Memorial Day! My thoughts go out to all those who fought the good fight and went on to higher rewards. Perhaps one day the good fight will not involve guns and killing, but hearts and minds and learning. 

I've been absent from here a while. Managed to lose 5 lbs , yeah! Five more to go before surgery, I hope. 
I saw the noisy wood pecker the other day, hanging out on the telephone pole across the street. just a little thing, with an impressive sound. Just a reminder that we don't have to be mighty to make a mighty impression. 

Two weeks until the workshop with Vince Pitelka. The studio is getting some improvements, and reorganization.
I am really looking forward to meeting everyone and having a fantastic week.

Blessings.

All the birds, that's who! Well, not all. The chelated woodpecker waited until 5:52a.m. He didn't sing of course, he pecked VERY LOUDLY! : Three short pecks and  three long, Three short pecks and seven long, Three short pecks and ten long. While I was tring to decipher his code, he finished his breakfast in 7 minutes, at 5:59.  The neighbors heating unit came on with a resonating vengeance at 6:15, just when the massive wood pecker decided he was on to the second course. Mama Mia! And I'm not even Italian. But please God , just let me get one more hours sleep!  6:45 all went quiet. Dragged out of bed at 8:45....... this day went to the birds. HA!! (Though I did manage a good hike with my hubby and pooch down to Dear Creek and back.)

Woke up early today and got 35 minutes of stationary bike riding n. Did a few ab exercises, but have lots more work to do in this area. My stomach muscles kept cramping up! Made coffee, had my breakfast, did the dishes and now it is 10:15 already. Where does the time go? I'm also wondering how much weight I can lose and strength i can gain by the time my surgery comes along. Keep the faith! I'll go clean up and head to the studio for a couple of hours and then work out at the cabins cleaning up the pond area. Renters are coming around 4 p.m. Spring is here and it's time for some flowers and greenery.  Late afternoon I'll go visit Mom. Maybe I can talk Drue into a walk after dinner with Obi.

Happy Easter to all. Today, while Drue and I were having lunch with my mother at the senior living center, we met a woman who had knee surgery and was quite happy with the results. And her leg was straight! That is the part I am most looking forward to. Though I am slightly knock kneed naturally, my right leg is really looking like it just might snap at the knee if  I'm not careful. Of course this wouldn't happen, but it just looks odd. I am beginning to focus on just how comfortable or uncomfortable my knee and hip actually are. I tend to have a high pain threshold, so sometimes when I am in mild pain I don't really notice it. Now, for comparison sake after surgery, I am trying to take note of just how much "pain" I really feel. 

On a brighter note, I have thrown just over 2 dozen pitchers for my brothers maple syrup website. (http://www.woodrivermaple.comweeblylink_new_window). I should be through the glazing and firing process in a couple of weeks. There is still much more to do in the studio, however. I will be making some large pitchers for the gallery, as well as platter, flower pillows, casseroles, art vases, etc.
We will see how much I get done this next week. I love to be in my studio, the radio playing, a cup of coffee or tea nearby, and just zone in on the meditation of throwing. This usually comes afer repeating a form over and over. Once in a while one of those repeat forms comes out with just the right angle, proportions, or profile and you know that is art. From the brain through the hands to the clay. Sometimes it comes not from the brain but through the mind, the origination being somewhere "above " the mind. The inspirational moment. These are few and far between, but these moments keep me coming back to the clay. Even the meditation of throwing brings me back. Now if I could just get that from exercising. 

In an attempt to stay on track with my love of clay, and to put my best foot forward in my life endeavors, I am starting this blog. This year I will have  knee and hip replacement surgery. I have much to do before the first operation; lose weight and gain strength via a stead excercie program, make artful pots for the gallery (www.artworksgalleryco-op.com) and syrup pitchers for my brother's website business (www.woodrivermaple.com). Then there will be the recouperation and hard work toward rebuilding my strength and (dare I say) agility!  At this time there is a parallel journey going on; that of my mother's graceful pasing from this world. Through all this I will continue to visit and laugh with her. Don't know how much I should tell her of my up-coming surgeries, but at some point she may ask why I am using a walker! 


Stay Tuned.