Another Hafie Mare Sneak Peeker

Ta-dah! Ok...sorry for the lousy, fuzzy photo but my camera is acting goofy and I'm too lazy to grab the manual. But you get the idea. I still have some minor adjustments to make on her, but the light is now visible at the end of the tunnel. Once I get some shipments out and some things in the kiln, I can get back to finishing her in earnest. It'll all be a very good distraction from being sad about little Eppie. I just can't stop thinking about him.

Hubby is going to be gone all weekend at the big Elko "Rumble in the Rubies" Bike Rally, so it'll just be me, the ratties, my flowers and the studio. Some real "downtime" to decompress and get my bearings again. I sure need it.

"The isolation of being in my studio capsule underground is like being in bed, pulling the covers over my head and shutting out the rest of the world." ~ Shirley Erskine

Mixed Messages

Howdy do. Normally, I'd enthusiastically post an account of my recent trip back east, but that may have to wait a few days. I'm just not in the right frame of mind right now. While I was gone, I lost Eppie, who passed away Saturday night for unknown reasons, but not in the most peaceful of ways apparently, if "the scene" was any indication. He was totally normal, then sometime during the night while Hubby slept, something went horribly wrong. He'd had a long history of respiratory issues, which is why he was always skinnier than his blobby brothers, but he was being aggressively treated for it. But there's only so much one can do, I suppose.

To say that I'm devastated and depressed would be an apt description. See...here's the thing...ratties don't usually pass into the next life under the kindest of circumstances. In the wild they obviously don't (sigh), but surprisingly as pets, their suffering often meets with ambivalence since they (initiate eye rolling and sarcastic tone) aren't "real pets" like a dog or cat (terminate eye rolling and sarcastic tone). So it's of paramount importance to me that at least the boys under my care cross the Rainbow Bridge with the compassionate and humane assistance from my rattie vet (who doesn't use the needle). But alas -- that didn't happen with my dear little Eppie, which makes his passing very bitter and upsetting.

So I come home from a splendid weekend to this. I have no motivation to do anything, and I've been pretty much sleeping and doing laundry. He was such a sweet, gentle, playful and delightfully mischievous little guy...he will be greatly missed. I'm still coming to grips with only Two Amigos now.

Now one would think that after years of having ratties, that I'd get used to this. Nope. Each one is like the first because each one is so different. Ratties get under your skin very quickly and you never forget them. And how I miss each and every one, every day.

Yet determined Hubby, in an effort to cheer me up, got me turned on to what is now listed under "One of my favorite shows of all time." Now I'm not a sitcom aficionado, but when one is really clever and unique (such as Red Dwarf), I can't resist. And so it is now with The Big Bang Theory. I've now watched all of Season One and I'm completely hooked. Sheldon kills me. He's like Rodney's (from Stargate Atlantis) more eccentric younger brother, and how can I resist that? And the scary (?) thing is -- I can understand what the guys are talking about and saying when they yap on in "geek speak." What's really cool is that the equations and science info on the show is all factual, since real physicists are consultants. To hear Leonard say that "25 people at a particle physics symposium is like a physics Woodstock" is funny. To hear them go on about those scientists who worry that the new Large Hadron Super Collider will create a black hole as "cry babies with no lust for glory" is, to me, hysterical. To watch them "get their geek on" by remotely connecting their robotic toys and light switches to global Internet control is, to me, cute.

My Dad is a physicist, so I was raised in a household rich with science, and so developed a love of all things "SCIENCE!" (said ala Thomas Dolby in "that song"). If I'd been smarter, I probably would have gone down that route as a profession, but alas...math is my nemesis (and chemistry is right out!). I still have to carry a calculator to figure out the tip for the waitress. Phythagoras? -- You can keep your theorem!

Hubby also is a full-blown "geek," so all the goofy computer-y/game-y/movie-y geek-outs the guys do on the show is endearing to me. I understand it, like I understand the World of Warcraft episode of South Park (my favorite episode other than The Startling with the guinea pigs), and like I appreciate the whole LeeRoy Jeeenkins escapade. I live with it! Hazzah!

Indeed, in the new Information Age, smart is the new sexy. I really don't think this show would have been successful 10 - 15 years ago -- it's taken a cultural paradigm shift to allow it to happen. And thank goodness for it! If the worship of sports people or celebrities continues much longer, I think I shall scream.

