ReMuda Pottery Studio

Happy New Year.. 2012 already???

2012-01-04T04:09:00.000-08:00

Where did 2011 go?? Time flies and alot of projects behind me now, and many ahead of me. Time passes so fast now, when I was a teen, time just crept along at a snails pace it seemed, now decades later it is just way too fast. I have so many ideas in my head of ceramic projects I want to do and will do, its just I need to get organized.
It does help that I feel so much better, I had my appendix removed right before Christmas. Tho it was not like the textbook appendicitis that people hear about. Mine was more a dull pain in my side, for months, just this pulling sensation and like a 'thumb' pressing on my innards. Thats the only way to describe how it felt, plus sciatic nerve pain in that right hip and leg pain, so much so, I hated to walk. I had so many tests, and I almost decided to cancel the CT scan scheduled. I know it sounds insane, but I was getting downright mad that everything was coming out fine, thankfully, but I knew I wasn't fine.. and started thinking maybe my doctor and my husband as well, thought I was imagining it. Finally the CT scan showed a funky appendix. And did have a bit a concern, because the word 'cancer' even entered the conversation because of how it looked on the CT scan. So, had it removed, biopsied and all is fine.. whew... when I went in for the followup appointment with the surgeon the other day, she even showed me photos of the appendix before she removed it.. ewe!!
Well, its a difference of night and day how I feel. Tho lifting anything heavy is still a bit restricted until I fully heal inside. Plus I have been taking a B12 supplement and what a tremendous difference that makes too, energy now.. energy I haven't felt in years!!
I am looking forward to seeing what gets accomplished in 2012, projects I am really looking forward to.
Finally has some snow the other day, one of those 'white out' conditions for a few minutes and then the sun shines.. crazy...
Well, here's to 2012 and a better year for all us..

Well.. its done.. well almost....

2011-08-12T04:31:00.000-07:00

Well, its done.. its functional.. it still has some small things to get it really finished, like I came up a bit short on the wood for trim around the windows, I need to get more paint to do some touch ups, I haven't decided what I will do to fill in around the base of the building.. day lillies, lattice, or a rock garden type of thing.. rocks are so plentiful here.. And the statue of Mary is getting new paint.
But now I'm finally working in the studio. I can say now, 'I'll be in the studio if you need me'. That sounds so much better than, "I'll be in the basement" doesn't it.
A little tour now:
Looking inside, my kiln, potter wheel stowed away on a shelf, molds and the greenware drying area

I haven't quite decided what the back wall cabinet and shelves yet.. probably my spot to do the last detail work, and yes, that chaise lounge is there to stay, what a difference having something comfortable to sit in makes, especially cleaning greenware. And it is easily moved from one side to the other.

In this photo, you can see the airbrush booth, well lit..
And in the back corner is when I plan on doing the casting..
Above all this is a loft for storage, the only items that will remain in the basement will be the rubber production molds and the plaster storage, I don't need them out there all the time, so I figure to just keep them when the temp and humidity are not an issue.
And I purchased a Shinco Mini Split Heat Pump to have A/C and heat, and its worked just great, humidity is a major problem here.
Right now, the set up seems to work, but who knows, in two weeks, I'll probably change it all around..

What.. you want to build a what???

2011-06-30T10:00:00.000-07:00

I have been around.. just been busy. I have been working downstairs in my basement on ceramic horses since about 1993, and when I finally got the courage to seriously approach my husband about building a studio, the look was priceless. And after explaining to him why I need to do this, he went along with it. I decided to not look back when I'm 70 years old and ask myself "Why didn't you build a studio when you had the chance."
Well... its almost done. A 12x16 Do it Yourself (and test your marriage vows) Shed.. aka. studio. I could say its been fun, well, that's not quite the truth, its been WORK!!! Of course the only person whose lost any weight with this whole endeavor has been my husband.. me, well, not so lucky. Of course, I wouldn't want to be sweating like he does. And I think its safe to say, this is probably a once in a lifetime project on this scale. The option of buying one of those prebuilts was not an option, and actually my husband and I are people that really would rather just do it ourselves. I will have it insulated, and also have a 3/4 ton heat pump for heat and a/c. Here in the woods, there is no way we could exist without the air conditioning, the humidity here is horrendous. But here is a photo, I have more done since I snapped this, but I still have some windows to install on the other side, hopefully by Breyerfest 2011, I'll be moving in to it...

My BOYCC Fund Begins

2011-01-17T03:42:00.001-08:00

If all goes well with Gort the Kiln this boy will be listed to eBay later this week. I am so excited to get a chance to go to California in May for the Bring Out Your Chinas Convention. I still want to tweak for few things before I put on the final glaze. I think Sarah MB really captured the snarly look of a Shetland Pony. I remember having run ins with them in my younger years, and it in odd way, the snarly lip even captures my husbands horses' attitude, he will do that sometimes, its like 'no more carrots???' lay his ears back and even curl that lip. Luckily it never goes farther than that, but it reminds of a temper tantrum. So, his color was used on this "Otto".
I have a couple of others I am working on as part of my BOYCC Fund.. I will be listing an Addi V/Hude Jitterbug too. And some others. Below is a photo of Scout.. in his winter coat, like Otto.

Old people.. young horses....

