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snow in minnesota

updated tue 21 dec 10

 

MEUNIER LEE on sat 11 dec 10


=3D0A=3D0ASteve in Claremont replied to Mel:=3D0A=3D0Aboy how i miss all th=
at!=3DA0 i=3D
was just thinking i really have a lot to do in my =3D0Aden with the little=
b=3D
usiness paperwork, new product ideas to work on, but when =3D0Ait's sunny a=
nd=3D
warm outside i=3DA0usually go out and do things in the yard.=3DA0 we so =
=3D0Arar=3D
ely even get weekend rain as well!=3DA0 a good snow storm would be fun!=3DA=
0=3DA0=3D
=3D0A=3D0Ai'll think about you in the backyard this afternoon when it hits =
80F =3D
=3D0A----------------------------------------------------------------------=
--=3D
--------------------------=3D0A=3D0A=3D0AWe're not as warm in the Mojave as=
Steve=3D
is south of us in Claremont.=3D0AIt's in the mid 60s this week dropping to=
l=3D
ow 40s at night.=3DA0 Of course,=3D0Ain the desert that can change at any m=
omen=3D
t.=3DA0 The weather, however,=3D0Ais delightful and reminds me that our win=
ter =3D
is what I think of as our=3D0AGood Months.=3DA0 It's the summer extremes th=
at m=3D
ake one think about=3D0Acheckin' out for more varied climes. (Must say I en=
jo=3D
y saying "checkin'=3D0Aout" and snappin' my arthritic fingers......... alwa=
ys=3D
reminds me of Meryl =3D0AStreep singing at the end of=3D0APostcards From t=
he E=3D
dge....... such a delight! Thanks to Tivo I=3D0Awatched that particular sce=
ne=3D
dozens and dozens of times, maybe=3D0Ahundreds).=3D0A=3D0AWe're situated b=
arely =3D
east of the Sierras, southern part.... maybe=3D0A6 miles or so from my hous=
e =3D
and we're in the Walker Pass where=3D0Awe can check out (snap, snap) =3DA0t=
he =3D
=3DA0Joshua trees..... or a bit further on we'll=3D0Asee the solar windmill=
far=3D
m and know Tehachapi Pass won't be=3D0Amore than minutes away.=3DA0 No snow=
on =3D
the Sierras today this far=3D0Asouth, but we had several lovely falls befor=
e =3D
Thanksgiving=3DA0which reminded us =3D0Aonce again how beautifully majestic=
the=3D
y are.=3DA0 No=3D0Asnow here in the valley (Indian Wells Valley for those o=
f yo=3D
u who=3D0Aare geographically minded) but soon maybe???=3D0A=3D0AThanks to y=
et ano=3D
ther round of physical therapy I do believe=3D0Athat I'll be spending more =
ti=3D
me in the garagio!=3DA0 Appears rather=3D0Ahopeful right now.=3DA0 My major=
goal =3D
is to sit at the wheel for=3D0Aat least two hours, maybe three if I think t=
o =3D
take periodic breaks=3D0Ato walk about.=3DA0 In the meantime, I'm getting s=
omew=3D
hat more=3D0Aproficient with handbuilding thanks to the help of many claybu=
ds=3D
!=3D0AThere's loads of greenware and bisque in the garagio, enough=3D0Ato k=
eep =3D
me busy glazing and firing for awhile.=3DA0 I have Britt's=3D0Abook at the =
read=3D
y as well as several suggestions from Mel that I've=3D0Asquirreled away for=
g=3D
lazes, new textures and and firing!=3D0A=3D0ALooking good.=3D0A=3D0ADoes ev=
erybody =3D
envy Stephanie?=3DA0 I'm not big on envy...... =3D0Apointless waste of ener=
gy..=3D
... but that girl is somethin'!! =3D0A=3D0AJoyce=3D0AIn the Mojave desert o=
f Cali=3D
fornia where the Cairn (Jack) and=3D0Athe Westie (Mojo) have dragged out my=
g=3D
reat-granddaughter's=3D0A(age barely 3) Dora the Explorer foam couch that f=
ol=3D
ds out=3D0Afor a bed.=3DA0 Mojo won........ she's asleep in it by the compu=
ter.=3D
=3DA0 =3D0AShe should not be for it will eventually become an object=3D0Ato=
drag =3D
around and attack by Jack.....=3DA0causing Jenna Rabenna to=3D0Abe very dis=
appo=3D
inted.=3DA0

mel jacobson on sat 11 dec 10


just for those that think winter is no longer with us.
(and note, it was 25F degrees in orlando florida.)
wow, we are having a century blizzard.
deep snow, cold and wind.

this is the third huge snow fall already in december.

