My first eight weeks of pottery are over and I had a great time! Pot 1 and Pot 2 are proudly shown below; Pots 3, 4, 5 and 6 are in the works and will be completed during my next eight week session. I am counting on the fact that practice prevents lopsidedness cause right now everything I am doing has a decided defect in one direction or the other!

Pot 1 (lavender) and Pot 2 (green)

After several weeks of cough, cough, sneeze, sneeze (thanks to the cold I picked up in San Francisco), I seem to be on the mend and was thrilled to take off to Chattanooga with John for the weekend. We drove down after work on Friday and returned home late this afternoon. We had a great time! Among the many activities that filled our time...a ride down the Tennessee River on the Chattanooga Duck Tour, strolling downtown, rummaging through our favorite shops on Fraizer Avenue, an incredible ride "down and up" the Incline Railroad (fulling a longtime goal of mine), walking around the battlefield on Lookout Mountain and of course, eating lots of yummy food. Restaurants included Broad Street Grille, Big River Grille, Taco Mac and Northshore Grill. We also had late evening decaf and dessert at Rembrandt Cafe on Art Bluff.

We stayed at the Chattanoogan Hotel. It was brand new on our first trip to Chattanooga several years ago but is now showing signs of wear. From a tear in the blanket, to soap scum on the bath tub wall to a very noisey group of Church of God of Prophecy convention kids running up and down the hallway, I was a little disappointed. Next time we will probably look at one of the central downtown hotels.

I would post a few snaps (I took a lot) but I seem to be having some problems with "Hello" the software used to transmit photos. Could it be from lack of use? :-) I will write a page and post photos on the website in the next few weeks. Chattanooga is definitely worth a weekend visit!

A little late posting the pics from Roger and Susie's going away party last weekend! The party was held at the University Club and 35+ of their friends attended. We enjoyed an evening filled with stories about Roger in the backcountry and slides of Roger and Susie dating back 30 years. The slide show was also a snapshot of changing hair styles, clothing and outdoor equipment. Amazing the changes in the last 30 years.

Roger and Susie will be greatly missed in Knoxville's environmental community, a community they helped define over the years. But gee, after a few months of hiking and skiing in Montana, they will probably forget that Knoxville exists.

Barbara chatting with Gary.

In the pasta line, the honoree Susie (from left), the McDonalds, Sue and Lance.

Enjoying food and conversation from left Dolph, George, Jeanne, Axel, Liz and TJ.

Will, "master of ceremonies" and teller of great Roger stories.

Listening intently to Will!

Randy reading the inscription on the plaque he will shortly present to Roger and Susie.

Susie and Roger are all smiles as they accept the plaque.

Lots of laughter from left, Priscilla, Ed, Steve, BJ and Bob.

Susie giving their thanks for the years of fun, friendship and laughter.

Spring has arrived in my yard!

Just in case you haven't looked outside tonight, this is what you are missing. Incredible!


February Moon

What a week! Three days in San Francisco and I bring home a cold. It has been a real challenge just to get up and get to work! Unfortunately, my mom took temporary residence in the hospital on the second day of my trip and banned me from her hospital room on my return. She is home and I am beginning to feel better so the weekend is looking up!

Today is John and my anniversary! :-) Five very fast years have passed since our first meeting on a memorable backpack to Pond Mountain. Alas, we are postponing festivities until March when we can catch our collective breath from very hectic schedules and relax. Happy anniversary sweety!

Spent several days in San Francisco this week, well 2 days flying and 1 day in town. Prior trips to the bay area have yielded only business meetings for me so imagine my surprise when Dave suggested we drive into the city for a look around...and me without my camera! This is not a mistake I will make again.

A quick stop at a local market netted one Kodak High Definition throw away camera with 400 speed film, a permanently engaged flash and lens that placed everything far away and indistinguishable! I have posted the best of the worst. We had about three hours after our meetings to sightsee before we had to be back in Burlingame for dinner.

First stop, Fisherman's Wharf sitting on the beautiful San Francisco Bay. Alcatraz is on the small island in the middle of the photo (small hump). The streak in the top of the photo? Who knows.
One of the main streets in Fisherman's Wharf. The Wharf is filled with restaurants, trinket shops and interesting people. Visiting on a rainy Thursday in February meant that the tourist traffic was light.

The fish market at the Wharf was humming with shoppers. This guy drew quite a crowd to watch his techniques for chopping and steaming crab.

Crabs for sale!

