Coming up for air.......

 

This year has just flown and wading through the golden leaves from the norway maple on the way out to check on the chickens this morning I am reminded, Fall has arrived.  Change is forever on the move here in Northeastern Ohio.  The weather patterns have been inconsistent but the last three days we have been living the dream of 70F degree days and gentle winds.  My biggest show of the year is over and I have had time to lick my wounds over this grueling 5 day show.  Time to fish again, time to hike again, time to just watch the leaves fall.  Time to realize I am slowing down...... I guess I have entered my Fall years too :) 

I am walking, wading and reflecting and deciding where my next steps will take me.  I made a list of the things I love and make me feel like I'm 12 years old again......  Oh glorious 12 years old!  

Time to take off your shoes, roll up your pant legs and wade the rocky bottom of the river, flipping small rocks over with your toes hoping something swims away.  Oh how I miss that 12 year old and now there is nobody to call you home before the street lights go on so you can stay as long as you want; until your feet are blue and toes are numb but still you stand in the river because there is just no better place and geese fly over so low the breeze caresses your top your head.  

I have been sitting at a wheel spinning pots for over 40 years and have missed so many Falls and late Summers as shows and galleries are relentless this time of year.  Not this year!  This year I am fishing, canning and gardening.  The house is winning and there are so many repairs that need addressed before the snow flies.  

I've been busy with shows this year and a trip to Alaska sparked my wild woman outside spirit!  Sleep in the back of pick up trucks, fish till you can't hold the rod and eat whatever your hand touches ( a cold reindeer sausage) in the cooler because you rolled in after dark, very hangry and very tired and you get up the next morning and can't wait to do it again!  

I didn't get to can any thing last year and the basement shelves looked like Old Mother Hubbard lived here.  Every jar was empty and the spiders had moved in.  In the past I did all the canning and still had time to do shows, I'm definitely slowing down and I'm not happy about it.  I'm making life decisions and realized I am on one hell of journey, an adventure to be sure.  I will not be potting as much but not closing up the studio.  Gardening more, fishing more, commenting under my breath on life's little observations and if I want to take day and just watch the river go by it just might happen.  

I miss glaze development.  How can you stand in a river, waist deep in crystal clear water, engrossed by the transparency and movement of water and the textures just beneath the surface and not want to race home and start tinkering with chemicals to capture the illusion of water on the surface of a pot.  That will never grow old for me.  

or this ......... how do I get this into a glaze? 

I have time to make cordage, and collect plant material again.  I am teaching a weaving class in February!  

The basement is full again!  More on that in another post but I am over the moon happy!  

I have had time to take canning classes on steam canners, gluten free bread baking and making cordage.  

I have time to write again too.........