Wordless Wednesday

 

My First Octopus

 From the way the various birds and bees have been acting I think they are looking for water.  Rooting around among my artifacts I found this bird bath/platter what have you.  I am pretty sure it's one of the first thing I made after switching from a high talc, low fire white to terra cotta, which would take me back to 1990.  Have no idea of the glaze, I was trying various studio glazes and still learning to mix Mason stains. In the 'flesh' it's obviously over fired., but still usable. 

 I know the clay was the old Miller #25 terra cotta with 10% frit 3124 added.  This clay body wears like iron.  It's no longer available.  I don't think Miller even exists these days. I am trying a body from tuckers which also has frit but haven't had a chance to fire it yet.  

We haven't had a lot of rain in the last few weeks which is pretty normal for this time of year.  It looks like hurricane Erin will be too far off shore to bring us any rain.  The tides however are dangerous.  Toes crossed that people have the sense to stay away from the shore........probably a vain hope.

Stay strong and as always, thanks for stopping by..............*s*

Late Afternoon Tea...Day 7

Doesn't feel like a week has passed. Toes crossed everyone has been enjoying tea none way or amother

This may be the teapot that inspired my love of tea, making teapots, and majolica.  The handle got broken several years ago.  I have the pieces so I will mend it at some point.  

Thus was my Nanu's teapot which supposedly she and Gramp bought on their European honeymoon.  I have my doubts as it says 'Made in Italy' on the bottom.  Perhaps purchased at some sort of import shop?  I will never know.  The glazes probably are leaded so it hasn't been used in many many years.

I remember as a child being fascinated with the decorations.  Now I am thinking about making a replica.

We'll see, grasshopper, we'll see..............

Stay strong, and as always, thanks for stopping by.
 

Afternoon Tea....Day Six

 One of the very first teapots I ever made waaaaaaay back when.  It's high fire, so it was before I switched exclusively to low-fire.  I would say ca.1988 when I had only been potting for a few years.  I think I painted an Albany Glaze on and rubbed it off. The interior is lined with it.

I've been having a lot of fun unearthing old teapots.  Perhaps I will go on looking for hidden and forgotten pots.

We'll see, grasshopper, we'll se...............

Stay strong and as always, thinks for stopping by........*s*

Afternoon Tea...Day Five

I bought this teapot many years ago at the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen summer festival at Mt. Sunappe, New Hampshire.   Unfortunately I lost the maker's card.  It's porcelain with this very pretty glaze.  Holds about three generous cups and pours very nicely. The opening is big enough to accommodate one of my brewing baskets. 

 I always drink loose tea.  Since I started using the baskets it has made clean-up whole lot easier.  At one point I thought I was giving in to modern laziness.  I have since found many antique pots with brewing baskets made to go with the teapots.  

Stay strong and as always, thanks for stopping by.............*s*

Afternoon Tea....Day Three

Another so-called 'one hour teapot'.  Made this a very long time ago.  Unfortunately I don't remember the glazes, but the are most likely Spectrum.  It's been sitting on shelf, not sure why.  I like the handle and lid.  It holds about three generous cups and pours very nicely.

 I find it very interesting that I rarely have a spout go wrong.  I just wish I could figure out what I am doing right!🤭

I really should try for a better picture.

Stay strong and as always, thanks for stopping by......*s*

Afternoon Tea....Day Two....and.........

International Elephant Day.  This little teapot and cup by Gary Rith feels particularly appropriate!

 I love the way cup and pot fit together, to say nothing of the jolly little elephant.

It's a perfect 'tea-for-me' size, which will be enjoyed on my deck this afternoon.

Stay strong, and as always, thanks for stopping by.............*s*

Afternoon Tea Day One

 National Afternoon tea week is August 11-17 this year.  I am going to try to post a teapot for each day.  Operative word is *try*.  May be pots I have made, in the process of making, or by other otters that I like. 

This is a little two-three cup pot I handbuilt over a form I made.  The process was originally posted on the Ceramics Monthly site..  I think it was called a one hour teapot.  But....me being me I probably spent several hours on it.  And then there is the decorating and my first time panting. grapes. 

I made this many years ago long before Covid and my various, myriad health problems began interfering with life.  It still sits on my unfired shelf.  Perhaps when the weather cools and I get the kiln room sorted I will actually manage to do a firing.

