The joyful season

 Some happy memories...

Me as a Mud Buddy in 2011/ (My pottery life was from 2008-2020)

Selling pottery at the tailgate market with friends Cathy Babula, Bette Potter Jones and Marsha  Cozart. 2011

And more recently...

Barbara Baker bakes Macarons (not macaroons!) and sells them at lots of St. Petersburg and Tampa outdoor festivals. (And a few indoor ones as well!) moonlitmacaraons.com

Barb and her hubby, my son Marty, a few years ago.

My son, Russ and his wife Michelle, hosted my trip to visit them and their daughters for Christmas!

 

Tai and his wife Kendra. I had to search to find photos of these outdoor people not wearing sunglasses!

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Byron Ballard gave an uplifting talk at UUCSV in Black Mountain a few weeks back. (Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Swannanoa Valley) Poor quality of photo taken from my monitor where I watched the YouTube of the service (https://www.youtube.com/@uucsvproductions).

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First time back at the original Ole's Guacamole Restaurant in Black Mountain.

 They've completely renovated following the flood with Hurricane Helene in Sept. 2024.

The lunch prices are still reasonable (my Enchiladas Suisa were $8.99 and I had enough to take home for another meal!) There are many new items on the menu also...like the one my friend had across the table from me.

All the furniture is new, with each chair and table and booth backing having different Mexican paintings.

I had to get a photo of the parrot! I know that guy sitting below it I think, and I didn't even notice him till later. I hope he didn't think I was taking his photo!

I missed taking a photo of their tree in the lobby, so will have to return sometime before Christmas!

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Another dearly loved restaurant also reopened that week, but I won't have a chance to go there till maybe this week. I'll try to remember to take photos before eating my bar-b-que!!

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Today's goddess: Vinča,  Neolithic Period

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Winter Solstice is 4 days away

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Today's quote:

'Pagan’ is a term that includes a diverse spiritual paths and communities who believe in a wide range of deities and ethical codes. Yet there are some things we hold in common: that the sacred is manifest in nature and in human beings, that we strive to live lives of honor and integrity, that we value human life and the lives of other living creatures, and cherish the beauty and diversity that makes up this living world. Pagans believe that we must each be our own spiritual authority and follow our conscience. The vast majority of us hold to those traditional American values of freedom of belief, freedom of speech, of liberty and justice for all. Many branches and organizations within the Pagan community have struggled for years to win the rights of Pagans in the military to freely practice their faith in life and in death to be buried with a pentacle, a Pagan symbol to mark their grave.

Source: Starhawk

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Christmas Decorations

I was told this was originally a firetruck.

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Spiraling dance...

 Tartu town square, Estonia 2016

The fun times at the Tailgate Market in Black Mountain

 Some fun is experienced by watching the people, the dogs, the kids, the extravagant outfits people show up wearing. And then there's also fun purchasing just the best fresh produce around! Or maybe a plant, or jewelry, or baked goods, or pottery!

I sold this platter to a friend (well almost gave it to her!) last Saturday. She's one of those people who walks this earth just doing good things.  The image is some kind of wind and moon interaction that I thought up in 2014. My friend may give it to her daughter, as she has other pieces of my pottery. She also bought a pot from the other Mud Buddy, Amelia Packer.

Then the love sign holders came through the market!

They are noted to stand out on the corner of our busiest intersection every Wednesday afternoon at 5 pm waving and sending love to all who drive by.

I decided to purchase some pretty flowers for my home from local grower "Urban Farm Girl."

While the local Ukulele band gathered to share a couple of songs!

See what I mean about colorful outfits? I didn't have permission to post Michelle's photo, but I don't think he'd mind his outfit without his face!

A satisfying day for me...I did much better at being there more hours.  And I arranged my flowers back home while talking on the phone with one of my sons. That always makes me feel good.

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With the storm remains coming in the next few days, I'm not sure I'll go to the market this Saturday...we shall wait and see!

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Today's quote:

Courage without conscience is a wild beast.

 -Robert Green Ingersoll, lawyer and orator (1833-1899)

Amelia's bowl

 Amelia has been a long time member of the clay studio at Black Mountain Center for the Arts. She now is throwing her pots at home. I don't know who made that pretty pale peachy cream color glaze, but I love it. And I love this bowl. She's one of the Mud Buddies who sell their pottery weekly in Black Mountain NC at the Tailgate Market.

