A work in progress from Taylor Hill

This will eventually become a vase, not a candle holder

It has been rain city here for 3 days and still counting, plus, the temperature dropped to freezing. Before the ice came, I made a run to the grocery store this afternoon. R said, “It is raining.” Yes, I know; I have been out in it with dogs. “It is cold.” Yes, I know that too. It was 33 when I was out with the dogs this morning. “Is there anything you just really need?” Food, but only if you want to eat. “Well, if you are going, then I need drinks.”

While it was raining and cold, there is something so humanizing to me about going to Larson’s when bad weather is coming. People in Kroger can be downright rude, including the checkers sometimes. I still try to be kind, first, because I think it is the right thing to do, and second, because I do not know what is going on in their lives. It was crowded and due to the weather, the store was closing early, so I was glad I had not tarried.What do I like about it? People speak, and sometimes when we are waiting on the same area to clear, we converse. I know who was there stocking up so she could make soup over the next few days, and who was having Chinese food for supper as soon as she found the wonton wrappers. I love that I can find anything I need and most of what I want in Larson’s, not to mention the absolute best meat, chicken, pork, catfish, and dairy/egg/cheese products in town. I love that the store is owned and operated by the same family for 75 years and that I see them in the store all the time. I stocked up for the next few days, including the supplies to make a couple of bread puddings. After all, when it is cold and raining and going to snow and ice, you don’t want to run out of bread pudding.

I have been working on a large vase for at least 2 weeks now, and it takes a lot of time due to the need for each area to dry thoroughly before the next part. [I have been tempted to post a spoiler preview, but I am holding out for the finished product.] Simultaneously, I started work on another bottle for a vase, and cut two at the same time for expedience. I am in process of gluing on the paper backing for adhering paint and clay and was using left over paper napkin pieces from the flatware on canvas piece. After layering a few pieces I just kept looking at it, wondering what it would look like with a candle glow. I tend to go into blog withdrawal after a few days, so I popped in a lavender candle and lit it. I still intend to finish it as a vase, but it was fun to see it in the darkening evening.

Taylor Hill through the window

Okay, I wish I had this view through my window. I took that photograph from Lion’s Head in Cape Town, looking toward Table Mountain through the trees and rolling clouds. Randy had it printed in poster size and surprised me with it one day. It is still one of my favorites. I picked up the Pocono Blues Festival poster in Clarksdale on our first trip over to the Juke Joint Festival.

So, that is it for Lottabusha tonight, and hopefully the snow and ice will not be too severe. Sending out warm wishes, love, hope and peace for the world. There but for the Grace of God go I.