Lily and I did go to the Open Studio for pottery today and I am so glad we did. There were familiar faces there, people who make me smile, who make me glad to see them.
Both of us searched through all of the bisqueware (which is pottery that has been fired once but is not so hard that it can't accept glaze) looking for things we'd left to be fired at the end of the last session of classes. I'd almost given up finding my things but they were there. The leaves that I'd made for a wind chime were rough but kind of cool.
I had wanted and tried to make more than three but not really knowing what I was doing, two of them broke. But I think they will make a sweet tiny wind chime with a pleasant voice.
When I found my bowl, I was rather surprised. Do you remember that I made it using another bowl as a mold? A hump mold. At the last minute before I left class that day, I grabbed my needle tool and made the design in the bottom of the bowl and poked those tiny holes around the rim just to make it something beyond a wonky bowl formed over another bowl. When I held it this morning, it felt good in my hands. In all the classes I've taken, this bowl is the first thing I've done that pleased me.
When I found my bowl, I was rather surprised. Do you remember that I made it using another bowl as a mold? A hump mold. At the last minute before I left class that day, I grabbed my needle tool and made the design in the bottom of the bowl and poked those tiny holes around the rim just to make it something beyond a wonky bowl formed over another bowl. When I held it this morning, it felt good in my hands. In all the classes I've taken, this bowl is the first thing I've done that pleased me.
Today I sanded the bowl and then painted the design with underglaze. Next week I'll apply very light or even clear glaze over the design and it will be all fancy and stuff. Hopefully. At least it will be fine to eat from and to put in the dishwasher. A real bowl.
After class we met Lauren and Gibson and Maggie at Kyoto, formerly Japanica! for our lunch.
Y'all- I was not very happy with the situation. First off, the prices have gotten really high. Someone has to pay for all that new decor and the tablets they use to take orders on.
Secondly, they no longer serve the type of curry that I always ordered and loved so much.
I ordered ramen in a broth with other things and I didn't think it was that great. I sent the leftovers home for Owen to eat. Or Gibson. He really liked it.
I ordered ramen in a broth with other things and I didn't think it was that great. I sent the leftovers home for Owen to eat. Or Gibson. He really liked it.
So that was that experience.
And then I went to Costco and then to Publix and it was all sort of okay but a little not okay. When I got out of the store, it was pouring down rain and I got soaked. I should have waited a while for the rain to slow down but I was so ready to get home. Lunch and the shopping had done me in and I needed to get away from parking lots and people. To tell you the truth, I'm still a little wet. I should change.
Mr. Moon is coming home and bless him, he's getting another salad tonight. This one with tuna. The kind you cook. Not from a can although there's nothing wrong with that. I wonder if he'll be exhausted. I wonder if he'll be happy. I wonder if he'll be able to settle down for a little while, even though I know he'll have a thousand things on his mind having to do with the project he's undertaken.
I bet you anything Owen will be relieved to get home and back to his computer. He has been so kind to go help his grandfather. I know for certain all that physical labor outside in the heat has been a shock to his system.
I bet you anything Owen will be relieved to get home and back to his computer. He has been so kind to go help his grandfather. I know for certain all that physical labor outside in the heat has been a shock to his system.
I know I couldn't do it. Mr. Moon is a beast.
Tomorrow I will can beans. Believe it or not, I am looking forward to it. And I almost have enough cucumbers to make another batch of pickles.
Meanwhile, everything we do right now, every place we go here in the US, everything we take for granted as our right as Americans is being threatened in ways I never had any idea could happen.
I'm not even going to voice what I fear most. What's happening this second is unbelievable enough.
Let's be strong, y'all. Whatever that means, however we can.
Love...Ms. Moon
I can never understand why someone takes over a perfectly good business and then raises the prices almost immediately. Sure way to lose customers and then the business.
ReplyDeleteYour leaves are very leafy. Please show us the sound they make when up and tinkling. The bowl is delightful and I would pay good money for such a thing in a fancy craft shop.
I try not to watch or listen to too much stuff coming from where you are but what does filter through horrifies me. Keep canning your beans and focus on the things that make you happy.
Well, Japanica definitely need some major upgrades and I don't think the business was doing very well at all. A lot of people flocked in when they reopened and we'll have to see what happens now.
DeleteThank you for the kindness about the bowl. I appreciate that.
I canned a bunch of beans today!
I am horrified by what is happening. Horrified and terrified.
ReplyDeleteYes. Both of those.
DeleteThat bowl turned out great. If you go back to pottery making, maybe you could make more leaves...a leaf for each grandchild, for each child, for their spouses. It would make a great family tree. The sweet sounds = family harmony!
ReplyDeleteOoh boy. Debby- that would take me forever! I was thinking about making a few more but not that many! But it is a very sweet idea.
DeleteYour bowl and wind chimes are really lovely. Nice work MM!
ReplyDeleteRestaurant pricing seems on the rise again. Plus, recipes are changing. My favorite crab cakes at Legal Seafood last week were mostly breadcrumbs, and little crab. So disappointing.
My Uncle was a very hard worker, like Glen. He insisted he could do things better than anyone. His game plan was to take many breaks, while working any project.
Mixing fishing/boating with a little project work might be a good idea. Owen is learning some great skills helping Glen. A neighbor's son worked with a builder through high school and college. Today he works in the computer/drone industry and buys rental properties which he can personally maintain. He's one impressive business operator at age 25.
Restaurant prices have to rise, I imagine. I mean- everything at the grocery store surely has! But cutting costs on crab cakes like that is just so disappointing.
DeleteGlen is pretty sure that he can do things at least as good as anyone else. Well, a lot of things. He's realistic sometimes.
