The Pulitzers

  A few years ago while watching Jeopardy, during the get-to-know-you-better talks between rounds, one  contestant  said that she had set a goal of reading all the Pulitzer Prize (or as Garrison Keillor calls it, the Pullet Surprise) winning fiction.  I decided I was on board.  I needed a worthy goal, something that wouldn't require much money, travel, or self-denial.   So I began.  To date I have finished 34 of the 72 novels.

  For me that's a first-rate  accomplishment.  I'm a slo-o-o-ow reader.  I insist on reading every word.  I figure the author agonized over them, the least I can do is read what they've written.  I wish I could I say that they have all been a pleasure to read, but there have some good, some bad, and some really ugly winners. The most depressing so far...American Pastoral, by Philip Roth.  That one hurt.

  But the one I have adored more than any other...drum roll please... Lonesome Dove.  Who would have guessed?  I don't even like westerns.  I never would have picked it up.  I'd not seen the series.  But from the beginning I was in love with Augustus and I cried like a baby when he died. 

  Just this month I have finished Angle of Repose, The Optimist's Daughter, and Arrowsmith.  Yesterday I started A Confederacy of Dunces, which is, so far, a laugh out loud read. 

  The Pulitzers aren't the only books I read.  I enjoy non-fiction,  biographies, poetry.  But those novels won prizes for a reason.  If you're looking for a good book, try one.

Acquisitions

  I've made 2 special purchases this summer.  The first was a testimony to my frugality.  Yes, I am cheap, and now that I am retired I plan to take this to a whole new level.  I had been looking at these metal gliders at Lowe's.  They are reminicent of the old metal lawn chairs we used to have when I was a child.  I distinctly remember a red one and one that was aqua.  My mom was really into that 50's aqua, but that's another story.  I told myself it was for my grandchild, the Doodlebug.  She just loves to sit outside.  She can be crying for who knows what.  But all you have to do is take that little stinker outside and she is the most content baby in the world.  She loves staring at the trees. This would be a great seat for rocking her.
  But I just didn't want to pay $147.00 to rock that child.  I decided to wait until a clearance.  I almost waited too long because the green one I wanted was gone.  But we got a sunny yellow 2 seater for $67.00.  I LOVE a good deal.  I don't generally buy anything unless it is on sale.

  So you may be confused about my next purchase of a $42.00 mug.  But it is not just any ol', made in China mug.  This nugget was made by one of my favorite ceramic artists, .Karen Newgard. I've been admiring her work for years.  She's a potter from North Carolina, a master in the art of scrafitto.  Scraffito is the technique of carving into a light clay body that has been covered usually with black slip.  She uses terra sig.  The effect is similar to a woodcut.  I love those also, my favorite artist being Mary Azarian.  Anyway, Larry and I took a short 2 day trip to Asheville, better known as pottery heaven.  It was glorious!  We went into one magnificent studio after another.  Karen shared a studio with 2 other great potters, Kyle Carpenter and Maria Troya.  It was hard to make a choice, but I chose the mug. 

A lot of people would scoff at the high price of a mug like this.  Heck, I get frowns when I tell people I charge $15.00 for a mug.   I would say to them then make one yourself.  Take classes to learn to throw clay, spend thousand of dollars on equipment, you'll need a kiln and a wheel.  There are lots of hand tools you'll need.  Then there is the cost of the clay, the glazes, and the firings.  You'll need space, too.  Maybe you'll have to rent a studio, or build one.  Then, if you have some talent, and after many, many years of practice, maybe, just maybe you'll be able to produce something of this quality.  If you're lucky. 

Weeds

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I like weeds, not weed, mind you, weeds and leaves.  I like to collect seed heads from weeds and grasses and embed them into clay.  When I go for morning walks in my neighborhood, I usually return with a handful.

I'm obsessed with this.  My husband doesn't even ask about the piles of botany on my work table anymore.

My kiln has a plethora of pendants and soap dishes just waiting to be bisque fired.

Just a few days ago I picked these Queen Anne's Lace from alongside the highway. Come on, gorgeous and free.

Embedding into clay is not rocket science. Even a child can do it. In fact the last 2 years I brought clay and leaves to coincide with our kindergarten "Tree" unit. The children rolled out the clay and pressed the leaves into their plaques. Beautiful!!  

I've been known to step into yards and "borrow" a specimen or two. So if you see a little gray-haired lady, please indulge her. She won't take much. And it will be just that much less for you to mow.

Posted by Janet at 4:51 AM 0 comments

Retirement

As of Friday I am no longer an educator of small children. It hasn't really sunk in yet, and it probably won't for a while. I still feel rushed to get everything done before going back to work on Tuesday. But now what? To sell, or not to sell. I'm thinking of opening an Etsy shop, but I'm not sure if my pottery is of the right quality. I guess the only way to find out is to try.