but, no big deal. will just get that toro snow blower
out and get rid of it...pile it deeper in the yard.

dog does not really know what is going on, but
she is a trooper...out she goes...snow above her hips.
she leaps around and loves it.
mel
my studio is 68F degrees with big windows
to watch the snow. wonderful.
we are a hardy lot living in the big midwest, u.s.a.
(and, buckets of rain in australia.)
from: minnetonka, mn
website: http://www.visi.com/~melpots/
clayart link: http://www.visi.com/~melpots/clayart.html
new book: http://www.21stcenturykilns.com
alternate: melpots7575@gmail.com

steve graber on sat 11 dec 10


boy how i miss all that!=3DA0 i was just thinking i really have a lot to do=
i=3D
n my =3D0Aden with the little business paperwork, new product ideas to work=
o=3D
n, but when =3D0Ait's sunny and warm outside i=3DA0usually go out and do th=
ings=3D
in the yard.=3DA0 we so =3D0Ararely even get weekend rain as well!=3DA0 a =
good s=3D
now storm would be fun!=3DA0 =3D0A=3D0A=3D0Afor us this is the season when =
bonsai's=3D
drop their leaves and i get to plan the =3D0Anext set of cuts come spring,=
a=3D
bout late february.=3DA0 =3D0A=3D0A=3D0Ai'll think about you in the backyar=
d this a=3D
fternoon when it hits 80F and i crack =3D0Aopen a corona or two.=3DA0 =3D0A=
=3D0A=3DA0=3D
Steve Graber, Graber's Pottery, Inc=3D0AClaremont, California USA=3D0AThe S=
teve=3D
Tool - for awesome texture on pots! =3D0Awww.graberspottery.com steve@grab=
er=3D
spottery.com =3D0A=3D0A=3D0AOn Laguna Clay's website=3D0Ahttp://www.lagunac=
lay.com/=3D
blogs/ =3D0A=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A----- Original Message ----=3D0A> From: mel jaco=
bson ots2@VISI.COM>=3D0A> To: Clayart@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG=3D0A> Sent: Sat, December=
11,=3D
2010 6:28:44 AM=3D0A> Subject: snow in minnesota=3D0A> =3D0A> just for tho=
se tha=3D
t think winter is no longer with us.=3D0A> (and note, it was 25F degrees in=
o=3D
rlando florida.)=3D0A> wow, we are having a century blizzard.=3D0A> deep sn=
ow, =3D
cold and wind.=3D0A> =3D0A> this is the third huge snow fall already in dec=
embe=3D
r.=3D0A> =3D0A> but, no big deal.=3DA0 will just get that toro snow blower=
=3D0A> ou=3D
t and get rid of it...pile it deeper in the yard.=3D0A> =3D0A> dog does not=
rea=3D
lly know what is going on, but=3D0A> she is a trooper...out she goes...snow=
a=3D
bove her hips.=3D0A> she leaps around and loves it.=3D0A> mel=3D0A> =3DA0 m=
y studio=3D
is 68F degrees with big windows=3D0A> to watch the snow.=3DA0 wonderful.=
=3D0A> w=3D
e are a hardy lot living in the big midwest, u.s.a.=3D0A> (and, buckets of =
ra=3D
in in australia.)=3D0A> from: minnetonka, mn=3D0A> website: http://www.visi=
.com=3D
/~melpots/=3D0A> clayart link:=3DA0 http://www.visi.com/~melpots/clayart.ht=
ml=3D
=3D0A> new book: http://www.21stcenturykilns.com=3D0A> alternate: melpots75=
75@g=3D
mail.com=3D0A> =3D0A=3D0A=3D0A

Vince Pitelka on thu 16 dec 10


Arnold Howard wrote:
"I lived in Chugiak, Alaska during my 5th grade. I remember the long icicle=
s
on the Quonset Huts, the deep snow, and the ice that covered the highways
most of the year."

One of my fond memories of our old art building at NDSU in Fargo was the
long rows of icicles hanging from ever low spot on the Quonset roofs. Our
art building was composed of three parallel two-story Quonsets, so there
were hundreds of low spots. Between the three Quonsets were two small
courtyards protected from the wind, so the icicles hung straight. But on
the outer sides of the first and third Quonsets, the icicles were curved by
the ever-present, mind-numbingly-cold wind, and looked like long, skinny
saber-tooth-tiger teeth. Yes I am very glad I live in Tennessee now.
- Vince

Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Craft
Tennessee Tech University
vpitelka@dtccom.net; wpitelka@tntech.edu
http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka

Arnold Howard on thu 16 dec 10


On 12/11/2010 8:28 AM, mel jacobson wrote:
> just for those that think winter is no longer with us.
> (and note, it was 25F degrees in orlando florida.)
> wow, we are having a century blizzard.
> deep snow, cold and wind.

