my 'almost' fall...

Well, I guess I've fallen victim to the old folk's curse - falling.  It happened Tuesday morning when I was picking up clay at the clay supply house. Had just given the man in the back my receipt (you order up front and then go around back and hand over your receipt and they put the 2 boxes of clay -100 pounds- into your car trunk) when another workman walked in. He distracted me by saying "warm vanilla sugar?" I turned around and said, "Pardon?" or possibly "What?" (can't really remember exactly).  And he repeated it, "warm vanilla sugar, right?" 

Then my mind clicked in and I realized that he was referring to a fragrance I wear. It's not a perfume as I'm allergic and get migraines from some perfumes. This is basically a body splash that I get from The Bath and Body Shop.  Anyway, once I realized what he was talking about, I said, "oh... yes, you're right."  And then he said something about it being his favorite. At the same time, he handed me back the receipt and the other man was putting putting the clay in the car and as I turned around, I tripped and almost fell (caught myself before I hit the floor by grabbing a wall) over a box of clay left in the middle of the aisle. Scared the both of them to death as they ran over and acted really worried.  I told them that I was fine, just tripped over that box. They immediately picked it up as I left.

Halfway home I realized that my right foot was hurting.  I think I jammed my big toe into that box of clay and twisted my foot. It was still sore last night so I taped it up. Clumsy, yes?  But at least I didn't hit the floor...  (I've almost fallen a few times in the house - tripping over cats - perhaps I need to get back to my Yoga to improve my balance?)

But it did amaze me that someone recognized the fragrance since it is not a famous perfume. I had a dear friend who passed away a few years ago that always wore "Happy" by Clinique (sp?).  I loved it. It smelled so fresh and clean. But when I tried it, it just wasn't the same on me.  Years ago when I was in college, I wore an Este' Lauder cologne called "Youth Dew" and DH loved that. But as I aged, I found that some perfumes did seem to bring on migraines, so I stopped wearing them and went to baby powder and my vanilla splash.  

Update:  Have cut out the pieces for my new *under Keurig quilt square*.  Now just have to sew them together, add the batting, find a backing, and a binding (going to use that blue for binding) and sew it all together. 

And next I've decided to do a *doggie quilt* for a friend who's old dog isn't doing very well. He just went through chemo for cancer and now is being treated for diabetes. He's already gone blind, but the insulin seems to be helping as she says that he has perked up a lot. She knows that he may not be with her for too long, but I thought a doggie quilt for him to lie on would be a nice idea. He isn't a big dog, so I think maybe 24x24 would work. Meeting a friend for coffee today and we will check out the fabric store afterwards for suitable doggie patterns. 

And ceramics/pottery class started again last Saturday. It was good to have my hands back on the clay. Made several cups, bowls, vases, etc. on the wheel just to see if I still could.  Did OK... better as the morning progressed.  We do have one project for the whole class that is going to be done in groups... making hand-built kilns. Should be interesting - will keep you updated.

And one sad fact that was just told to me: my daughter lost 2 of her chickens recently. She suspects hawks, but can't be sure. And they were her favorites... 2 Frizzles.

one of her Frizzles

a favorite thrown mug...



Snapshot of one of my large clay mugs

 I never got around to showing you pictures of the final stages of our 25-piece clay project. I plan to get my photos together and do that this week.  Some were not glazed, some broke in the kiln, etc. - but I did take pictures on our last day of class.

The photo at the top is one of the 18 mugs I threw on the wheel. This is one of the larger ones. Luckily for me I was able to use most of them as Christmas gifts or just gifts for anyone who wanted to take one home.  This particular glaze combination turned out to be one of my favorites and I made several mugs with it. It's slate, celadon, and butter in an overlapping pattern and I even rubbed some of the glaze off in spots (and fired it in the reduction kiln).  As you can tell, I tend to like the heavy 'rustic' look.

Now I have to tell you a funny story that happened this morning.  Early this morning (between 5 and 6am) I was dreaming... and in my dream I was at a sort of camp ground where I was climbing up this cliff  (and dragging a bike - yeah? well, it was a dream?) Anyway, an animal came into the campground area and in order to scare it off, I jumped up and made a lot of noise yelling, growling, hissing and spitting. It scared the animal alright and nearly gave DH (sleeping next to me) a heart attack!

He reached over - as by now I was sitting straight up - asking me if I was alright?  Remembering my dream and realizing what happened, I started laughing... at the absurdity of the situation and at the fact that poor DH must have thought I was having some sort of seizure. And you must remember that we are kind of inundated in animals around here - my having been in the Veterinary field, my youngest son a Curator at the Zoo, daughter with a ranch full, and our indoor and backyard menagerie, etc. - so dreams having to do with them are not uncommon. 

Waking up laughing isn't bad either... (altho DH may not agree in this case).  ;)