Zeus

The best dog in the Galaxy passed away this evening. It was not planned. We had a normal morning, he went on a hike with me and did fine, but when I returned home from work, he could hardly stand and could not walk. I knew with no doubt that it was time to say goodbye. My heart is broken, I will miss him more than words can say, but now he is free. XOXO

New Work in Process and Hodgepodge

I know it has been a long while since I posted, but there has been a lot going on around here!

These pictures show my process in making a bowl and a vase, one step at a time. Start at the bottom and work your way up: first I wedge the clay which means I get all the bubbles out which is impossible, but you have to try :-). Then I roll out the clay just like dough. Next photo shows the clay being formed into the bowl, this take some time and a wee bit of effort to get it all even and the right thinness, then I cut away the excess clay. After it sets for a while I lift the clay out by the cheesecloth that keeps the clay from sticking to the bowl, this is the tricky part because if you do it too soon you may ruin the form. after I remove it from the bowl the real work begins, I have to smooth it out and get rid of all signs of the cheesecloth unless I am making a bowl which shows the texture, then I just smooth out the inside. I also made a vase with the coil method, the third photo shows the last coil (clay rolled up into a small cylinder shapes) being applied. The coil method is by far the slowest method, you have to attach each coil and smooth it out. The last three photos are of the pieces after I painted them with underglaze. Then I clear glazed parts of them (not shown) and they are now being fired in the kiln. I wanted to show you the finished pieces, but I won't get the fired pieces back until Tuesday and I did not want to wait that long, so this will be a two part post.

In other news: Many of you have sent me emails of concern because of the fires raging around Taos. It was touch and go when the fires were threatening Los Alamos where the government has labs that contain deadly toxic chemicals, but they have the fires under control now and I think all will be well soon. The smoke has been awful, and I am sad for the forest and all the animals, but we are still here :-).

Also update about my dog Zeus. He is amazing. His legs are getting weaker and I know we are lucky if we have the weekend, but I never know with him as he keeps rallying. Everyday is a gift and I know that.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and a Happy 4Th of July. XOXO

Animal Wednesday and Hodgepodge

This tip top image is my first sighting of a horn toad this Summer. I love them and always try to get an image when I see one. The other images are the cute earrings that my sister in law M made, she sent them to me to see if any of you may want to buy a pair. They are 15 dollars each pair plus a 1.50 shipping in the US. They won't be in my ETSY shop as I did not make them, so if you want a pair just email me and indicate which pair, I can do check or paypal. First come first serve :-).

In other news: My dog Zeus is doing very well, he is even running a bit. Part of his problem has been my slippery floors and this week a friend is giving me some carpet to put around the house which I think will help. He only falls when standing still on the hard wood floors or trying to climb a hill. He had a really good week, so I am happy to say I may have jumped the gun a bit. His passing is inevitable and it will likely be this Summer, but he has surprised me, so we will just have to have a wait and see attitude. Continued prayers and good thoughts are much appreciated :-). I will keep you posted.

This weekend I planted flowers and made 3 bowls which I will share after I take some photos, I want to show the process as it goes. I also went to see Jane Eyre with a friend and I loved it!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Happy Animal Wednesday!XOXO

Zeus Update

Thank you all so much for your heartfelt comments and emails, I appreciate you all so much.
Zeus is still with me, he has had a few good days, so I will see how it is going on Tuesday next week, I would like to have the weekend with him to say a proper good bye at least. As long as the good days out weigh the bad he will stay. All I can do it revisit this everyday and see where we are. I know he will tell me the exact time is right. Mr.B and Spike did, so I trust that Zeusy will too. I will let you know when the time comes. Every day is such a gift.
Love you all. XOXO

Zeus (Animal Wednesday)

