From Skilled Hands

My good friend Larramie posted a video that was made in the Bronx, asking 50 people one question. I was intrigued, and found this video by the same people.

Fifty People, One Question: New York from Crush + Lovely on Vimeo.

What do you wish would happen by the end of the day?

We got 6 inches of new snow yesterday—on top of the 18+ inches that already blanket the ground. Last week’s respite from the cold, a balmy 40 degrees F, a promise of spring, is now a sweet memory. I know that under all this snow, nature is working her yearly miracle.

The birds know it, too. Spring songs cut through the cold air, punctuating the silence with their glorious sounds. The goldfinches are back—early this year—and are already showing hints of yellow. It’s hard to keep the feeders filled since the whole neighborhood seems to know that dinner is always served here.

The chickens are aware that the seasons are changing, too; they are laying again, and their eggs are a welcome addition to our larder.

The quality of the light has changed; the sun rises more toward the south. The willows have the golden cast that precedes Spring’s arrival.

I am still cold, and have been for months, it seems. The weather report is for more of the same, with snow. But we are at the half way mark for winter. It is good, yes?

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Here’s a welcome back to Travis Erwin, My Town Monday’s chief cook and bottle washer. Travis is back after a hiatus, both planned and unplanned. Take a look over there for links to other My Town Monday Marauders. You’ll learn much and have fun, too.

Things don’t always turn out the way we had anticipated. There is something to be learned by this. Was I present for the process? Did my attention waver? Did I have all the information I needed? What do I need to learn?

On this most amazing day, I want to share a poem by ee cummings that is dear to me.

i thank you god
for this most amazing day
for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
for the blue true dream of sky
for everything that is infinite
that is natural
that is YES

My good friend Lisa wrote about this day. I am passing it forward—-both the exuberance of youth and the wisdom of experience.

COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED

One World One Heart

I’ve written about our being connected and that living on Planet Earth, we really do live in the same town. We breathe the same air, look at the same moon and stars.

One World One Heart is an opportunity for people to share. Last year, Lisa Swifka, the originator of this event wrote:

The original idea behind this giveaway event was to bring bloggers together from around the world who may never ordinarily meet. It closes the gap of the blog community and enables us to interact, discover new and wonderful people, and in the process possibly win a prize or many prizes along the way.

For me, it is another manifestation of the power of this medium. It is a way that we can embrace our humanity, and share it freely. It is interesting to me that it is the high tech that is providing the high touch in this high tech world. We have already demonstrated the Power of One in so many ways. This is another way for us to connect and to know that We Are One.

On Thursday, February 12, I will be doing another one of my high tech drawings—this one will probably be high tech die to the number of comments. I will be giving these to those whose names I draw. All items are crafted from fine porcelain clays, one at a time, by hand.

There will be at least 3 names drawn, and I will select which piece will be sent. The Touchstones may be given as a group or I may select some for several people.

Post a comment on this post by the deadline of 10:00 p.m.EST on February 11, and I will enter your name in the drawing. Please make sure that to add your email address when you post your comment so that I have a way to reach you .

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My Town Monday is another way to see that we all live in the same town. Travis Erwin, the man behind the curtain, is putting things back together after a devastating house fire. Chris, over at e-Cuniform scratchings, and Junosmom at Lifetime Learning are minding the store and posting links to blogs all over this fine planet. Take a look. You’ll learn a lot and have fun, too.
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And if you are so inclined, please visit Cups Of Kindness.
76 artists donated over 150 pieces of artwork. All proceeds from the sale of the artwork benefits the Akron Canton Regional Foodbank. To date, we have purchased 21,000 nutritious meals.

These are the times that try men’s souls and hearts. From an economy that is struggling to
people who have lost hope. This is the time to envision the light at the end of the tunnel we have know for so long. This is the time to know in our collective heart of hearts that the way to change is to be change.

This is the time to post a sign in a place we can see, and to open a place in our hearts that can feel it; to know that we are not alone and cannot do it alone. This is the time to Accept All Offers.

I like making fans. The form of a fan is complete unto itself, and yet it is part of a circle.
Kind of like being a human. Here are some porcelain tiles that I have made. The designs are carved in porcelain clays and fired to about 1700 degrees F. Then colors are inlaid into the carved areas, the excess is removed and the glaze is applied. The piece is then fired to about 2200 Degrees F. Sometimes the pieces require multiple firings so that they are ready to be framed. This process makes the layers of glaze, which are actually fused glass, sing.

The rich earthiness of the brown glaze and the harvest tones of the fan suggested a quiet Earth to me.

This glaze reminded me of the color of the sky at night, that inky blue that is like velvet.

Even though the blue is bright, the piece has a quiet nature.

These tiles are available for purchase here.

Support your local artist. BUY ART