We'll see, grasshopper............we'll see..........

Stay strong, and as always, thanks for stopping by.........*s*

OOPS!

 Not really the way to celebrate a one year anniversary. 

 Thursday, August 7 was the one year anniversary of my hip replacement.  This is one of the smartest things I have ever done.  I am only sorry that I waited almost two years to get it done.  Fear and anxiety are not good friends.

I can still be vey bad at judging seating heights.  Went to sit on a toilet, forgot it was not the high riser I am used too.  OOPS!  BOOM!  No harm done, but it was a surprise.  As my sweet P. used to say, "Presence of mind, Suzi, presence of mind."

I hate that we are more than halfway through the summer, but as I have said many times in many places toes are crossed for one of our long, warm autumns.

Meanwhile I deal with the pool which is developing a myriad of problems.  

It's always sumthin !

Stay strong, and as always, thank for stopping by................*s*

Wordless Wednesday

 Stay strong, and tanks for stopping by...............*s*

Mixing

A few months ago I managed to absolutely destroy my wonderful little Bosch mixer.  I used the blender attachment to make almond butter.  Big NO!  The blender worked well for everything else but nut butter completely did it in. It came with a three year warranty, but I bought it right after Covid began so that was long gone.  And from what I can see Bosch no longer makes the compact. mixer.

I was not sure what I wanted to do about a replacement so I have been making a lot of batter breads and, yes, even buying bread. Looked at various mixers.  What I really wanted was the Ankarsrum, but the price, grasshopper.......way out of my range.

A few weeks ago I was looking arounds and came across this KitchenAid factory refurbished mini-pro On sale, with free shipping directly from the company so I decided to give it a go..  

It did arrive almost a week later than the original arrival date.  My quarrel is not with the time it took, but the lack of communication on the company's part.  It was listed on my card as sale pending.  That note went away after two days.  Complete silence and no response to my attempts to communicate.  Then wonder of wonders, I got a notice saying the mixer was shopped.  Checked and indeed the charge was on my card, and it arrived when they said it would.  KitchenAid makes great items, but their communication skills are not great.  This is not the first time I have been through this with them.

Rant over, the mixer is here in great shape.

I've only used it once so far to make bread.  I like the stainless bowl and the coated dough hook and mixer blades.  I haven't tried whipping anything yet the balloon whisk looks like it will do the job.  One thing I like about the dough hook is the shield which keeps the dough from traveling up the mixer.  

I will be using this mostly for bread and other large items.  Most of the time I used my hand mixer, or immersion blender, both KitchenAid and still going strong after many years.

So now I can get back to experiments in bread without destroying my poor wrists.  I want to save them for my pottery.

Stay strong and as usual, thanks for stopping by.......*s*

Lilies

My favorite lilies that sort of grew by themselves by my door.  Unfortunately between being top heavy with blooms and weight from rain the main stalk snapped.  Or else our new ground hog friend took a taste and decided they were not for him.

I put them in water out on the deck.  Can't have them inside due to allergies and cats.  But I am fine with them outside.  Get to enjoy them from the sunroom which is my day room and when I am outside.

Still.....I would prefer them on the actual plant.

Cannot believe that we are halfway through the best of summer.  Still so much to do!  And as always toes are crossed for one of our long, balmy autumns.

I don't like to mention it because that is usually a signal for things going amiss, but I am going to try (operative word *try*). to post here often.  I am returning to thinking of it as a daily journal to set down thoughts, ideas anxieties....name it.  I like the idea of using this because it's not as public as FB.

Stay strong, and as always, thanks for stopping by................*s*

Time Fugits

HARES AND RABBITS

Windows

 Reading Barb's post today about leaving car windows opens brought back some memories or....

WHY I ALWAYS CLOSE CAR WINDOWS

Many, many years ago I had one of the last VW Squarebacks sold in the USA.  Loved that car, AKA The Little Red Schoolbus.  The window opening went across the top and down the side, very nice when you wanted just a bit of air and a breeze.  One day left window cracked, went inside, thought no more about it until following morning when then husband came in and asked, "Why did you leave your lights on overnight?"  Me, "Lights on?  I didn't leave the lights on I came home from picking Proge up.  It was afternoon, it's summer and sunny.  Why would I have lights on?."  We go out to jump car.  Little hand and footprints on car, BY THE WINDOW!  Our little raccoon buddies had been visiting.  Immediately pictured raccoon perched on car, reaching in with one arm and playing with knobs and handles and very handy lights.  Even turned lights to high.