Amelia has always had a slightly oriental flare to her decorations, and this glaze design is really pleasing.

And it's just right for a serving of pop corn...or rice and veggies...or whatever! It's very well thrown and light-weight. A good pot.

I used to be a Mud Buddy also. I am glad to be a potter who supports potters...and have often heard this from other shoppers.

Today's Quote:

In a time of destruction, create something: a poem, a parade, a community, a school, a vow, a moral principle; one peaceful moment.

MAXINE HONG KINGSTON

At the Tailgate Market 5/15 & 5/22/21

 

This was the second week of the season, and the first Saturday morning after the state gave announcements (as did the whole country) that we didn't have to wear masks outdoors if we'd been vaccinated. I enjoyed walking around bare faced that day. A lot of my friends kept masks on though.

The Mud Buddies were back showing their beautiful wares. They didn't have them out last year because of the Pandemic.

I signed a petition for our Black Mountain library branch to remain in town, rather than merging with the Swannanoa library branch as part of Buncombe County's new plan...which would mean a new facility rather than renovations at either or both of the old well used buildings. Our Friends of the Library are also selling some used books here.

Amelia and Bette are smiling at me (they said so!)  Bette has been making jewelry with beads...nice pieces each week. She says she does them to exercise her hands. 

Cathy is smiling at me too, showing her pottery with its cheerful colors.

Amelia has a new style of pottery with this warm yellow matt glaze...I bought a bowl last week from her!

This is the new nursery school that was built last year...but I only went to the market once last summer with the pandemic limitations.

Today's Quote:

It is when we are confronted with...poignant reminders of mortality that we become most aware of the strangeness and wonder of our brief life on Earth.

KATHLEEN BASFORD

Get sick, still do a lot

From activist movie last night which hadn't been scheduled, to catching a dratted cold and barely sleeping last night...and to a dental appointment squeezed into today's already over-scheduled events...here I yam.

The movie was at Warren Wilson college, and my friend Sarah asked me to go with her.  Partly because she has lost the sight in one eye and can't drive at night.  Partly because she's an activist and Eco-Chaplin, and I support her efforts. 

The movie was Bidder 70 (http://www.bidder70film.com/) - a movie about Peaceful Uprising and Tim DeCristopher and his successful direct action which saved thousands of acres of public BLM land from oil and gas drilling by bidding at a public auction in 2008. (http://www.peacefuluprising.org/) Tim was just released after spending two years in federal prison.  Then when I got home I watched Tim give a live streaming meeting with those who had questions for him.  The movie was very well done, including interview with Robert Redford.  I hope to have my Unitarian Universalist friends see it who are interested in social action.  There were lots of UU's in Salt Lake City who were featured in the movie, as well as the minister talking about Thoreau going to jail.

Rose that I planted has buds

 

My visit to the dentist was a last minute appointment to try to get a filling that fell out taken care of.  When I realized I couldn't breathe through my nose, I tired cancelling it.  There's nothing more fun that whoofing through your mouth while the dentist probes, I think.  But they talked me into keeping the appointment when I called to try to postpone it.  It's just a short appointment apparently, so the filling will probably not be fixed today.

I've a meeting with the MudBuddies at noon at a local restaurant.  That should be fun...then dash to dentist.  I may have a few hours/minutes before I meet Teresa for a fun date...for coffee at the Dripolater.  She works all the time, raises a family as well as has a great hubby, but sometimes likes to get away from it all...and I get to be part of that "play date."

At least the evening is free, so I can put my feet up, and tend my sore nose.  I'm waiting to get the movie "Lincoln" from Netflix, which will probably be tomorrow.  I'll probably share it with some friends.

So I'm breathing through my mouth today.  I still have lots of plants that ask for transplanting...soon, grasshopper, soon.  (Yes I've heard that phrase on another blog...and like it)

Happy 2013

These are a few of my favorite things...my friends and family.  Most pictures are from 2012.
I have a private journal of some important pictures from the last year.  But this one is for sharing with you.  You might just be in here!

Hope next year is a good as this one.  Like everyone I have shared laughs as well as tears with friends and family in 2012.