This is my sweet dog Zeus (with my late little B in the last photo). The best dog in the Galaxy. I am doing his tribute now because in a few days he will be gone and I won't have the strength. Losing him at all is hard, but losing him so soon after B and Spike and G is just to much for my poor heart. Too much death and sickness and old age. He is now falling more than standing and while he can still do his walks and he loves his food, I feel the time is nearing when I have to take him and have him put down. I think Thursday or Friday evening will be as long as we can hold out, he could surprise me, but I really feel this is it. I rescued Zeus 9 years ago and he was 7 then, so he has lived a long and good 16 years. He is the sweetest, kindest most loving dog you would ever meet, he loves all people, animals and me, he loves me more than any human has. Zeus is a miracle of a dog and has never been sick a day. He just has bad hips and is very old. Time to go and run free again in the fields. In my meditation I heard the words, "You are not alone with this" and I know I am not, I know spirit is with me and will help me get through this.

Your prayers and good thoughts are appreciated.XOXO

Adventures in Hiking

You may remember I told you all I had to find a new hiking/running spot and I have. The above photos are of my views as I hike, thought you might enjoy. I snuck in a photo of my hiking buddy, Zeus and also a photo of my reward for an hour and a half hike, hot chocolate with chili.

Today, I am beginning a huge art project and I won't say what it is yet, but I will show you as it goes. I am so excited I can't sleep for thinking about it. I will give a hint, it is porcelain sculpture and it involves words. And Mim you inspired it. Happy Saturday! XOXO

P.S. I took these photos with my new Canon point and shoot!

Animal Wednesday (Zoe's Great Adventure)

I just got back from dropping Zoe off at the vet's, she is getting spayed today. She has turned out to be a very sweet little girl. Not real friends with the boys yet, but that may change after today.

Spike does not care a fig about her, but Max is in love and is very upset that she is gone today. It is so cute to see him swoon over her :-). I am not sure Zeus even knows she is alive as he has loss of hearing and can not see too well either!

In other news, I will stop whining and get on with it. It seems I will be getting a camera for my upcoming birthday :-). Thanks mom. I will be shopping for it today. Thank you all for your kind words and kJ thank you for your words on my account :-). Happy Animal Wednesday! XOXO

Animal Wednesday

I have not joined Animal Wednesday, but occasionally I like to participate.

The first photo is Spike and Max, middle is Mr.B and Zeus and last is My little B, he is so thin because he has been very sick, he used to weigh 19 pounds! He is on the road to recovery and is begging for food now, all the time! Spike has been sick too, but he is doing great now.

Zeus however is showing signs of confusion and bewilderment and I think it is senility as he is very old. It makes me sad, but he still lights up and becomes himself enough that it is not time

say goodbye. Max is Mr. Healthy, he is also very young, the newest kid on the block.

Happy Wednesday. XOXO ♥

The Gift of Nothing

The photo of my cat Max and dog Zeus has nothing to do with the post, just thought it was adorable and wanted to share :-). Today is my first day off in 7 days and I am giving myself the gift of doing nothing today. I say nothing, but I will actually be playing, which means going back to bed with my book (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, by Stieg Larson). Making myself a yummy breakfast of hot chocolate and tangerines and toast. I will also be trying out a printing technique I learned from Sukipoet, just for fun. Then later, a friend has loaned me some early Hitchcock films, I have loved Hitchcock since I was six (I was an odd child), so I am looking forward to watching them. What I will not be doing is anything on my long to do list :-). Mom is in better spirits and is walking a little. Tiny, baby steps each day. Keep those prayers coming. Thank you! May you all have a wonderful, blessed day. XOXO ♥ ♥ ♥ P.S. In keeping with my plan to create more bliss in my life, I am joining Lynn's new traveling art book. All who sign up will do a page and then send it on. If you wish to join the fun go visit Lynn's blog and leave her a comment letting her know.

Animal Wednesday

Many of my blogging friends do a thing called Animal Wednesday, I thought I would join in for today. This is my wonderful dog Zeus. I don't know if you can tell, but he is actually smiling with glee in this photo. We are off on a run before it gets boiling out. Have a grand Wednesday! XOXO

Starlene's Interview with me Part ll

This next question is a sweet one:
3.) I am totally stealing the idea for this question from Moonshark but since I loved answering it so much, I thought you might too. Tell us the love stories of Max, Zeus, Mr. B., and Spike.