So a salutary lesson was learned🤭

Thanks, Barb, for the memory! 

Stay strong, and as always, thanks for stopping by.................*s*

Sonnet #33

 I started the morning with a reading of Sonnet #33 by the Bard himself.  It somehow feels appropriate for our times.

I read the sonnets in no particular order, but simply open my book randomly.  It seldom disappoints.

As always, stay strong, and thanks for stopping by.........*s*

it’s Always Sumthin’

Yesterday morning I was doing my usual wake up routine of lying bed, drinking tea, doing a crossword puzzle when there was the sound of something crashing...loud crashing.  Immediate thought was that the cats had finally managed to pull over a bookcase or the TV.  (Not really a possibility as everything is well mounted and immovable.). But the crash went on.  Got up went into living room to see this tree crashed up against the house.  I guess all the rain and general damp we have had finally weakened this large branch, that was quite rotted at the base  so it finally fell.  Happily no windows were broken, no roof bashed in, just a very leafy bower against the house.  Everything is so green and happily growing this year that we are going to have to clear a lot of overgrowth to get to it.  It's on the north side of the house so not terribly sunny, definitely doable and there is the added bonus of winter's fire wood.

Meanwhile things are growing and catching up after a chilly May and early June.  My hydrangeas look wonderful even with the neglect of last year.  The roadside orange dallies are in full swing.  Lots of buds on both daylily varieties and asiatic lilies.

As always, take care, and thanks for stopping by.............*s*

 

Aloe Time

I finally have managed to get all my aloes out onto the deck.  There are thirteen pots, maybe fourteen; I've lost count.  Many of the pots have multiple plants.  When I start a new plant I just cut off the top, peel away a few leaves and stick it in some potting soil.  The root I repot.  It always put at least three pups sometimes more.  I seem to be totally unable to toss anything resembling a plant that might grow.  I only discovered a few years ago that roots will grow when I left a cut off stem in the pot and it began putting out pups

 I blame my success on benign neglect.  They get sun and minimal amounts of water over the winter.  This also seems to encourage flowering which is strange and wonderful.  Only began happening a few years ago.

Yes, we are having hot weather, but really it's in the 80ºF. with lots of humidity.  I stay outside on the deck under my umbrella, with iced tea, and a fan.  Actually got a heat advisory warning from the local police saying to say hydrated etc and listing cooling places. 

Mostly I want to say, "Use the wits you were born with. Stay out of the direct sun, wear sun block, hat and sunglasses.

Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the noon day sun.    Noel Coward

As always, take care and thanks for stopping by..............*s* 

It's SuMMER!

We, or rather Proge, finally bought a new lawn mower last week.  So of course, it immediately started raining and drizzling.  Definitely too wet to be mowing the hay field that once was our so-called lawn.  Lawn by our definition is anything green enough to provide coverage.  

This is an early spring photo of the flamingos.  Right now they are so deep in green that only their heads show.  Reminds me that I need to add to the flock. But mowing is slowly but surely happening.

 Life is progressing slowly.  After too many years of neglect it's wonderful and amazing to be able to go out and putter around pain free.

Lots of heat expected in our area although local weather says 80ºF-ish.  That's entirely bearable in my book.  I do have to resew a couple of rib pockets on the deck umbrella.  We had wind yesterday. One heavy gust blew the umbrella off the deck and into the back yard.  Fortunately except for a couple of torn pockets everything is still in good working order.

I remember when I started potting, low these many years ago, I had my first very heavy (motorized) kick wheel set up out under the trees. It was a lovely shady outdoor studio.  Occasionally I would fire up the generator if I was working on a large piece but mosly I used it as a kick wheel and enjoyed the quiet of the woods. At that point we lived completely off grid, used the generator at night.  I do enjoy living with power, but if I still had my back house I would seriously be going solar and off grid. 

Happy memories.

As always, stay safe and thanks for stopping by.............*s*

RANT!!! OR......How Do You Get To Carnegie Hall?