2010-11-12T04:01:00.000-08:00

Yesterday.. we took the day off and went to a different area to ride, put the two horses in the trailer and off we went to Clear Creek, near Morehead KY, a little over an hour away. We've been there a couple of times already, but this was the first time with Cheyenne. He's like Rocky, only smaller, he sets the pace and definitely a leader. For his small stature, he proved himself a real climber, and pretty much unflappable.

The main trail we wanted to ride on was basically along top of a ridge, but to get there, there is basically a goat trail that you zig zag to the top, no spooky horses or riders faint of heart. The top view is really breathtaking, tho the camera doesn't really show how nice it is. That lake in the photo is where the truck is parked.

We got to the top, Gary dug out the map, tho on this trail there aren't any other trails to get confused with, but he likes to know where we're going regardless.
We came to this rock formation.. and rode along side of it, then the trail takes you to the top of it.. lets just say, this when I found how good Cheyenne can leap, tho he was very careful picking his way thru. I wish I'd take a photo of the trail up the rock formation. Glad the easyboots have a rubber sole. I know it doesn't look that imposing.. it was pretty neat tho, we rode along side of it for a while, then to the top.Our goal on the ride was to see the Furnace Arch.. we didn't make it this far last time, I wish I'd taken more photos.. next time...we definitely want to do this again.
We rode a bit further, then came to three other trails.. hmm.. now what.. well, the main trail continued on ontop of the ridge, then there was a regular county access road, then two other maintanence roads, locked from motorized use, horses or foot travel were fine.. well, OK.. lets take the road less traveled.. we went onto the maintanence road, and it made a nice break for us and the horses, and it ended up getting us right back were we needed to be to get down the hill again, zigzag down the hill back to the truck, and after 3 hours of riding, the boys were still ready to go.
But we weren't..
We did take a one last photo at the lake before we unsaddle and take care of the boys. Funny we fuss with them, make sure they have water and hay, before we feed ourselves.
Then the drive home.. Stanton is located in a river valley.. so to get home we have to go over one mountain.. down into the river valley and then up that far mountain to our home...long day, tired people.. but it was worth it...

Court Days in Mount Sterling Kentucky

2010-10-16T11:33:00.000-07:00

Court Days, Mt. Sterling Kentucky.. home of a Nestle's Hot Pockets plant and for one weekend, a huge flea market, sudo craft fair, lots of eats, lots of people, and lots of walking. Here is a link to the background of Court Days.
http://www.mtsterling.com/courtday.htm
Well, frankly.. its not something I plan on doing again, its not the "Court Days" of yesteryear, even yesteryears of 20+ years ago when I first went. My first experience I think was in about 1987, it had much more a real flea market, crafts, local flavor atmosphere. Now, it was endless booths of much of the same things. I hadn't been to Court Days in probably 10 years, and that was because it was endless T-shirts, sweatshirts.. and not much of useful items, well now, it was mostly useless items.. I mean how many bungee cords does a person need?? How many bras does a woman need?? I'm a woman, I know these things... You can only buy so many socks and stocking caps.. all looking alike from booth to booth.
Oh but food tho.. its smelled wonderful. And yes, it was good, tho I forgot to go back for my apple dumpling, I had some kind of greek chicken thing for lunch, well they said it was chicken.. it was good!! There was a booth that was selling apple dumplings and I thought that would be a great dessert.. I totally forgot.. guess the fried oreo's and fried twinkies distracted me.. no I just couldn't do that to my delicate tummy, it would have gotten revenge, oh but I was tempted...
Well, if you're interested in fireams... here goes... yes.. all out in full view, and ready to buy. Frankly, I felt kind of safe going down this aisle. And there were alot of women looking too.

This team of mules so patient, and so huge!!!

And a team of ponies came past me, they and the mules were doing wagon rides around Mt. Sterling.
I took some time and just walked around the downtown part of Mt. Sterling.. a very old city, early 1800's it was settled. The buildings are so charming.

After all this, did a find any bargains.. yes, but not at Court Days downtown, but a little boot store outside of the downtown hubbub.. I had been hoping to someday find a good deal on Ariat Riding boots, and I did!!! Love my Ariats!! So, Court Days wasn't total bust. I did get to see some fall colors, this is peak weekend now....

I'd Rather Be Riding...

2010-10-09T12:47:00.000-07:00

Barn repairs.. not a favorite chore... but a chore nontheless. Over the last couple of years, we've been slowly, and I do mean slowly...redoing the bases for the 8x8 oak support beams for the barn. Even tho they were pressure treated, some still rotted, right at the base where they meet the ground, they were all set in concrete, but the concrete actually should have come up above the ground to prevent the rot, at least that is what we learned with oak.. So.. we've been digging up the ground around the base to the original concrete, framing it up, and pouring new concrete.

We also had to tear out one section of wall for one stall to repair the inside portion.. not fun, and not easy. Luckily whenever we do any project around the house, we always order extra lumber, or two or three or four... so we have enough lumber here to replace what got ripped out...Scout is not happy his stall is off limits until we're done. Luckily the weather is really nice, he can stay outdoors, which he and Cheyenne do anyway; and since its the Youth Deer Hunting weekend.. we aren't riding.

