2017-10-18 - Wednesday - Construction/destruction, orchids, and butter dishes

Wednesday I was getting gas at BJ's Wholesale Club and noticed that someone had removed all the trees across the street. There used to be a thick grove of trees where the open area is now. I remember standing at the gas pump during a prior summer and thinking that the noise from the cicadas in that grove was deafening but wonderful. Now all those cicadas, and all the things that fed and ate the cicadas were gone.

I miss those trees.

The cranefly orchids have sent up their nourishing leaves for the fall/winter. I'm pleased that these rescued native plants are thriving here in our yard.

Later I went to Clayworks and worked on some more butter dishes.

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2016-04-21 - Thursday - Fungus, fortune, and the moon

Thursday my parents came for a visit. While setting up their RV I noticed some fungus growing on the far side of the split rail fence.

Later, we went to dinner and I got a mysterious fortune. It's good to know my goal will be met, but which goal? I guess only the baker knows.

Still later, I noticed the full moon through a gap in the trees. I first took a photo with my phone, but it was useless, so I got my camera. Try as I might I could not get the camera to record what I was seeing: a full moon shrouded by some wispy clouds with a halo between dark tree silhouettes. We take what our eyes and brain do completely for granted.

The best I could do with the phone.

The best I could do with my point and shoot.

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2016-02-02 - Tuesday - Small Victories and Garlic

You may remember I have talked about banding our trees to stop the wingless moths (adult female form of the fall cankerworm) from getting to the top of the tree to lay their eggs. It's the best way to break the cycle and save the trees.

When I examined the banding today I saw that a lot of moths got stuck and dumped their load of eggs in death. It's sad, but I will take the victory to save our trees. Last spring was horrible with the maple leaves looking like doilies and the thousands of inchworms hanging on threads everywhere. When you'd walk from the car to the house you'd have them all over you. We found them everywhere.

Egg misfires.

Tuesday night I went to Clayworks and cleared my head of making bowls by throwing some familiar forms. I want to take off in some new directions, but sometimes you have to clear the cobwebs out before taking off. It's like a lemon sorbet between meal courses.

Garlic pots.

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2015-03-18 - Wednesday - Squirrels from Hell

We have what I call "The Mutant Squirrels From Hell" at our house. Over the years they have chewed up hoses, flower pots, railings, and even the eaves of the house and the garage. This year they are attacking the maple trees in the back yard by chewing off all the small twigs with the new growth on them. I don't mind squirrels as a species, but the MSFH are my nemesis.

I'm getting a snake.

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2015-03-17 - Tuesday - Spring & glazing

Spring is coming in this week. The trees are budding and the weather is warming. It's like an old friend is back to visit for a while. Familiar and warm with lots of surprises popping up out of the ground.

Unfortunately it brings it's annoying cousin: pollen.

Tuesday night I went to Clayworks to finish glazing. I wanted to put some underglaze on some of the pots I didn't finish the other day. I am starting to bring some of the elements I used on my Empty Bowls into my cone 10 work. I'm not sure where it's going to go from here, but it'll turn up here eventually.

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