Author | Lightnews

Barb @muddersdream.bsky.social · 7d

My deepest sympathies. Peopling is hard under the best of circumstances.

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Barb @muddersdream.bsky.social · 11d

I’m in Northern WI this weekend which is pretty red. I found the protest and was happy to join them! #nokings

Mosaic of the huge turnout and great signs.

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Barb @muddersdream.bsky.social · 23d

Yesterday I escaped to the pottery studio for 6 hours. I spent the 1st 4 hrs throwing. Then I attached a handle to a mug I made earlier. Then I got lost in carving on a sculpture. I found peace. My friend already commented on the piece and I thought her words were prophetic. #pottery #claysculpture

Various pieces I threw yesterday. 7 mugs, 3 bowls and 2 saucers.

A form that started as a teardrop and evolved into something resembling a cone shaped shell.

My friends message about the sculpture.
“That's a lovely Fibonacci spiral. "A fundamental pattern in the universe, found in everything from plant growth and animal shells to galaxy formation and human fingerprints."

It has several symbolic meanings. Some interpretations connect the spiral to spiritual development, where it maps a journey of self-understanding and growth, much like spiraling outward to gain knowledge.”

A picture of a meme I can relate to it says, “It takes time to learn how to be alone without being lonely, but once you do, it’s called freedom.”

Barb @muddersdream.bsky.social · Sep 8

Moved drying pottery first this morning. Then a friend stopped by to switch out his cars. Very cool cars!

Freshly thrown pottery moved from throwing bats to wareboards after 13 hours of slow drying.

1935 Hudson sedan and 1942 Hudson pickup truck. A friend uses my garage for one in the warm seasons so we can use it on our date nights. He traded the truck for the sedan today. The truck is off to Milwaukee for a few months before winter storage.

I think this 1935 Hudson is just beautiful! I get to ride in it to go out to dinner this Friday. It’s just so much fun to watch people’s reactions.

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Barb @muddersdream.bsky.social · Sep 7

And I’m back in the studio! Medical restrictions lifted (cataract surgeries).
Caregiver at the house for me son.
SIX glorious pottery studio hours!!!

Six large bowls, two smaller bowls and a mug - all recently thrown on a potters wheel.

Recently thrown pottery set on shelves to begin slowly drying.

The plastic cover closed on the drying pottery.

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Barb @muddersdream.bsky.social · Sep 7

I avoid flying after being stranded in Maine due to summer storms in 2018. While were able to fly out of 3 major hubs and our soonest available flight would be in 5 days even with a medical procedure schedule on day 3. We chose to drive the 17 hours rather than wait 5 days. Unacceptable service.

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Barb @muddersdream.bsky.social · Aug 27

I finally have a dedicated packing and shipping area. A $40 industrial stool from 1963 and a brand new workbench fill the corner. The shelves are on their 3rd incarnation. The boxes are full of recycled packing materials. TV area for my son’s entertainment. #pottery #potterystudiolife #barnstudio

Barb @muddersdream.bsky.social · Aug 21

Back to selling this week. I have one more week before I can get my hands on the clay again. I’m going a little crazy. Yesterday I worked on paperwork! The horrors! #pottery #potterystudiolife.

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Barb @muddersdream.bsky.social · Aug 5

2nd cataract surgery complete and patch removed. 20/20 distance vision and I may not need cheaters for reading. The world is looking gorgeous (as long as I hide from the news).

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Barb @muddersdream.bsky.social · Jul 29

Thank you. I’m having the other cataract removed Monday. I’m amazed by how fantastic the vision in my corrected eye is and am looking forward to the second surgery.

Barb @muddersdream.bsky.social · Jul 28

This is the back of my loft studio. The separating wall is made with recycled barn door and porch boards. I’m hoping to make shelves to hold more finished work on the right wall using more barn wood.The right side is a mess of used packing materials. It will be shipping/photo area. #pottery

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Barb @muddersdream.bsky.social · Jul 28

Seven days out from cataract surgery. My distance vision in corrected eye is outstanding. Can’t play in the clay for about a month yet. Cleaned and organized more in the studio today. #pottery #potterystudiolife

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Barb @muddersdream.bsky.social · Jul 20

Out of the kiln at 9:30 this morning and sold along with a coordinating fruit bowl by 7 tonight! #pottery

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Barb @muddersdream.bsky.social · Jul 12

Very elegant design

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Barb @muddersdream.bsky.social · Jul 11

Then there’s the one that got away…
Name that expletive…

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Barb @muddersdream.bsky.social · Jul 10

The less glamorous parts of pottery…fun phrases.
I’ve stained some bottoms and waxed others. Now to wipe back the stained bottoms and wax them too. Then to tape off a few before glazing everything tonight. #pottery #potterystudiolife

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Barb @muddersdream.bsky.social · Jul 4

My ancestor, Peter Rhodes read The Declaration of Independence to the good people of Allentown, PA from the steps of the Zion Reformed Church on July 8, 1776. Later he would be instrumental in the hiding of the Liberty Bell. Remember the fight our ancestors fought. Fight on!

Statue of Liberty with fireworks behind it.

Document presented to my mother indicating she is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Given to her at age 89.

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Barb @muddersdream.bsky.social · Jul 2

I called our buddy Bryan Steil. At least they answered and were polite. Ron Johnson never answered or replied to messages. He also backed out on doing the right thing yet again. Midterm elections will be very telling.

Barb @muddersdream.bsky.social · Jul 2

There have been two hawks hanging out here since the hay was cut. The other birds alert each other when they’re near. I’ve been reclaiming more of the abandoned apple orchard which seems to have mostly black walnut trees now. I break the mower or get it stuck at least once a week. #farmwidow

Ted tailed hawk looking down at me from a tree.

Male cardinal watching for predators from a birch tree.

Riding lawn mower I had gotten stuck trying to cut back brush. I pulled it out with my truck and a heavy chain I found in the barn.

Freshly cut hayfield and storm clouds rolling in from the west.

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Barb @muddersdream.bsky.social · Jun 29

Fancy feet added to large bowls. Overthrown closed forms waiting for more finishing. I’m so grateful for the snippets of time I get in the studio. The news is worse than my worst fears and spiraling too fast. #pottery #potterystudiolife

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Barb @muddersdream.bsky.social · Jun 28

Sitting on the porch with coffee before I have to “people” today. #peacefulmoments

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Barb @muddersdream.bsky.social · Jun 27

Evolution of a cookie jar. #pottery

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Barb @muddersdream.bsky.social · Jun 22

Happy Birthday!

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Barb @muddersdream.bsky.social · Jun 22

If I try really hard I can pretend things are okay. Even the birds are distressed this morning. They know the dangers the presence of the red tailed hawk presents. They’re busy warning each other. I wish humans did better at this. #war #nokings

Barb @muddersdream.bsky.social · Jun 21

It was a good day in the studio! #pottery

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