Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Birthday Contemplation



It came again. Two weeks ago. My birthday. I can't say that I have a problem with that-the alternative is not desirable. The only birthday that gave me thoughts of stopping time was when my daughter turned 30. Somehow having a child turning 30 made me feel older, or at least, different.

I can't really say I don't feel older. I've got the aches and pains usually associated with the middle-aged crowd, of which I'm firmly ensconced. The mirror keeps me honest: where did that wrinkle come from and when did those gray hairs appear?

So I'm taking stock of myself. Not physical stock, but who I am, where I've been and where I want to go. I'm actually in the prime of my life. That's not a cliche-all my prior years have made me what and who I am today. Every crayon I ever picked up, every piece of paper I cut, every silly doodle have helped form me and pressed me to try ever-harder craft.

Life and living life makes all of us who we are. Happy, sad, good, bad, all contribute to how we think, feel and relate to the world around us. While I have made mistakes along the way, I hope that my simple life will somehow make a small contribution to the world and I won't be judged too harshly.

Today I know who I am....tomorrow.....not so sure.

Since I'm feeling a little "blue" today, I've added a picture of a blue kiln-formed bowl. This is made out of 1/4 inch strips of glass, both opals and cathedrals, set on edge. The insets are previously made pattern bars which were sliced on a tile saw and set within the strips. I fired it face down to retain the crisp lines, then flipped, sandblasted, firepolished, and finally formed into the bowl shape.