Superstitions and Beliefs

When I lived in the San Francisco bay area there were a lot of egrets to see. Every time I saw one I was in awe of their beauty. I started telling myself they were good luck. My best friend and I were thinking of starting a decorating business together. We were going to name it White Bird Decor. We never started the business but to this day I still think if I see a white bird it's good luck. When Gary and I were dating we'd see white birds and point them out to each other saying it was a good luck day.

One day I was driving my mother to the hospital in San Francisco for her cancer treatment. It was a stormy day and we were listening to classical music on the radio. The music matched the storm we were driving through. My mother asked me if I thought she was going to make it. At that very moment a white egret flew over my car. I pointed the bird out to my mother and said "see that white bird it means good luck especially if it's flying over your car". I said to my mother "so that means you're definitely going to be OK." That day I believed what I said and I think my mother believed me too. My mother did recover from her cancer. Sometimes I think the power of positive thinking is all that's necessary to heal oneself. Well maybe not all but I think it does help.

Yesterday Gary and I happened to drive by a car we're thinking of buying. We took a test drive and the gentleman who had the car for sale sat in the back seat. I noticed a medal poking out the overhead console and mentioned it, asking if it was a St. Christopher medal. The gentleman reached up and retrieved the medal saying he'd found it when he was about fourteen years old and had carried it ever since. He said "what are the chances of finding a pure silver medal with a silver chain". The gentleman is probably in his seventies and has had several heart surgeries in recent years and so far has survived every one. I like to think his silver St. Christopher medal has kept him safe all these years. I'm sure he feels that way.

Since today is Friday the 13th I thought this was a good day to post about superstitions and beliefs. Are you superstitious about today? What about you, what are your superstitions? Do you believe they are true? Thanks for reading and for all your comments.

Cabin and Critter Platters

Armadillo Platter

Here are a few of the platters from yesterday's firing. I took the photos at night under fluorescent lights so they could be better.

 Cabin by the Lake Platter

 Running Hare Platter

 Log Cabin Platter

 Egret Platter

Night Owl Platter

I had my first basket weaving class last night and there's a basket workshop the next two days so more about this firing later. I have questions about rims, molds, and under glazes. This post is part of Mud Colony what's happening in the studio. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.

Feeding the Birds

 At the fish market the other day I was lucky enough to feed the birds some fish scraps.

 The pelicans were more aggressive than the egret.

 So I scooted the pelicans in the water so I could feed the egret.

I've ordered parts for the kiln so it'll be a couple of days before I can fix it. I'll post photos of the repair. Thanks for reading and for all your advice and comments.

Coiling, Pinching, Rolling

White Feather Vase by Linda Starr
coiled, 11.5 x 5 inches

I'm hurrying to use all the clay in my RV so I can get them fired before we leave on our travels. I'm coiling, pinching, and rolling the clay into forms which will fit in the upper RV cabinets. I wish I'd smoothed the coils more for the feather vase, but it dried quicker than I expected so I was left with the undulating shape to apply the white feather.

Jar by Linda Starr
pinched, 7.5 x 4 inches

For this jar I pinched the bottom half and pinched a top half and put the two together. Then I cut the top off and fashioned a lid. This cassius basaltic clay is so wonderful to work with. It stays moist for a long time and doesn't dry out easily while I am working with it.

Egret by Linda Starr
slab built plaque, 9 x 9 inches

I made this small egret plaque because I am unable to make something really large now due to space limitations in my RV. I have a plan to make a large three piece wall hanging with a blue heron.

Basket by Linda Starr
slab built, 5.5 x 10.5 x 8.5 inches

This basket is a repeat for the one I did the other day out of the Texas white clay. As I mentioned in my last post this was much easier to make since I was familiar with the form. I hope to have a stainless or copper wire handle for this basket.

Happy holidays to you and your families and loved ones. Comments and suggestions are welcome.