I’ve gotta say, even though it’s only halfway through June, this feels like one of the best summers that I’ve ever had. Maybe it’s because I’ve finally found my happy place being a potter, or maybe it’s because I figured out how to not worry so much as I used to. Or maybe, it’s because I can feel good things still floating in the air of possibilities. I can feel good things in the future, like the next time I will feel full of life and have a good time making out– I know that it will happen before the month is over. Maybe it’s because I am giving myself a two-week break away from average responsibility (like making money or following someone else’s rules). Maybe it’s because I am letting myself let loose a bit and just enjoy whatever comes at me– or deal with it if it’s not enjoyable. Maybe, just maybe, it’s my vibrant turquoise glaze that I am falling more and more in love with. Nah, it must be the making out 🙂 Or maybe it’s everything!

It’s a good summer. I am learning new sides of this town that I never knew before, and it makes my world feel just a little bigger. I am eating out at new places that I used to make excuses about not going to, I am driving down streets that I have no idea where they lead, and I am taking chances to grow personally and take more responsibility for myself and for others. I am definitely growing up a bit this summer. I guess what I’m really trying to say is that I know I am where I’m supposed to be right now. Working in the studio, firing pots,  hangin’ with other artists. kickin’ back with a few beers, and just having a good time making art matter. Also, I think I’m heading to where I want to be in my own personal romantic life, and it feels good. I am doing it the slow way because it seems like the best way.

In other news, the workshop is finishing up. We are all kind of just sitting around at this point because they fired off the last kiln today. Last night was my last firing night. I helped with the first half of the last firing (the soda kiln) but was relieved by another soda-firer just after midnight– when I started the body-reduction. I was also helping with the wood firing… kind of. I didn’t do much besides make sure flame wasn’t coming out of the chimney. We had the fire department all scared because a few people called in about a flame on the roof that they thought was a spontaneous fire. After they left, we had to figure out how to continue without sending flame out the chimney (even though we were still trying to push cone 9 down in a couple of places and we planned to hold it between cone 10 and 11 for a few hours). It was a long and tedious night for the wood-firing crew. I was mainly watching the soda kiln, but offered to be the “flame-checker”.

We went up the canyon and had a nice little barbecue tonight, and the plan is to have another get-together tomorrow night… all of this party-shopping has me going crazy! But I’m having a great time, so I suppose it’s worth it. I just don’t know what I should make for the potluck tomorrow… it has to be good 🙂