Yesterday I returned to Mesquite from a 10-day trip to Dover, Delaware.
They had only a few snow flakes, but it was very cold out. The wind went
right through my jacket.

I lived in Chugiak, Alaska during my 5th grade. I remember the long
icicles on the Quonset Huts, the deep snow, and the ice that covered the
highways most of the year.

Sincerely,

Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com

Ric Swenson on fri 17 dec 10


Vince... mel..

In High School..after the Great Alaska Earthquake......9.2 in power....eve=
r feel that in Minnesota? or elsewhere?


we often marveled at the snow..great amounts of the shit....

My Uncle's house was so covered that we had to go "dig him out" Doors open=
ed out...and he could not get out of his fuc%$#.. house unless we went to d=
ig out the dooors.

The snow was drifted to 7-8 feet.....no windows exposed...no possible escap=
e.

Imagine that in Minnesota Mel?

You do NOT know snow dude.

We sometimes had 2-3 feet in one single storm..and another to follow.
Norway...mineesota? minisota? think about it....


then ice storms...


weather is a bitch.

but I prefer it it hot weather anyday.

China..with a few inches in JDZ is a dream.....








ric


we had an few inches in JingDeZhen...laughable amounts....





No idea.




http:blog.sina.com.cn/ricswenson


"...then fiery expedition be my wing, ..."

-Wm. Shakespeare, RICHARD III, Act IV Scene III



Richard H. ("Ric") Swenson, Teacher,
Office of International Cooperation and Exchange of Jingdezhen Ceramic Inst=
itute,
TaoYang Road, Eastern Suburb, Jingdezhen City.
JiangXi Province, P.R. of China.
Postal code 333001.


Mobile/cellular phone : 86 13767818872


< RicSwenson0823@hotmail.com>

http://www.jci.jx.cn





> Date: Thu, 16 Dec 2010 22:53:25 -0600
> From: vpitelka@DTCCOM.NET
> Subject: Re: snow in minnesota
> To: Clayart@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
>
> Arnold Howard wrote:
> "I lived in Chugiak, Alaska during my 5th grade. I remember the long icic=
les
> on the Quonset Huts, the deep snow, and the ice that covered the highways
> most of the year."
>
> One of my fond memories of our old art building at NDSU in Fargo was the
> long rows of icicles hanging from ever low spot on the Quonset roofs. Our
> art building was composed of three parallel two-story Quonsets, so there
> were hundreds of low spots. Between the three Quonsets were two small
> courtyards protected from the wind, so the icicles hung straight. But on
> the outer sides of the first and third Quonsets, the icicles were curved =
by
> the ever-present, mind-numbingly-cold wind, and looked like long, skinny
> saber-tooth-tiger teeth. Yes I am very glad I live in Tennessee now.
> - Vince
>
> Vince Pitelka
> Appalachian Center for Craft
> Tennessee Tech University
> vpitelka@dtccom.net; wpitelka@tntech.edu
> http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka

Lee Love on fri 17 dec 10


2010/12/17 Ric Swenson :
> Vince... mel..
>
> In High School..after the Great Alaska Earthquake......9.2 =3DA0in power.=
..=3D
.ever feel that in >Minnesota? or elsewhere?

Hehehe. Shake your igloo?

> We sometimes had 2-3 feet in one single storm..and another to follow.
> Norway...mineesota? minisota? =3DA0think about it....

You haven't been paying attention to the news have you doood.
We got that much in parts of Minnesota in ONE DAY last snowfall.
Are the Commies censoring that news too? Folks in Japan and New
Zealand have heard about it.

When Arnold mentioned Alaska he made me realize how lucky
we are here: We live in the land of snow, wolves and moose, but we
have "culture" too. ;^)

--
=3DA0Lee, a Mashiko potter in Minneapolis
http://mingeisota.blogspot.com/

=3D93Observe the wonders as they occur around you. Don't claim them. Feel
the artistry moving through and be silent.=3D94 --Rumi

