Red Potato Day

When I was growing up we always had those brown russet potatoes. They were good; they were substantial; and they filled us up. As I grew on in years I wondered if there were any other types of potatoes. I didn't wonder too often, though, I was a kid and I ate what we had, because I was hungry.

But in the back of my mind I did wonder about a lot of other things. I wondered if there were different types of foods, different places, different people, different thoughts, different ideas, different actions. Later I wondered if people acted on their thoughts and ideas, especially if their ideas were different. I wondered because I was hungry. I was hungry for learning; I was hungry for knowledge.

I grew up in a military family so we traveled around a lot and I found out there were lots of differences in the world, different foods, different countries, different cultures, different thoughts, different ideas. But I also lived in a family where we did what was expected. We were expected to know that if other's were different, well it might not be OK. We were told one thing but we were expected to learn another thing. We were told, constantly told, to be free thinkers, but we weren't "allowed" to step out of the bounds.

Somehow, though, I learned what I was told, not what was expected. I never accepted the bounds. I learned to be a free thinker. So consequently, I've always been testing the limits, testing the bounds, testing what's "considered" right or wrong, OK or not OK, accepted or not accepted, expected or not expected. It isn't always easy being me, but, well, what can I do. I am so often hungry.

We didn't have a lot of visitors to the gallery today, but what we did have was a wonderful time visiting with one another. I met so many wonderful potters and artists of other media, and really got to talk to them, to visit with them, to learn about their experiences, their thoughts, and about their lives. And, of course, we talked about pottery. I found myself wishing I lived closer to the Tampa Bay Area. But Gary was saying he isn't living in the city. Some folks said there are places nearby which are in more in the country. But we'll have to see what the future brings.

Sorry I didn't take any more photos, I just have my thoughts to share. I've come home late again this evening and since it's late I've cooked a red potato for dinner. Then I cut the potato in a crisscross fashion and put a very thin slice of butter, real butter (sometimes you just need the real thing), on top, and a little sea salt and fresh ground pepper and ate it with relish. The truth is, it was so good, I cooked another potato and ate that too. I was hungry.

Then I thought to myself, today was really a red potato day, not a russet potato day. What all my past growing up history has to do with a red potato day I have no idea. I just know I want to have as many red potato days as I can and I look forward to each and every one.

I know you were probably expecting to see a red potato I made out of clay, but not this time. You see a red potato day is more about feelings than about actually seeing a red potato. Here's to many, many a Red Potato Day for every one.