Back to reality… with the kick-off of my summer art fair season just over a week away, I’ve really got to finish labeling & stamping my postcards so they get in the mail today!!!

When I got back from my morning ride, the sun was just starting to hit the garden. So I took a short breather to enjoy the Spring flowers popping up… as well as my stamped totem pole!

So I pulled out all of my bisque today to start the glazing process. Which I must admit is my least favorite part of the whole process?! Every time I start I keep thinking that I need to find someone to do this for me?! Ha… like that will ever happen?!

And this is just the first half…
there’s another bisque kiln firing that I still need to unload & glaze as well!

Let The Games Begin!
My parents and I got up early this morning to head out for the big pottery tour. Our first stop is always my favorite stop! It’s the furthest north and my favorite collection of pots & potters! So we always start at Bob Briscoe’s place, do a little shopping, a little chatting and a have a lot of fun before moving on to the other locations.

Picture thousands & thousands of wonderful pots made by some of the best potters all in one place. There are seven studio locations on the tour. Each of the host artists then invites other potters to share their space and their wares. In the end, there are fifty potters, quite a few white tents, and thousands & thousands of pots!!! All in one glorious pottery weekend!!!

For more information about the tour, click on St. Croix River Valley Pottery Tour.

After a busy week in Dover and the studio, we’re finally off to Minneapolis!
This weekend is the Minnesota Pottery Tour and we made it up north after a long, rainy drive. The tour starts tomorrow, but first, my parents and I stopped by my cousin’s place tonight for dinner and some great fun with their kids. Always fun to play with them… and to hear all the stories from their recent “Make-A-Wish” Trip to Hawaii. Yes, unfortunately, their youngest Christopher has been battling with cancer. He’s made it through his chemotherapy rounds like a trooper and is now “in the clear” and feeling so much better. So it was great fun to see him smiling & laughing… and playing with Uncle Gary!!!

Tonight was another fun night of “culture” downtown Chicago…
err, or was that in Oklahoma?!… OK !!!

Yes, we all know the story. We all know the songs. We all know the words.
It was great to see the live production on stage for the first time after seeing the classic film version since childhood. It was very well done with some beautiful voices. There were a few people who might not be the “true” triple threat. But all in all it was fun. I tried not to sing out-loud too much. And for the record, I can say that I still don’t care about Poor Jud Fry.

Part of the fun is also seeing the beauty & majesty of the Civic Opera House in Chicago. It’s one of the largest & grandest theaters in the city. With beautiful art-deco & art-nouveau accents everywhere in it’s beautifully restored state. Everywhere you turn there are stunning architectural accents. Just walking around the lobby and theater is a visually stunning experience. And the people-watching ain’t too shabby either!

By now many of you know that I have a strange fascination with roadkill.
And over the years, and over the miles of biking, we’ve passed many along the way. Well, this morning was not to be outdone. When noticed something in the road and stopped to investigate… and to capture pictures of it for my “roadkill collection.” Only to find out that it was my lucky day!

After a few days in Dover, Delaware… it was great to be back home and back in my bike.
The weather was clear & warm. Unlike the last two days of gloomy rain we had in Dover.

As the sun continued to rise, the colors were quite vibrant. Layers of oranges & reds.
All awaiting for the sun to finally make an appearance on the horizon.

And when it finally did, there was a beautiful reflection across the water.

And

After I turned around and started back home, I did catch a glimpse of the sun through the trees. And it almost looked like a beautiful sunset. That is if I wasn’t keenly aware of which direction I was facing?!… and which way the sun went?!