MEUNIER LEE on fri 17 dec 10


=3DA0=3DA0=3DA0 Lee Love wrote:=3D0A" When Arnold mentioned Alaska he made =
me reali=3D
ze how lucky=3D0Awe are here:=3DA0 We live in the land of snow, wolves and =
moos=3D
e,=3DA0 but we-----=3D0Ahave "culture" too."=3D0A--------------------------=
------=3D
----------------------------------------------------------------=3D0A=3D0A=
=3D0A=3D
=3D0AAre you saying, Lee, that the Inuits and other native Alaskans (Americ=
an=3D
s all, =3D0Aby the way) have not culture to share with the=3D0Aworld???=3DA=
0 Just=3D
trying to get something started, right?=3DA0 =3D0A=3D0AHelp me out here, K=
ris an=3D
d John?=3DA0 Is it still true that any new=3D0Apublic building in Alaska mu=
st h=3D
ave ART built into their=3D0Aproposed budget?=3DA0 Is it so that there must=
be =3D
a significant=3D0Apercentage set aside for that purpose?=3DA0 It sure makes=
for=3D
=3D0Aunexpected wonderful backgrounds as a visitor stands in=3D0Aawe.=3DA0 =
I've b=3D
een there many times using about every mode=3D0Aof transportation available=
.=3D
=3DA0 Obviously I love that state and=3D0Aits people..... and have several =
prin=3D
ts plus a couple originals=3D0Aof Rie Munoz's work.... bought the originals=
w=3D
ay back when=3D0Athey cost less than a good print today.=3D0A=3DA0=3D0AYou =
know, do=3D
n't you, Lee, that you're full of it.=3D0A=3DA0=3D0AJoyce=3D0AIn the Mojave=
desert =3D
of California U.S.A. where it's RAINING=3D0Aand we're thrilled.=3DA0 Maybe =
goin=3D
g to last several more days.=3D0AYea.=3D0A

Lis Allison on fri 17 dec 10


On December 17, 2010, you wrote:
> >
> Help me out here, Kris and John? Is it still true that any new
> public building in Alaska must have ART built into their
> proposed budget? Is it so that there must be a significant
> percentage set aside for that purpose? It sure makes for
> unexpected wonderful backgrounds as a visitor stands in
> awe.

That's true in my city - Ottawa, Canada. I believe it is 2% of the
building cost set aside for art.

As you can imagine, taxpaper responses to this are mixed!

Cheers,
Lis
--
Elisabeth Allison
Pine Ridge Studio
website: www.pine-ridge.ca
Pottery blog: www.studio-on-the-ridge.blogspot.com
Garden blog: www.garden-on-the-ridge.blogspot.com

Brandon Phillips on fri 17 dec 10


Oh dang Lee, you walked right into that one.

Brandon Phillips

> Lee Love wrote:
> " When Arnold mentioned Alaska he made me realize how lucky
> we are here: We live in the land of snow, wolves and moose, but we-----
> have "culture" too."

> Are you saying, Lee, that the Inuits and other native Alaskans (Americans
> all,
> by the way) have not culture to share with the
> world??? Just trying to get something started, right?
>
>
> You know, don't you, Lee, that you're full of it.

Kris Bliss on fri 17 dec 10


Help me out here, Kris and John?=3DA0 Is it still true that any new
public building in Alaska must have ART built into their
proposed budget?=3DA0

yes, 1% for art... Which can be quite a lot.


And the Roadways also, the new round a bouts etc.

We have ended up with some very strange things called art...But also =3D
some
stunning wonderful pieces..

We have a vibrant museum with great shows.. I think the andy wharhol =3D
(sp?)
exibit is still up.

In the spring and summer the gardens, downtown area, parks etc are
awash in flowers. Out door concerts ..etc.

We have plays, concerts , etc at the Performing Arts center downtown.

There is a dance company, several choirs...

Because of where we are, we get a lot of performers that are on their=3D
way
somewhere
else, they will stop in and entertain us.

We just finished the movie "everyone loves whales" had, a lot of acto=3D
rs in
town
and now they are working on one that has jon voight in it. can't reme=3D
mber
the name.

In the winter we get a lot of winter sports and athletes from around =3D
the
world,
doing a lot of extream stuff.

Our ski resort is renown and have sent several athletes to the Olympi=3D
cs.

The Tourism industry makes it possible to market much more art (clay
included)
than would be possible in a town this small.

I could go on , but this is getting too long.

Kris , where it is minus 10 today..Too cold? just put on more layers.

John Rodgers on fri 17 dec 10


Alaskan's of all stripes - imports, Native and non-native, all have
culture - but Alaska is so unique it almost defies description. Where
else are you going to be able to go to the longest sled-dog race in the
world, and have it start in the heart of town?? Where else are you going
to go to a monster Fur Rondevous, participate in a Miner's and Trapper's
Costume Ball, and have the winner of best costume be a garbage man
carrying another garbage man IN a garbage can on his back and then on
stage shake hands with the MC through his fly!! Or find the girls of the
evening wearing moose nugget earrings to demonstrate their part in the
celebrations. And all during the season have NY stage productions come
to town like (dating myself here) Jesus Christ Superstar, or CATS! Or
like in Bethel when the movie "Mash" first came out and the whole town
went to the theater to see it - in a building up on pilings to stay out
of flood water, tilted on one end so chairs set on the slanted floor
would allow each row of patrons to see over the next row of heads. Or
how about the whole Eskimo village coming out on the river Ice to greet
the mail plane. - a big deal in village life. Or how about where I was -
after school little kids would gather around the radio to listen to
Maggie Linn, an old, old Yupik Eskimo lady who told stories that
charmed, delighted, and mystified her wee listeners - and many not so
wee. Like anywhere else, each region of our great country is unique,
has it's own unique ways, unique culture. Alaska is the same, yet
different. And I don't believe I have ever been anyplace in my life
other than Alaska where that difference was so relished and cherished.

