Moving to Montana

The size of a person is no indication of the size of their heart. I have long been a fan of the former Heavy Weight Champion of the World Mohammad Ali - activist, athelete extrodinaire,conscientous objector,and a man of the highest of principles. To paraphrase him " I ain't going to Vietnam to kill no Viet Cong. No Viet Cong ever called me a nigger!" He went to jail for having a heart and a conscious that large. This n word was hard for me to write but it was said by my hero who just happened to be a black man. If he could live it, I can quote him. My Uncle Jimmie another of my heroes had a Grade 6 education and was a small man in stature. He was working in the coal mines of Northumberland at 12 years old. He spent 5 years in Europe during WW2. He was promoted to Lance Sargeant. He was very proud of that rank as it was usually awarded to a corporal. He lead the anti tank division into battle. I know why they gave him that rank. You could count on him. His men could count on him to do whatever he asked of them. He did what he said he'd do and you could take that to the bank. He'd be there!!! A quote from Mohammed Ali " The will must be stronger than the skill". Boom you got it, Mohammed. In my 5 decade career as a potter I have met hundreds of amazingly naturally born artists. They have such amazing skill but maybe lack the will. In preparation for The Bray people have been asking me what I am going to do. Other than my two day classes a week at Pinecroft I haven't really touched clay. It's not that I've gone to sleep. I have taken to brush and paper. I think I got a plan but I want the geography of Montana inform what I make. As a teen I was a Frank Zappa Mothers of Invention fan. Uncle Donny reminded me today of one of his tunes. Moving to Montana.

I might be movin' to Montana soon Just to raise me up a crop of Dental Floss Raisin' it up Waxen it down In a little white box I can sell uptown By myself I wouldn't Have no boss, But I'd be raisin' my lonely Dental Floss Raisin' my lonely Dental Floss Well I just might grow me some bees But I'd leave the sweet stuff For somebody else... but then, on the other hand I'd Keep the wax N' melt it down Pluck some Floss N' swish it aroun' I'd have me a crop An' it'd be on top