it has come back.
The dark red is one I bought for Proge, again from the pond guy. This one is on the edge of the pond.
And last, one of our many frogs. Because what is a pond without frogs? We have at least seven; the croak all night. It's one of the comforting sounds of summer.
I have been getting back into my studio now and them. I am trying out paper clay.
We'll see, grasshopper........we'll see....
As always, thanks for stopping by...........*s*
Monday, June 1, 2020
Tuesday, May 26, 2020
Friendly Kitty
She died quietly beside me as I was brushing her. We buried her in our animal graveyard with her dish, her ball, and flowers. I always do this with our pets. I think I must have some Egyptian genes in me.
As always, thanks for stopping by...........*s*
Sunday, May 24, 2020
Birthday Treat
It's finally warm enough to start cleaning the pool. I just have a bit more to drain then can start cleaning. I have found that if I go slow I can get quite a bit done. I've become a tortoise...slow and steady wins the race.
We will be spending the weekend at home enjoying the sun in the woods.
Have a safe and healthy holiday.
As always, thanks for stopping by...............*s*
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Spring
We have been enjoying some spring weather these last few days. My columbine by the house is starting to bloom also bleeding heart. I will photograph them when the sun moves around the house a bit.
AT some point I will visit a nursery to buy some spring plants. Don’t know about places like Walmart and Home Depot, but the independent places have some pretty good rules in place.
Of course here in RI masks are mandatory in any public/retail venue.
We’ll see, grasshopper.......we’ll see.........
As always thanks for stopping by...........*s*
Thursday, April 30, 2020
At Last!
The little trees were part of a Christmas challenge that Caroline Gault did on FaceBook. Of course I only got them fired in March. I like the way they turned out, but think I will do some with openings so they can hold a tea light.
Terra cotta with Spectrum #799, Majolica White with Mason stain, single fired to ^05+.
Yet another amaryllis is going to bloom in the next day or two. I didn’t have any blooms at Christmas which is sort of the traditional time for them to bloom indoors. (I bought a new one so I would have a bit of color) However, they have been blooming steadily since March. My Christmas cactus are also budding up. Go figure, Mother Nature keeps her own calendar.
I am recovering from my surgery quite steadily. I am still not doing heavy lifting or huge exercise. I am walking around the yard on good days. I missed so much of spring daffodils that it is a joy to see things flowering. White bleeding heart is lovely. The columbine is ready to burst.
I haven’t done any clay at all. I am waiting for the right time. I may glaze some bisque this afternoon. It’s fairly mindless and needs to be completely dry before I start painting, so it’s a good way to start.
I am still staying at home in self quarantine. It’s very strange to think of myself as being in the high risk group, but there you are! Proge does all the shopping; I drive but don’t get out of the car.
I hope all are safe and well.
As always, thanks for stopping by.............*s*
Sunday, April 12, 2020
Sunshine
On the health front I am making progress. Pain is much less and controlled with Tylenol. Stamina is something that I need to build slowly. I find that one ‘chore’ a day is my limit. Today it’s laundry. will not be carrying anything, but I will be able to do the rest.
It’s a beautiful, sunny day with temps expected to get into the high fifties. I am looking forward to a little walk around the yard and a visit to the fish pond.
As always, thanks for stopping by...............*s*
Thursday, April 2, 2020
And So It Goes.
Prior to going into the hospital and before Crovid I was doing reasonably well, even though surgery was in the offing.
I fired Big Mama pretty successfully. I was planning on cleaning and changing my studio a bit, which is something I like to do every spring. I was even thinking about being able to do some selling at Christmas!
Now that I am home I am realizing that recovery is going to be a long, hopefully steady, process. I just have to take it on a day by day basis.
The most difficult thing has been to try to accept that I am almost seventy-seven and recent cancer surgery survivor. I will make it a point to avoid people when I am able to drive. Others can do my errands; there is no need for me to go into places.
Doc follow-up appt tomorrow.........we’ll see, grasshopper......we’ll see.
As always, thanks for stopping by......*s*
Saturday, March 28, 2020
Sumthin'
I have had many conversations about glazing and firing purchased terra cotta pots. Here is proof that it can be done.
However, there are caveats: 1. Pots from Italy seem to be more successful. Examine them carefully for hairline cracks. I spray mist to bring out any hidden problems. 2. I have used studio glazes
successfully, but there is a greater chance of crawling and bubbling so I am sticking with Spectrum
Majolica White #799.
This will be great outside over the summer but I will put it in a safe dry place before there is any chance of frost.
Now for the not so fun part. I may get fairly graphic so if talk of bowels and such turns you off stop reading.
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In late January I saw my primary care doc for my annual checkup. She did not like the looks of hemorrhoids so recommended I see my gastroenterologist ASAP. A week and a half later I was having a colonoscopy (which I was due for anyway). Hemorrhoids taken care of but discovered a one and a half centimeter polyp which she removed and biopsied. Came back cancerous, so within three weeksI was scheduled for upper bowel surgery. Went into the hospital March 24, had surgery, was well enough to come home yesterday, Friday.
I seem to be recovering well. But I am still trying to get used to thinking of myself as ‘at risk’. I guess at 76 and cancer survivor those are the breaks. Staying away from people out here in the woods and enjoying early spring.
The good news is that a CT Scan showed no others problems.
Stay well and safe. Get that colonoscopy; the prep is worse than the procedure.
As always, thanks for stopping by...............*s*
ch
Sunday, January 26, 2020
Goonie Variations
We’ll see, grasshopper........we’ll see........
As always, thanks for stopping by.......*s*
Sunday, January 5, 2020
Twelfth Night
Wishing everyone a Happy Twelfth Night.
As always, thanks for stopping by...........*s*