MBA-Missing, But Active

I know. Long time no post. I've been missing, but I've been active. It all started when DJ and I decided to plant mondo grass along our bulkhead. It is a four foot wide path that stretches along our entire section of bulkhead (approximately 50 feet). If your don't think that's a feat, let me enlighten you. We got 25 containers of mondo grass. Each container was then divided into eight pieces. That translates into 200 little bits of plant that had to have their own hole dug, top soil incorporated into the hole and fertilizer added.

After spending two days accomplishing that feat, we decided to go out for a well deserved boat ride.

Then it was back to the 'usual' grind . . . . Work, house work, talking to the ever maturing veggie plants and ensuring that our resident duck couple are fat and sassy.

Almost Wordless Wednesday

More green!


Squash, zucchini and three types of tomatoes . . . Oh my!

Sunday: A day of rest?

Not so much. Instead the morning was filled with working at the gym and in the garden. What now? Installing deer fencing to help bring my tender, green efforts to fruition.

Don't get me wrong. I love God's little creatures. I throw out stale loaves of bread or almost-bad fruit into the vacant lot across the street, where we often see deer at night. Heck. I've been so generous to even let them eat some of my bedding plants. In fact, I currently have two bushes in my front bed that are nekked from about neck height down. Why? Well, the deer's neck only stretches so far. The top 12 inches of the bushes are out of nibbling zone, so it looks great. But, altruistic endeavors aside, I'm growing veggies for the bi-peds in the family.

We have some new neighbors. Meet our resident Canadian geese pair that flew into the harbor last week. They seem to like it. You can hear them fly in every morning around 8 AM. All honks and weezes, they're difficult to miss.

Can you see me?

You are looking at the first sign of GREEN in my veggie garden. What are they? Lettuce seeds I planted early this week. The best part? There were all sorts of green sprouts up and down the 3 and 1/2 feet that I planted with seeds.

GROW, LITTLE GREENS, GROW

Yipee!!!

Loony for Lunar!?!?

Ginger in her role as Gardening Supervisor.

There are some folks who just throw seeds in any ol' dirt and pray for a garden with loads of veggies . . . Then there are those who research what type of soil, fertilizer and light combo produce successful gardens . . . . And then there are those of us who take it a step further and decide which seeds to plant based on the lunar calendar. Many experienced gardeners and farmers will tell you that crop yield can be influenced by what type of moon you plant under. And, no, planting during a full 'moon' will not produce luscious 'orbs.'

Brief lesson: There are four phases of the moon, each lasting roughly seven days

1. New moon
2. Second quarter
3. Full moon
4. Fourth quarter

Now, the amount of moon light is increasing during the new moon and second quarter (also known as the waxing moon), while there is decreasing light during the full moon and fourth quarter (waning moon). The general rule-of-thumb is that you should plant seeds for above ground crops (tomatoes, lettuce, peppers) while the moon is waxing and seeds for below ground crops (onions, carrots, potatoes) while the moon is waning.

Want to make it even more complicated??? The forces exerted during the new moon, increased moisture and increasing moon light, appear to produce balanced root and leaf growth. Thus, of the above ground crops, those that produce seeds outside of their fruit (lettuce, spinach, cabbage) should be planted during the new moon. During the second quarter, you have a decrease in soil moisture, but a continued increase in moon light, which led characteristics to strong leaf growth. Thus, above ground crops that produce their seeds inside their fruit (tomatoes, peppers, squash) should be planted during this period.

Well, as many of you know, I have a tendency to make things complicated. But this amount of detail, what to plant during which lunar quarter, makes me want to take a flying leap off a short pier during the full moon (when tides tend to be higher). So, my thought was to at least plant above ground crops sometime during the waxing moon; seed-to-fruit placement be damned!

New moon started March 26th. Guess what I did yesterday? Started my tomatoes, squash, peppers, eggplant and zucs.



Lord, please let me be one of your children blessed with a green thumb.

Still no picture of the garden

Too overcast today. Not a good outdoor picture taking kind of day. However, I offer up this photo, taken last week, as an example of how Coastal Carolina is starting to come alive this spring.

