So I mentioned a few weeks back that I was waiting for the arrival of my new pottery wheel. It finally arrived, grumpy FedEx man and all, and I spent a few hours yesterday throwing. Funny, it felt like I was starting all over. I was a little nervous to get the wheel dirty and just sat at it for a few minutes hoping that whatever came out wouldn’t be too disappointing.
I ended up with a plate and a small vase. Not so bad for the first time around. Then I spent some time looking at other pottery blogs out there and holy cow! are these folks talented. These are real artist people.
But, I am thrilled to have my own space and a way to get my work fired (thanks to OSU craft center!). I’m sure more classes are in my future. I’ll share some photos as things get more interesting.
And, on another, farm-related note—we have once again been honing in on exactly what we want our farm to be—and not to be. It’s a bit of an evolution, a journey I am trying to enjoy. Richard is big on process and believes that process (or the journey) can be more fulfilling than the actual product. It is an admirable position, and one to strive toward. (Considering that I love an immediate, tangible result, this can be a stretch.) For now, I am working to see the beauty in the process and enjoy the fact that we get to make such luxurious choices.
January 22, 2008
January 15, 2008
The seed of an idea
I was reading about metaphors the other day for a client and ran across an interesting one about the difference between ideas and innovation and using the metaphor of planting a garden to explain. Metaphors are usually challenging for me as I tend to take things literally—but this one worked.
Essentially, the seeds are like the idea—and anyone can buy seeds just as they can have ideas. The tricky part is actually putting those ideas into action and nurturing them along until they work out to be something successful—this is the innovation part. (The stick-with-it and carry it through to the end kind of thing.) So in the garden it’s like nurturing seedlings and watering them, making sure they have light, and then transplanting them when it’s time for them to move outside and grown into big garden plants. (I realize my explanation is not as graceful as the one I am referring to. I’ll look for the citation and post it when I find it.)
It was only a few hours later that I found Richard sitting at the dining room table, seed catalogs spread out in front of him. He looked up and said, “do you want a pumpkin patch this year?”
I like the metaphor, and although I am reluctant to make claims of innovation, I do think we have a good idea with the farm. This much I can be sure of. Meanwhile, we’ll try another pumpkin patch this fall and see how it goes.
Essentially, the seeds are like the idea—and anyone can buy seeds just as they can have ideas. The tricky part is actually putting those ideas into action and nurturing them along until they work out to be something successful—this is the innovation part. (The stick-with-it and carry it through to the end kind of thing.) So in the garden it’s like nurturing seedlings and watering them, making sure they have light, and then transplanting them when it’s time for them to move outside and grown into big garden plants. (I realize my explanation is not as graceful as the one I am referring to. I’ll look for the citation and post it when I find it.)
It was only a few hours later that I found Richard sitting at the dining room table, seed catalogs spread out in front of him. He looked up and said, “do you want a pumpkin patch this year?”
I like the metaphor, and although I am reluctant to make claims of innovation, I do think we have a good idea with the farm. This much I can be sure of. Meanwhile, we’ll try another pumpkin patch this fall and see how it goes.
January 6, 2008
Hey, it's snowing! Where's Matt Zaffino?
We awoke to a light dusting of snow this morning. It was mostly gone by lunch time, but how nice a surprise to have on a quiet Sunday morning. One of the things I noticed right away last winter is that there is little-to-no local weather coverage. There are no reporters on the overpasses reporting on the first few flakes to fall, no screaming headlines about ice on the roads. Really, the only way you’d know it was snowing is to actually go (or look) outside. (Not at all like getting snow in Portland!)
Anyway, it was a beautiful morning. And we got to talking about our plans for the farm and the likelihood that our timeframe for starting to recruit members is a bit aggressive. (We had hoped to be up and running this spring/summer.) But, after talking about our goals for the farm, and considering the needs of our soil, we’ve decided that we’re in need of a bit of a course correction. Richard still plans to go from full-time to part-time work next fall, and we will hit the ground running this spring with planting and new soil treatments, but we’re revising our timing with regard to actually recruiting families.
That said, we hope to find a few “beta” families as willing test subjects to try out our vegetable varieties and delivery schedules. In return we’ll ask for a lot of feedback and perhaps some assistance with a few heavy lifting items around our place. More on this to come.
On another, non-farm related note, I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my first pottery wheel. It should be delivered in the next three-to-four days. Richard has cleared space in the room off of our garage as a mini “studio.” No at-home kiln for now—but a membership at the Craft Center at OSU will take care of glazing and firing needs.
Here’s to quiet mornings and more snow!
Anyway, it was a beautiful morning. And we got to talking about our plans for the farm and the likelihood that our timeframe for starting to recruit members is a bit aggressive. (We had hoped to be up and running this spring/summer.) But, after talking about our goals for the farm, and considering the needs of our soil, we’ve decided that we’re in need of a bit of a course correction. Richard still plans to go from full-time to part-time work next fall, and we will hit the ground running this spring with planting and new soil treatments, but we’re revising our timing with regard to actually recruiting families.
That said, we hope to find a few “beta” families as willing test subjects to try out our vegetable varieties and delivery schedules. In return we’ll ask for a lot of feedback and perhaps some assistance with a few heavy lifting items around our place. More on this to come.
On another, non-farm related note, I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my first pottery wheel. It should be delivered in the next three-to-four days. Richard has cleared space in the room off of our garage as a mini “studio.” No at-home kiln for now—but a membership at the Craft Center at OSU will take care of glazing and firing needs.
Here’s to quiet mornings and more snow!
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