Metal Man. We never did figure out exactly what this guy was suppose to be. He certainly attracted a lot of attention! We decided Metal Man is making a good living off the tourists, he drove up in a BMW and no, I didn't pay for this photo. I waited till Metal Man was distracted and snapped the photo fast (note guy depositing change in metal box). Our dinner guests informed us that 4-5 Metal Men hang around the Wharf during the height of the tourist season and basically allow people to photograph them or be photographed with them, for money of course.

Looking toward the bay from the top of one of San Francisco's hills. Alcatraz is barely visibly on the little island. We drove through some very elegant neighborhoods in the hills as well as some really run down stuff. Regardless of the condition of the property, the real estate value must be incredible!

The Golden Gate Bridge. My pictures of "The Bridge" are disappointing. I will have to go back and try again! :-)

After taking a little grief from my friends, I have turned the comment section on. I will leave it up as long as the site doesn't get spammed or the comments don't turn ugly. Looking forward to hearing from you! Please leave your your name as the post is anonymous. Thanks!

Another wonderful weekend in the backcountry! The outing was sponsored by the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club and our friend Steve was trip leader. John, Duane and I got on the trail a few hours later than the 11 other hikers. John and I spent the morning working on a plumbing issue in my house while Duane enjoyed Saturday morning breakfast with his wife.

We arrived at campsite 9 a little after 2:00 pm and quickly set up camp. Campsite 9 can accommodate a lot of tents but most of the terrain is downward sloping toward the creek. The sites we found that were reasonably flat were well away from the rest of the campers. This had it's pluses and minuses. The biggest minus, drifting smoke from the campfire!!:-(

Since we were late into camp, the three of us hiked to Spence Field by ourselves, meeting the rest of the group on their way down. We arrived at the AT about 4:45 pm, looked around and hustled back to camp before the sun fell behind the mountains. We enjoyed dinner, social time and finally a good night's sleep. Thanks for a great trip, Steve!


On the trail to Spence Field, John and Duane pause to let me catch up. Light snow covered the higher parts of the trail although the temperature in the lower elevations was near 60 F.

The snow turned icy close to the top, causing us to watch our steps carefully. The top (the trail junction with the AT and Spence Field) is in view!

Just off the AT near Spence Field, this beautiful sun-filled field provided a warm respite from the cooler conditions we encountered on the hike up.

Ahhhh...dinner! After a 7.0-mile hike, we were ready for Pad Thai. John fixed the spicy, tangy peanut sauce at home. We enjoyed it in camp with rice noodles and a side of fresh cool cucumbers.

Morning coffee cup holder! Our tent was an uphill walk to the "kitchen" area so we decided to have breakfast in. We enjoyed relaxing and packing in our long johns, at our base camp.

Duane enjoyed breakfast in his long underwear too. As a matter of fact, we all enjoyed Duane's bluebird long johns!

Hubba Hubba Bill! Bill is pretty proud of his new Hubba Hubba tent by MSR. He bought it on sale at Mt. Rogers Outfitters in Damascus, VA. Duane tells us his brother brought a Hubba. That would be a single person version of the two person Hubba Hubba.

Steve, our fearless hike leader. Hmmm, that would be fearless until the subject of flying comes up. Steve is going on his first "out west" distance backpack this summer and is already stressing over the flight.

This morning was almost perfect, a bit chilly with deep blue skies and clouds drifting about. A real treat on top of one of the clearest nights we have experienced in the backcountry in a long time. The moon was not visible so millions of glittering stars lit the sky. We couldn't believe our luck to be out on such a star filled night!

A deer grazing at the horse camp area on Anthony Creek trail. The deer is a male although he is missing his antlers. Just after seeing this deer we ran into a family with two kids and an out of control lab on a leash. Duane mentioned that they might want to hold the leash tight because of the deer and "did they know dogs were illegal on the trail." He-he-he", the father giggled nervously at being caught, "we know."

Just in from pottery class. Tonight did not go as smooth as last class. I began with five-one pound balls of clay and ended up with four collapsed pots and one vase. "Practice makes perfect," sorta. I suspect I have many more collapsed pots and lopsided bowls in my future. Below is my work through last class. Nothing has been fired or finished, it's just plain ole clay!


Three pots from my first two classes. The small bowl on the left was my first effort, the bowl on the right, my second. I like the flared edges on this little bowl but it was a mistake and I can't figure out what I did.

The same bowls (from above). Mark, my instructor did the nice work on the bottom middle vase and helped me pull the vase walls. I still haven't figured out that technique, the walls become thick in some places and thin in others. I collapse the vase trying to smooth things out!

I made this bowl all by myself! :-) I am sure this fact doesn't surprise anyone as the bowl visibly leans to the right (or left, depending on how it is sitting). Mark helped me clean up the base so it looks a lot better but the odd bulges will be there to remind me that this was the first piece on my own.

