May 07, 2009

Gettin' Ready...

So... I've been plugging away at some commisions...although I was pretty useless the 1st part of the week... rather FLUISH!!!!

I bisque fired a bunch:
















And glazed a bunch(note the scraped and reapplied kiln wash on the shelves...that's truly a favorite activity...NOT!):

















And now I'm "GETTIN' READY" to make some new glazes with this boatload of mason stains that I bought and had... DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT expect miracles.... But I sort of have some ideas... and then comes the application.... so I want to test some in this Glaze firing.... so this kiln will WAIT...Until I am GOOD AND READY!

May 03, 2009

ALS: Lou Gerrig's Disease.... A little off topic.

My friend who was diagnosed with ALS 2 1/2 years ago,Pam, showed me photos yesterday.
She had an opportunity to spend 15 mins with Jane Fonda after her Broadway performance in 33 Variations . Pam told me that she and Colin Hanks(Tom's son) spent a half hour and Jane was crying at the end. Jane Fonda wrote about Pam in her BLOG. Please click on that!

If you know me, I bring her up quite frequently because since she was diagnosed, it has been a huge part of our (me,mike,our kids) lives as we have spent a great deal of time with the family... and continue to see them quite frequently. It's been a huge part of our existence and has definitely had a huge impact. The boys are 6,almost 10,12 and 14 and the 2 older ones have a "band" with my son, Jake.(They are very close friends)

Jake who is now 12 1/2 has taken on the role of educator and fundraiser for the cause ... He is currently raising money and awareness for ALS Research with a bike ride that he has spearheaded (it's a national event...his part is local)with the help of his "mentor" Michele Dupree! You can learn more and donate HERE.
If you prefer to send a check, please write it out to ALS-TDI and email me for the address! jtceramics@aol.com. I'm trying to give Jake a little "help" here...
Jake has written essays about Pam and ALS and he has also writen music that is about Pam... I can't begin to tell you how fired up he is about this...

Years ago...

Here we were for Halloween one year...I think Sam was about 5 months old so Jake(in the photo) was almost 4!
Pam's an Angel... I am the WITCH!(shocking, I know)




















Here we are on a ski trip years later She is pictured with my 2 boys:





















This was 2 years ago this coming summer...She is in a wheel chair and her breathing was going...









When you check out Jane Fonda's blog. You will see photos from Wednesday.

This disease is horrific.
Enough said.