December has brought us record-breaking cold and snow. Today I’ve been thoroughly enjoying watching the many local birds who are grateful for seeds, nectar and suet. The sun popped over the Chines to our south for its shortest spell, from 11am to 1pm today. I spotted a Hairy Woodpecker clinging to an icicle while waiting for a turn at the seed-feeder and I grabbed my iPhone. You can see snow-covered Golden Ears mountains in the distance.
I was just going to write about pots..
Just before this second wollop of snow arrived I was able to fetch my new pots from the PGBC kiln on Saturday. At the same time I quickly loaded and fired a glaze kiln here at home so that I could have grandson whistles done in time to take to them for Christmas, and also finish firing Raider’s plates. Renée van Halm had come here to touch up her newest big platter. It’s really striking.
In the same firing I had two more Raiders’ plates being re-fired. I felt these two would be improved by a little more glaze. My kiln had been showing its age and had fired unevenly. Clive Tucker fixed it for me.
We’re all distressed to learn from Karen Henry that our good friend, ‘Raiders’ founder and Western Front artist, Eric Metcalfe has suffered a stroke and is now recovering and receiving rehabilitation. I know he won’t mind my mentioning this as he permitted artist Oraf Orafsson to take this fine photo while he was in hospital. Our best wishes, Eric, as you learn how to manage changes. We look forward to having you join the Raiders for more Raids in the future.
The other items in my half-full electric glaze firing were the things made by boys. Lucas and Rodrigo tackled the whistle technology, Bennett made many pinch pots with the idea of giving at least one to his teacher and Caleb made a green pinch pot. Here also are the whistles I made with TriCity Potters.
It’s always good to receive photos of how my pots settle into their new homes. I mailed this Loon tea-pot to a couple in England who had been living in Ontario and wanted to remember our loons. He does look Christmassy!
I believe this is the last blog I shall write this year, so as the days get longer I wish you happy times with friends and family for the holidays. Let’s all agree on and put in place climate control measures so that we can avoid catastrophic heat, drought, ‘atmospheric rivers’ and record-breaking snow and cold, not only in 2023 but in the years to come. Seeing an end to Covid would be good too.
Below is a panorama of our street this afternoon, as the last sunshine caught the snowy branches of the huge Bigleaf Maple tree.
Merry Christmas to you and Al. Gillian, your blogs are always great to read and the photos always a treat to see, but the Hairy Woodpecker on an icicle is calendar worthy! You should submit it to the city; don’t they publish a yearly calendar?
I’m glad you like that serendipitous photo Carlene. Yes, the city asks for photos, but I’m sure they accept only landscape orientation images. Merry Christmas to you too.
Merry Christmas to you and Al, also Gillian. Have a healthy and new normal!!!!!!! New Year. We know that we can’t go back to how it was, but we are hoping for a little more freedom and better access to what we need.
Merry Christmas to you and Allan!
It was a wonderful potluck, you do so much for others and art.
I hope you have lots of rest and laughter this holiday time.
See you in the new year!