By the way, I forgot to tell y'all that I transplanted (my husband called it 'recycled') 9 earthworms from the back flower beds to the veggie garden. As I was weeding, if I found an earthworm, I'd excitedly jump up with my squirming, juicy cargo, run to the veggie garden, dig a little hole, gentle place my precious friend in their new dwelling and lovingly cover it up. Yeah, I'm sure the neighbors who witnessed this ritual, repeated nine times, came to a hasty conclusion about my sanity. Did I mention that after I covered the hole, I would say to each worm, "Welcome to your new home, Eartha."

Eartha is what I named the first one. After that, there was Earl, Erica, Eric, Erin, Edward, Erdette, Egads and Earlynne. I hope you will also welcome your little earthworm friends this spring.

I'd post a picture of what I've been doing . . . .

but after a combined 16 hours spent in the yard the past four days, I'm a little fatigued. Snapping a picture just seemed too complicated for my brain this afternoon.

The upside to all the yard work and weed pulling? It has kept the cat entertained. I'll look up throughout the days to find her quietly observing me or watching the hoard of birds on the feeder. After spreading 250 pounds of cow shit yesterday (yes, by myself), I came inside and found the kitty greatly intrigued with my sneakers. Some where in the back of her furry mind, while huffing those shoes at the same rate teen addicts in training huff spray cans, she must have been thinking, 'With all this cow shit smell, there's gotta be a steak in here somewhere!'

The shoes promptly went back to the garage.

Veggie post-script: I planted onions, swiss chard and some lettuce mix today! Just think . . . . Seeds turn cow shit into something tasty. Nature is truly amazing.

Not something you see everyday

FYI-We did not take this picture. It came from towndock.net. No, there is nothing wrong with your eyes. Yes, this pelican has four wings. No, the picture has not been altered. Quite rare, and needless to say unusual, I just had to share.

Spring is coming, I know it will be here sometime . . . .

Two entries in one day (keep scrolling down)? Well, that's because this one is in no way, shape or form related to the first one.

As the majority of the East Coast gets a extra helping of winter weather, I'm in the mood for warm weather. Forget the thermal underwear, the sweaters, the polartec blankets and socks in bed. I'm sick of it.

So, to get y'all as excited about spring as me, I thought I'd share some recent landscaping (last Friday) at our household.

Yup, you're looking at my future garden. Pretty little 4 foot by 8 foot bed that will soon enough be the home to swiss chard, Hansel eggplants, Cherokee purple tomatoes, red tomatoes, green peppers, Bianca peppers (white), an assortment of lettuces, squash, zucs (because I make some of the best stuffed zucchini this side of Heaven), butternut squash, okra and basil varieties that go beyond your imagination. Did you know that seed suppliers are seeing a 20% increase in sales for 2009 (compared to 2008)? Everyone is looking for ways to reduce their grocery bill! Including me. How do I plan to accomplish this? With cow manure, fertilizer, back-breaking labor, BB gun to rid myself of squirrels, deer fencing (remember, I'm trying to reduce my grocery bill, not the local deer population's bill) and my trusty Farmer's Almanac. Feel free to write a comment about your best gardening tips. I want all the help I can get. And, yes, I know I have way too many seeds for this little space. Although, 4 foot by 8 foot seemed much larger in my head . . . . . .

Parenting Skills

My wonderful husband got to work from home today. Snow + travel + ice = one man working the computer keyboard around the orange-ish, furry lump on his lap. And do you know what wonderful husband (WH for short), mentioned above, said after the cat jumped into his lap for the fifth time?

"She wouldn't be doing this if you didn't let her."

Me: "I beg your pardon?"

WH: "You heard me. She wouldn't insist on jumping in my lap while at the computer if you didn't let her do it with you."

Me: "Oh. So what you're saying is that it's my parenting skills that are instilling bad habits in our adorable baby?"

