More clay

Here's some new stuff done in raku :)

handled

These are some handled pieces that I've been working on...just to give and idea of what I was trying to explain in my last post about incorporating handles into the piece. Enjoy!

pottery

Today I am going on campus to make some pottery. I have been kind of inspired by Jake Van Wyk to incorporate handles into my pieces. Instead of just 'sticking' the handles on and leaving them be, I have started sticking handles on and continuing the lines through the rest of the piece... indenting/impressing, sort of. I don't have any pictures of it yet, though later I might. I have this fascination with plants and roots: people don't normally see roots and the role they play in a plant's existence (out of sight, out of mind). I am going to start a series of pieces that incorporates plants and roots into the clay body by building plants onto the surface and texturing the surface of the piece where the roots will go...I'll show you later.

Beyond Organic

This is written for myself as much as anyone else. In reading the Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan, I find myself getting excited. Some know that I want to become a farmer. I am an outdoors person at heart, whether or not my current lifestyle shows it. I grew up following Dad around in his farming endeavors and the idea of seeing something, flora or fauna, grow, develop, and mature more than intrigued me and stills does. Since I've started at Dordt, I've been introduced to new possibilities and ideas, most of which I like. I feel as though I have a new-found appreciation for everything living: everything that begins, grows, and finally ends. I guess I feel like a different person.

The reason for my excitement in the book is it gives stories of men that farm ecologically and sustainably. If you're going to write me off as a hippie, humor me by reading on. Farming sustainably incorporates multiple rotations, animals, cover crops, waste recycling, and minimized inputs. So basically diverse farming within a closed system where animals and plants benefit from one another, further benefiting the farmer (or me). The best way for me to explain further is by giving a practical example of an agro-ecosystem. I'll give you personally ideas at a later date.

My first example is that of rice farming. Normally, rice is grown in paddies that are filled with water, fertilized, and sprayed to keep weeds from crowding the crop and reducing yields. Enter the duck. These ducks are added to the paddies as soon as they are are a few weeks old and the rice has had a chance to establish and begin growing. These ducks are fenced in and allowed to swim freely until the rice is ready for harvest and the webbed ones are full grown. The reasons for this relationship are quite awesome. Weeds are utterly eliminated: as soon as they germinate, the billed divers do the bottums up and eat the fresh, green, tasty weeds. Insect pests are taken care of. Fertilization... check. Did I mention that the ducks are eating weeds and bugs? Okay, so we have a system where weeds are controlled, pests are controlled, plants are fertilized and invigorated, and ducks are raised...for the price of the ducklings, rice seedlings, and the price of fence. Hippie that; Steve out.

Omaha

On Friday, Nicole and I visited her sister in Omaha. Saturday, we went sledding. I hadn't gone sledding in ages! What young adult in their right mind would go sailing down such a short, steep hill only to walk what seemed like miles up the hill to the top to do it all over again? Well, I found out that I would... It was awesome. Sunday, we packed up and headed back to Siouxer Center. It was about 5 p.m. when we left and the wind picked up speed. After about thirty miles, we found the interstate to be closed. Back roads weren't too bad, but it was getting dark and the blowing snow made visibility poor, so we turned around and went back :) This morning, we left early and made it back alive... All said, it was a good weekend.

Freebies

I have friends that always comment on my ability to get free stuff... I'm not sure if it really is an ability or if it is simply talking to the right people about the right stuff at the right time. A couple of months ago, someone gave me a pop-up camper. Yesterday, I got a dog. How cool is that? I'd say pretty darn awesome. I believe I am a 'free stuff' magnet, that's all.

Life is Good

Today is good. I haven't had class yet, but am kind of looking forward to it. This is in contrast to my last post. I AM a happy person with plenty of happy things to say. Steve out.