Sleet and ice did not occur last night as predicted by our local weather forecasters. Instead, temperatures hovered just above freezing and it rained overnight and through most of the day. Very dreary! Tonight I am sitting in front of a cheery fire, surfing on my computer and hoping the forecasters have nailed the overnight possibility of light snow. I am ready for some winter precipitation!!


My bird feeders stayed busy all day with activity on the big feeder shifting between the birds and the squirrels . The squirrels jump from the ground to the seed tray scattering the birds into nearby trees and bushes. I have discovered that squirrels don't scare easily, in fact, they seem to consider me a nuisance. Too bad Annoying Cat can't catch a squirrel or two.


Sidelined at home by the rain, I decided it was time to pack away my Christmas Santas. I considered leaving them out till Valentines Day cause they are very Valentine festive in their red suits. In the process, I also packed away the beautiful ornaments my sister Carol gave me for Christmas. She made the ornaments by taking clear balls and swirling layers of acrylic paint inside. This was a time consuming project as each layer had to dry before tha next was added. I am on the hunt for a modern wire tree or ribbon hangers to display the balls year round. Or maybe I can make a bowl in pottery class! :-)

My reflection is visible in at least two of the balls. I am using my new Velbon Maxi 347GB tripod...a Christmas gift from my dad!

While digging through some of my mail from this week, I discovered Gov. Phil Bredesen's picture starring back at me from the January 31, 2005 copy of "The New Republic." The lead line reads "Southern Man, Is Phil Bredesen the Future of the Democratic Party or the Last of a Dying Breed?" (article by Clay Risen). Hmmm Bredesen versus Frist in 2008? Tennessee versus Tennessee, I like it! I will give the article a read and report!

IT'S THE WEEKEND!!

Arrived home a bit late this evening, in the dark as usual. The neighbor's cat was sitting on my front porch so I chased him around my yard cause I know he's been annoying my birds all day and just cause I can. After that bit of exercise, I filled my birdfeeders in preparation for the predicted overnight sleet and settled in with a bowl of egg drop soup and a big fire. I take back some of the grumbling about my neighbor, Annoying Cat has a bell around his neck now so he is less threatening to the wildlife.

EXCITING NEWS in the family and I have bragging rights! My beautiful younger sister is not only smart and entertaining, she has also been voted Teacher of the Year at her school, Green Magnet Academy. Leslie, a specialist in inner city education, has been a kindergarten teacher at Green Magnet for 9 years. Last year she graduated with an EdS from the University of Tennessee. This year she is receiving a another recognition for her hard work and dedication, a very special honor indeed! Congratulations Leslie, you are also Sister of the Year in my book!

Leslie with her students writing project...2005 resolutions

Dave and I literally blew into Dallas on Tuesday. Strong winds rocked our plane and we bounced a bit taxiing on the runway. Outside the terminal, sunny skies and 79F temps greeted our arrival into town. A pretty good deal when I think about backpacking in 15F temps only 2 days before!

Although I have had a number of layovers in the Dallas-Fort Worth airport, I have never spent time in the city. I am sure Dallas is a fine place to visit but my 28 hour stay did not leave me "wanting for more." Lots of concrete and reflective glass mixed with low trees and a flat topography gave me another reason to appreciate home. We stayed at the Marriott Quorum in the 'burbs near the Galleria but I didn't have time to explore the shops. Too bad, the roster included Nordstrom, Saks and, of course, Neiman Marcus.

Traveling with the salesmen usually revolves around a good meal and this trip was no different. We had dinner at Chamberlain's Fish Market Grill where I enjoyed a crab-corn chowder, wedge of lettuce w/ blue cheese and Chilean sea bass served over garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus. Yum, yum...sometimes it is all about the food! It was early to bed for me. Like the old person I occasionally emulate, I was asleep by 9:30 pm.

Wednesday we sat through meetings from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. A quick stroll through a nearby outlet mall to look at some of our product and I was back at the airport on a 5:30 pm flight home. Luckily this flight had space available, I arrived at the Knoxville airport at 11:10 pm instead of 12:30 am as originally scheduled. Now it is back to the routine for a few more weeks!

Just in from pottery class 2. Yeah :-) I think I am beginning to get it! Even though I have worn through some skin on my hands and cut my nice long fingernails to the quick, the technique of throwing clay is starting to come together. Tonight I had less clay in the mud pan and more clay on the wheel. My hands actually realized they are a pair working together and I completed a bowl from the clay preparation stage to the pot stage, a very cool feeling. I now have five little bowls of various shapes and sizes to glaze and fire. I can't wait until class 3!

We are home, warm and dry! The first winter backpack of 2005 has come to a successful conclusion. Saturday was relatively warm with temperatures around 50 F. We left Knoxville under sunny skies and arrived at the trail head under very dark skies and threat of rain. John had been trying to get me to alter the hiking plans for several weeks so we would hike in and out at the same trailhead. The forecast for Sunday was 3-5" of snow (this did not materialize) and he was concerned about the roads. The group decided out and back was a good decision so, after dropping Priscilla's car at Bote Mtn. tailhead (she was day hiking), we left our cars at Tremont.

Didn't take too long to get to camp. We hiked up for about 2-miles and down for about .7-miles; light rain fell off and on for most of the hike. We arrived in camp, set up our tents in a moderate rain shower and waited under the tarps for the next dry period. When the rain slowed, everyone dashed out to gather firewood. The site was picked pretty clean so we had to expand our area of search. Finally around three o'clock, with a good stack of wet wood, we encouraged Priscilla to start back to her car so she wouldn't get caught in the early mountain darkness. Most of us wanted to hike a bit more so we grabbed our headlamps, just in case, and walked the 2.5-mile roundtrip to be sure she was safe getting to her car. It rained steadily on our return hike to the campsite.

Soon the wind started, the temperature dropped and the rain turned to snow. We spent a pretty cold night at low levels in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The group is experienced at cold weather backpacking and aside from some feet stamping in the morning to warm up cold toes and very chapped cheeks (face) we survived quite well.


Under the tarp, in the rain. From left (in green jacket) Bill, Steve (hat-man), Barbara and John.

From left, Terri, Jim and Priscilla in the red hat. Priscilla day hiked with us. Since our hike to the campsite was short (2.7-miles), we all hiked Priscilla back to her car. She went home to a hot shower while we returned to camp. The green tarp certainly reflects a dioxin looking pallor to the skin.

Protected from the rain by tarps, the group shared lots of conversation about hiking. Is there anything else to talk about on a backpack?

And then night fell, the temperature dropped and it started snowing! Our tent in the snow storm.

Not too much snow on the ground but an oh so cold temperature. Steve's thermometer read 15 F. Everyone was barely recognizable in hats, down jackets and gloves. In front (light blue) Marti, left-Jim, right-Terri.

John opening the fuel bottle, can breakfast be far behind?

Duane, toasty warm in his down jacket enjoying a hot breakfast drink.

Barbara with double hats, fleece jacket and a "don't take my picture" face. Our tent is in the background.

Lastly, me in my homeless hat and very puffy down Michelin man jacket. It "ain't" pretty but I am very warm. Besides, there isn't much glamour at 15 F, sitting on the ground, under a tarp watching John heat water.

Weather be damned, John and I are going backpacking tomorrow, 6 friends are going too! With rain predicted for Saturday, high winds, icy temps (below 0 with wind chill) and snow for Sunday morning, I have spent my evening stuffing everything that absolutely must stay dry in ziplocks and plastic bags. That includes sleeping bag, therma-rest, fleece and clothes. For good measure, I have stuffed things that will get wet in camp and restuffed in my pack in ziplocks too. My pack must have 3 extra pounds of plastic.

Let's see...long underwear, fleece jacket, fleece tights, down jacket, wool hat, extra inner gloves, outer gloves, extra socks, rain jacket, rain pants, Go-lite umbrella, tarp, hot drinks, "hot hands" glove warmers and a good book..I think I have it all. Winter backpacking here we come!

Barbara offered her house as tonight's meeting place to discuss Roger and Susie's going away party. Lucky me, dinner was included in the offer. Based on watching Barbara cook on backpacks and sampling food she has brought to different social functions, I knew I was in for a treat. I spent the day anticipating an excellent meal and I was not disappointed. On the menu? Barley and lentil soup, baby spinach, apple and carrot salad (with homemade dressing of course), yummy chunks of toasted bread and lots of interesting conversation. I supplied the bakery cake (do I even know how to cook) and an off-key version of Happy Birthday to celebrate Barbara's 64th. Thanks Barbara, I had a great time! And Roger and Susie's party list? She had it almost complete before I arrived.

Took my first pottery course tonight at the Oak Ridge Art Center and Museum. Not sure how I feel about pottery, it was an interesting mix of emotions. While having my hands covered in wet clay was enjoyable, the tiny bits of sand in the clay felt like little slivers of glass. And of course there is always the issue with improper technique. My hands seem to work as individual entities instead of together to shape and mold.