John

John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com


On 12/17/2010 12:36 PM, MEUNIER LEE wrote:
> Lee Love wrote:
> " When Arnold mentioned Alaska he made me realize how lucky
> we are here: We live in the land of snow, wolves and moose, but we-----
> have "culture" too."
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------=
-----------------------
>
>
>
> Are you saying, Lee, that the Inuits and other native Alaskans (Americans=
all,
> by the way) have not culture to share with the
> world??? Just trying to get something started, right?
>
> Help me out here, Kris and John? Is it still true that any new
> public building in Alaska must have ART built into their
> proposed budget? Is it so that there must be a significant
> percentage set aside for that purpose? It sure makes for
> unexpected wonderful backgrounds as a visitor stands in
> awe. I've been there many times using about every mode
> of transportation available. Obviously I love that state and
> its people..... and have several prints plus a couple originals
> of Rie Munoz's work.... bought the originals way back when
> they cost less than a good print today.
>
> You know, don't you, Lee, that you're full of it.
>
> Joyce
> In the Mojave desert of California U.S.A. where it's RAINING
> and we're thrilled. Maybe going to last several more days.
> Yea.
>
>
>

Lee Love on fri 17 dec 10


On Fri, Dec 17, 2010 at 1:26 PM, Brandon Phillips
wrote:

> Oh dang Lee, you walked right into that one.

Yeah, I love it when the peanut gallery gets their panties in a wad.

--
=3DA0Lee, a Mashiko potter in Minneapolis
http://mingeisota.blogspot.com/

=3D93Observe the wonders as they occur around you. Don't claim them. Feel
the artistry moving through and be silent.=3D94 --Rumi

Lee Love on fri 17 dec 10


On Fri, Dec 17, 2010 at 2:54 PM, John Rodgers wrote:

> has it's own unique ways, unique culture. Alaska is the same, yet
> different. And I don't believe I have ever been anyplace in my life
> other than Alaska where that difference was so relished and cherished.

John,

What I was specifically thinking about was all the institutional
support we have here. It is one of the reason the ACC moved to
Minneapolis and not Wasilla.

Minnesota was only second to NY in the amount of support spent
on the arts when I first moved here 27 years ago. In 2008,
Minnesotans approved a constitutional amendment to provide sales tax
funding for outdoors projects and the arts. The vote was 56 percent
yes and 39 percent no. I participated on the Minnesota State Arts
Board for the artist grants this year, and their funding was tripled
because of the new tax and artists grants were double from $500,000.00
to one Million. I have not seen the figures, but we must be gaining
on NY now.

Also the museums and the art and craft oriented centers. I
was at the Book Arts Center the other day and heard a young woman say
she was moving to Chicago and asked where a center was in Chicago like
this one. Folks really couldn't think of one.

Anyway, my response was to Ric's chauvinism. I can see
moving to ALaska if you are interested in Inuit culture. But not for
museums or other art infrastructure.


--
=3DA0Lee, a Mashiko potter in Minneapolis
http://mingeisota.blogspot.com/

=3D93Observe the wonders as they occur around you. Don't claim them. Feel
the artistry moving through and be silent.=3D94 --Rumi

Lee Love on fri 17 dec 10


2010/12/17 Ric Swenson :
> Heaviest snow fall I saw in my 21 years in Alaska was 6 feet in 24

>
> Aside from bad weather, Alaska has a lot of culture. Where else would I s=
=3D
ee
> Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald The Band,=3DA0and the Preservation Hall =
ba=3D
nd in
> our high school auditorium?

Ric, I wasn't talking about high school auditoriums, but world
class centers and museums for the arts. I remember a traveling
european orchestra that visited Mashiko. There'd also be ceramic
shows you'd never see in Mpls or anywhere in Alaska. Thanks to Hamada
making the place an important pottery center. But if you wanted to
see a some of works from the Louve, Matisse, Rodin, Hockney or Milton
Avery, or a show like Tokyo Form and Spirit, you had to travel to
Tokyo.

