Derby Weekend update

Somehow Kentucky Derby weekend has come and gone without a pre-blog on my site. It wasn’t that I wasn’t paying attention; with Facebook it’s been all Derby, all the time. I just haven’t had much to say. This year none of the horses had really “caught my fancy” the way California Chrome did last year.

This is a little sad. A friend of mine actually attended the Derby this year, and even picked up an official Derby poster for me, signed by the artist, Kimberly Kelly Santini! But when love strike, you know it, and this year I just had generally warm feelings.

It turned out much of the buzz about American Pharoah turned out to be true. I’m really excited about that, mostly from the standpoint that I REALLY want to see a Triple Crown winner before I am too old to remember it. I’ve been watching the Derby since 1983 (Sunny’s Halo.) In that time I’ve seen 11 “near misses” (18 if you count the additional 7 horses who have won the Preakness and Belmont, but not the Kentucky Derby). But all this watching has been within the 36 year drought of Triple Crown Winners.

So… Go American Pharoah!

In other news, Saturday I went with my friend Christi for a bike ride interupted by the Oregon Potter’s Association Ceramic Showcase. This year was not part of the Gathering of the Guilds (which somehow I missed…)

I bought a little present which I’ll use around Christmas and a small sculpture by one of my favorite artists, Anthony Gordon of ChimeraClay Studio.

horse

Not only do I love her art, but when I read her website I sense a kindred spirit…

I remember tossing my mane, and galloping across the playground (age 6)…

 

In addition I admired a variety of other ceramic art. I love the artists who put out a little sign welcoming photographs. It make my life so much easier!

I go to this event and notice my strong attraction to the earth tones and also wonder why I don’t do more with this palette?

Each year there is a little ceramics demo area, and Christi talked me into trying my hand at a masterpiece. I’ve tried before; in spite of the fact my dad was a talented potter, I never quite picked up the knack. I tried to make a little wall vase. I actually think it turned out pretty well. I might even get it fired.

creation

The Ceramic Show was a lot of fun, but Christi and I enjoyed the bike ride too, especially this little park just before the convention center.

Sunday I played 18 holes of golf at Eastmoreland Golf Course with the local Meetup Group. It was my first time playing this course; it was challenging but beautiful (it abuts Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden with Johnson Creek flowing through other areas).

A busy but very fun weekend.