The class is held in the pottery studio attached to the back of the Art Center. In the winter months the room is heated with a space heater. I can only guess that a fan is the mode of cooling in the summer. Class atmosphere is very informal allowing room for the very experienced potter to the very inexperienced (me and two other ladies). The instructor, Mark Turpin, floated from person to person offering help as needed. Nancy and Larry, two experienced potter taking the class were very helpful and didn't seem to mind stopping on occasion to show technique.

Anyone who knows me knows that I can make a pretty big mess with creative projects. My first night in class was reminiscent of playing in mud, I had water and clay all over me. I would start with a one pound ball of clay, dowse it with water, start my wheel and clay sludge went everywhere! Seems like I wore away more clay than I kept and I ended up with with a small wad with a mind of its own. By class end, I had two little pots. One pot has a flared top (a mistake) and one doesn't. The pot without the flared top is crooked. Oh well, seven classes to go. Can't wait to see what happens in the next class.

What's new from Daddy's easel? "The Magic Snake." The snake pattern is real, the colors enhanced. The glare is the fault of the photographer (me). I gotta work on that!


"The Magic Snake"

After over $20 million in renovation, the grand Tennessee Theatre reopened to a black tie invitation only gala event on Friday night. Since we were not on the list to attend the gala, Daddy and I attended the free open house this afternoon with several thousand like-minded people dressed in casual clothes and bundled up against the cold, blustery Knoxville weather.

The first thing we noticed upon arrival at the theatre was the new 56' Tennessee sign. What a great addition to the Gay Street landscape! As we walked through the front doors, we were engulfed in the crowds filling the Grand Lobby. Excitement was at a high pitch and we listened as some people discussed their first visit to the Tennessee while others were awed by the renovation. We were among the awed.

You will have to indulge me for the many photos below. The Tennessee Theatre has been restored to its original glory and it is quite a sight. Eighteens theatre palaces were originally built with the Spanish-Moorish design. Only 6 remain open: Mt. Baker Theatre (Bellingham, WA), Paramount Theatre (Abilene, TX), Raymond Burr Performing Arts Centre (New Westminster, BC), Regent Theatre (New York-now a church), Temple Theatre (Meridian, MS) and Warnor's Theatre (Fresno, CA). Five of the 18 have been demolished and seven are closed (info from: "Curtain Up", article by Doug Mason). A website about historical theaters is http://www.cinematreasures.org



The new marquee and sign for the historic Tennessee Theatre. The sign is a 56' replica of the original 1928 "Tennessee" sign.

Theatre seats have been reworked and recovered in beautiful red velvet. Very cushy! The endcap for each row is this beautiful gold, pink and turquoise design.

The item most associated with the Tennessee Theatre is the mighty Wurilitzer organ. The face of the theatre is Bill Synder, retired chancellor of the University of Tennessee and house organist since 1979. Today he charmed us with a hours of musical enjoyment. According to literature we picked up, Bill will begin a post retirement position as director of development and community relations for the theatre.

Note the carpet around the base of the organ. This is the same carpet used throughout the theatre and is the original design.

Part of today's tour included areas that are not normally open to the public. This means the dressing rooms, which have been extensively remodeled with showers, toilets and lighted mirrors. We walked through a number of dressing rooms stopping in rooms for the stars, rooms for the masses (above) and a Green Room or waiting room with game tables and chairs, kitchen fixtures, couch and lounge chairs. We were not allowed in the new orchestra pit or on the expanded stage.
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Each dressing room is named after a deceased celebrity who has appeared at the Tennessee. The name scribbled in blue magic marker is for one of the groups that performed at the opening on Friday. The design on the top right of the sign corresponds with figurines lining the auditorium near the ceiling.

That's a self picture of me taking a picture with Daddy watching to my right.

The auditorium is spectacular. The theatre was designed with a "Spanish-Moorish" theme. Lots of gold, heavy brocade and bright colors grace the walls and fixtures.

The main stage. It has been enlarged so that more elaborate productions can be staged.

We sat in the balcony for a long time, listening to music, looking at the intricate ornamentation (on every surface) and people watching.

Some of the designs on the ceiling. The colors are all original, found after the restoration crew scraped some six layers of stuff off the walls and ceiling. The red and gold design is hand-painted on the ceiling. What patience that would require!

One of the five crystal chandeliers hanging in the Grand Lobby. The chandeliers are valued at $250,000 each.

The Grand Lobby of the Tennessee Theatre. All five chandeliers are visible. The Italian terrazzo floor was repaired and in some cases replaced. The elegance of 1928 is back in Knoxville for all to enjoy.