The Twin Cities are in a pretty humane environment with
the Mississippi River, the Lakes, the parks and all the bike and
walking trails, but you can see fine art here that only travels to a
hand full of countries around the world. And it snows here. Makes
it pretty unique. Just stay off the interstate, (I was remineded of
the world class traffic jams), and you can enjoy a winter/water
wonderland.

--
=3DA0Lee, a Mashiko potter in Minneapolis
http://mingeisota.blogspot.com/

=3D93Observe the wonders as they occur around you. Don't claim them. Feel
the artistry moving through and be silent.=3D94 --Rumi

John Connolly on fri 17 dec 10


For Ric's edification, I grew up about 300 yards from Mel's house and have =
seen 84" inches of snow fall in one month, February. When I shoveled my way=
out to the mailbox, I had to throw the snow high over the walls of accumul=
ated snow. Our house had a wall of windows on the South side and the snow w=
as piled against the house and over those windows. I don't know how we got =
out to shovel, but we did because that is what you do when it snows. You ca=
n't ski till you do the chores. It might also explain why I now live in Mex=
ico.


John Connolly in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico

Lee Love on sat 18 dec 10


On Fri, Dec 17, 2010 at 8:23 PM, John Connolly
wrote:

> For Ric's edification

>when it snows. You can't ski till you do the chores. It might also explain=
=3D
why I now live
> in Mexico.

Yeah, that was my point. You never hear people say they are moving
to Alaska or the Baja because of the art museums do you.

I am predisposed to Nature. I tell folks, when I Jean, she
brought Culture to the relationship and I brought Nature. Culture
used this way doesn't mean learning to eat with a fork and knife or
acquisition of writing or making art or not drooling on your bib, but
is related to the institutions that support art. She introduced me
to my favorite artists and got me frequenting museums and galleries.
Before she met me, she did not hike or camp and saw few animals in
the wild. Never lived with a dog.

The institutions in Minnesota I mentioned previously are
abundant here, where a lot of snow falls. I remember similar snows
when I lived in the country in Michigan, but you don't get the same
contrast between Culture and Nature as you do when a blizzard shuts
civilization down. It is satisfying, in that it puts human culture
in its place. As much as we think we can master Nature, it can shut
us down in a moment. I find that a comforting thought.




--
=3DA0Lee, a Mashiko potter in Minneapolis
http://mingeisota.blogspot.com/

=3D93Observe the wonders as they occur around you. Don't claim them. Feel
the artistry moving through and be silent.=3D94 --Rumi

MEUNIER LEE on sat 18 dec 10


I, of course, was referring to Lee being full of the milk of=3D0Ahuman kind=
ne=3D
ss.=3DA0 Whatever else could I have meant??=3D0A=3D0AJoyce=3D0AIn the Mojav=
e Desert=3D
of California U.S.A. where my house=3D0Aout in the desert is only 3 hours =
(l=3D
ess in middle of week)=3D0Afrom L.A. and that's only because I don't normal=
ly=3D
speed...=3D0Aand 5 to 6 hours from San Francisco when the passes are=3D0Ao=
pen =3D
(usually go south, catch=3DA0I -=3DA05 and very soon am in S.F.)=3DA0and 45=
minut=3D
es by =3D0Aplane out of our small but=3D0Aefficient desert airport (you've =
seen=3D
it on many commercials).=3D0AAs for nature........ well, there's the Sierr=
as=3D
including Mt. Whitney=3D0Afor climbing and Mammoth Mt. for skiing..... and=
a=3D
n hour away=3D0Ais Death Valley.=3DA0 Don't groan!=3DA0 If you can drive th=
rough =3D
and not=3D0Asee at least one unexpectedly spectacular sight, then you're=3D=
0Ano=3D
t really able to see unless........ well, was gonna say "unless=3D0Ayour sp=
ec=3D
tacular sights are hanging on walls," but that's =3D0Aunnecessary..........=
.=3D
=3D0A

Bonnie Staffel on sun 19 dec 10


Speaking of the Inuit culture, the Dennos Museum on the campus of our
college in Traverse City, has a wonderful permanent exhibit of Inuit =3D
prints
and soapstone sculptures. What an education to study the artwork of =3D
these
talented artists.=3D20

While we do not have many museums in this northern part of Michigan, we =3D
do
have an abundance of colleges, galleries, art centers and artists and
craftsmen to have a feast for the eyes. A lot of this growth occurred =3D
since
we moved here in the 60s.=3D20

> Are you saying, Lee, that the Inuits and other native Alaskans =3D
(Americans
> all,

