So, you may think I've been slacking, but that's not the case.
Since last posting, I took one of our eight-year-old grandsons on a train trip to Fairbanks on the Alaska Railroad. He loved it and we had a good time. From Wasilla, it was a 10.5 hour ride each way. Stayed two nights at the SpringHill Suites downtown, a Marriott that offered a swimming pool, which we had to ourselves both nights. Perfect. It was a good trip and how nice to travel with a child so appreciative, observant, and interested in seeing and doing new things. His Bronco cap resulted in many conversations -- and also in a free cookie at Soapy Smith's. I've been told that he reported the sandwich in the dining car as the best he's ever had in his whole life!
Next, I flew to Portland to offer a helping hand with the almost-two grandson who broke his leg. Think it happened when trying to walk in his Dad's shoes, with a fall and then a four-year-old brother falling on top of him. Ouch. Snapped his left femur and was put in a rigid cast from armpit to ankle for one month. Parents were alternating staying at home, but also needing to work from home, so my role was to entertain, watch, guide, and protect the lad from himself. "I can do it" was not always a reasonable perspective. The day after I left the cast was sawn off; the following day he celebrated his second birthday with a cake in the shape and green color of his cast, and he seems to be doing well.
Flew back to Anchorage, getting in late at night last Thursday. Slept over in Anchorage and saw family there before driving on to Willow on Friday, stopping for groceries, a haircut, and painting supplies along the way. Arrived home a few hours ahead of a cousin visiting from Texas with a friend. Fun guests. We did lots of driving around for a couple of days before they flew out for a week of fishing in the Dillingham area -- at Bear Claw Lodge.
Tomorrow a few friends are coming up from Anchorage for the day, and in the evening I begin the Painted Ladies' Plein Air Retreat; it goes through Sunday evening. Yes, I'll be in over my head, but it has the potential of getting me back into some painting, and I know the group has a good time. Just observing how others go about painting outdoors will be interesting and helpful -- and probably very buggy! Temps promise to be warmer than usual and I'm looking forward to lots of learning.
Then, next week, we expect family from Anchorage will be with us for Fourth of July celebration. We love it when they join us in Willow for a bit. Who knows, we may even have some grass growing here by then. Keith's had a full-time groundskeeper job during the past month trying to keep grass seed moist, and also creating rock pathways. Thank goodness for his good health, determination, interest in landscaping, and tractor! All has been done with a bug netting over his head.
Plans are in place for a trip back to Portland and on to Minnesota in July, but before then I do hope to get some pots thrown, fired, and glazed, for some folks who are patiently awaiting delivery of some work. Once the Minnesota trip is over, my focus will return to pottery, pottery, and more pottery, with some knitting and painting thrown in for diversion. When summer ends, there will be lots of studio time with new ideas for form and decoration, and additional outlets for my work. More about that later.
That's it. Will post photos and an update after the Plein Air Retreat, but felt it time to explain, since you've not been seeing new pottery, just what I've been doing. Some of it was unexpected, some planned. All of it has taken time -- and has been well worth it.
Hope you're enjoying a good summer, where ever you are and whatever you are doing!
Since last posting, I took one of our eight-year-old grandsons on a train trip to Fairbanks on the Alaska Railroad. He loved it and we had a good time. From Wasilla, it was a 10.5 hour ride each way. Stayed two nights at the SpringHill Suites downtown, a Marriott that offered a swimming pool, which we had to ourselves both nights. Perfect. It was a good trip and how nice to travel with a child so appreciative, observant, and interested in seeing and doing new things. His Bronco cap resulted in many conversations -- and also in a free cookie at Soapy Smith's. I've been told that he reported the sandwich in the dining car as the best he's ever had in his whole life!
Next, I flew to Portland to offer a helping hand with the almost-two grandson who broke his leg. Think it happened when trying to walk in his Dad's shoes, with a fall and then a four-year-old brother falling on top of him. Ouch. Snapped his left femur and was put in a rigid cast from armpit to ankle for one month. Parents were alternating staying at home, but also needing to work from home, so my role was to entertain, watch, guide, and protect the lad from himself. "I can do it" was not always a reasonable perspective. The day after I left the cast was sawn off; the following day he celebrated his second birthday with a cake in the shape and green color of his cast, and he seems to be doing well.
Flew back to Anchorage, getting in late at night last Thursday. Slept over in Anchorage and saw family there before driving on to Willow on Friday, stopping for groceries, a haircut, and painting supplies along the way. Arrived home a few hours ahead of a cousin visiting from Texas with a friend. Fun guests. We did lots of driving around for a couple of days before they flew out for a week of fishing in the Dillingham area -- at Bear Claw Lodge.
Tomorrow a few friends are coming up from Anchorage for the day, and in the evening I begin the Painted Ladies' Plein Air Retreat; it goes through Sunday evening. Yes, I'll be in over my head, but it has the potential of getting me back into some painting, and I know the group has a good time. Just observing how others go about painting outdoors will be interesting and helpful -- and probably very buggy! Temps promise to be warmer than usual and I'm looking forward to lots of learning.
Then, next week, we expect family from Anchorage will be with us for Fourth of July celebration. We love it when they join us in Willow for a bit. Who knows, we may even have some grass growing here by then. Keith's had a full-time groundskeeper job during the past month trying to keep grass seed moist, and also creating rock pathways. Thank goodness for his good health, determination, interest in landscaping, and tractor! All has been done with a bug netting over his head.
Plans are in place for a trip back to Portland and on to Minnesota in July, but before then I do hope to get some pots thrown, fired, and glazed, for some folks who are patiently awaiting delivery of some work. Once the Minnesota trip is over, my focus will return to pottery, pottery, and more pottery, with some knitting and painting thrown in for diversion. When summer ends, there will be lots of studio time with new ideas for form and decoration, and additional outlets for my work. More about that later.
That's it. Will post photos and an update after the Plein Air Retreat, but felt it time to explain, since you've not been seeing new pottery, just what I've been doing. Some of it was unexpected, some planned. All of it has taken time -- and has been well worth it.
Hope you're enjoying a good summer, where ever you are and whatever you are doing!