I think we have about 4 more posts to do and we're done. Some beams, like this one, were actually not too bad, it was rotted some, not bad tho, but we had a couple that were so rotted, we had to use alot of concrete to add support.

My husbands' horse Scout is healing up finally after a nasty infection from a puncture wound of some type, I have no idea how it happened or where, there is a small hole on the side of his head, I know it doesn't look like anything to get worried about but it was what it had done inside that mattered, under the jaw was where the infection came out, that's where the big hole is.. lets just say I never want to smell anything like that again!! He's doing fine now. Luckily we'd had his tetnus booster last month.

I got a chance to get out and snap some photos.. our fall colors are just getting started, I think next weekend is the weekend for peak..

And I leave this last photo of the absolute laziest cat.. Shelby.. she was totally unimpressed by all our hard work..

One out of 50,818

2010-10-03T12:47:00.000-07:00

Nope, not odds, but I was one person out of the 50,818 people that attended the Kentucky Horse Park for the endurance part of the WEG Three Day Event. WOW.. COOL... BREATHTAKING... SUSPENSEFUL... FUN!!

A true horseperson rides every jump with that rider...

You hold your breath as they clear the jumps, or negotiate a tricky in and out....

The andrenalin pumps.. as you ride that straightaway... this is such an rush riding a horse at a full gallop..

Then I had to take a breath and relax....watch some other activity...

It is just such a rush, like flying.. when you clear a jump... yes, been there done that.... tho not on this scale, but I do have some hunter/jumper experience.

Next weekend is the Combined Driving, saturday being their equivalent to the 3 day event endurance phase.. hopefully I can still get a ticket...
Oh.. and one thing... 'big brother' was watching right over my head!!! at the infamous Rolex water jump...

New twists and turns...

2010-09-27T04:04:00.000-07:00

Well, I took down the blog for a bit, thought at first I just wasn't cut out for blogging after all, that my creative writing capabilities are non existent, well.. that's life. Been some changes in my life over the summer, the first and most painful was loosing my beloved horse, Rocky, he fought a couragous battle in the spring against a lung infection, he did end up with scarred lungs, had heaves.. well, he died suddenly on July 25th, he would have been 8 this December.. not a day goes by that I don't miss him!!

I knew that I was going to have to make a decision.. but actually prayed that the decision would be made for me, I really dreaded that call to the vet I'd have to make. Tho I would not have prolonged any suffering.. actually he looked fine, acted fine, except the breathing issue, tho I did start seeing a slow deterioration of his health shortly before.. but nothing making me think he'd go so suddenly. But I had started getting it into my head to accept what I needed to do.
I had already started looking for another horse, I knew that that day would come, tho it came so much sooner than I'd thought it would.. here's the new boy, a 6 year old spotted saddle horse, same breed Rocky was.. His name is Paint It Cheyenne, well he's Cheyenne, and I knew, like Rocky and Colt, as soon as I saw him, I said 'that's the one..' And he reminds me of the horse Michael Landon of Bonanza rode, Cochise, I always thought that little black and white pinto was so cool when I was a kid.

And I downsized this time, Rocky was 16 hands this boy is 14.2 hands, took a bit of adjustment, since Rocky and my appaloosa Colt, were both 16 hands.

And..
My son is off to college, he's really enjoying it, I am so proud of him.. he got into the honors program there. He also was employed for the summer at Natural Bridge State Park, as a part time park naturalist, helping out with tours and assisting the other Park Naturalist with the demo's they'd do. He really had alot of fun working there. He's done with the job at the Park for now.. and now his job is to study!! He comes home on weekends at least.

And...
I am somewhat re-energized lately about working on the china's.. I've been so frustrated and felt stalled, and couldn't figure out what I wanted to do. I want to keep working on the china horses, I just needed to figure out which direction.. and now, I have.. so stay tuned... I hope that what I have coming up will be pleasing to people.. And I am really looking forward to next spring, when Joanie B and Addie V launch BOYCC .. oh, that almost sounds like a poem doesn't it?

Fitting Six horses in a Three Horse Slant load.. it can be done...

2010-04-16T06:13:00.000-07:00

Yes, you can fit 6 horses in a 3 horse slant load, it takes some patience, ingenuity, it helps to have food an as incentive, and really really small horses.... horse molds that is, so no need to panic. And the food was to feed the helpers.. All this was in my basement, molds that I had bought from Jim Renaker and Kathleen Hartman. And since I am not using them anymore, I decided to sell them. If all goes as planned, they'll be with their new owner next week. The sixth horse is in the tackroom of the trailer. And if you're wondering what these are... these are the molds to make the plaster casting molds, each section of plaster casting mold has it own mold. So, if the mold to cast a ceramic horse is made up of 7 individual pieces, there are 7 individual molds to make those pieces. And if you have 4 horses that use 7 plaster pieces, there's almost 30 mold sections.. clear as mud isn't it.

Spring has sprung here, with a vengence, actually it went right into summer, so we've planted the garden; corn, green beans, snap peas, tomatoes, broccoli, radishes, spinach and okra.

Whenever a small plane or helicopter goes over the house, I wonder what they are thinking when they see those 'grave like' boxes.... I have a couple of others in the back of the house too. Plus the wild dogwoods are blooming.