WH gave me the look that can only be described as 'if-I-agree-I'm-screwed; if-I-disagree-I'm screwed.' Rightly so. Is it my fault if the furry product of our love wants to show her Daddy some attention? He shouldn't be insulted; he should feel honored. Enough said.

Calling for Reader input

Oh, please! I so did NOT make this bowl.

So, I've talked about the steps in making a pottery piece, but what about after all that throwing, praying to the Pottery God, trimming and sanding? Well, kind readers, that's where even more fun awaits! After we make the pieces, they are allowed to dry (completely-key term here). Then, they go through three more critical steps:
1. A low-firing (only to about 1400 or 1500, I believe)
2. Coloring/glazing
3. Final high-firing (hotter than you want to know)

Right now, I've got a bunch (like a whole kiln shelf worth) of pieces being low-fired. That means those pieces will be ready to glaze/color/decorate next week. So, my homework assignment to you: Take a look at your pottery at home and share with me information about your favorite pieces, their color, etc.

I welcome the suggestions. Just remember to keep it simple. I'm not that advanced when it comes to glazing. I say that yet I ordered Sample Set #3 of glazes from Coyote Clay and Color. My pottery teacher ordered a different sample set earlier this month. She did a trial run this week and I was there yesterday when she took pieces out of the kiln. Some were gorgeous and some combos . . . . not so great. I did take notes on what combos I liked and what to avoid. I think many of us (OK, me, mainly, but I'm the one making the stuff, right?) are going to like Archie's Base, Crazed Copper and the Light Shino.

The Little Pot That Could (and did)

This poor bowl. I swear; it has more luck than a cow in India. It was one of the first pieces I threw that was worth keeping. It is a little thick, so it took forever to dry to a leathery consistency (what you're looking for when you want to trim a pot). In one of my "gotta-get-it-done-yesterday" moments, I had the bright idea of setting it in front of the wall heater in the pottery studio. The Pottery God on duty was not pleased with my 'hurry up' attitude. I came back about a hour later to find it drying well . . . . but a hook from the wall had fallen off and landed in the bowl, cutting the rim.

I cried, I nashed my teeth, I shook my fist at the sky, screaming, "Why, Pottery God, why?" Alright. I really didn't do any of that. I made a sharp expletive and told the other two students in the room that my pot was ruined. One women looked at it and said, "Why not put a cut in the other side to make it look intentional?" Boy, did that blow all the hot air out of my sail; to be replaced with the cool breeze of salvation (as in, the pot could be salvaged).

So, took her advice and put another cut into the rim. Later, when trimming, I couldn't get the bottom straight. I cut and it wobbled; I cut more and it wobbled; I cut more and the pot asked to be put in a Dali painting. Finally, I got something that was half-way straight.

So, last Saturday, when it was time to glaze, I figured this was the pot to experiment on. Because, if any of my pots would survive an experiment, this would be the one. Was I right or what?!?! I dipped it in a brown glaze and then partially dipped it in a seaweed colored glaze. Now, we had been told that the seaweed glaze was giving our teacher, and her husband, who mixes the glazes, fits because of its viscosity. So, use with caution. I gleefully put it on this pot.

This glaze does have some 'issues' that teacher and her husband are working on. The viscosity causes the glaze to 'pool' at the bottom (instead of just drip off). I have the dried drop of glaze on another side of this pot to show for that. I could sand it off, but I think it gives this pot character (you can see this same effect on another pot that I posted yesterday) and is just another chapter to The Little Pot That Could.

DONE!

Hip to be square

So, I got tired of making bowls. Bowls, bowls, bowls. Yes, I understand that practice is good. Yes, the practice has improved my technique, speed and success rate, but after so many bowls, I needed something different. Yet, I was having the type of day where I wanted to have a high likelihood of a successful throw. What's a tangible-product-oriented girl to do? Make her own squared off bowls!


It is sooooo hip to be square! OK, I have to admit. I did not come up with this on my own. I saw it in a pottery book I checked out from our local library. So, I gave it a whirl and produced two small-ish square bowls. Feeling pretty cocky from that successful experiment, I tried my hand at something else . . . . Throwing plates using the 'correct' technique (versus the clay-is-to-weak-to-go-up-in-a-cylinder-might-as-well-push-the-walls-flat-and-make-a-plate mistakes of the past couple of weeks). Potter's note: It ain't as easy as it looks. I ruined two good lumps of clay by making my bottom too thin.

