Reduction Fired Stoneware - Couple New Pieces

Today I picked up a couple of pieces from a recent firing at Bethel - a few wine coasters that were spoken for already and these two guys that were made for no-one in particular. The pictures don't really do 'em justice, but they give you the idea.

"Where do you cast your gaze when it feels like its spinning all around you? As for me, I want to learn to look skyward in any situation..."

The bowl above decorated with a passage of scripture from Hebrews, chapter 6. Both pieces really hit on the same themes and were created during times of uncertainty at Rhumbline - essentially talking myself into faith and desiring a pert-near illogical hope in difficult times.

Tomorrow morning I begin the next collection of steps (aka, start the new gig at Target). My only prayer is that I show His love to those around me and that I'm willing to trust Him with my day.

Hope you enjoy the work. pba.

God's Remote

Is it bad that I have an addiction to Sony remote controls that are the size of New York and control pretty much all things electronic?

At risk of being gunned down by lightning bolts from the Heavens, I'm going to go out on a limb and say that this particular passion may very well be ordained from a Higher Power.

Who else would invent a device to control up to 16 separate components, enable you to hook it up to your computer to configure it, and make it look so darn nifty.

I ordered the RM-AX4000 today - our third "Commander" over the past 5 years or so. So I shallow-ly await its arrival and confess that I am indeed hooked...

Communication Tip from Uncle Pete

When you put a warm Mountain Dew can inside the ice dispenser to get cold quickly, be sure to tell your spouse that it's there. If you fail to do so, you may both lose your beverage and surprise said spouse with some unanticipated liquid coming from your refrigerator...

It would appear that the metal device that rotates within the ice container so as to dispense ice through the refrigerator door, may very well have the power to cut through the side of the can, causing a minor explosion and subsequent pouring of your beverage into your spouse's glass...

While the look on her face will be worth much, the cleanup effort is really a pain in the tookus...

It's worth letting her know it's there... just a little communication tip from Uncle Pete. pba.

Potter Obtains Energetic Following...

...consisting primarily of several dozen 3rd graders...

I had the opportunity to participate in the Empty Bowls 281 event last evening as a fine little side show - makin' bowls for the little ones (and several parents ;) as folks mingled, purchased kids' bowls, participated in the silent auction for "celebrity" bowls and just hung out and listened to some great entertainment.

Highlight of the evening? 2 kids that had a veritable fit when their mom told them it was time to go and eat - they decided it was more fun to watch a potter than to eat. Now that's a loyal fan-base...

A close second place would be the kid that successfully fired about 27 consecutive questions at me without taking a breath - all while standing about 14 centimeters from my ear. I honestly enjoyed the non-stop curiosity and the joy with which they watched lumps of clay become simple bowls. Hopefully a couple of them will remember it long enough to a class or two before it's all said and done...

The event turned out even better than hoped and will undoubtedly return next year on a larger scale. By pulling in over $8500, it obliterated its goal of $6000 which will ultimately benefit the local community through PRISM, a local human services nonprofit that provides a variety of services to those in need...