Finally I think my horse is recovered from his bought of pneumonia, what a scare, three bacterial infections at once; e-coli, serratia, and strep. He'd lost about 100 pounds, and finally is gaining it back, he just had no appetite either for a long time. Hopefully the 'heaves' (the equine version of COPD) he developed from this tho will go away, but only time will tell. He was a trooper thru the whole ordeal, 10 days in the 'horsepital' too, ouch.. once we got the bill. But we've have had higher vet bills, one dog we had had to have an emergency spleenectomy, which set us back almost $2,000.

I finally got a good photo of Scout, his bicolor eyes, its like someone took a blue felt tip pen and drew a circle. Its really pretty, Rocky's eyes have it too, but not near as pronounced.

Well, happy spring to all.. the next hurdle is hubby's hip replacement surgery for his left hip on the 27th, hopefully it will all go as smoothly as the first one, the right one was done in 2008.

It's snowing... again...(said like Forrest Gump)

2010-02-15T05:08:00.000-08:00

I can't help but think about how the character of Forrest Gump would describe this winter here... "It's snowing.. agin...schools are closed... agin.... and later this week, more snow.. agin....."
Where's that robin I saw last week... tho I did manage to snap a photo of this woodpecker.

Sometimes its good to laugh....

2010-01-25T16:29:00.000-08:00

I got hooked on these, thank you Sarah.... they cheer me up. And sometimes I start laughing so hard, husband and son really think I've lost it.
They are addictive..

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Hopefully this week, I'll finally get some photos of some of the horses I'm working on... yes, I am working on them... really I am.....

Wintertime on Sunrise Ridge...

2010-01-08T06:42:00.001-08:00

A farm has to have a name.. I have always called this place Sunrise Ridge, our house faces east, and we do get some really nice sunrises. Today tho, too many clouds, it has to have the right balance of clouds and sun to make a really nice sunrise. But this is what I got this morning.. it was nice regardless, and cold... but animals need to be fed, whether its us... the four legged beasties in the barn... or the wild birds... I really like to make sure everything gets fed, especially when its so cold. I get alot of different types of birds, the cardinals I love, their color against the snow is so pretty. And woodpeckers and the morning doves too.

Horses seem pretty much indifferent to the cold, and the cat.. Shelby.. has such a thick fur coat, I don't really think she notices, at least as long as she's not in the snow, she doesn't really seem to like that.
Below is Shelbly....

Rocky and Scout, enjoying breakfast...

Altho, I know some people think I baby the horses, but when its really cold and snowing like last night... I do put them in their stalls out of the weather, but yet its odd, they have access to them if its snows or rains, and they stay out, rarely do they take refuge in them.. basically the only time is in the summer, because of bugs. I have to keep reminding myself.. they think like a horse, not a human. But I'll still put them up in nasty weather.

Toby thinks snow is a blast, he is such a ham... my other two dogs aren't too interested in photos.

"I'm ready for my closeup"...

Walt has had an extra week off because of snow here, all week, its has snowed, snow has been falling since last saturday.. actually.. but its not really been accumulating till yesterday, but its always been enough snow and ice to make the roads very hazardous and slick, they do salt and plow but with the cold, it just freezes up right away. Gary finally decided it was better to park the car up at our gate than to hazard down the driveway.. you cannot see it, but underneath that snow is ice!! Very slick ice... so the car is way up at the gate.

You can barely see the car... but its up there....

Gary is out right now plowing the driveway with the tractor..

Well, maybe we can venture out later.. I'd love to ride, maybe later... but right now I'd better tend to lunch.. 'I got chickin burnin''..

Hopes, dreams, possibilities in 2010

2010-01-01T12:43:00.000-08:00

I just want to wish all a Happy and healthy New Year... Today was just a kick back and enjoy the Rose Parade day while we feasted on bbq ribs, baked sweet potatoes and homemade cornbread muffins. And a fresh baked apple tart for dessert, but I bought those, I am not patient enough to make them from scratch.

Maybe this year, I'll try something different. I should write them down on a chalkboard and mark off each one as I accomplish them, maybe seeing them day in and day out might help. They'd not be so easily forgotten.

Merry Christmas 2009

2009-12-24T06:32:00.000-08:00

Just a quick note to wish all a Merry Christmas... I hope all of you stay safe and healthy, and enjoy this Holiday season. Such a beautiful sunrise on Christmas Eve, I just had to snap this photo.

So this is Christmas; and what have you done?

2009-12-15T10:30:00.000-08:00

That's a line from a John Lennon song... in case you're wondering...
Well what have I done? Today, and tomorrow is the gift and food basket giveaway at our Catholic Church in our little town of Stanton, its hard work, alot of organizing and its very fulfilling, it really makes me realize what Christmas is about. Yes, you hear time and time again of people helping out at Christmas, but until you actually dive in and do it yourself, its somewhat empty, at least that is how it has become for me. And for a few years, my husband and I didn't work on this project... let others take the reins and Christmas felt empty. I actually missed being a part of this project. So, I think this is our 5th year of helping.

And hubby picked up 195 four pound hams... the fridges were filled to the brim...

