2018-03-01 - Thursday - Serious Moonlight

Thursday night there was some serious moonlight in the backyard after the rain cleared out. I just couldn't walk by it without snapping a photo.

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2016-02-15 - Monday - Ice

We're getting some freezing rain tonight. The meteorologists have been all wrong about this storm.

First, it was supposed to snow on Sunday night, change to freezing rain this morning, and then all rain after lunch, getting warmer as the afternoon wore on.

This morning was bone dry.

Next, we were told that the freezing rain would start at around 1:00 pm. At about 1:30 it started sprinkling regular rain on and off. It stopped for several hours and we were told not to worry because the temperature would rise in the evening. Instead, the freezing rain started just before sunset and is still continuing at a bit after 11:00 pm, still freezing.

We are seeing on the TV news that the interstates are a mess and we're wondering what the morning will be like.

At least it's warm and dry here. I hope you are too.

Icicles on the lamp post.

Ice in the trees.

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2015-04-25 - Saturday - Pots and plants

Saturday I went to Clayworks and threw two very round pots. I like it when the pot is very round and the opening becomes triangular as it's a nice combination. I will glaze these with some nice shino and they'll be warm and rich.

It rained on and off during the day and while I was out in the yard with the dog I noticed a spider web with rain droplets on it. Pretty nice, even with just the cell phone camera.

Beauty is all around us.

Don't miss it.

It can be easy to overlook.

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2014-05-10 - Saturday - Pottery Festival and Knights game

Saturday I set up my booth at the Clay Matters Spring Pottery Festival.  I decided not to use my tent since the greatest chance of rain was going to be late in the afternoon and I thought that either we'd miss it or I would have a wet tent right at the end of the show.

I had a good day with fairly steady sales until the heavens opened up at around 2:30 pm.  It rained for 15-20 minutes and then it cleared again and we thought we were out of the woods.  It started raining again in squall bands from around 3:30 until almost 5:00 pm.  Needless to say, we were all soaked by the end.

I'd like to give a special thank you to the two women who purchased a raku pot from me in the middle of the downpour at about 3:40.  I had already packed up most of my pots, but they found one they liked and we carried out the transaction in the middle of the monsoon with no cover.  It was a surreal moment of soaked money, wrapping a pot with wet newspaper, and other than occasionally wiping water from our eyes you'd never have known it was raining.

Pottery enthusiasts are not afraid of a little bit of rain and I'm just glad I don't sell water colors.

After packing up and hurrying home I grabbed a quick shower and we left for the Knights game.  The credit union where Karen works was sponsoring a get-together at the stadium for the employees and it was a chance to see the new stadium.

Unfortunately I was pretty tired and the game was a yawner, with the Knights way behind early.  I was having trouble keeping my eyes open so we left early.

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2010-05-03 Monday - Rainy day

It was a rainy day on Monday so I took some photos out the windows in between projects.  I like a rainy day and Monday it was a gentle steady rain.  I wish it would have rained longer because the plants need a better soaking than they got, but it's free, and it falls from the sky so you can't gripe about it too much.

The pan of hostas behind the silky dogwoods.

(Thanks Becky and Nic, respectively.)

The skull has assumed a permanent place in the front yard.

(Thanks Elaine!)

Beautiful chartreuse hosta in dark mulch.  Striking.

River oats greening up again.

(Thanks again, Nic!)

2009-05-02 Saturday Barrel/Raku/Saggar Firing

Saturday was a big firing day at Clayworks. We did a barrel firing, a raku firing and a saggar firing --all in one day! It was an ambitious schedule, but we Clayworkers are a hardy bunch.

The barrel didn't want to start and after several attempts, and Minke buying more lighter fluid it finally went. The results of the barrel were a mixed bag as usual.

The saggar firing was interesting. We brought the kiln up very slowly, but the bottom pan for the saggar broke into several pieces. The pieces that were saggar fired came out nicely, despite the fractured vessel. We had to let the kiln cool down to about 300 degrees so we could sweep out the sawdust before firing the next raku load.

The first raku load needed to ramp up slowly again since the kiln was so cool. Amy had some plaques to fire and I remembered reading that flat raku pieces have less chance of cracking if they are fired on edge. I'm pleased to say it worked like a charm and her plaques came through the fire fine.

We brought the kiln up more quickly for the second load since it was already at 500-600 degrees and the pots started getting juicy just about the time the heavens let loose. We covered the vent holes with kiln shelf pieces on bricks to keep the rain out of the kiln, but we couldn't chance taking the pots out with all that cold water falling on them. We turned the kiln down and waited. Luckily the storm took a break for about 10 minutes while we took out the pots. They came out of the extra ordeal without any ill effects. I say "extra ordeal" since raku firing is normally an ordeal for the materials involved.

After all the firing was done I glazed a ^10 craggy crunch pot and cleaned up my shelf supports from the other night and finally left the studio at 7:30 pm. A long day indeed.

Amy, Cindy, and Becky readying the barrel pieces.

Elaine builds one of her great coiled pots.

Pete was there throwing another of his great forms.

Minke brought a feast of wines and
cheeses to keep us all fortified.

Everyone is enjoying the repast.

The rest of the crew.

Becky was determined to get the
barrel burning and making "tunnels" to the pots.

Quite the spread, eh?

Even more food.

The first raku load.

The second load when the sky opened.

Rain on the kiln shelves.

Red lustre with flaming moondrops
and a pour of clear.

Turqouise on neck and burgundy matte on body.

Birds and frogs and pots, oh my!