Anyhoo -- watching that show has indeed been a good distraction. Thanks Hubby! So if I'm a bit sluggish to post my trip's report, please be patient. I'm still smartin' from a great loss. I do look forward though to sharing my trip with you, though -- it was awesome. I just need to be in a better mood. Hang tight.

"Storms make trees take deeper roots." ~ Dolly Parton

A Whirlwind Week!

Barb, Sonya and Stephanie -- Cheers!

What can I say? What a terrific time! Where does the time go? My word a week can go by fast! Suffice to say -- I failed at posting play-by-play pix again -- Argh! But we ate, we laughed, we "art-ed" and we had a super visit! I've almost lost my voice and my appetite -- I think I'll be full for a very long time! Between eating out at the various bodacious Boise restaurants and Sonya's amazing cooking, we were well packed full of good food. Plus, Stephanie brought three bags of fresh squeaky cheese kurds and Hubby was in heaven! He's from Wisconsin and speaks of such things in hushed tones. He was so happy! Thanks Stephanie!

Anyhoo, we ventured down to the huge art supply warehouse, Quality Art, and stocked up on needed supplies. It's so easy to spend a whole day in there exploring all these weird contraptions, gizmos and enticing new media! Barb was able to join us for a quick visit on Thursday to help celebrate Sonya's Birthday which we commemorated at the Melting Pot. We had two cheese fondues and two chocolate fondues. Oy. Suffice to say, we needed to walk around downtown a bit afterwards! The next day, we played in the studio working on greenware and cold-painting. Sonya helped me clean 20 RESS slip-cast plaques for an upcoming RESS glazing exhibition (we cleaned the bisque version of that plaque) - phew! I also was able to work on a claybody Bjorn, start glazing a bisque Bjorn, and continue work on a very late Mother's Day gift (sorry, Mom! It's coming!). I'll post pix of them all when they're done.

Friday morning, we all met Lynn Fraley at Goldy's for breakfast (a fabulous breakfast place in downtown Boise) and wallowed in "Goldy Goodness." I was stupid and forgot to get a picture of all of us though! Doh! Then we sauntered down to Sa-wad-dee, our favorite Thai place, for lunch. I have been ruined to all other Thai places thanks to Sa-wad-dee. Terrific food! Again, I forgot to get a photo! Blast!

Barb had to return home Friday (great to see you, Barb!), so Saturday morning we ventured down to the Farmer's Market, which is a very good one even if I do say so myself. We didn't come back empty handed, either! We also checked out the local used book store and picked up some awesome books. I really like getting the old horse books, like from the 50s, since the older archetypes of many breeds are so lovely and inspiring.

A real highlight on Saturday was venturing into the Lisk Gallery downtown...and finding the artist, Jerri Lisk, at work right there! She is my favorite landscape painter and I am enthralled by her unique and colorful view of the world. Absolutely incredible! If I could, I'd line all my walls with her work! They're like jewels you hang on your wall. Whenever you're in Boise, take some time to treat yourself to a visit to the gallery and enjoy! Her work really has to be seen in person, but you get the idea from the Lisk website. Jerri was so personable and friendly, too, so it was a real treat to watch her work and chat with her.

Jerri Lisk at work on a fabulous new painting!

Stephanie had to leave on Sunday, so Sonya made her awesome homemade mac n' cheese (that was out of this world) for Saturday's dinner. Hubby mixed up lemon drop martinis, and we wallowed in good times well into the night. We also watched some Mystery Science Theater with Angel's Revenge -- Horrid and hilarious. "Send acting coach," "This movie is a shrine to 7th grade boys!," and "I buffed my love once, but I never shined my love." Priceless.

Hooray for lemon drop martinis! Good work Hubby!

Before going into the oven -- look at that glory! It was quickly devoured, lemme tell ya.
The white sauce alone was heavenly.

Sonya also made lots of her homemade bread, and I was able to snag
a loaf for Lynn Fraley before Hubby pounced on it!

After we dropped Stephanie off at the airport (sniff!), we ventured down to Cabela's. Why? Sonya found out I didn't have a cast iron skillet -- for shame! What kitchen doesn't have a cast iron skillet!?? (wink) It's "a must" for cornbread, frittatas and various other delicacies. What can I say? -- I may love good food, but that doesn't mean I know what I'm doing! ha ha! I've burned so many things. So we picked up a brand spankin' new skillet and checked out the fish tanks and taxidermy animals in the store while we were at it. It's good to know that I have a handy local place for quickie reference for other animals I want to sculpt, like elk, deer, caribou and bighorn sheep! I certainly got the desperate clarification on caribou antlers I was needin' for my Christmas ornament this year! Yay!

