Entries in Art that makes my heart sing (3)
Weekend at the pottery
July 28, 2008 at 13:04 
www.beaumontpottery.com
When I was a teenager, I spent a memorable summer living with my sister and her husband, JB. I worked in JB's pottery in the historic village of Strawbery Banke, New Hampshire. He and my sister later divorced, and I lost track of JB for almost 20 years. Facebook put us back in touch again a few months ago.
He recently invited me and my family to come visit him and his wife, J, at their place in Maryland, and we drove there on Saturday afternoon. We had the most amazing weekend with JB and J. Any concerns that it might be awkward to see one another after so many years dissolved within minutes of arrival. Our families connected, and we all felt at ease with one another and happy to be together. The home and life JB and J have built together are a testimony to their faith, and there's a life-giving presence there.
Nine years ago JB was homeless and in debt, a man who had lost everything: his business, his family, his success. The journey from that dark day to the place he is now is remarkable. He shared several stories of Divine Providence, of needs being met in unexpected ways by strangers, friends, and family who stood by him in his lowest moments. Truly his life was thrown on the compost heap, broken down, and made new.
We were only there for 24 hours but I felt as refreshed as if I'd been on a long vacation. JB built a big bonfire Saturday, and we sat around it talking long into the night. The house he and his wife live in is a big country farmhouse, much like the house I lived in from the time I was 12-16. I loved its imperfections--the sloping floors, peeling paint, and worn woodwork--as much as I loved its beauty--the tall bay windows, high ceilings, and hardwood floors. We had a huge country breakfast Sunday morning, went on a tractor ride to a buffalo farm, spent time in the pottery studio making pots, enjoyed a cookout, and sat on the porch while a storm blew through and sent rain rattling down onto the tin roof.
Let it grow
May 24, 2008 at 18:06 
A gift from the lovely Granola Grrrl and now the official tea mug of Compost Studios. Thanks G-Grrrl! I've loved you since you were a sprout. XO
Standing at the crossroads, trying to read the signs
To tell me which way I should go to find the answer,
And all the time I know,
Plant your love and let it grow.
[Chorus:]
Let it grow, let it grow,
Let it blossom, let it flow.
In the sun, the rain, the snow,
Love is lovely, let it grow.
Looking for a reason to check out of my mind,
Trying hard to get a friend that I can count on,
But there's nothing left to show,
Plant your love and let it grow.
[Chorus]
Time is getting shorter and there's much for you to do.
Only ask and you will get what you are needing,
The rest is up to you.
Plant your love and let it grow.
[Chorus]
--Eric Clapton
May 24, 2008
Hello old friend
April 12, 2008 at 11:14 Unpacking, unboxing, uncovering
The art of my life,
the shape of my memories,
the color of my spirit
glimpses of who I am,
places, people, moments I love.
K carved this from a walnut tree and gave it to me as a wedding gift. The dried plants he placed in it were gathered from the banks of the river where we went swimming as teenagers. Five moves and more than 26 years later, those plants are still intact.
I have always treasured this, which is beautiful and embodies my love of the outdoors, a special friendship, and a favorite place .
This photo shows the details of the piece better. The small bowl on the table was made by an artist in Belgium and purchased last December. The shape is so satisfying, and the grain circles the interior. The platter it's sitting on was made by my son in a pottery studio when he was only 9 years old.
April 13, 2008