I'm loving the analogy about clinking! I think it's important to notice our own clinks and the clinks of those around us. Seeking balance is often a distressing process for sure 😍❤️😍 I'm grateful to have family and friends who support each other through clinks big and small. 🌞❤️🌞
I don’t think I’ve ever caught ceramics clinking, and I am gifted them from a family member from time to time. I’d say Gravity’s Rainbow was my most difficult read to date. I’ve still never tried Tolstoy.
Well, the first few years brought no clinking. Different kiln and glazes....! Pynchon is a good pick. I haven't read that, but good one. (Tolstoy isn't "hard" -- I fell off this summer on the year-long read along, but I highly recommend Simon's read alongs. I think he still has War and Peace available next year. It was a really wonderful way to do it.)
I love the sound of crazing. I had a wonderful job at my alma mater in its Art Department, providing administrative support to 7-9 art professors and managing the art gallery. Dream job! I loved walking into the big cement block kiln room and the adjacent room full of fired and unfired pieces. I know that noise! The someone I'll be remembering: my mum who passed away last week at the age of 97. I'm also grateful for my extended family, so big, so loving, so rich in its heritage. Another great post, Amy.
Oh, Mary, I'm so sorry to hear about your mum. Wishing you and your family lots of peace and good memories this week.
As for the crazing.... Wow! I can imagine that room might have been a bit intimidating with all that talking pottery ;) But yes, you do know that sound! I love it when there are connections like that.
I am actually cooking a meal on Thanksgiving, for my step-mom and Augie, should he choose to eat. I wanted to eat in my new house this year, more than ever before. Soup in a mug is much easier to move around.
I think commemorating your move with Thanksgiving in your house sounds wonderful and meaningful, Laura. I'm glad that your step mom will be there, too. We didn't talk today about what people were making (in our group), but I hope you don't spend the whole day cooking -- I genuinely think that's the worst. I'm sure it will be great.
Hi, Amy - I'm so glad I made a Sunday exception to read this! Love the clinking - and have never heard of it. I'm so happy to know it's a real thing that happens! I have never in my life thrown or made pottery and yet I find myself returning to the metaphor of "working with clay" over and over again in my writing classes. In the method I use, we believe that words can be shaped - with care and intention - just exactly as one shapes any raw material. Thinking about the almost-finished product "clinking" is providing me with lots of new metaphors to play with regarding revising / editing / letting settle. Two batches of soup for me this week - a bean-forward chili and a vegan peanut stew. Both were exactly what we needed to get us through the shorter days and cooler temps! Grateful to have time and space to be able to enjoy my college kiddos, home for the Thanksgiving break. Thank you for writing. xo
Lovely post, Amy! Crazing is amazing! I remember the first time I heard it after a ceramics workshop years ago. Sending a happy and grateful hug that I've met you here. xo
Thanks so much, Nan. It's one of those things that once you know it, you know it! I, too, am grateful to have met you here this year. I hope you have a peaceful week. (Congrats on the new car!)
You, too, Amy. I can't wait to get behind the wheel. Nothing better than driving a stick, unless you live in a very hilly city or one filled with bumper to bumper traffic, but where I live it's sweeeeeeet!
I’m remembering my grandmother this time of year. I’m reading a challenging book, There There by Tommy Orange. It challenges my privilege in this country as it highlights the treatment of those who were here before my ancestors (some of whom were here in the 1600s—directly involved with some of the things he’s talking about). But also it’s challenging because of his depictions about young adulthood, where my kids are. It’s poignant, and everything this week feels poignant.
I’m rereading The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe with a book club and I usually never reread anything.
Grateful for a whole week off from teaching school!
I wish you peaceful thoughts and hope you enjoy this week off from school - and use it in ways that are restful! The book sounds like heavy reading, but maybe you are enjoying the Narnia reread.
It's night for me, too, because I couldn't make time for this yesterday. I can picture you standing in front of all the pottery, waiting, wishing, willing one to clink. I can picture a few too many pieces, the weight of them all and the space they occupy, redeeming themselves with tiny notes. If you get a new batch, you could set your phone in the middle of them, on time lapse video, for a couple of hours, to see if you can capture the sounds. Don't listen to me. That's like trapping a lightning bug in a jar!
