Lyric, ceramics & goldfish crackers

My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet..............Edith Wharton

It was mid morning and I had found another safe spot to slumber...under a jacaranda tree. A rhythmic clacking sound approached me...it was my friend Lyric wearing a big smile, pushing her popcorn pusher towards me. ''Lyric, why don't you go say hi to Bella'' said Beverly, who is Lyric's grandmother. While Lyric was petting the top of my head, I was licking her lips...what's that taste? Yes, it's cheese goldfish crackers. As I walked towards Beverly's studio, alongside Lyric and the clacking popcorn pusher, I found my favorite spot to plunk down, in Lyric's play area... Bev's studio is well equipped as a clay artist...there is the slab roller, kiln, potter's wheel, canvassed tables, ecstruder, and bakers shelves. Most of her work revolves around fish sculptor. Her fish pole was juried and exhibited in the Urban Trees project along the embarcadero. They are colorful, whimsical fish made to adorn gardens, shelves and walls...sometimes, she throws pots on the potter's wheel, then she rakus or saggers them. Around the lips of the pots are inflorescence or torrey pine needles woven in a coiled style, creating a mixed media container.

My ears perk up...I hear the rattling of a cracker box...and the area where I am lying down is showered with goldfish crackers, tossed about me, with a big smile and generous hands from Lyric!

Accepting Change

A dog is the only thing on earth that will love you more than you love yourself......Josh Billings

Last year has brought on some profound losses. My friends Philip, Mary and Sylvia have passed leaving missing stitches in the fiber of Spanish Village. Longtime members of our village whose footprints will be remembered. So much change. And now, the stately carob tree in front of studio 25 has fallen over, a result of a shallow root system and the barrage of rain experienced this week....my favorite shady spot, my favorite safe spot, gone...sigh. And yet, all change. They say change is dynamic, and change is good...but what if it leaves gaping holes and feelings of loss?? Well, I roll over on my back and get my belly rubbed....ahhhh!...and life becomes more acceptable.