Bonnie Staffel

http://webpages.charter.net/bstaffel/
http://vasefinder.com/bstaffelgallery1.html
DVD=3DA0 Throwing with Coils and Slabs
DVD=3DA0 Introduction to Wheel Work
Charter Member Potters Council

Bonnie Staffel on sun 19 dec 10


Hi Clayarters,

Speaking of culture in remote areas and the cutting back on such studies =
=3D
in
the school systems, I have to do a little bragging here. My great
granddaughter changed schools to attend one that specialized in music. =3D
She
wants singing to be her career. The singing class gives a Madrigal =3D
concert
every year, going to the various small communities to perform. I think =3D
there
are about 40 students involved. I was privileged to hear them sing =3D
Thursday
night at the local Country Club where my family took me for my birthday
celebration. The opening solo was sung by my great granddaughter who is =3D
a
sophomore. Her voice brought tears to my eyes.=3D20

Now to keep this in the clay format, have to say that my other great
granddaughter graduated from a Michigan college with a degree in clay =3D
and is
pursuing a career in art. Also my 11 year old great grandson recently =3D
threw
his second little bowl on my wheel that was about perfect with no =3D
wiggles.
He has also won awards for his paintings in three previous years in =3D
school
which has a strong art curriculum. Must be in the genes =3D20

Bonnie Staffel

http://webpages.charter.net/bstaffel/
http://vasefinder.com/bstaffelgallery1.html
DVD=3DA0 Throwing with Coils and Slabs
DVD=3DA0 Introduction to Wheel Work
Charter Member Potters Council

Lee Love on sun 19 dec 10


On Sun, Dec 19, 2010 at 3:45 PM, Bonnie Staffel wr=
=3D
ote:

>> Are you saying, Lee, that the Inuits and other native Alaskans (American=
=3D
s
>> all,

Certainly, the above statement was pretty rediculous, purposely
misunderstanding my original statement. Never the less...

> Speaking of the Inuit culture, the Dennos Museum on the campus of our
> college in Traverse City, has a wonderful permanent exhibit of Inuit prin=
=3D
ts
> and soapstone sculptures. What an education to study the artwork of these
> talented artists.

Almost every town in the boonies in Japan has a case of
artifacts. Mashiko had theirs at the city center and also at the
community center, and of course, in the 2nd story of the Meese, in the
historical area of the ceramic museum.

Tokyo is very similar to Paris, in that, it is not only a
cultural center (art, music, dance etc), it is also the capital city.
It is like combining NYC and D.C. We visited about every 6 week.
A weekend, every 6 weeks in Tokyo was about as much as I needed.
Like NYC, it takes a lot of energy to live there and helps if you are
an extrovert. The pace of life in Mpls is much more at the human
scale.

We've thought of living on the North Shore of Lake
Superior, but we need the culture that the Twin Cities offer and we
really don't like to burn all that gasoline to travel back and forth
(I put on about 5,000 miles a year on the civic, whic is 14 years old
with 65,000 miles on it.)

You know, it is interesting that folks frequently purposely
misunderstand Yanagi in a similar way, only in the opposite direction:
Thinking he was not interested in innovation, because he was trying
to preserve local culture. The work of he and is group had both
sides. While he focused on preserving local culture, the working
artists in the group worked to make the local culture relevant to
people today. That is what makes a tradition a living tradition.
There really is no conflict. If you want to make something
that stands the test of time, you have to look at the past and the
future. We stand exactly in the middle.

> While we do not have many museums in this northern part of Michigan, we d=
=3D
o
> have an abundance of colleges, galleries, art centers and artists and
> craftsmen to have a feast for the eyes. A lot of this growth occurred sin=
=3D
ce
> we moved here in the 60s.

My heart aches for Michigan. I still have family there.
It has been disintegrating for all of my adult life. My mother
last lived in Ann Arbor, which is an oasis of modern culture there.

--
=3DA0Lee, a Mashiko potter in Minneapolis
http://mingeisota.blogspot.com/

=3D93Observe the wonders as they occur around you. Don't claim them. Feel
the artistry moving through and be silent.=3D94 --Rumi

Arnold Howard on mon 20 dec 10


On 12/16/2010 10:53 PM, Vince Pitelka wrote:
> One of my fond memories of our old art building at NDSU in Fargo was the
> long rows of icicles hanging from ever low spot on the Quonset roofs.
---------
The windows of my fifth grade Quonset hut had long icicles. I remember
them glistening in the sun while we waited in line from recess.

One time the heater in our hut went out and we walked about 100 yards to
the library Quonset hut where we spent the rest of the day. It was a
short walk, so I didn't wear my gloves. When we reached the library, my
hands were numb, because the temperature outside was -22F. That was one
of the coldest days of the year. The number -22 is seared in my memory.