Well, as the above picture demonstrates, it was a freaking home run experiment! By the end of my pottery session I had two small plates (one saucer and one salad plate size) and two mid-size (small dinner size) plates.

P.S. I had my 'glazing' lesson this past Saturday. Hope to have pictures of a few 'finished' products later this week!

Inspiration

Wednesday and Thursday were not good pottery-making days. The wheel was not my friend. However, I took a different approach today. I got back to the basics. Starting small, keeping it simple and practice, practice, practice. Much better day today. Although I had a great 'technical' day, I was lacking in artistic inspiration. Well, when you need some inspiration, why not look to some of the best artists in life? God and Mother Nature.

Now, you'll have to excuse me. A sunny day, warm dock and a decent book are calling my name.

Word-y Wednesday-Pottery Style

Y'all tired of this yet? Eventually, I'm gonna have to stop or else everyone will know what they're getting for Christmas.

Here's the deal: When you get to this stage of pottery making (meaning you have a viable piece), you hesitate to expand your horizons. You just want to offer a 'thanks' to the pottery gods, fire the damn thing, glaze it and fire again. Let's be honest, there are a lot more steps where you can mess up a piece. Why (possibly) knowingly mess it up at this stage? Outside of the pottery studio, I have a tendency to stick with routine; be a bit adverse to change (duh!). Why? Well, we all know that some trials can lead to errors (gross errors). Today, trying to break that pattern of sameness (or should I say, 'perceived safety'?), I decided to experiment on the previously mentioned ugly pitcher. Let's see how it looks when I try to etch a design into the mildly damp clay . . . . .

Ta-freaking-da! Not too shabby right? This experiment led me to try this etching thing into a piece I was fond of, a small plate.


They're fish, but hopefully you could tell that. I've never been a good artist. I can visualize something in the gray matter between my ears, but the vision loses potency traveling from brain to hand. So, you have to understand this was a big feat for me. Now, there is the chance that this detail could be lost in the firing or glazing process. That's OK. I'll consider it part of the lessons learned to make future pieces even better!

Bowls, Plates and Starfish?

Quick lesson in the steps of 'how to throw pottery on a wheel'

1. Knead a lump of clay and throw on a wheel
2. Offer up a prayer to the pottery gods
3. Center clay (this involves copious amounts of physical strength, hand coordination and cussing)
4. Shape clay (usually, potters have a shape in mind; I just let the clay 'speak' to me) (involves even more cussing than step 3, wailing and cursing/praising of the pottery gods)
4a. Depending on outcome of Step 4-Feel like a failure or pottery's equivalent of 'Who's Your Daddy!'
5. Let clay dry to the consistency of cheddar cheese
6. Trim form (yes, this to can involve cursing, especially if you ruin a piece)
7. Sand form (yup, cussed during this step yesterday when I broke a pot)
8. Allow form to dry completely
9. Low fire in a kiln
10. Glaze
11. High fire in a kiln
12. Result: Possibly usable piece (smack that, y'all!)

This Saturday is the sixth and final lesson in my introduction to pottery wheel class. By Thursday afternoon, we, the students, have to have our items prepared and ready to go into the low fire kiln before we get our lesson in glazing. Now remember, firing and glazing of three pieces is included in the cost of the class. How many pieces do I have? Waaayyyyy more than three. How many pieces am I going to fire and glaze? Not quite as many as I've made.

And the crazy thing is that I'm continuing to throw in hopes of eeking out two or three (or five) more pieces. For example, see the plate below? I threw that yesterday.

