Blog?.... what blog?

Well, well... look at the time. The date on my last post was over a week ago!  That's no way to run a blog.  It has been a busy week, though.  An electrician came out a couple of weeks ago and had a look at our breaker box and the kiln.  He said it could  be done, but the kiln is so big that when all four switches are flipped and the kiln is running full on, any other heavy drains on the system (AC or heater, clothes dryer, etc.) could possibly trip the 100 amp main breaker.  He said it's the spike in power when those appliances kick on that will usually cause the problem.  I asked him what he would recommend in an ideal situation, and he said he would want to have another 100 amp breaker just for the kiln.  Which would be a pretty big ($$$) project.  We discussed some alternatives, needless to say.  Initially I had wondered if I could split the kiln in half.  It comes in two pieces, and they are wired separately; and connected to each other with a standard 50 amp plug... the kind they use on clothes dryers and stoves.  I would just remove the top half and attach the lid to the lower half.  The kiln sitter is located on the lower half, also, so that's not an issue.  He said he could wire the lower half so that I could run it using a standard clothes dryer plug-in, and mount the plug box right next to the breaker panel.  That sounds like a plan to me.  I just don't know how it will perform with the different configuration.  I asked the kiln manufacturer about it and they basically suggested the same fix.  I'm not done exploring my options right now, but in the mean time, I am still making pottery! I've managed to get a few mugs done; another large, decorated platter; a couple of plates; three really cool, spouted teapot-like things (I honestly don't know what they are, they just sort of happened, so I went with it)... and another big moonshine jug.  It's all coming along pretty well.  Our band is playing a private party tonight (but I'm pretty sure anyone can crash it... it's at an American Legion Post here in Springfield)  I've been told that they are having a fish fry before we play.  With any luck I'll be home by 1:00 or 1:30am. I should be able to get some stuff done this weekend.  Looking forward to it!  Peace.

It's a winter wonderland...

It's been snowing pretty good this morning, here in Ozark... more than they were expecting down here, I think.  As I have noted in the past, it is very pretty, but I'm glad I'm not out in it.  It's been coming down steadily since a little before 7:00 this morning.  It's hard to see in the pictures, but we've probably received an inch to an inch and a half today, so far.  And yes, that sign says Hair Cut 8 dollars!  My gosh what a deal!  ;)
Anyway... back to the snow.
The front passed through last evening, with some heavy flurries overnight; and it got quite a bit colder.  The first of the snow last night melted and then refroze, so we had some ice under it, but the drive to work really wasn't bad at all; they had obviously been out salting the roads early.  And as long as it stops this afternoon and the roads are OK for the drive home, I'm good with it.  It's blowing sideways right now.  Funny... a little Ozarks blizzard.
I've been thinking I need to build some shelves downstairs in my studio area; like I don't have enough to do around the house already.  But I have enough pots made right now (with many more to come) that I am actually running out of places to put them!  That's a first for me... and very cool!  I love it.

Forever drifting...

forever drifting on a river of stars...             and apples.
Stars and apples.  Now you know.

my starry night...

serving bowl and small plate.  Red earthenware and black underglaze with ancient sgraffito stars aplenty.

What the?......

Here in southwest Missouri the weather has become very agreeable these past few days, considering that it is early January... a heavy jacket feels good, and there isn't a cloud in the sky.  As I often do, I went for a walk on my lunch break a couple of days ago, to get away from the computer for a bit.  I normally walk on the Ozark City park trails along the Finley River, not far from our office.  There is a paved trail and a wooded trail.  That day I decided to walk the paved trail, which is a little over a half mile one way. About 15 minutes into my walk I saw an elderly couple 30 yards or so up the path from me, headed my way.  As I got closer, off to my left toward the river I heard something rustling in the brush, and then the distinct sound of something running, full out, through the dry grass toward me.  There are wild critters along the trail, and my first thought was that it must be a squirrel.  But when I saw this thing running at a full gallop toward me, my mind could not process what I was seeing.  Is it a 'possum?.... a beaver?.... geeez, maybe it's a rabid bobcat!  My mind was racing at top speed, which sadly for me, is dangerously slow for survival in the wilds of the Ozarks wilderness ;)  So I'm standing there, wondering how this crazed critter is going to dismember me.  Will it go for my legs first, or leap at my face and chew my eye brows off?  Mind you, this was all happening in the span of maybe 5 to 8 seconds.  And then, a pink sweater.  What the?... the rabid beaver is wearing a pink sweater.  Then from behind me I hear "aawww he ain't gonna do nothin to ya". and in the next moment I had a very excited miniature Schnauzer running circles around me feet, wanting very much to say hello.  Cute as could be.  As I bent down to greet the little guy, the man added "now... he don't need none of yer ol' dog kisses"  I assumed he was speaking to the dog.
The mind is a funny thing.  I seriously didn't know what I was looking at as that Schnauzer ran headlong toward me... and my brain was processing everything as fast as it could.  If it really had been something dangerous, I would have been toast.  That is not a comforting thought.  I need to get out into the woods more often.  I'm getting soft, and slow... just like any rabid groundhog in a little pink sweater would want me to be.  Yup, I definitely need to get out more.

2012

Looking out at the new year ahead... and feeling kinda goofy.  And that's OK, it's 1:30 in the morning, and it was a long night.  

Our band played in Mountain Grove, Missouri last night, at a place called The Midway.  Instead of doing Auld Lang Syne at the stroke of midnight, we played You Shook Me All Night Long by ACDC.  I like that a lot better.  As the night wore down, the lights came on and the party people eventually drifted out into the beautiful early morning hours of a new year.  It was chilly out, and very windy, but this time of year if it's not sleeting or snowing on New Years eve, we consider ourselves fortunate.  As we were tearing down our equipment and getting ready to load out, I picked up this party hat and put it on to commemorate the event. I had Pam take a picture on my phone to send to all of my friends and family... most of which were probably asleep (ha).  It's Sunday morning, January 1, 2012... and as I sit here at the computer, in my jammies ;) I have a simple hope that this new year will be a healthy, happy and prosperous one for everybody.  I have some big ideas for the year ahead of us.  I guess I better get to it!  Happy New Year everyone!