"Silence is the sound of settling in." This is so true for so many things, isn't it? What a beautiful line.
I'm grateful to have fresh collard greens to cook for Thanksgiving, and fresh persimmons.
I'll be remembering those dear to me who were called away in Novembers past.
The most challenging book I've read: Meh. Probably the classic assignments in high school and college: Moby Dick, The Iliad & The Odyssey, etc.. I suppose I'm not intellectual enough to read "hard" books. Once I left school, book reading needed to be pleasurable. I never even thought about tackling War and Peace. LOL!
A book I want to read: Clear by Carys Davies
Thank you for introducing me to crazing, Amy, and to this lovely piece.
I’m laughing at the idea of doing a time lapse. Love the lightning bug comment. Thank you for commenting, as always. It doesn’t matter what day it is. Our words sit here for whatever day people see them. I hope your persimmons and collard greens both are good and enjoyed by all. And I wish you a peaceful holiday with soft memories.
Your story of the clinking made me smile. “Nothing makes you feel less alone than realizing thousands of other people have also thought their pottery was possessed.” I love that. I also love the soup in a mug, sounds perfect. And your happy things. Wishing you more of those. This week I am grateful for how happy my kids are with where they are at in their lives, with their futures and wonderful partners. I am also grateful for a project to focus on. And I will be remembering my grandparents, Jim and Carol Cowan, this week as well. (We have a similar name in our families. ☺️) They were always such an integral part of the holidays and I always miss them, though they have been gone many years now.
Thank you for reading and commenting, Erin - and for noticing the comic panels. I appreciate it. How surprising to see the similar name! Mine is misspelled that way all the time! Wishing you all a peaceful holiday, and I think it's lovely that you were reflecting on how happy you are for your kids AND a new project.
I'm loving the analogy about clinking! I think it's important to notice our own clinks and the clinks of those around us. Seeking balance is often a distressing process for sure 😍❤️😍 I'm grateful to have family and friends who support each other through clinks big and small. 🌞❤️🌞
I love that, Melissa. I hope you've had a good day - and a happy birthday tomorrow.
I don’t think I’ve ever caught ceramics clinking, and I am gifted them from a family member from time to time. I’d say Gravity’s Rainbow was my most difficult read to date. I’ve still never tried Tolstoy.
Well, the first few years brought no clinking. Different kiln and glazes....! Pynchon is a good pick. I haven't read that, but good one. (Tolstoy isn't "hard" -- I fell off this summer on the year-long read along, but I highly recommend Simon's read alongs. I think he still has War and Peace available next year. It was a really wonderful way to do it.)
I love the sound of crazing. I had a wonderful job at my alma mater in its Art Department, providing administrative support to 7-9 art professors and managing the art gallery. Dream job! I loved walking into the big cement block kiln room and the adjacent room full of fired and unfired pieces. I know that noise! The someone I'll be remembering: my mum who passed away last week at the age of 97. I'm also grateful for my extended family, so big, so loving, so rich in its heritage. Another great post, Amy.
I am sorry about the loss of your mom, I hope your large family is a comfort during the holidays.
Thanks, Laura, and my family is a huge comfort. ❤️
Oh, Mary, I'm so sorry to hear about your mum. Wishing you and your family lots of peace and good memories this week.
As for the crazing.... Wow! I can imagine that room might have been a bit intimidating with all that talking pottery ;) But yes, you do know that sound! I love it when there are connections like that.
❤️ Thanks, Amy, and I love those connections, too. 😊
I am actually cooking a meal on Thanksgiving, for my step-mom and Augie, should he choose to eat. I wanted to eat in my new house this year, more than ever before. Soup in a mug is much easier to move around.
I think commemorating your move with Thanksgiving in your house sounds wonderful and meaningful, Laura. I'm glad that your step mom will be there, too. We didn't talk today about what people were making (in our group), but I hope you don't spend the whole day cooking -- I genuinely think that's the worst. I'm sure it will be great.
