"I'm thinking the chanterelles are probably up, now that we've had our first good rains," said The Resident Carpenter, tentatively, "Would you be too disappointed if we went mushroom hunting in the mountains instead of Oktoberfest?" We'd planned to spend Saturday at the Mt. Angel Oktoberfest (though it might be more accurate to call it Septemberfest). Nathan's European [...]
This is the face of a killer. Ain't she sweet? Thanks to a genetic anomaly, Nikki is a permanently small cat who rather resembles a fuzzy-furred kitten. Lola, strikingly larger, looks like a feline contract killer yet her hunting skills are no match for her sister's. Nikki is one of the deadliest, most efficient hunters I've met; her [...]
When the going gets tough, the tough head for the hills. Or rather, the mountains. Wilderness. The Great Outdoors. Or so it seems. It's been a frustrating week: Wacky stuff at work, a construction zone for a house, but mainly: I CANNOT make the bloody enamel do what it's supposed to do. It took me 20 years to learn glass [...]
Carved wax shapes in an electroforming bath. After 12 hours or so, we enameled the copper-covered result. Workshops and conferences shove attendees off a steep cliff and 'way, 'way, 'way past the deep end of their comfort zones. If a conference makes you feel as if you're drowning, congratulations: It was worth the price of admission. I'm so [...]
OK, so this week's tuna fishing expedition wasn't nearly the Freddy Kreuger-style bloodbath I feared. In fact, it was kinda glorious. Turns out that the Wilderness and I are best buds if it improves the quality of my grub... and tuna "loins"* are about as improving as grub gets. The Resident Carpenter and I set out for Depoe [...]
Tuna fish, tuna fish, sing a song of tuna fish Tuna fish, tuna fish, it's a favorite dish Everybody loves it so, from New York to Kokomo Tuna fish, tuna fish, it's a favorite dish (From my first piano lesson songbook) Tomorrow we will find ourselves a seasickeningly 45 miles out in a thousand-foot ocean, seeking tuna. Somebody explain why [...]
Is US craft/art/whateveryouwannacallit going the way of the dinosaurs? After what I'm hearing this week, I'm beginning to wonder. As I mentioned, I'm at the Enamelist Society biannual conference, and we're eating our meals in the university cafeteria at those long dining tables filled with (to me, anyway) strangers. I'd MUCH rather stay in my room to read, write, and [...]
Since Willow's arrival I've developed a soft spot for squirrels. This little lady follows people leaving the UofO cafeteria, begging for treats. I said hello, and she followed me back to my dorm room. "I know what YOU'RE looking for," said the nice kid with the beard, "I'll bet you want some silverware, huh?" "Yup," I responded, smiling, [...]
Squirrels apparently have a lot in common with rabbits: Willow is caring for her SECOND litter right now. For those keeping score, that's one mamma birthing TWO litters of Eastern Greys in six months. At this rate, we are going to run out of cigars. The Resident Carpenter's office is gonna look like a squirrel restaurant. In the meantime, Willow's [...]
Enjoy thy stream, O harmless fish; and when an angler for his dish, through gluttony's vile sin, Attempts, the wretch, to pull thee out, God give thee strength, O gentle trout, to pull the rascal in! ~John Wolcot Despite Mr. Wolcot's prayer, I stayed out of the water. Anyway, Wolcot's words don't really apply to me because I wasn't there [...]