This is the only photo I have of all my boys together.

Mr.B

Spike

Zeus

Max

First came Mr. B and Spike. About six months after my beloved cat, M&M died, I went looking for two cats. I knew I wanted two and I wanted them to be boys and I wanted them to be brothers. I had a thought about black and white or orange kitties. I went to the shelter in Taos not expecting to find much. Boy was I wrong. They had a bunch of black and white boys, and a bunch of orange. Now I had to pick just two, which was hard, but I finally pointed to a mostly white and black kitty in the top cage and the one in the cage with him was cute too, so I told the lady I would take them both, when I told her this a mostly black and white kitty came running up to the front of his cage which was just under the two I had picked and he was yowling like crazy. I decided that I would take him instead of the other kitty with the mostly white one. That is how I ended up with Spike and Mr. B. I picked Spike, but Mr.B picked me :-). And they turned out to be brothers too. Spike is smart and very sweet, he has a catnip habit and eats too much, he is an addictive personality :-). When it is cold out he snuggles under the covers with me and warms me up. He is also a watch kitty and once alerted me to a peeping tom. Spike is magic. Mr. B is sweet, but he only wants loving when he wants it, does not like to be picked up or cuddled. He can be coy and likes to bat his eyes at you. He is a very special, delicate little guy.

About five years after I got Spike and Mr.B, I decided I wanted a dog, I knew I would know the right dog when I saw it. One day I was reading the Taos Newspaper and I saw a picture of a lovely looking male, border collie who was at the shelter. I went right away to see him. When I walked into the shelter all the dogs were barking at full volume, except Zeus. He was up in the front of his dogie cell and he was Pleading with his eyes for me to please take him. We went for a short walk and I knew I had to take him home. It was clear he had been abused and he needed lots of love. Border collies need a job, so he took on babysitting the cats :-). He is a wonderful dog and he loves to smile and run. He is getting older so he does not run as fast as he used to. Zeus is ever at my side when I am home and a better friend I have never had. He gets along with all animals and all people. Zeus is a gem. Last, but not least is Max. A year and a half ago, in July, my neighbor knocked on my door holding a tiny stripped kitten. She had found it in our drive way and her daughter is allergic to cats, so could I take him? What could I do, but say yes. I thought I could find a home for him, but after 5 minutes I knew I could never part with him. Max is a bully and a trouble maker, but he is also a genius and a comedian which balances out his bad qualities :-). Sweet and sour. Max is extraordinary. That is the love story of my four wonderful boys. I still have two more interview questions, but that is enough for today. XOXO

P.S. I have no idea why this post looks so goofy, it looks fine before I publish it. If anyone(Willowtree) knows what the trouble is, please help.

A day in my life...

This was my day yesterday, a Sunday, not a typical day, but my favorite. I felt a bit odd doing this as I am not sure anyone is interested, but I have seen other bloggers do it and it looked like fun to put my day in photos. I started the day with a homemade latte in my favorite mug. Actually I lied, I started my day with Max, Spike and Zeus all on top of me trying to get me up

(my other cat Mr.B is not pictured as he was not involved with this endeavor). After meditating

with my coffee :-), I plastered a new painting, then after it dried I started with the layers of thin paint, this photo are pieces I have just begun, they are far from finished, I also made veggie soup (isn't it cool that one of the potato pieces is in the shape of a heart?) laid around a bit and read and talked on the phone to my mom. Last but not least I blogged and emailed.

Not the most exciting day, but I like my Sunday's that way, calm and peaceful and non-exciting.

:-)

Hope you all have a great week.

Hey

My dog Zeus. Is this not a wonderful shot? I am just peaking

in to say hi and give you this little gift of love. XOXO