Another diabetic dog… RI… new studio

John and Tiffany's chickens at the Manabigama Pottery Center

It never fails. Just before I am about to head out of town, one of the dogs starts acting out of sorts. This time it was Benny and our suspicion was confirmed, just like his brother, he now is diabetic. It's now a balancing act trying to figure how much insulin he needs. Excessive thirst, upset stomach, won't eat, hyperactivity were some of his symptoms. He's starting to feel better but is now sleeping a lot more. I should be grateful it didn't happen until now. It has been four years since Jerry started taking insulin and so Ben was genetically predisposed to get it too.

My 1.75-lb. lobster in Newport.
Note the plastic cup—my kind of
place to eat a messy meal

Just returned from Rhode Island after a visit with my mom and aunt. As usual, we did a little shopping and ate well. Just before I flew home, Gregg and Margaret came up from NY for a quick visit. I was able to see them for few hours before they took me to the airport.

While I was away, the potter's wheel I ordered was delivered to my new studio space. Fortunately John and Tiffany were there to receive it.

New wheel and shelves

Since I have been back, it has been so much fun setting up my new pottery studio. John surprised me and built a large, L-shaped work table and shelves for my space. This was so much more than the wobbly card table I had temporarily planned to use. All is good—the Shimpo wheel, so shiny and new, works like no other wheel I've used. Now if it would make me a great thrower, that would be a dream machine. Saturday was the wheel inauguration when I threw four pots in porcelain. What a luxury it is to have all my tools, pots and supplies arranged the way I want. Not having to pack everything up every time I work and being able to resume where I left off when I return, that's what a personal studio space can allow. Can't wait to get back down there tomorrow and the next day and the next…

My space complete with work table

Today we met Tim's family and others at Bravo's for an Easter dinner. On Friday I leave to see Bob, Terri and Becky in sunny Florida. Wouldn't it be nice if it felt like spring here too.

First pots to be thrown on my new wheel. Hopefully I will
be willing to show them again when completed

April already?

My biggest pot to date. Gas reduction cone 10.

My potting frenzy at the museum has waned somewhat now that we are just finishing up existing projects. I was needing a break from my intense obsession of making pots and experimenting with different techniques as much as I could.

These days I am still going to pottery at 577 for both
the camaraderie and clay. I don't think I'll be giving up going there any time soon. This week I've been working on non-challenging pieces there—plant tags for my kitchen garden and pink bowls.

Last Sunday was the potager (kitchen garden) workshop with Vicki. It has me now on the garden planning track. She provided some great pointers as well as a great assortment of seeds and a chive plant. Recently I've been stocking up on organic fertilizer, compost and bug control products in preparation for what I hope to be the prettiest and best yielding growing season. I also bought asparagus starts, onion sets and lots of seeds. Some will be planted here at home and the rest at the 577 plot.

Christopher is back working on another house project—replacing screens and building new frames on the back porch. It was one of those projects that has been on the list and I know he'll do a great job
as always.

Been web-browsing for my new potter's wheel. Saw Tiffany and John yesterday and I should be all set to work there in my own studio space by the end of the month/beginning of May. Now I'm figuring out all that I will need although I pretty much have most everything except the wheel.

In addition to all of the above, a lot will be happening this month. Will be making a long-overdue visit to Rhode Island to see family mid-month and at the end of the month, going to southwest Florida with Becky to visit Bob and Terri. Never been to Florida, I hear it's already 85-90 degrees there. I hope I don't melt.

Porcelain pieces painted with underglazes. Cone 6.