One Step Closer

As I looked at the photos of what I made day before yesterday, I wasn't completely happy with them. They were OK, but not what I wanted. I've been wanting to combine my love of nature and contrast that with the modern world. But I could never figure out how to do that. You see I sometimes feel a sadness when I see trees cut down, lots cleared, animals displaced, a sadness at what many call progress.

Where I used to live I couldn't see any city lights and the stars shined brightly for me in the night sky. Here I can see the hazy glow of city lights filtering through the trees with a toad chirping under my window sill. I have to strain to see the stars sometimes even on clear nights. The city lights interfere with the stars shining in the darkness which I used to enjoy. Right down the street they're clearing a huge parcel of land for a wally world super center.

I'm caught in a struggle just like the plants and animals around me. Having services closer to me makes it easier for me to survive. My travel costs are reduced and that means I can better afford to buy the things I need in my daily life like food and utilities. They're also widening the road a few blocks away and I'm sure more business will follow wally world. I'm one step closer to living in a bigger city. And yet I don't like it; sometimes I feel trapped in this situation.


I started out yesterday playing around with what I made yesterday, setting some finished leaves and flowers on the pieces I made to see how they looked. The dimension they added felt better to me. Then I made the piece with the black bamboo. I'm not sure about the bamboo being black, perhaps it should have been green, next time. But I feel like I'm one step closer to where I want to go with my work. Last night I added the city to this piece. Looking now I could have made the buildings taller and had them go around the edges, next time. I'm working with these colors because I happen to have them handy. I also intend to use other colors and try some with the white storeware.


Yesterday I read an article which said rural America is shrinking at an ever increasing rate. It's gone from 20 percent to 16 percent living rural. Sixteen percent, that's a very small percentage. I secretly cheered and felt sad at the same time. I felt sad for the folks who may have to move to the cities and not want to. Sad that small towns are drying up.


But I cheered for the plants and animals left behind by all the people moving to the cities and thought the plants and animals may have some hope of surviving. This morning I saw this armadillo eating grubs in our lawn. I hope there's a chance for me to move way out in the country again someday. Today I've got to get my library pottery exhibit together. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.
© Linda Starr