Wind and Red Shoes

It has been a long and tiring day without much sleep, but teaching a class at Zinnia is always a Good Thing. Not only does Tamara attract creative, enthusiastic, people, but they are good-hearted, positive, and full of life. I was very happy to have her share Chris' blogspot and see that Chris had not only mentioned me and Zinnia, but took the time to photograph each step of the origami box that I have been teaching, and posting it with excellent instructions (extra kudos for remembering that last step that makes the cover a bit zippier and more professional)!! WOWWW!!! The book-in-a-box project allows for so much versatility. It is practical, yet can be funky or crafty, and of course, useful. Who doesn't want a handmade box with a perfect fitting lid?? (I once said as I was skipping down the street in my new "sneakers:" WHO wouldn't want bright red shoes like these??! And the gentleman with whom I walked said, "Certainly not me." And any time he says, "If I were in your shoes....except, of course those red sneakers!" I have learned that even though is seems impossible, there are actually people who may not... Unbelievable of course. However, I am more confident about the boxes.) SO again, thank you CHRIS!!! You are the Gold Star of the Season!!!

It has been very windy in the foothills...so windy, in fact, it took my chain link fence down and I was 10 minutes late getting to class (a first!). As soon as I got to South Pasadena, the wind was gone and it was warm. As soon as I drove up Lincoln on my way home, I was once again Dorothy in Kansas (hmmmm...maybe a link to those red shoes...). Tons of debris is flying through the air, but I must tell you that my 4 year old Tillie horse handles this wind like a Champ. Most horses would be seeing ghosts and hearing mountain lions, but not my Tillie. She just whinnies for more food, and meets me at the gate for a carrot. I could see a thick black cloud of fire ash on the horizon being churned up by the winds as I sat here looking west eating my breakfast. We need a bit of rain to push this ash into the earth where it belongs (and will actually do some good). I wish I knew how and where to collect a few cups of that ash. I could make my own glaze for my clay vessels and call it Station Fire Ash (may be almost as popular as that lovely Mt St Helen's glaze that was so sought after years ago).

A blog is a strange, but good idea, I think. I am sitting here in my red cowgirl boots, and I am convinced that my best decisions are made when wearing red foot attire. Take my advice: buy some now and don't let anyone tell you that your wardrobe will not match. That is the point after all, isn't it: they are intended to stand out.

Closing on this blustery day.