Hope

Did I ever tell you I like reading mysteries or watching crime programs? It must be trying to figure out the answer which holds my attention. Like working in clay really. Since I studied psychology in college, unraveling the workings of the mind also keeps my interest. Last night I was watching Criminal Minds and they used a quote of Emily Dickinson about hope and it stuck with me, so I thought I'd reprint the poem here for you to read. It was the first four lines which were quoted.

Hope 

  

Hope is the thing with feathers 

That perches in the soul, 

And sings the tune--without the words, 

And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard; 

And sore must be the storm 

That could abash the little bird 

That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chillest land, 

And on the strangest sea; 

Yet, never, in extremity, 

It asked a crumb of me.

I made a few leaf plates the other day which are drying in the cabinet. I see one cabinet dries things quicker than the others, those are the whiter appearing leaf plates. This white stoneware is kind of cool because when it dries it turns whiter and I can tell if pieces are dry. The other test I use is to place a piece against my cheek, if it's cold it's still wet. That works with smaller items, some sculptures are harder to use that test.

Here's some larger and deeper vine bowls drying, cereal or salad size. Sorry the lighting isn't the greatest this early in the morning, but these will look much better glazed anyway. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.