We will be giving out nearly 200 gift and food baskets, combined, and we also make up little gift baskets for the nursing home residents. Luckily, our little Catholic Church has many other parishes that help us out all over the USA. Our Parish is only made up of about 40 families. My husband I went up to Cincinnatti and picked up a truckload of gift items from a parish up there.
Then Sunday, after Mass; we'll have our own little Christmas party at Church.. its a nice finale to all of this work.
So.. this is Christmas, and this is what I've done...

"A very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year,
Lets hope its a good one without any fear,
War is Over" (I wish....)
(From Happy Christmas, War is Over by John and Yoko...)

Happy Halloween...

2009-10-31T07:21:00.000-07:00

Its Halloween already?? From now until New Year Day, time will fly.. but today since its Halloween, its appropiately dreary and rainy; there are favorite Halloween movies I love to watch. My first choice is The Haunting... the original, not the remake... The original version works on your mind, your imagination. Julie Harris' "who was holding my hand!?!" still sends chills up my spine. I'd much rather watch a movie that makes you think than one that just wants to gross you out.
I love to watch The Sixth Sense, even tho I know how it ends, I will make time to watch it... the premise I do believe in, that sometimes when people go before they're ready, they still stay with you, helping or guiding you, or finishing unfinished business. That sometimes souls need some help to move on, and they in turn also help us to move on.
And for just fun of course is Young Frankenstein.. I am not that much of a Mel Brooks fan, but this one he got the formula right. Its so entertaining...
And speaking of entertaining.. I love the old Bugs Bunny cartoon, Hair Raising Hare, some of my favorite lines are in that cartoon... 'and don't think it hasn't been a little slice of heaven... because it hasn't'... and the monster realizing people are all around him and he screams "PEOPLE!?!?!" and runs for his life.. I've felt that more than one time in my life...
Now, for my favorite snack food.. POPCORN!!!

Fall....

2009-10-24T07:00:00.000-07:00

Fall... by far my favorite season. I've always been drawn to earthtone colors, so, do I love fall because of the earthtones or I love earthtones because of Fall? Kind of like the 'chicken and the egg' question. Regardless. I love fall. The air has a crispness to it, I love walking in the woods, horseback riding even better in the fall because no bugs! But I think I actually enjoy walking, because I see more. Tho this time I used the 'alternate mode of transportation'... and it floats on water too! Drives like a bulldozer and rides even worse....but what a workhorse. Important note to women with this vehicle... wear a heavy duty bra!! Hubby says he bought it for me... he just hated seeing me carrying those 50 pound bags of grain down to the barn... HA HA!!! Gads, we bought that thing years ago, before the offroad utility vehicles became fashionable.

One of our trails that leads to the favorite place for the dogs; and its one of our riding trails too.

This is the dogs favorite play spot, our creek, complete with a swimmin' hole and a waterfall.

I love walking along the creek, its National Forest on one side, and our property on the other.

Look Ma... no head!!!

But actually Toby does love playing in the creek, someday I need to get a video of him just running and plopping his big feet in the water.

Today is soup making day.. I already made a pot of homemade chicken soup, and now that we've eaten all of that, its homemade beef barley. So, here's a couple of the last of the fall colors, its raining today, the trees are dropping leaves like crazy, so I kind of figure our colors are about done.

What a Gloomy day...

2009-10-15T07:23:00.000-07:00

How gloomy is it?? Its so gloomy that its just as dark upstairs as it is down in the basement...
But, on the good side, it does give me more incentive to work in the studio, when the sun is shining, it makes its REALLY REALLY hard for me to be inside. Plus today, hubby hasn't got any cars to work on, so even he is staying in. So, I am trying to finish up the last of my commissions, one is the kiln cooling off, one I am working on for myself, its an earthenware Heart of Darkness, sculpted by Karen Gerhardt, love her work! Oh, for a bisque Optime!!! I am still working on shading and dappling.. sorry these photos are a bit on the yellow side, and yes, there is dappling...very suttle tho.

And this Hadrian is probably the last stablemate I'll ever do, unless I get some really good magnifying lenses. I just cannot work on such a small scale anymore, and hats off to those that can still work on such small pieces. I've had him here with me for longer than I care to admit, waiting to hear from the owner how she wants it done and now I can get him done for her.

And for a change of pace, to break the monotony and add some color to my life.. I am working on Christmas pieces, gads, only two months away. I have roughed in the design and just started on the color for the poinsettia, then add leaves, holly and whatever strikes my fancy. And to top it off my son will be 18 in December, so December is a busy month. Not to mention all the Church related activities between now and Christmas.

Getting ready to go trailriding

2009-10-02T12:07:00.000-07:00

I haven't figured out what is harder to pack for..the stuff we need for riding and eats; the stuff the horses need for riding and their eats or getting all the stuff ready for the stuff. Gary spends days getting the truck ready, the trailer ready, I get the food ready, the clothes ready, our son ready to have a few days without mom and dad... what teen doesn't relish that one!!! So now, the trailer and truck are ready. Horses, I think they figured it out, and they seem to look forward too it, Rocky is a 'busy-body' always watching up towards the house to see what's going on.. Toby... our farm dog gets this dejected look of 'their going away again'. We meet up with my sister and her husband, they live in Tennessee, so we get together and trail ride for a few days, and this time the husbands are combining their fishing along with this trip.

