Cherry Blossoms

The cherry trees are just starting to blossom nearby. Perhaps you recall last year, (has it been that long), I was inspired to make a cherry tree bowl when I drove past our neighbor's cherry tree in bloom. Unfortunately, the cherry tree bowl had a hairline crack at the rim. When I tap the bowl it does have a nice ring to it. I can probably use the bowl myself.

I've had the bowl sitting around in the studio to remind me of how I made it. I plan to make another one, maybe a couple of them. I hope I can be successful this time.

Lately I feel my life is like Sisyphus destined to carry a stone uphill over and over again. Day before yesterday the leg I fell on wasn't doing well. It swelled up from the top to the bottom and I thought I might have a blood clot. I finally broke down and took a trip to the emergency room because I knew a blood clot was extremely dangerous. Well I don't have a blood clot but now I have a huge medical bill. I was hoping to avoid any medical bills till I'm eligible for Medicare but I'm three months shy. Meanwhile the water pump went out on Gary's car and then the master cylinder for the brakes. It seems like we just can't get ahead.  All I can say is thank goodness for cherry blossoms. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.

Cherry Blossoms

The cherry tree is still in bloom and won't quit showing off it's beauty. See the previous post for the tree which is inspiring me this week. I've run out of white clay but decided to make a few more pieces with colored slip decorated cherry blossoms on Highwater Clay speckled brownstone. The clay looks red now but will fire to a speckled tan color. I've shaped the piece above into a symmetrical bowl form.

The asymmetrical cherry tree bowl I made the other day developed a couple of cracks along the rim so I've patched them with some vinegar slip, we shall see. The good news is I like the asymmetrical way the tree wraps around the bowl and the contrast of the flowers, trunk and bark against the white clay.

The cabinets were delivered yesterday for my studio. They forgot to make one lower drawer base cabinet and forgot to deliver the countertop. The countertop will be delivered today but the missing lower drawer base cabinet is on order. Luckily it's a base cabinet so we can just set the countertop and wait for that cabinet and then slide the lower cabinet in later when it comes in. This weekend a friend we met in South Carolina will come and help us install the cabinets. That means moving everything out to get them in and then moving everything back in.

Yesterday Barney and Butter enjoyed the warm afternoon on the deck. Barney likes to sit up on the rail which is one and half stories up. I think Butter might have lost his footing and fallen from this level when he was hurt. He's doing much better now but is taking things very slowly. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.