Hi, Amy - I'm so glad I made a Sunday exception to read this! Love the clinking - and have never heard of it. I'm so happy to know it's a real thing that happens! I have never in my life thrown or made pottery and yet I find myself returning to the metaphor of "working with clay" over and over again in my writing classes. In the method I use, we believe that words can be shaped - with care and intention - just exactly as one shapes any raw material. Thinking about the almost-finished product "clinking" is providing me with lots of new metaphors to play with regarding revising / editing / letting settle. Two batches of soup for me this week - a bean-forward chili and a vegan peanut stew. Both were exactly what we needed to get us through the shorter days and cooler temps! Grateful to have time and space to be able to enjoy my college kiddos, home for the Thanksgiving break. Thank you for writing. xo
I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving week with your college kids home, Francesca, and I love hearing about your soups!
Lovely post, Amy! Crazing is amazing! I remember the first time I heard it after a ceramics workshop years ago. Sending a happy and grateful hug that I've met you here. xo
Thanks so much, Nan. It's one of those things that once you know it, you know it! I, too, am grateful to have met you here this year. I hope you have a peaceful week. (Congrats on the new car!)
You, too, Amy. I can't wait to get behind the wheel. Nothing better than driving a stick, unless you live in a very hilly city or one filled with bumper to bumper traffic, but where I live it's sweeeeeeet!
I never learned to drive a stick. I believe someone tried to teach me once. Lol.
I’m remembering my grandmother this time of year. I’m reading a challenging book, There There by Tommy Orange. It challenges my privilege in this country as it highlights the treatment of those who were here before my ancestors (some of whom were here in the 1600s—directly involved with some of the things he’s talking about). But also it’s challenging because of his depictions about young adulthood, where my kids are. It’s poignant, and everything this week feels poignant.
I’m rereading The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe with a book club and I usually never reread anything.
Grateful for a whole week off from teaching school!
I wish you peaceful thoughts and hope you enjoy this week off from school - and use it in ways that are restful! The book sounds like heavy reading, but maybe you are enjoying the Narnia reread.
Amy, Just wanted to let you know I enjoy the way you weave words together 🩵
Thanks, Tammy. I hope all of you have a nice week ahead!
It's night for me, too, because I couldn't make time for this yesterday. I can picture you standing in front of all the pottery, waiting, wishing, willing one to clink. I can picture a few too many pieces, the weight of them all and the space they occupy, redeeming themselves with tiny notes. If you get a new batch, you could set your phone in the middle of them, on time lapse video, for a couple of hours, to see if you can capture the sounds. Don't listen to me. That's like trapping a lightning bug in a jar!
"Silence is the sound of settling in." This is so true for so many things, isn't it? What a beautiful line.
I'm grateful to have fresh collard greens to cook for Thanksgiving, and fresh persimmons.
I'll be remembering those dear to me who were called away in Novembers past.
The most challenging book I've read: Meh. Probably the classic assignments in high school and college: Moby Dick, The Iliad & The Odyssey, etc.. I suppose I'm not intellectual enough to read "hard" books. Once I left school, book reading needed to be pleasurable. I never even thought about tackling War and Peace. LOL!
A book I want to read: Clear by Carys Davies
Thank you for introducing me to crazing, Amy, and to this lovely piece.
I’m laughing at the idea of doing a time lapse. Love the lightning bug comment. Thank you for commenting, as always. It doesn’t matter what day it is. Our words sit here for whatever day people see them. I hope your persimmons and collard greens both are good and enjoyed by all. And I wish you a peaceful holiday with soft memories.
Your story of the clinking made me smile. “Nothing makes you feel less alone than realizing thousands of other people have also thought their pottery was possessed.” I love that. I also love the soup in a mug, sounds perfect. And your happy things. Wishing you more of those. This week I am grateful for how happy my kids are with where they are at in their lives, with their futures and wonderful partners. I am also grateful for a project to focus on. And I will be remembering my grandparents, Jim and Carol Cowan, this week as well. (We have a similar name in our families. ☺️) They were always such an integral part of the holidays and I always miss them, though they have been gone many years now.
Thank you for reading and commenting, Erin - and for noticing the comic panels. I appreciate it. How surprising to see the similar name! Mine is misspelled that way all the time! Wishing you all a peaceful holiday, and I think it's lovely that you were reflecting on how happy you are for your kids AND a new project.