Frittata fantasia!

So to break in this new skillet, Sonya made a spectacular frittata on Monday morning with carmel-ized onions, spinach, bacon and cheese. Hubby's big thing is "a good breakfast" -- he's definitely a breakfast kinda guy. He went bananas. It was truly fabulous! Wow! Such flavor and so fluffy! For dinner, Sonya made some awesome homemade pizzas, with homemade pizza dough. Yummay! She even made me my coveted anchovy pizza, and it was awesome, especially with the spinach and pine nuts! It's so hard to find an anchovy pizza nowadays! Thanks Sonya!

After all the good eatin' throughout the week,
Hubby was stuffed silly! His belly was taut.

We watched more Mystery Science Theater that night with Space Mutiny. Oh. My. Gawd. There are no words other than, "A lobotomized turtle with a camera strapped to his back could make a better movie." Sonya was aptly horrified and busting up. Sonya also liked to play with the Charmkins, especially the Three Amigos, and it was fun to hear her coo, "Little Dudes!" as she oozed their goo.

She also was able to finish her bisque "Reflective" warmblood plaque she started last year -- her first underglaze piece! We pulled it out of the kiln this morning. Sorry for the lousy photo, but we didn't have time to take a proper shoot since her flight was at 10:55 am this morning! But you get the idea....

That's a pretty impressive first piece! The eye was beautifully shaded, but I couldn't capture it well enough with my camera. Dang. But go go Gadget Sonya! Next year, we'll finish more of her Bjorns and other stuff. We just ran outta time!

Speaking of which, I have to hop on a plane Thursday morning and I won't be back until Monday night. Off to visit Stephani, Kay and Laurie Jo in Philadelphia! I should be able to post pix when I return. I swear -- I'll be ready to get back into the studio and hole up with work when I get back! Yow! The Hafie mare is nearly done....so hopefully I'll be able to get her to Barry by the end of this month! Fingers crossed!

Anyway -- there ya have it. June Juju was a blast! Hazzah! Thanks Stephanie, Sonya, Barb and Lynn...and most of all...thank you Hubby for being such a great co-host for Mayhem and June Juju!

"Don't be dismayed at good-byes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends." ~Richard Bach

Another Calm Before Another Storm...

Alls ready for JuneJuju! Sonya and Steph are arriving today, in about 1 hour! Whoo hooo! It's a bit overcast and muggy out (well, "muggy" is rather subjective for a high desert. It's probably a very much a "dry heat" to everyone else!), so I'm hoping Idaho will treat them to a rip-roaring thunderstorm either today or tomorrow.

I was finally feeling better on Sunday. It's the little things one misses when sick -- like being able to breath through one's nose! Anyhoo, because I felt better, we went for a Harley ride to enjoy the gorgeous day. We stopped at the newly rebuilt Southfork Lodge for lunch. It was burned down during a huge forest fire some years ago, but it's back and better than ever. Really a lovely place to stop for a bite to eat, or stay overnight, right by the river! It's perfectly situated right smack dab in the middle of a gorgeous ride route, too. If you're in the area, be sure to stop and take a load off yer feet! If you're interested, you can find them here.

The field behind the lodge was loaded with these gorgeous butterflies twittering about on the ground (below). What a sight! I was entranced. I mean -- who can ignore a field full of fluttering butterflies?!

Here are some pix I took on the route home (below) as we rode over the pass (over 6,000 feet!). I just couldn't resist. Note those big storm clouds! We had thunder chasing us all the way home -- so cool!

You can still see the dead trees from the fire.

What was particularly funny was what we saw when we stopped in Idaho City on the way home. Where were all the bikers lined up? Not the bar. In front of the ice cream parlor! There they all were -- all getting ice cream cones! Big, bald, bearded, tatooed guys...with ice cream cones! How cute is that? I died. And well...we got our cones, too. Hubby is an ice cream junkie.

Welp...gotta get in gear to pick up the girls! I'll try to be better at posting in-chaos pix during the week!

"There they were in abundance, at my feet...so small and unassuming, and yet on closer examination so breathtakingly beautiful...all for asking." ~Helen Lucas