2016-05-24 - Tuesday - The Monkees!

Tuesday night a bunch of us went to see the Monkees' 50th anniversary tour. Becky and Susan got tickets for some great seats. The only Monkees on this tour are Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork but they put on a great show, covering many of the group's hits. They did such a good job that it was easy to close your eyes and be right back in the 60's during the performance. Since Davy Jones passed away in 2012 there was video of him singing some of his ballads while the guys sang along. Mike Nesmith only shows up occasionally and he didn't on Tuesday.

They did an excellent job especially considering that Micky is 71 and Peter is 74. Bravo!

Here's a couple of snippets of their songs just to give you an idea of how good they were.

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2016-05-23 - Monday - Going Away Party

Monday we had a going away party for Kim Marcadis. It was a nice covered dish affair. We had a good turnout and lots of fun.

We are all going to miss Kim a bunch. She's a really good friend and she also does so much for everyone at Clayworks and the guild, she's going to leave some large holes when she leaves.

We all wish Kim and Terry the very best in their next adventures.

Great turnout.

Madame Anita was reading cards.

Kim and her beau, Terry seeing the future.

Herb is getting some insight while
Kim and Becky are up to something.

We made kiln gods for Kim's next firing.

Kim and Terry.

The crew.

All too soon, the sun set on our fun.

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2016-05-20 - Friday - Strange scratch

On Friday I noticed a strange scratch on my index finger. I must have scratched it when it was bent like it was in the first photo because when I straightened it out the scratch formed a "V".

I just thought it was interesting.

Move along now.



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2016-05-19 - Thursday - Glaze tiles

Our friend Kim Marcadis is moving back to Indiana and as one of her departing gifts she made a new cone 10 glaze tile board. It turned out really well and since I have a label maker, she asked me to label the board. On Thursday night I put the labels on it.

Thanks Kim!

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2016-05-18 - Wednesday - Pots

Wednesday night I made a pale attempt at one of Nick Joerling's closed form vessels. I had all the parts, but it lacked all the grace and whimsy of his pieces. I never intended to keep it, just try out the technique. After taking this photo I squashed it and put it back in the clay bag. It sure was fun going through the process.

I decided I need some larger (medium-sized) bowls so I threw a couple of them with some really stiff cone 6 clay.

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2016-05-17 - Tuesday - Clayworks

Tuesday night I went to Clayworks to work on some pots. When I got out of the car I noticed the beautiful sunset over the mini-storage buildings next door. I can't resist even a slightly dramatic sunset.

Once inside the building I finished up the trimming and handles on some pots.

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2016-05-14 - Saturday - CCM Pottery Festival

Saturday was the CCM Spring Pottery Festival.

It was a glorious sunny day and the crowds were out shopping. We generally have a good turnout for the pottery festival and if the weather is nice, the attendance increases exponentially.

If you missed it, don't worry; there's another one in October.

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2016-05-13 - Friday - Loading up

I've fallen behind again. Time to catch up.

Friday I packed up the van for the Carolina Clay Matters Spring Pottery Festival.

While pulling my bins out of the garage I noticed a vine growing through the wall of the garage. Nature never rests.

I loaded up the van and checked off the items on my list.

I had some empty bins left after loading which means my inventory is down. I need to make some more pots.

I'm pleased to report that the ferns we rescued from the woods before the land was developed are doing very well in our yard.

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2016-05-11 - Wednesday - Movies, Justin, and Binkley

I think I forgot to mention that our nephew, Justin is staying with us for a couple of weeks.

On Wednesday morning we went to see Captain America: Civil War in the newly renovated AMC Pavilion 22 with the electric recliners. It was pretty incredible that we saw a first-run movie in 3D in a recliner for $8 at 11:15 am. If we would have waited for the 1 pm showing it would have been $10.

The movie was very good. The pacing was incredible and they hit every note. If you like superhero movies, go see it.

My and Justin's feet in our recliners.

Wednesday night we were in the kitchen with Binkley and he was mugging it up for us. He gets whiter every day. Silly old man.

June 20, he'll be 15.

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2016-05-10 - Tuesday - Eating and Socializing

Tuesday a bunch of us went to the Community Culinary School of Charlotte for lunch to honor Kim since she is moving back to Indiana at the end of the month. She will be greatly missed.

We had a great time with lots of fun conversation and good food. The food at the CCSC is very special just like the organization. They are a non-profit whose mission is training people to enter or re-enter the workforce in culinary jobs.

They have a cafe and a catering business. The cafe is open Monday-Friday 8 am to 2 pm. If you get a chance to go there for breakfast or lunch don't miss it.

The mission on the placemat.

Fresh made pimento cheese and chips for an appetizer.

Our group is very animated. To give you an idea how animated they are, these photos were taken in a rapid-fire sequence and just look at the expressions and movement between shots. We have a fun group.

For supper we went to Bad Daddy's in Ballantyne and while we were waiting for our food I noticed the table was made of clear acrylic with metal shavings in it. It was quite fascinating with a great deal of depth.

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2016-05-07 - Saturday - Muddy Fun and New Pots

Saturday was another Muddy Fun day. Angela taught this class and she had plenty of help so I bowed out and did some of my own work.

I continued on my agenda of more functional pots by making two small casseroles. I couldn't hold out for long though so I made a snorkel pot, a darted pot, and some closed forms.

I went to La Shish Kabob for a falafel wrap for lunch. Good stuff there. If you're local, go see my friend Izzat and try the falafel or one of the many other delicious dishes he makes.


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2016-05-04 - Wednesday - Bird's Nest

Wednesday I noticed two of what I think are house wrens going into the back of our gas grill. When I opened it I found a large nest in the grill and a whole foundation under the grate built on top of the burner. They were very industrious since I used the grill five days earlier.

I couldn't get them to stop going into the grill so I ended up rolling it into the garage for a few days.

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2016-05-01 - Sunday - Creamer Sets and Kiln Firing

Sunday I was at Clayworks learning to fire the gas kiln. Kim was teaching me and Becky how to fire it. Since we only have to check it every hour or so, I had a chance to make some work between adjustments.

I have decided to re-introduce some functional items into my work. To that end I started making some creamer sets and syrup warmers. Let's see where this takes me.

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2016-04-30 - Saturday - Muddy Fun

Saturday I taught the Muddy Fun class at Clayworks and we had a good group of students and volunteers. If you've ever wondered what it's like to throw pots on the wheel you should give it a try.

More info here.

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