And this morning, it was raining and kind of cold, one of those morning you just want to lay under a blanket and watch something on TV totally useless. But later the sun came out, it warmed up, and I always enjoy the beauty of the sky afterwards.

Then I figured to check on the peppers I still have growing out in the garden, this one is a perfect Christmas ornament!!

Say goodbye to summer, hello holidays??!!!

2009-09-10T13:00:00.000-07:00

My favorite season, Fall...I have been anxiously waiting for the arrival of Fall, tho its not Fall by the calendar, its Fall by my standards, a very noticeable change in the amount of daylight hours, and even a different feel about being outdoors; plus the Poplar trees are giving up their leaves, they seem to be one of first to call it quits for the summer season. The horses are starting to shed their summer coats and as I was driving down into town the other day, and the trees all kind of had this "time to start changing" attitude, like they've had enough. The lotus plant in our pond is a sure indication of changing daylight, the leaves start shriveling as soon as the daylight hours noticeably change. The black locust are dropping their leaves too.
Its been a wet year, not record amounts, but wet.

The photo above is a Christmas bowl I am working on, the bowl is hand thrown on the pottery wheel. I still need to do a bit of details on it, I'm getting more satisfied with its "Christmasy" look. Yet, I can't believe that its getting to be 'that time' again... getting ideas for Christmas.

This one above too, obviously another Christmas bowl, its been a nice diversion working on these. They still need their glazes.
I have been working on horses, I've really slowed my process down, breaking old habits of 'hurry up and finish it already'.. it never seems to pay off.

And another firing for this one and the pottery bowl for a color fire, the porcelain drafter has been fired about 4 times so far... I am trying to use these guys as my guinea pigs so to speak for doing more handwork and blending before I move onto the really really good pieces.... plus I need the space...

And here are a couple of Barrister Bonanza's (aka Barry) that are waiting to be cleaned. I have others in various stages of cleanliness. There is a finished Barry in the blog title box.

I just had to click this photo of the last few blooms on my clemitis vine, it really was prolific this year with blooms.

And I cut off the bloom ends of my lotus, I had seen these things for years in dried flower arangements and never knew what the blooms were until we added the lotus plant to our pond.

And like mentioned above... I need the space....

All I could say was "WOW"

2009-08-11T06:20:00.000-07:00

When I opened the kiln to see how this guy turned out... I was so happy he turned out so much better than I had envisioned, he renewed my confidence.

I really don't like to post photos of pieces in progress, I think that it jinxes my efforts. I had in an earlier blog posted some photos of him in progress.

I actually did more handblending with brushes, and taking off color than I had ever done before. I used a satin glaze, tho I did have bump up the temp to cone 05 to get it just the way I wanted.
He's a hard piece to photograph tho, I just cannot seem to get quite the right angles.

I hope I can hang onto him for a while.. I just love him, even down to the metal shoes.
All of you who've helped me along, I cannot thank you enough, it feels good to be so energized again, I think George helped me too.

When Pots Explode.. part two...

2009-08-10T07:34:00.000-07:00

Well, not all exploding pieces are a total loss, some can be salvaged. Like this one...

It did blow out a small section on the outside, again an airbubble apparently that I didn't feel. You can feel them sometimes when pulling up the clay on the wheel, and they can be easily fixed, this one got past me. But not a loss, and the dremel saved the day.. or saved the pot, however you want to look at it. Actually as I was (not) merrily dremeling along, it did give me ideas of some other ways to do bowls. And I do plan on making a holding strap to loop around the back and thru the hole to be able to hang it on a hook. It is usable, obviously not for liquid, but useable nonetheless.

I don't recommend dremeling on bisque, at all, its messy, dusty, and kind of tricky, since the blade can just 'catch' and then its hard to control, so if I do anymore altering, it will be on greenware. But I was not about to just toss this piece since I felt it still wanted to be of some use, and it is a nice size bowl, and the fluted edges seemed to really agree with it.

And this one I am still working on, it blew out its bottom. (Don't you just hate it when that happens!). But I spent alot of time putting on that texture, and there is also a lid that goes on it. So, I'll find I way to salvage it.

And actually this red clay fires wonderful with Amaco's Opalescent Glaze.

"I Wish My Brother George Was Here...."

2009-08-09T05:25:00.000-07:00

This sentence has a whole new meaning... I remember it in a Bugs Bunny cartoon, referring to brother of Liberace, but for me, it really does mean my brother George, aka Sandy. You see, he died two years ago, today, August 9th, at age 55, due to years of alcohol abuse, its is truly a horrible way to see a person die. Too see those beautiful blue eyes, turned horribly yellow from cirrhosis of the liver. To see your skin yellow. To find out it was too late to save you, the damage irreparable. At least your final days were not spent alone. You had family by your side, tho I don't think you ever really believed we cared, but we did, it was hard to see you do that to yourself, even from a distance. But it was hard to be around you when you were in that state, a Jekyll and Hyde affect.
I never understood it, the drinking, but yet I did, because I started to go that path myself; drinking did make things 'go away', but I couldn't do that to my family.
Your death has still left a hole in me, I still feel your presense at times, telling me to not give up on myself like you did with your life. Why moms' passing and dads didn't affect me like this, I don't know. I think they were ready, I know you weren't. You were never a failure. A failure to me is person who never even tries, and you tried, literally until the end.
Either part of me went with you... or part of you came into me, I don't know which. I have never felt that 'energy' that was drained from me the day you died. I remember the funeral, it was as tho you were right next to me, saying "this is really f***ing wierd, but I'm OK"
Why am I writing this... I don't know.
But at least we have one last photo of all 4 of us.