Isn't it funny how some people are just born entrepreneurs? And certain skills are ALWAYS going to be needed. Smart kid.
I shudder to think what may be coming down the pike for us.
ReplyDeleteI love the bowl and your rustic leaves, good job!
I am hoping that more and more people in government will step forward and start speaking the truth like Newsom did. I believe that even some Republican representatives and perhaps senators are starting to turn. Maybe.
DeleteI am actually terrified of what may come. I never thought I'd see this country turn into such a nightmare. I'm joining the no king protest on Saturday. It's not much, but hopefully something. Ending my comment on a positive note: your bowl and leaves are great! I particularly like the ginkgo leaf.
ReplyDeleteI like that ginkgo leaf too!
DeleteHurray for you for protesting tomorrow!
This SATURDAY - No Kings peaceful protests across the country! Go!
ReplyDeleteFind your city/state info here:
Www.nokings.org
Yes-Nicol
DeleteThank you, Nicol.
DeleteIs that a gingko leaf?
ReplyDelete-Nicol
DeleteI have a Presidential Gingko Tree. I freaking love it.
Delete-Nicol
DeleteYes. Ginkgo. That's my favorite.
DeleteI like the wind chime leaves. They could be added to, with scraps of leftover clay, too.
ReplyDeleteOr- I could make a few more leaves out of scraps of leftover clay!
DeleteThe wind chime leaves look lovely. The bowl does too. I don't mind getting rain soaked if I am on my home from anywhere, because I know I can dry off and get changed, it's a different story when you get rain soaked on the way TO somewhere. I hope Owen wasn't worked so hard that he doesn't want to go again. He'll have some stories to tell you about this trip.
ReplyDeleteI hope so too! Maybe the pain will be forgotten in a relatively short time. I'd love to get him alone and have him tell me some of those stories!
DeleteI first had fresh tuna salad on one of our trips to Italy and now I wonder how I ever tolerated canned tuna on anything. It's divine isn't it! And I love the bowl and the windchimes - particularly the blue-grey leaf. The colours are so pleasing to my eyes!
ReplyDeleteI just sort of consider canned tuna to be a different thing altogether from fresh tuna. That way, I can enjoy both!
DeleteLike you, I can’t believe what’s going on in the States. So, I’ll focus on the beautiful things you’ve shared. The bowl is beautiful. Can’t wait to see the final outcome. And the wind chimes will be charming. You’re finding your stride. Such a shame about Kyoto nee Japanica. I hate when that happens to a favorite place. I love that final photo, your shrine!
ReplyDeleteMitchell, Republicans just get more insane every day. I just heard about this today: https://www.chron.com/news/article/texas-bill-birth-control-20279358.php
DeleteTheir entire agenda is based on two things as far as I can see- cruelty, and making sure the rich and powerful get to stay that way.
Yes. My little shrine.
I love your bowl and wind chimes. Our family says I agoogleplex it. That means it's the ultimate.
ReplyDeletePatricia
Agoogleplex is word that August would love.
DeleteThe bowl is going to be so cool! Well done, Mary.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to be joining the No Kings protest on Saturday. That is followed by the annual Juneteenth celebration in my city. There will be speakers, our Congresspeople, food trucks and music. Hope it doesn't rain!
That sounds like a huge big day!
DeleteDave keeps saying he doesn't want to go back to the USA this summer. He's due to make two trips, one to an AP educator's conference and one to Drum Corps finals (and to see his parents). He is not enthusiastic. I think he's a little afraid some misstep will run afoul of the authorities!
ReplyDeleteThe bowl is looking great! I can't wait to see what it's like when the glaze is fired.
It was probably good for Owen to get away from his computer, but difficult at that age. Bummer about Japanica!
I don't blame Dave. I DOUBT anything would happen but the fear is real.
DeleteI'm sure it really was good for Owen to get away from his computer. I'm actually surprised he agreed to go to the lake.
Yeah. Not thrilled with Japanica.
Lovely bowl! We’ve had the same problem with places we love getting sold and not being as good. The chimes will be pretty!
ReplyDeleteXoxo
Barbara
It happens, doesn't it? We become fond of places for a reason and then when that changes, it's disappointing.
DeleteYour bowl and chimes are lovely and yes, it's so satisfying when you make something by hand and love it:)
ReplyDeleteThe fuckery continues, my jaw aches from clenching my teeth and my head hurts.
My middle daughter starts on a new drug for her MS this week and I'm worrying about that as well. I wish I could take her place.
I truly hope that your daughter's new med works well for her. I know you worry. And you cannot take her place but I know you would.
DeleteSpeaking of rain, it started last night with lightning and thunder, was still training this morning, All the low spots in the yard flooded. The family that owned Mexican restaurant that we used to go to when we first moved here is ready to retire and they have sold to someone else. I wonder how it will affect the food/menu.
ReplyDeleteYou did a good job on the bowl and I think your wind chime will have a sweet little tinkle.
One never knows what will happen when a new owner takes over a restaurant. But I don't blame people for wanting to retire and sell their business.
DeleteGlad you got some rain!
What a gorgeous bowl! Prices are going up astronomically everywhere - and I do hate it when the one thing you really look for at an eating establishment is off the menu. Not sure if that is worse or better than getting it and finding they have changed it to disappointment.
ReplyDeleteI don't know either Jeanie. I can't be the only person that loved the different curry that used to be available.
DeleteI love your bowl. I love your leaves too. You’ve made art. Let it be what it wants to be. Beautiful in its own way. Owen’s learning a lot from his Bop I bet.
ReplyDelete