Trash and Treasures

The studio at Pinecroft is getting a face lift. After 7 decades as a pottery there was a collection of dirt, and memories. We are in the process of filling the second large dump box with moulds, unknown materials, broken bisque, forgotten bisque and memories of all the things my Uncle Jimmie and Aunt Cavvy did to build up the business and prosper as potters. My Uncle Jimmie was a superb mould maker and we have tossed hundreds of his old moulds. A big part of their production was lamp bases so there were multiples of them. There were materials that must have arrived in Canada on the Mayflower. He never bought small quantities of anything so there are 50 lb tubs of manganese, chrome, ochres and clays that have long since gone the way of the dodo bird.
The old wood furnace came out and has been replaced with a natural gas furnace and get this - A/C.
New windows have been put in to cheer the old pottery up a bit. The old pottery is where teaching will take place. Brenda and I after 40 years think we deserve a view so we will be in a separate gallery space overlooking the pond. I've decided to move out of my basement studio and go back to where it all started for me. All my life's a circle sun up and sundown- Harry Chapin  sundownhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yjxWfyxpqY 
As an added bonus I bought a pedal assist E-bike so I will ride to work each day to be sure to put in my 10,000 steps. It's a lovely commute and I'm excited.
It was pissing rain today on my ride in. It is easy to find an excuse not to exercise and I am now invested in this health program so I can't let a bit of rain stop me. Normally I can't sleep when it rains as I worry about the kiln wood. The Cactus Lounge Flame Throwers arrive next Friday and I have all their wood safe and sound in a building since November. I can't wait to see their goofy faces. I have missed them to the moon and back. I'm hoping Andrew and Emma come too- it's my clay family.

Dumpbox #2- more to come

The old wood furnace

Roxy inspects the new space.