Hey Summer! Slow Down!

 It’s hard to believe that we are heading into the last week of July.  This is my favorite time of year, so I am doing my best to practice presence of mind and savor the days.  There are early mornings of working out in the garden.  Lazy afternoon of lazing by the pool with a jug of iced tea, a good book, and some music.    Evenings on the deck grilling and puttering around with the deck plants.

My gardens have been in disarray this year, but I do have planters.  My petunias are all from seed that wintered over.  Some just sown in planters; others I brought in and stuck in the back of my refrigerator.  I don’t think it makes a lot of difference as I can’t remember which is which.

The sunflower grew on it’s own which was a happy surprise.  It’s getting ready to set seed.  If the birds don’t get it I will dry it and put it out for a Christmas treat.

I inadvertently did a good thing with my day lilies.  I planted varieties that will bloom in succession so I have a long season.  The ones below are blooming away.  I have two plants that are just seeing their buds.

Not sure why the above photo is left aligned; such are the ways of Blogger!

I am decorating pots, will post some photos tomorrow.

I am not sure if Blogger is letting me reply to comments.  Rest assured that I read and appreciate them all.

I just read that I am in a unique category in that I am 79 (what?!!) had covid shots and two boosters and have not had  Covid.  Keeping our President Biden in our hearts for a quick recovery.

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

Naughty Deer!

• One of my favorite lilies has bloomed.  Unfortunately this will be the only one as the Dee have gone to town on the buds.  They must have discerning palettes since they have only eaten the true lilies, and have not touched the dayliliy buds.  I am going to move them into the garden by the house on the next cloudy day.
• I’s no wonder that Winter has been going berserk at night!
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Meanwhile I have been painting more flowerpots.  I waxed the sunflowers before painting the leaves.  It prevents the color from smearing and keeps green off the petals.

I also wax the leaves after I paint them.  Again this is to prevent colors from smearing when I am working on the rest of the pot.

 Wishing  all the best this Independence Day.  It’s a day for considering what this country is all about.

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

P.S. Blogger has gotten very strange about letting me sign in.  Yes, I am reading comments, even though I am unable to reply………….*s*

Majolica Monday #10

 I have finished a whole bunch of sippers.  There are even some glaze tests in the back row.  Now I have to make another bunch so I have them available for future tests.

I have spent most of the last month moving plants around.  I put these out several weeks ago,  I cover them in the middle of the day so they don’t get sun scald.  So far, so good.  They are just about ready to go out by the pond and pool.

Finally we are seeing inclinations toward summer!

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

Majolica Monday #9

 More little whisky sippers.  I am still doing major studio clean up before I move back downstairs to my real workspace.  Meanwhile these little guys are a good way to keep my hand in decorating, although they are not speedy.  They make great kiln fillers.  Majolica glazes are extremely stable so thes can be tucked into all sorts of nooks and crannies.

Today I go for my Covid test which is required by my hospital.  On Thursday I go for my two-year follow up colonoscopy after my surgery in 2020.  Various docs  are not expecting any problems, but there is always and element of uncertainty in any follow up.

Besides, now that winter is over, trees are leafing, and stuff beginning to bloom I have to have something to obsess and be anxious about!  It’s always sumthin’ 🤭 

We’ll see, grasshopper……we’ll see……… 

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

P.S. Google logged me out and is not letting me sign in again.  Just want all to know that I am not ignoring you!

O grasshopper……..

Belated…..or….

 My that was fun!

This was supposed to be posted for Earth Day  But we spent the better part of Friday hassling.

Went to Job Lot in Westerly instead of Hope Valley.  Big mistake!  Couldn’t find half of what I wanted.  Then when I got to the check-out line there were at least ten people waiting with only two cashiers open.  So I left!

Then the bank.  Another big mistake!  As we were leaving I hit a pot hole and blew out a rear tire.  (This is not uncommon in Rhode Island.) Fortunately Proge was with me so I didn’t have to call and wait for AAA.  Went immediately to my Very-Wonderful-Auto-Repair-Guys.  Who agreed that the tire would have to be replaced.  Wonder of wonders, they were just about to return a tire that fit our car that had been ordered for someone else who decided not to take it.  Changed it and we were so frustrated that we came home and flaked out with wine and cheese.

It’s always sumthin’!

This is a more or less final sketch for a large platter I am doing.  I rarely post my prelim sketches, but I felt this was appropriate for the day.

Toes crossed everyone was able to celebrate in some small way.

 I have fifty-two little yellow marigold seedlings and started some basil. And the catnip is already coming up.  It’s going to be a plantation this year!

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

Majolica Monday #8

 Two views of the little handbuilt teapot from a while ago.

Ready for the kiln, but not thrilled with the grapes.  I need a lot mor practice.  We’ll see, grasshopper……we’ll se……….

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

Majolica Monday #7

 I’ve been cleaning my studio so I can move back downstairs soon.  Meanwhile I have been painting sippers.  I used to make them much smaller. Now I make them big enough to hold a jigger of whisky and, for us heathens, an ice cube.

Not great video but the whole thing is visible in its unfired state.

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