"The way you walked was thorny
Through no fault of your own,
But as the rain enters the soil,
The river enters the sea,
so tears run to a Predestined end.
Your suffering is over,
George, our bother.
Now you can rest in peace."

32 Years...

2009-08-06T04:10:00.000-07:00

Thirty two years ago, we tied the knot, 1977. We've been together for most of my life, since actually we met when I was 13, Gary was 17. We were friends first, boarding at the same stable, he had bought his first horse his senior year in high school, I'd already been at the stable for over a year, along with my older sister. Gary and I used to go riding together on weekends, just friends you know....

Gads, is that us??? The photo above is my 8th grade graduation day, and Gary's high school graduation day, they were both on the same day, in June 1971. I always get such enjoyment from this photo, because of the memories it brings. Young, in love, enjoying friendships. Tho I do remember being always worried about him being drafted, since Vietnam was raging.

Time flies when your having fun. I find it hard sometimes to take in the fact that we've actually been together for 39 years. I remember my parents in particular questioning the relationship between a 13 year old girl and a 17 year old boy, I just didn't get it back then....'mom, we're just friends'.... now that my son is 17, tho he really isn't involved with anyone at the moment (at least I don't think so..) I get it now. Actually I got it some time ago, but there sure is a steep learning curve when you become a parent. Now, how Gary's parents felt about all this at the time, I'll never know.

Boy, I need to get a new family photo.... its been a hell of ride, I wouldn't change a thing.

I'm Pathetically Slow....

2009-08-04T04:36:00.000-07:00

I have been moving at a snails pace on the ceramic horses, I know I need to break free from my old habits, its been a struggle. Trying to come up with a techinique I really enjoy, by combining what I have learned from others, and making things work that I am comfortable with. This piece has been this exercise in that. I have done more handwork to blend and shade than just airbrushing.

So far, I have been very pleased with the results, he still does have a bit of tweaking I need to do, but hopefully, barring storms due later today... I can fire up the kiln with another test Barrister Bonanza I am working on. I sure hope this will cross over to the earthenware, since the drafter is a porcelain. The color doesn't soak into the porcelain like it does in bisque, so I may have to tweak my tweaking...

Wednesday, the school year starts, my son will be a senior in high school. Time has really flown. Its serious time now for college selection. He is really looking forward to going back to school, I can't help but laugh, that is soooo unlike me, all I wanted to ever do was spend time at the barn where I boarded my horse, school was such a drag to me.

Havin' fun in the country....

2009-07-14T12:32:00.000-07:00

Timing, its all in the timing.... How is it every year, a day or two before Breyerfest, we get in our hay for the year. Thankfully, we have been able to always buy decent hay, even when its scarce because of drought. This year, its been a bit opposite, we've have alot of rain. I try to get a years worth, 325 to 350 gets us thru a year with a little bit to spare as a buffer. The photo above is the second load of 100, so we've already done now 100, this load will make 200 bales in our side barn, and the 150 balance will go into the main barn when he delivers that... whew... This time, the man used the small trailer, last year he brought almost all 350 on one trailer... ummm.. we don't have that much room to manuver like that, plus; we're not 25 anymore... oh my aching back and hands and arms and feet and shoulders..etc... that day.
We had a couple of extra hands... But as insane as it sounds, I enjoy this, and the smell of fresh hay is wonderful.

My husbands friend, Leon, in the purple shirt, will probably never visit us in July again.... I figure it wouldn't do any good to say, 'the man wearing the baseball cap'.. What happened to cowboy hats... guess they aren't good for swatting at horseflies.

Patch watches from a safe spot in the barn...

I never did figure out what my son (on the left) and his friend were looking at.. and yes, they did help.

Well, the side barn is full now, 200 bales.... then the main barn...

Then its off to Breyerfest for a couple of days, and I am really looking forward to seeing the friends I have made over the years there. But I think I'd better shower first.. and pick the hay out of my hair.
And to top it off, the gentleman we bought our hay from gave us fresh potatoes from his garden.. potatoes, its what's for dinner... well with dinner..

Covered bowls, flowers and looking ahead...

2009-07-07T05:04:00.000-07:00

I can't believe Breyerfests Birthday Bash is next week... I have been attending Breyerfest since 1993 I think, has it been that long??? And I am really looking forward to the Breakables Birthday Bash even more, china's that I never get to see except in a venue like that. Plus just getting to see everyone I enjoy seeing. The lidded vessel above is the one I am donating to the raffle. It was so much fun for me, got me to use my imagination, and I didn't have any apprehension of painting the horse pink... actually he's not 'pink' but reddish pink.

I actually wanted to donate the one below, but it didn't make the cut...