Now see the plate? Looks like it spent a little too much time on the ocean floor. Not quite. Note: This is not something we've learned to do in class. I was in a creative mood. So, I took some leftover clay, from a pot that went horribly wrong (bad, bad stroke, no saving it), and today, rolled it out, borrowed my teacher's cookie cutter and attached the clay 'cookies' to the plate. I used a similar fashion to how we were taught to attach handles. (By the way, suck at attaching handles. Did it on a short, squatty pitcher today and now the damn thing looks like it was completed by a kid who was trying to sculpt in the middle of a seizure. Yes, worse than the Salvador Dali bowls I've been making. Didn't even warrant a picture.)

Now, I'm not sure if I'm doing the whole process of attaching them to the plate correctly, but, if I do say so myself, it looks pretty neat. I'll keep you posted on whether it becomes an actual 'completed' project. If it does, it might just be one of the pieces DJ and I keep. Sorry, no starfish for you (but I do know a pitcher with a hand sculpted handle that might be looking for a home).

Blogger note: I just signed up for two more pottery classes. I'm taking another intro to wheel throwing (which is quite normal) and, in April, I'm taking a 5 lesson hand building class. Wow. This means I'm pretty much taking pottery classes from now til the first week of May. And, since I'm pretty much spending all our money that would go to presents on these classes (and clay, glazing and firing costs), you will be getting pottery for birthdays, Christmases, etc, etc for years to come! This includes you DJ!

It sounded like a good idea

Today's high in New Bern was predicted to be mid-70's. So, on our way home from the gym this morning:

Me: "What would you like to do today, Babe?"
DJ: "I was thinking either go for a walk or kayaking. Something outside so we can take advantage of the weather. Why?"
Me: "Well, I have an idea, but I'm not sure you're gonna go for it."
DJ: "Your idea?"
Me: "Why don't we pack lunch and go down to Fort Macon. Walk along the beach and have ourselves a little picnic by the ocean."
DJ: "I'm game."

At Fort Macon, two hours later (just after twelve noon):

Me: "What is the temperature here?"
DJ: "54 degrees."
Me: And what was it before we came over the bridge to Atlantic Beach?"
DJ: "64 degrees."

Folks, ten minutes later we were walking along the beach trying not to get blown across the sound and into Beaufort. When we turned the corner and hit the Atlantic Ocean side of Fort Macon, we had a feeling that we needed a tether (like the kites in the picture above). No way we were staying on this beach for lunch. No worries. Just 40 minutes of walking by the water, taking in the waves and watching the fishing activity was therapeutic to the soul.

From there, we did drive to Beaufort (where the wind wasn't Nor'easter force) and had lunch while looking at all the luxury yachts in the harbor (what do these people do for a living?). We did enjoy a short walk outside of the historic area, all the while keeping our eyes on Carrot Island for the wild ponies. Eventually, we saw about six or seven just grazing at the shore line.

Oh! And the high in New Bern today? 74 degrees. Almost 20 degrees higher than the high at Fort Macon. Gotta remember that water/ocean cools the surrounding area.

Trimming

Blogger note: Now remember, objects are larger than they are in real life.

So, I have shared with you some of my pieces after they've come off the wheel. Now, let me show you what they look like once they've been trimmed. Trimming is a process where you just clean up the shape and bottom. This is often times how bowls get the ring footed shape they seem to 'sit' on (like the ever so talked about spittoon below). It is really one piece of pottery, but just trimmed to make it look like a bowl on a foot (or ring).

Trimming also gives you the opportunity to change the shape of your bowl and allow you the chance to make the clay thickness more consistent throughout the bowl. If you take pottery, you'll notice that the bottoms are often thicker than the sides or tops. Quite common. However, this inconsistency in thickness can lead to problems, like cracking, uneven drying and a piece that could easily just burst in the kiln (thus ruining your piece and other pieces in the kiln). Not something you want to have happen when you've put such time and effort into a piece.


I've only got two more classes left and I still need to learn how to put on handles (no telling how many of you coffee, or cocoa, lovers will be getting mugs), sand, identify if a piece is ready for the first firing, glazing, etc, etc. So much to learn, so little time!

Wordless Wednesday-Pottery Style

Looks perfect from this angle, right? But look at the picture below. Same piece, just different angle. Tops not quite even . . . . Yeah, yeah, I know. It's hand made.