A picture because.....

 This is inspired by recent posts on various FB groups by potters who insist they have no artistic talent.  When I was managing an art store it was an almost daily occurrence that (usually) women would come in and rave about genius, talented grands, then say they themselves had no artistic talent.  When asked why they felt that way the answer was usually that some adult, often a teacher, had told them they had no talent when they were in second or third grade.  EXCUSE ME!!!??? 

I think of my mis-quote of Thomas Edison....Art is 5%inspiration and 95% perspiration.  

The way to develop artistic ability is to work at it the same way you work at developing any talent.  Work at it!    That means keeping a blank book near by and making marks whenever you can.  No computer drawing programs!  There is a connection in the brain between eyes and hands that is re-enforced when actually putting pencil to paper.  Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain is another way to start. 

Developing any talent takes many exercises. Pablo Casals said when asked why he practiced at ninety said, "Because I think I'm making progress."

 Learn to see what you are looking at.  Look at a leaf.  Draw what you see, not what you think is a leaf.  Hold it.  Feel the shape, the texture, the veins.  Start to draw what you see. First attempts may be off, but keep doing. Little steps.  How does a line define a space? How does the light affect the object.  How does placement influence how we view an object?

Take a mug or cup you use often.  Place it on the table or space where you normally use it.  Now place it in a white, open cube or on a riser or box, preferably white, with a blank wall behind it. How does the location and space around this common object affect how you view it

Not everyone will be a Durer, or Rembrandt, or Matisse.  But everyone can learn to create and enjoy the process.  

 Yes, developing an ability is work. You don't become a master potter, glassblower, weaver etc. over night.  Why on earth would you expect to be proficient at art the first time you set pencil to paper?

This may be subject to more ranting!  I hate seeing people selling themselves short!

As always, stay well, and thanks for stopping by...........*s*

Happiness is a Teapot

Oh! Frabjous day!  Call!  Callay!

For reasons known only to itself I am once again able to post photos here on Blogger!

After the kitteh help with the first pot, I started another which I am now in the process of painting.  When I start a new form and design it's a long process with many sketches in my journals.  I still prefer to work on paper with pencil/pen/ aquarelles.  The brain, eye, hand connection  gives me a strong sense of what will work.  Transitioning from a flat surface to a 3-D form is always interesting.

Now that I am able to post photos I am off to take more......poppies, fish it goes on.

As always, stay well, and thanks for stopping by.............*s* 

Restart

 WELL!  Had my annual physical yesterday and man did I screw up.  I knew that my abandoned eating since Christmas would be problematic, but no to the tune of sending my A1C up to 7.5. Sooooo...it's back to counting carbs and watching what I eat....such fun!!!

On the other hand my eyes are doing fine.  My right eye which has the retinal tear looks like it needs surgery, but according to my doc in this case looks are deceiving.  I am seeing very well, as long as I continue to do so, no surgery. He is mystified as to why this is so, as am I.

Everything else appears to be under control, my white blood count is looking very good.  I do need to schedule a mammogram and a f/u colonoscopy.  

I think being 82 takes up too much time being preoccupied with health.

Think I'll go work on my latest teapot, which for some reason I cannot post a photo of.

Stay safe and dare I say healthy?  As always, thanks for stopping by..........*s*

GRRRRRR!!!

 I have been sulking because for some arcane reason blogger is no longer allowing me access to my photos. Yes, I know  many post without pictures, but I don't......didn't.

Had my 82nd birthday last month.  It rained.  Still wondering how the f....I got to be 82.  I don't think I am much wiser with age.  But I am enjoying making some new pots.

For the first time in a few years I have been enjoying spring, now that it is finally here!  I am in the process of moving from my upstairs winter space to my real studio downstairs. Also planting and planting new stuff.  Trying to be a bit more sensible and get pots and planters ready before I go nuts buying plants.  Key word here is 'try'.

Proge rigged up a pulley from the deck so we don't have to go out to what was the laundry area to hang clothes.  The dryer has gone the way of all flesh, but with warm weather we are hanging clothes out anyway, so a new (used?) one is one the back burner.

Today I am starting on opening the pool.  It's kind of a mess as it was never opened last year, due to my hip.