Sincerely,

Arnold Howard
Paragon Industries, L.P., Mesquite, Texas USA
ahoward@paragonweb.com / www.paragonweb.com

Lee Love on mon 20 dec 10


On Mon, Dec 20, 2010 at 8:34 AM, Arnold Howard wro=
=3D
te:

> of the coldest days of the year. The number -22 is seared in my memory.

Our first December here, in 1983, I remember being downtown
Minneapolis and the thermometer reading -29*F. I think the windchill
was something like -45*F. I thought, "I could fall down in a
snowbank and that would be the end of me." Minnesota really tested
us that first winter.

I was baffled by the fact that nobody was in the streets
downtown. I didn't learn about the Skywalks until later.

--
=3DA0Lee, a Mashiko potter in Minneapolis
http://mingeisota.blogspot.com/

=3D93Observe the wonders as they occur around you. Don't claim them. Feel
the artistry moving through and be silent.=3D94 --Rumi

MEUNIER LEE on mon 20 dec 10


=3D0A=3D0AI don't know=3DA0where the rest of you feel most at home though I=
would=3D
=3D0Areally like to know.=3DA0 I went for years (all my childhood) only rea=
lly=3D
=3D0Afeeling comfortably At Home on a skating rink.=3DA0 As an adult such=
=3D0Afee=3D
lings have rapidly grown in reaction to several places.=3D0A=3D0A1.)=3DA0 M=
y firs=3D
t classroom as a teacher..... minute I walked in I knew=3D0AI was At Home.=
=3D0A=3D
=3D0A2)=3DA0 Scotland ...... further north the better... even switched=3D0A=
perman=3D
ently from coffee drinker to tea, strong tea.=3DA0 I even=3D0Aenjoyed Eggs =
Mayo=3D
....... a plate of sliced boiled eggs=3D0Aslathered in mayonnaise..... just=
c=3D
ouldn't eat the whole=3D0Athing.=3DA0 Found out later that Pub food was mea=
nt t=3D
o be=3D0Ashared........ =3D0A=3D0A3)=3DA0 Southeast Alaska, although furthe=
r north =3D
has always=3D0Abeen an attraction for me also.=3DA0 I felt so flattered whe=
n=3D0A=3D
Alaskans mistook me for a citizen of their state.=3DA0 (British=3D0AColumbi=
ans =3D
did too........ just as flattered.)=3DA0 We would have=3D0Amoved there if m=
y so=3D
uthern family hadn't reacted so=3D0Astrongly against it.=3DA0 We were livin=
g on=3D
Whidbey Island, WA=3D0Aand they thought THAT was pure insanity.=3DA0=3DA0 =
They'd=3D
felt=3D0Athe same about Chicago, Georgia, Kansas, Niagara=3D0AFalls =3DA0a=
nd L.A=3D
.=3D0A..... and that I was a Wild Child and that #1 Support Person=3D0Aneed=
ed t=3D
o Put His Foot Down, preferably on my neck.=3D0A=3DA0=3D0A4) In my garage w=
hen it=3D
was finally=3DA0furnished with a bag of clay,=3D0Aa tiny electric kiln and=
a g=3D
reat Brent wheel.=3DA0 I wasn't even close=3D0Ato being a good craftsperson=
nor=3D
an artist (still am not), but=3D0Aknew that once again I Was Home forever.=
=3D
=3DA0 Even when I've=3D0Ahad times of not being capable of throwing and did=
n't =3D
have=3D0Askills for handbuilding, I'd go out, move things around a bit=3D0A=
and =3D
smell the clay.=3DA0 Hanging out with potters helps, too.=3D0AReading Vince=
's w=3D
onderful reference book makes me feel=3D0Aconnected also........ and the 50=
0 =3D
books...... and Mel's=3D0Achatty one that reads so like Mel sounds.=3DA0 =
=3D0A=3DA0=3D
=3D0A5)=3DA0 First time I read Clayart and knew that these were My=3D0APeop=
le.=3DA0=3D
Again when I walked into my first workshop:=3D0ARobin Hopper's!=3DA0 How l=
ucky=3D
can one person get?=3DA0 Just=3D0Achosen out of the back of CM........ two=
wee=3D
ks in British=3D0AColumbia....... with The Master.=3DA0 =3D0A=3DA0=3D0AJoyc=
e=3D0AIn the=3D
Mojave Desert of California U.S.A. where it's third=3D0Aday of rain!!=3DA0=
We'=3D
ve been warned by phone to stay home=3D0Aand off roads..... fear of landsli=
de=3D
s..... only in the desert..........=3D0AJack the Cairn seems to adore the r=
ai=3D
n...... Mojo.... not=3D0Aso much........