And lastly, my spittoon (see below). No telling which family member will end up with this as a present.

It's not lopsided, it's 'hand made'

Warning: Objects in this blog are smaller than they appear (much smaller)



Yeah. This ain't your mass produced pottery. This is prime-grade, first time attempts from my pottery wheel class. Of course, this is the product after 4 lessons. I'd show you the product from that first lesson, but . . . that's right, I trashed what I was trying to make.

However, with some practice, practice and patience, I'm getting it. Not perfect. But, as our teacher says, it isn't supposed to be 'perfect;' it's hand made. Yeah. Great. I think she just tells us that to make us feel better.

This hobby has also reinforced the lesson that not every action has to have a tangible outcome. My first few times at the studio by myself ended up being two hours of 'attempts' and no final product. However, all those attempts ended up being lessons. Either the lesson of getting a feel for the clay, learning how to 'center' your clay, knowing when you've walls are too thin, and realizing that 'point' at which if you touch or try to mold it any further, you'd be doing more harm than good. Lessons aren't tangible, but nonetheless, they are valuable.

I threw some more pieces today, but one of them might be a dud. It came off the wheel looking beautiful. Shallow bowl, lovely shape, wide lip. However, after several minutes, I noticed one side of my lip starting to droop. Uh-oh! Can't wait to see what it looks like tomorrow. I'll just tell folks my pottery is influenced by Salvador Dali.

My life is about as exciting as this guy's

I got a gentle nudge (from a friend in PA) about my blogging or lack there of. I could list a number of reasons for my absence, but they might be interpreted as excuses. Nothing worth blogging about going on in my life, cold weather makes me irritable with the overwhelming desire to hibernate, had some freelance work assignments, traveled up to VA for a short visit, entertained the in-laws this past weekend and spending some of my free time at the pottery studio. Sound like excuses, right?

Yeah. I thought so too. I think the real reason is that we've been going through some 'changes' in our household. No, not 'the change' many women talk about, but just changes in schedules and environment. Unlike our stationary friend in the picture above, a human's life is filled with changes. Right now, that means that my best friend and playmate (i.e. my husband, DJ) isn't here as much. Big bummer to my psyche. I'm finding that my pattern of behavior (as most of you are already aware) is to withdraw when I'm feeling overwhelmed or in flux. However, we are starting to adjust (even Ginger) and that has led me to feel more . . . . hmm, can't find a good word. Settled, maybe?

So, last week was better than the first half of January and I expect this week to be even better (at least my pottery skills are improving). But, here is something to ponder, how do you react to and handle change?

OMG!

First, the cold temperatures do not inspire me. Add a sprinkling of snow to the picture? I go into hibernation mode. I mean really!?!?! Do you think God intended for sea grass to be covered in snow?!?


Although it is pretty to look at, I hate it. Give me the heat, humidity and blazing sun any day.




Can you see the thin sheet of ice on the harbor? The name of the neighborhood is Hidden Harbor; not Arctic Harbor.

Hidden Harbor Working Girl?

Well, at least someone in our Hidden Harbor household is working! Unfortunately, the lack of opposable thumbs tends to slow her down, increase spelling mistakes and negate any earning potential she might have. However, she is certainly a joy to look at and love.

I'm not really feeling my own value right now. I don't have any freelance medical projects lined up and the lack of work (and income) tend to get me feeling a little blue. I understand that we all, as individuals, have significant value because we are made in the image of God. That the fact He took his time and skills in creating us gives us our worthiness and intrinsic value. I try to remember that. Honestly, I do. However, when I'm not working towards a 'goal,' (whether it be work project, cooking, just something task oriented) I have a tendency to feel lost, defunct of value.

I hate these days where I am incapable of looking in the mirror and thinking, 'I'm OK with me.' I understand that an overarching 'goal' in life is to lead each day trying to know God better. Trying to do right by his values and teachings. Some days, its just hard to translate that into . . . . well, life.