Getting a hip replacement was one of the smartest things I have ever done.  I just have to remember to exercise regularly.  Since I stopped dancing back in the dark ages exercise has never been a strong point with me.

As always, stay well and thanks for stopping by..............*s*

Well That Was Fun!

 Lost our electricity yesterday with no warning and no apparent reason, until we heard the sirens going by.  There was an accident down at the foot of the hill.  Fortunately no ambulances to I assumed no one was injured. I think a telephone pole may have been taken down.  We had to go out for some propane tanks and could see many truck and police cars if we looked the other way.  It must have been a doozy as we were without power for about ten hours. Got out the inverter and the gas burner so we could have light and cook supper.  Power came on around eight-ish, sans internet.  That finally was restored at 12:00 PM, today.

  One of the disadvantages to living in an all electric house is that when power goes we are up a certain creek.  Power inverter and gas burner are always on hand.  Unfortunately it was also raining so cooking outside was a large no.

We seem to be in for a bout of chilly gray weather with intermittent showers. But the daffodils are blooming and the crocuses are trying to come up.  I need to clear their bed.

Since I am now able to get around easily I am just a wee bit impatient.

As always,..............thanks for stopping by........*s*

Spring

 HAPPY IMBOLC

Although the springiest day was yesterday.  The first daffodils bloomed, the sun was bright and warm, birds were chirping away. We even lit up the grill for the first time since Christmas. 

 Chillier and gray today, but it feels like we turned the corner on winter.  I say this advisedly as it is not unknown to have sudden snowstorms on Easter.

I am ignoring large portions of the world as a means of survival.  

We'll see, grasshopper.............we'll see.........

Thanks for stopping by..................*s*

Hares and Rabbits

 WOW!  Not sure where February went but glad to welcome March and longer, (toes crossed) warmer days.

When I was still working with my developmentally delayed students, pot hangers were always a favorite project.  Considering that I retired fifteen years ago these have been around for a while.  Standing bun is from a different series.

Whistles and 'whisky' sippers are my go-toos when I haven't been working for a while, or am just feeling at a blah standstill.  

This winter has been a bit easier than the last few.   I think due to several things.  ! started preparing in mid September, got sunroom set up, set up SAD lamp, started St. John's Wort.  But I think the biggest thing is being pain free for the first time in years.  THR (hip replacement) was one of the smartest things I have ever done.  Fear held me back from doing it much earlier......dumb move, grasshopper...

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by..............*s*

Just Whistle

Do you know how to whistle? 

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by.................*s*

Revival of Wordless Wednesday

 As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by..............*s*

Twenty in Twenty

I am posting Twenty in Twenty here to keep track of them.  FB and all are fine but the posts can get lost, even when I save them.

20/20 #2.....A little sipper I did some test designs on.

20/20   #3 Strawberries

 20/20  #4  Bosc Pears, more fruit.

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by...............*s*

Blue Skies

I joined BlueSky a few days ago.   Not sure how well it's going to work out, but taking it slow and easy. I think I was on FB for at least a year before posting much of anything, same with Instagram.  Don't want to be too hasty!🤭

Many potters on Bluesky are doing a 'twenty pots in twenty days' thing. Twenty pots with no particular order.  I started yesterday.  Thought I would do the same here, or perhaps just post a bunch every few days.  We'll see, grasshopper...........we'll see.............

 @suzicaswell.bksy.social......if anyone is interested.

Stay safe, and as always, thanks for stopping by................*s*

Remembering

Wishing all a day of thoughtful peace

 

Twelfth Tide

 Old Christmas is past

Twelfth tide is the last

As we bid you adieu

Great health in the New.

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by.............*s*

Turtle

I have figured out a complicated but doable way to post photos.  This is a test shot of the turtle butter dish I have been working on. Its slightly pink cast is due to the wax resist I use to keep colors from smearing.  One of the drawbacks to working the way I do is that the colors can be very fragile.  Wax keeps them safe and burns off in the kiln.

 Well!  I made it through another year.  Biggest thing was the hip replacement.  My only regret  is that I waited so long to do it.

Sending all my best wishes for a healthy, happy, and peaceful New Year!

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by................*s*

2025

 WOW!

That was fast!

Where did 2024 go?

Toes crossed for a Happy 2025.