Sunnyside Sunset

Bonus!

When you have a lake in your backyard you don't have to track sand, mud and grass clippings into the house to the bathroom. :)

Sleepy?

The First Day of Summer

Just redonk to even think it in Florida where we've had so many hot days in-a-row that we've been on "20's" before lunch for more than two weeks.

For those who've never worked outside at a theme park, that means our sets are shorter SO WE DON'T DIE. :)

I was off yesterday. I traded my Monday for Wednesday with Whitney - bless her - because she wanted it off and Wednesday is my favorite day at work. It's right in the middle of the guest's vacation and they're in a good mood - and too far away from the folks trying to cram fun into a long weekend (Mon-Tues, Thurs-Fri). Everyone seems to be in a happy frame of mind.

I had my second pottery class last night and you all would not believe it but I was the quietest person in class. I am so happy to be working clay again. We got a peek at the student exhibit and it was WONDERFUL.

Because of class I've asked for the next 6 Tuesdays off too. I get home after 10:30p and it takes me a bit before I am ready for sleep (after midnight) so getting up at 5am is just too awful to be contemplated.

I did sleep in until 8:30 this morning (oof!) so didn't get on the mowing until 9 was well established. I really wouldn't mind the chore if not for the damn pull starter on the thing. And it's way heavy compared to my old electric Lawn Hog - oh, how I miss you. I still have a sprained wrist.

Cabbage Patch then for Tupelo, tomato, greens, olive oil and a Ruellia for Mom's yard - I love the color and know she will too. They spread and are very easy to care for. I'll put it in by the walkway near the swath I hope to mulch when I'm less tender in the right paw.

Then to the West Indian Grocery for naan, plantain chips, garlic (FREE), and an enormous local free range chicken. It was the smallest one she had. It is over ten pounds so I will be eating chicken for a week. It's in the oven with our rosemary under the skin and the spice rub and sea salt on the outside.

I am sorry for the post paucity but the job has been kicking my behind - combine the physical exertion with the temps and I am pretty much good for nothing but the thousand yard gaze when I hit home. Sunday was lovely though at Islands of Adventure with two of my favorite guys: Beetle and Zero.

Home

Finally, that feeling...

In a cluttered, dusty room with five strangers and a mostly feral tuxedoed diva cat.

We cut stoneware into strips, textured them, joined them, shaped them and somehow three hours flew by.

I want to cry. I am not sad and I'm not angry.

I am.

Crealde School of Art

In Winter Park... Classes start Monday the 13th. May it be lucky for this mud daubber. Handbuilding with the Ancients. A chunk of change spent, but very nearly priceless for my peace (and a large piece) of mind.

I felt that unalloyed joy driving back to Clermont that I haven't felt for MONTHS. That true love of life and the possibilities it offers.

I cannot wait.

I May Be Getting Used to Sweating

I do like the look of things.

To Be?

Coworkers are an encouraging lot - I am being prodded to audition for Mrs Peekaboo, The Storyteller and the Fairy Godmother at Diz.

Sounds like fun, no?

Everybody Dance Now!

Hilarious

http://www.misspetra.com/gtfts.html

Lesson Unlearned

Instead of celebrating the euthanasia of a mad dog, mourn the waste of a life of promise spent blaming, scapegoating, hating and murdering many based on ideology, lifestyle and religious difference.

This mind's development was delayed and arrested in a juvenile state of blame that took no personal responsibility - like a child in perpetual tantrum (I have known a few in my long career).

I feel that our national response smacks of approbation of this sort of mindset more than it does of condemnation of his evil actions.

http://www.salon.com/news/osama_bin_laden/index.html?story=/mwt/feature/2011/05/02/reacting_to_bin_ladens_death

Swiffer!

He Will Be Missed

One person can indeed make a big difference. Uncle Jack did and his loving presence will be missed.

http://news.king.edu/index.php?id=single&tx_ttnews%5bbackPid%5d=168&tx_ttnews%5btt_news%5d=9715&cHash=1e403d934e76048546a9bd7c8d749f4a

The Smell of the Sea?

When my sister and I were young, our parents took us on vacation to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Our seal point Siamese, who only ever really loved my mother, was along for the ride. It was a hot August day, with the Valiant rolling down the eastern seaboard headed for Nag's Head. Dad was driving with sis behind him. Sandy's litter box was below her feet, which barely dangled over the edge in their beat-up navy Keds.

The windows were open, pre-air conditioning, and we were relatively quiet, given our years and tendency to squabble. Then Heather dropped her doll. And the whining – which my usually patient father abhorred - began. With one arm on the wheel he reached behind him with the other and felt around in the box for the soft doll – when he finally snagged her, he tossed her to my sister and tugged his arm out of the too small space between the door and his seat back. He reached up and wiped the sweat from his forehead and then gasped. My mother started to laugh. She was laughing so hard she was nearly crying.

“Knock it off Shirley and find me a tissue!”

Dad had smeared cat poo on his forehead while driving down I-95 in August. And my mother was laughing too hard to see into the depths of her handbag for a now priceless used Kleenex. Did I mention Sandy only ever really loved Mom?

Release the Kraken!

Maru.gif

Scaly Dudes

The guy in the first pic has his new Easter duds already!

Sunday Morning You Sure Look Fine

Apologies to Lindsey Buckingham and F Mac. :)

What a beautiful morning to "walk the cat," prune the knockout roses and water the herb pot. Then an apple, a banana, tupelo honey, flax seed, granola, pecans, cinnamon and greek yogurt in a bowl I made for Mom. If I make her any more pottery we have to find her a bigger house. I'm skipping the Farmer's Market because I have to do utility shopping and I really don't have the patience for both.

The Dude Abides

Beautiful Sunday Morning

I'll have some pictures after the Farmer's Market of this lovely morning.

For now let me throw this thought out there: Forgiveness is something you do on behalf of yourself and your own soul. It doesn't mean you have to welcome the person forgiven back into your life in any way. You may now go forward without any thought of them whatsoever.

In some cases, this is the only way to move forward and actually forgive.

Help Joan Keep Her House

http://www.savejoanshouse.com/

Joan was "set free" from the same radio company that has let go so many (including yours truly) in the past few years. And while she's back to work, and still working in the business, getting caught up on the mortgage has proven to be a longer struggle than the length of her bank's patience (surprise!). Radio doesn't actually reward the folks that create the content as handsomely as one might think.

In just 24 hours we've come pretty close to getting her caught up on Facebook through PayPal.

If you can help, I can assure you, you'll be helping someone's Mom keep her house, and live in a place she loves while she does a job she loves (at a station that deserves her talent), playing music that deserves to be heard.

Music by musicians that truly should be heard and appreciate work that these few stations still do.

You know, songs beyond "Stairway to Heaven" for the one zillionth time in a month. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

It's just wrong when that's about all that's left.

Played by a computer.

/sermon.

Huge Press Plate

Saturday Scenery

Nice Glaze Combo

Big One!