Snarf #2 - Update

Alright, I can't help it. The following is from Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal. Keep in mind that this author is a little warped. Since Jesus can not 'be' with a woman, the author thought it would be humorous that the best friend be a nymphomaniac.

So, after watching Wizard of Oz (Biff had to come back to life in the 1990's in order to write the gospel of Lamb), Biff decided that the Scarecrow was wrong to ask for a brain, instead he should have asked for (sing along boys and girls) . . .

Oh, I would while away the hours,
Wanking in the flowers, my heart all full of song,
I'd be gilding all the lilies as I wave about my willie
If I only had a schlong.

Yep, you guessed it. That led to snarf #2 and a re-abrasion of my nasal passages due to hot mint tea. Dang! Teachers never told me that this reading hobby could be hazardous to my health!

Don't let that book blow away!

Whoa. Hold down the animals and small children. The wind is fierce. I mean, an average of 35 to 45 MPH with gusts of 60 MPH.

So, while I'm "holding down the fort," I've also been keeping one hand on my trusty current read, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal. Hys-ter-i-cal! As in, burn-your-nasal-passage-because-you-snarfed-your-hot-tea-while-you-were-laughing hysterical.

For those of us who never gave thought to the Jesus' boyhood years, this will get you thinking. It makes you ponder about how 'human' Jesus was. Yes, I'm afraid that a book that burns nasal passages could help the population at large explore our human-ness.

No, it is not a religion book; nor is reading it a religious experience. Yet, I would consider it a must read for those of us who have a tendency to take religion, spirituality and the meaning of life a little too seriously.

Now if you'll excuse me, I must attend to my burns. Anyone know a good way to get antibiotic ointment up your nose and between your eyes?

What did you do for perihelion?

Peri-what? Perihelion. Today is perihelion. The day that the Earth is closest to the sun all year. About 3.1 million miles closer to the sun than it will be in early July (when the Earth is furthest from the sun).

So there you go. Perihelion. Now, what did you do today to celebrate perihelion? Throw a party? Spend the day outside? Angle your face to the sun and produce some vitamin D?



DJ and I used the good weather to our advantage and got out for a 'yak attack. Any day in January that you can get out on the water (without the risk of freezing or frostbite) is a great day, indeed.

Are your eyes bigger than your garden?

The following should be a gardener's commandment:

Thou shall try and use restraint when ordering vegetable seeds.

I have been perusing gardening websites today. If I were to plant/grow everything that looks interesting, I would need about 2 or 3 acres. But, just look at some of this stuff! Can't you just imagined these stuffed with a wonderful vegetarian sausage, tomato and cheese filling? Or what about making salsa with these? I can just see the look of shock on the faces of friends and family when receiving this. Or what about making pesto with this type of basil? One thing I have to plant is this vegetable. We discovered these beans at the New Bern Farmers' Market last year and fell in love with there look and their flavor. YUM! And, I might just have to grow these in honor of Barbara Kingsolver of Animal, Vegetable, Miracle fame. Yup. They are the beans that are shown on the cover of the book.

So, if you could grow a garden, what would you just have to plant?

And what have you been doing?

We have been all over the place! Charlotte, NC before Christmas; VA after Christmas; de-decorating on New Year's Day and completing the 'honey do' list this week. You can tell from the picture above that DJ's 'honey do' list included cleaning all the limbs and branches from around our dock. (I don't know why the man is smiling since he is shin deep in shoe-sucking muck.) He did this on Wednesday when the water level was the lowest we've seen since moving in June.

Anyway, it has been a wonderful, but exhausting holiday. I'm ready to say 'bye-bye' to the holiday season and 'hello' to 2009. I'm not making any New Year's resolutions. For years I have made the resolution to curb my cussing and we all f*&king know how that d^%m resolution goes to s#$t before January 1st is over. As you can see from the picture below, Ginger did make one New Year's resolution . . . . . to show everyone just who 'Mommy' (ie ME) belonged to. Like there was any doubt?!?



Happy New Year to you and your loved ones. May 2009 bring you peace, happiness, love and personal fulfillment (in whatever form that might manifest)!

My love,
Christa