So, I'll keep it most likely.... I used Little Loafers clay for these, which I really like, its very soft and easy to pull; this one is about 4 1/2 inches high, with the lid its about 6 inches; this one did turn out well, except I think in the drying process, it must have sagged a bit, because its not level. Oh well....I got the shape I wanted, and the lid really fits well, so I'm still pleased with it.

I couldn't resist taking a photo of this sunflower, its growing from seeds not eaten by the birds I feed. So pretty... and actually I find the center mesmerizing.

I've been enjoying the pottery, it gives me an outlet that I need, its frustrating for me sometimes to stay within the limits of glazing horses, the realistic colors, which done correctly are breathtaking for me. I enjoy seeing what others are doing, reading how they work their magic, talking to them. Doing these pieces on the wheel, and then finally coming up with how to decorate, opened a pandora's box.... oh.. the possibilities...
And I'll still be glazing horses too.

Is it already the 4th of July??

2009-07-04T09:42:00.000-07:00

Wow, I can't believe its already into July. But Happy Birthday USA...

We're slowly progressing on the rock garden, I feel like a rock farmer, I have been out around the property, checking on rocks... to see if they have just the right look, almost like trying to see if a tomato is ripe, its got to be just right.

It still has a long way to go before being done, and who knows it may turn into one of those perpetual projects, forever evolving.
These photos below are the dragon pondspitter I found on ebay and some dragon plaques we'll figure out how to incorporate, tho the pondspitter has a spot, he's going to be spitting into the first 'pond'..

I am not a big fan of summer anymore, I do love the flowers tho, and my blue hydrangea just doesn't give up.

And I love day lillys.

And for the 4th, of course, grilling some steaks and bratwurst... and fresh baked chocolate chip cookies later... maybe with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, now that seems American to me...
Happy Fourth Of July All!

The first installment of "When Pots Explode..." sappy soap opera music please...

2009-06-27T14:12:00.000-07:00

Well, the above photo tells it all... actually I can't repeat here what I actually said when I opened the kiln... lets just say it rhymes with 'fit'... And actually I haven't even looked at the other pieces if anything else exploded.
This was just a bisque firing, and not glazing, and it did damage the bowl next to it, but not too bad. This was a covered bowl, and I love doing covered bowls and I am seriously wondering if the lid wouldn't allow air to escape. Technically you are supposed to fire the lids on the pieces, so they don't warp, and normally I have a hole in the lid, because I usually put a decorative handle on later, so its vented, but this one I did solid, it didn't really need a handle the way I designed it and had a good tight fit, but not too tight, at least I thought. And my other suspicion is that for what ever reason, I do have more trouble with the red clay blowing like this because of air bubbles, which sometimes cannot be detected, until now.... I wedge it just like the other stoneware clay before throwing, but maybe it needs more of it.
Oh well, maybe everything else is OK. But I think from now on, if no hole is in the lid for a handle, its fired separately, I'd rather have a lid that's might be a bit off, than this mess, now to dig out the vacuum cleaner, and maybe shed a tear... it was such a nice piece.

Its Just a Pile O Rox....

2009-06-22T07:12:00.001-07:00

I think our soil is great for growing rocks, that's why Kentucky has so many rock walls, I remember a line in "The Quiet Man" when John Wayne says to Maureen O'Hara, "now I know why Ireland has so many rock walls..." same goes here. This will be transformed to a rock garden with water effects.... this is just the start of the collection of rocks; the first load. We tore out the evergreens that were in the front by the house a while ago, the icestorm did them in, and the weeds now are taking over. The water trough will be cut in half lenghtwise and then we have liners to place inside of the metal, and the sides can be used at the frame work of the rock sides, it will be made into a waterfall. On the bottom is one huge piece of limestone, the poor tractor, I think I actually heard it groan, it survived tho.
We always seem to have a "Fourth of July" project around here, our goal is either do a small project on the 4th, or been done with a project by the 4th.. Don't know if we'll make the deadline on this one. Then after we get the garden part done, we'll replace that tired looking sidewalk too.
The garden theme... Oriental/Japenese/Chinese... now to find a really neat looking dragon pond spitter. The area will be between the sidewalk and the house.

To the Dog N Pony Show

2009-06-18T11:47:00.000-07:00

Off to UPS these will go for Kristina's Dog N Pony Show scheduled for June 27th.
http://www.magmade.com/dognpony/dog09home.html

I can't attend, bummer. But I am more than happy to send her something a bit different, since I find that's what I like to do sometimes. The above piece is one I did using porcelain clay on the wheel, porcelain is very very smooth, and easy on my hands, but I cannot make large pieces with it, and I enjoy making large pieces sometimes. It was fired to cone 6 and left unglazed, I then fired it to cone 019 then at that temp removed and I added dog hair for the affect. One affect I really liked with this, I had long strands of dog hair from my mixed up border collie and dragged them across the hot surface and it made some really neat looking effects I think. Once I realized how that worked, the piece cooled off too much to try more, but there's always a next time, and Spinner is needing more trimming... look out Spin!!!
This other piece, the covered jar was done with a different clay, and I used a white glaze, since this particular clay doesn't fire white, more of a buff color and I wanted to use decals on it and mother of pearl overglaze.

I once I got done with all that, it needed 'something', so I had some gold leaf. I added that to the rim to just dress it up. I haven't ever used gold leaf before, all I can say is; don't sneaze using it...