Glass Blowing Process

While we were watching, Peter made three different objects: a snowman, a vase and a bowl. These four photos show him at work while shaping two of them.

Glass Blowing

This is Peter's studio where I was able to snap a few pictures during the Glass Blowing demonstration at his open house. The large furnace heats at 2400°F and the small furnace on the upper right heats to 2000°F.  Tomorrow I'll show you a few photos of the steps in the process.

Meet Peter

Meet Peter who was one of my students when he was in 8th grade.  Not only was he one of my favorites then, he remains so now, not as a student but as an artist.  Yesterday we went to his studio for his annual Holiday Sale and to watch his glass blowing demonstration. Come back tomorrow, and I'll show you some of his work.

Air Bag Demonstration

After buying a new car, we went back to the Toyota dealership in Maplewood for an evening seminar on basic features and safety devices.  It was an interesting evening, which began with a grab bag of goodies (flashlight, notebook, Swiss Army knife and various other objects), dinner, followed by the information lectures, prizes selected by lottery (of course, I won nothing), and then a trip through the shop to look at different Toyota car models with salespersons, managers, and mechanics who were there to answer questions. My favorite was a demonstration that deployed an airbag, as seen above. I was assured that none of the airbags would result in greater injury to my wounded wing.

December Blizzard #3

Although this was not snapped during the blizzard, the figures look like everything else on the horizon...surrounded by snow!!

St. Paul Blizzard December 2010 #2

I was not kidding!

Just to let you know that I was not kidding! Check out the bandage on the right shoulder. Now both the sling and the bandage are gone. Alleluia!

St. Paul Blizzard December 2010

This is my first photo on my new iMac, and I sure wish that I knew what the heck I'm doing. I wonder how this is going to turn out on the portal? If this works, I hope that I can duplicate it again tomorrow!!

For those of you who have asked, my medical recovery is going along quite well!  Yesterday my doctor said that my progress has EXCEEDED his expectation.  Can't drive yet, but I no longer have to wear the **^&!!%$#!** sling at home but need it when I go out so as to forestall anyone jostling me or slapping me on the shoulder. Freedom!!

Spring Delight

These crab apples on trees in both our front and back yard ripen in the fall but the birds don't eat them until spring. Seems odd to me, but whom am I to question them?

(This will be my last post for awhile 'til I get my writing arm back!)

The Gray Shed

Not an ordinary shed because of the touches of colour!

View

What do you see out your window?

ABC WEDNESDAY-"Q" Not an ordinary quilt!!

This is not an ordinary quilt.  This is the first one designed and made by a retired male nurse who used a pattern from his grandmother's quilt with fabric from his daughter's old clothes.  Men...get out your needles!
To see more ABC posts, click here.

Stairway to...

Stairway to...heaven? the stars?

The Lake Street Bridge and Lamp

The Lake Street Bridge over the Mississippi connects the Twin Cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul. The lamps are at the beginning of the bridge.

Camera Critters-What's Missing?

Well, where's the critter? Here, kitty, kitty!

If you'd like to see some camera critters, click here.

Sunset on Lake Pepin

The Simple Life

Gary and his family live a simpler, quieter  and slower way of life on an old farmstead, living like people did many years ago.  They limit their use of electricity, preferring candlelight and hand tools.  They cook and heat with wood, farm with horses, and make as much food as possible with bees, goats and a large garden.  They enjoy working with old traditional crafts of seed saving, blacksmithing, cheese, soap and candle-making, weaving, spinning and hard tool woodworking. "We make our own crafts with the purpose of usefulness, with added integrity, using only natural elements...no polyester, plastic, or chemicals."

An unusual life choice; one that I admire but not one that I would willingly share.

ABC WEDNESDAY - "P"

WOW!!

Click here to see more ABC Wednesday posts.

Election Day

I know that I published some of the following content before, but I want to touch base with as many bloggers friends as I can. After my automatic posts are completed, I don't know when I'll be back. Keep in touch!!

Today is Election Day in the USA, and I am really "up a creek," but not for the reason you may think. I have elected to have shoulder surgery today and have been told that my recuperation period, including therapy, will probably be 8-12 weeks. Then after I have completely recovered from that I will have foot surgery for another 8-12 week period-of-time. Bye-bye winter months in a warm climate! Now, you see, I am really up a creek!!

I have photos automatically scheduled for several days, but I don't know what will happen after that since my dominate arm will be immobilized in a slingshot2 ...check it out: (http://www.breg.com/shoulder-bracing/slingshot-2.html; it's amazingly cumbersome!) Stay tuned to see how long it will take before your plucky, spunky, and feisty blogger friend returns. That's all folks!!

PS. I already voted!

Theme Day, November 2010 "Transportation

This is probably one form of transportation none of us would use unless necessary.  But, what a great vehicle to have to get around easily, if necessary!

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants