Colorful clematis climbing & blooming in my front garden today! I would love for it to grow larger & produce more flowers… but “someone” may have planted it where it doesn’t get quite enough sun. Darn it!!!

Another beautiful morning… another beautiful bike ride. We started with almost clear skies… but then the clouds started to move in… and we were treated with a beautifully clouded skyshow!

Doing some trimming tonight… which I love!!! Especially with great trimming tools from DiamondCore Tools… and my favorite production-centering tool The Giffin Grip!!! The perfect trimming combo!!!

And thank you to everyone (including my Dad) who checked-in to find out how my CAR fared through the storms. All good… oh… and by the way, I’m okay too!!! Thanks.

But this morning during my sunrise ride, there were downed trees & branches all around… several down on the bike trail itself… mostly around the Montrose area. I lost count after thirty!!! So sad to see so many large old trees damaged by the strong winds over the past two nights. Luckily there were no houses, structures or cars for these trees to land on! And on a good note… it looks like there will soon be a surplus of “mulch” in the City parks department!

After two days of storms… a beautiful blue-sky day was a very welcome surprise. Warm sunshine, cooler temperatures & less humidity. Go outside & play!!!

After two nights of crazy storms & two mornings of wet roads & debris… it felt great to finally have clear skies & cooler temps. There were still a lot of trees down & branches strewn about, but the beautiful sunrise made it all seem better!

Always good to see a happy plant in a handmade flower pot. Like this terra cotta one that Cory’s neighbor Pam bought during the NORTHERN ILLINOIS POTTERY TOUR… and has already fulfilled its destiny by giving a plant a new home! Thanks for sharing Pam!!!

Back from the Pottery Tour… and time to get back into production mode in the studio again. Starting with another 10×10 Challenge… this time more mugs with a newer shape! More than ten pieces thrown before 10:00am. Giddy-up!!!

Just a little but of “humidity” hanging low over the Chicago skyline this morning.
It’s definitely gonna got hot & sweaty today!!!

From dew-covered grasses to shimmering sunrise reflections… today’s ride was quiet & serene… and quite sweaty! The breeze was nice until you stopped moving. Then the sweat kicked in from the early morning heat & humidity already starting the day!