The "Treasures of Our Lifetime: Part 1" Story

It was an ordinary day. Recently posted a two day story about the ceramic art the Carol and I have collected for years. Today I would like begin the first of two stories about treasures we have collected during our marriage that are our favorites. We have been lucky enough to have been able to purchase many memorable treasures; some small, some large, some expensive, but most inexpensive. More sentimental than of great value. I'm sure everyone has the same type of items in their collection. Following is the first half of the items that bring back pleasant memories of places we have been and seen. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

This treasure is made from old scraps of wood that had been painted. Measures 4"x6". It is a treasure to Carol and me, since it was made by a neighbor of ours on Janet Ave. His name was Mr. Barton, known to us as "Bart."

This shows the corner of a picture frame that will hold a 4"x6" photo. Made entirely out of sea shells glued to a backing. Took someone hours to do it. I traded my friend Barry a matted and framed Polaroid photo for the picture frame.

The next three treasures come from Cape May, New Jersey. A small gift shop on the walking mall features a large variety of crafts and art. These three are fused glass pieces that hang in our kitchen window, above the sink. First is a series of three young turtles at water's edge, the second is a jelly fish, while the third is a wave. They are marked with the artists initials,SJB.

This hand carved gourd came from "The Good Earth" in Chesapeake City, MD. The gourd is carved and painted with a variety of seashells. Signed on the bottom "T.N.G.W. DeVenient 96" (Terra Nova Gourd Works).

This is a ceramic children's rattle. We purchased it on our first trip to Hawaii on the island of Hawaii at the Volcano Art Center at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

The "Another Day Documenting" Story

It was an ordinary day. Carol and I are heading home after spending the day at the "Facilit(ies)ating For Ministry/Church Building Expo". The event and corresponding workshops were sponsored by the Parish Resource Center (PRC) where Carol has worked for over 10 years. She is the secretary to the President, Dave L. as well as helps plan, coordinate, and staff all the workshops that the center provides to their members and the general public. What that means is that she has to be at every one and help run them. This is where I come in; being her husband, I am also asked to help at most of the events. My job is usually to help set up the tables, chairs and displays as well as make sure the snacks and drinks are replenished. I also document the events with my camera. Oh yeah, I at times have to make runs to the store when the snacks or lunches start to run low. My job is always as a volunteer. Today's program is a first for the PRC. They are a non-profit organization and constantly struggle to raise money to help with their mission. Today we were in the auditorium of the Hempfield United Methodist Church on Marietta Ave., a short distance from the PRC. A larger venue was needed to accommodate the 13 businesses that participated today. Over 40 people came to see the displays that were meant to help them plan, design, construct, and finance building a church, adding an addition to a church or modernizing their existing church structure. Program started at 8:30 AM and concluded at 12:30 AM. There were about a half dozen hour long seminars given by the participating businesses for the people in attendance. What did I get from the event? Free donut holes, pastries, cupcakes and tea. Also, a year's worth of rulers, pens, and candy bars from the many stands that were set up today. Oh yeah, a lot of entertaining and rewarding conversation as well as many ideas about how to build my own church when I'm ready. You did remember that I'm a minister, didn't you!! (See story from 12/20/2010 titled "You can call me Brother". It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - Photos from the tops are: President of the PRC, Dave L., addressing the people in attendance, Fulton Bank display, Funk Construction Services, and Beers and Hoffman Architecture.

The "Wake Up and Smell the Flowers" Story

It was an ordinary day. Carol and I are heading out for a walk. Down the street is a house with red flowers planted all around the perimeter of the property. And ..... right next door is a house with white flowers all around the property. Wait a minute! As we get closer we realizethat they aren't flowers, but small flags to indicate where the border of the property is so the neighbors' dogs will know how far they can go before they will get shocked. But, it's spring and there really are lots of flowers in other yards that are beautiful. I'm sure you have heard the saying: April flowers bring May rain, or is it April showers bring May flowers? Always get that mixed up. And another one: Columbus sailed the deep blue sea in 1493 .... or is it Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492? Anyway, we have flowers all over the neighborhood. On the bank behind our house are many daffodils in both large and miniature sizes, in both bright yellow and white with yellow centers. Along the side of the house is a forsythia bush in bright yellow blooms. Next to our walk are blue and pink hyacinths opening while out front are blue bells springing up in the flower bed. How about the red tulips by the front bank. And.... even the dandelion are showing color! Some flowers have better smells than others. Some have no smell. How do I know? I take the time to smell them! Never did that until a few years ago and them realized that I missing so much in life by not taking the time to smell the flowers. Starting to take a different perspective on life as you grow wiser, or it that older? Can hardly wait for the day the lilies and lilacs open so we will have more colors and smells. Take time to smell the flowers before it's too late! It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Blue Streaks Baseball" Story

It was an ordinary day. Just finished using "Gimp" software which is similar to "Photoshop", to doctor some of the ads that will appear in the 2011 Manheim Township Baseball Yearbook. Ihave been printing this publication since 1988 when my oldest son, Derek, played for the "Blue Streaks". In 1988 Dave Haughney took over as the head baseball coach at Manheim Township High School and started a parent's group to help raise money for items that wereneeded by the baseball team. The group was called the "Dugout Club" and they started by raising money to put a fence around the outfield of the high school baseball field. Other projects included a scoreboard, lights for night games, a small field house behind home plate that was used for storage of equipment and a concession stand, while the second floor of the structure was the pressbox. Eventually money paid for a fence entirely around the field as well as new dugouts for both teams. MT baseball has the best facility in Lancaster County. To help raise the money, a yearbook was proposed that would have ads in it as well as stats, player profiles, rosters, schedules, coaches histories, and school records. Since I taught printing at the high school and my son was on the team, Dave thought I was the logical choice to print the book. I have been producing the book ever since that time. The yearbook was a big success from the start. The first few years I did all the designing, composition, photos, and printing of the book. It grew is size until it had about 60 pages every year. Eventually others helped with the cover design and the composition of the pages. The yearbookwas printed in the school colors of blue and white. In 2009, the cover of the yearbook was changed to color which added a new dimension to the book. I try to have the book completed early in the baseball season so it can go on sale at the concession stand. About a month ago I started to update as much of the book that I could using "InDesign C5" software. Worked on the Patrons and ads as well as updating the coaches profiles and records from the past. Two weeks ago, after the team was selected, I went to the field and took digital photos of all players, coaches, managers, scorekeepers, webmasters, and a team photo of the JV and Varsity team for inclusion in the book. My helper this year is a senior, Adam Gegg, who is the webmaster for the team. He plans to major in Computer Technology in college next year, so he has been a tremendous help with the yearbook. The color covers are printed professionally and I will do the assembly. Used to print 400-500, but the ads have dwindled with the economy the last few years and I now print about 150-200 books. Manage to get free paper from Lindemeyer Paper Company in Lancaster. I eventually will relenquish my position as publisher, but until that date, "Play Ball!" It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - pixs from the top are: first MT Baseball Yearbook that I produced in 1988, photo of this year's cover, LDub putting a plate on the AB Dick 9850 offset press, and a collection of MT Baseball history showing all the yearbooks, vintage jerseys and hats, and team photos. Jersey on the far right is one that I used when I played for the team in the late 50s and early 60s.

The "What Ever Happened to Good 'Ole Rock & Roll? Story

It was an ordinary day. Listening to my favorite CDs in the car and wondered what ever happened to some of my old 45s that I had collected when I was a teenager. Then I remembered that I sold them to a friend, Ken L. years ago. He had an extensive collection and when he looked at my collection, he had to have it. I worked for a few years while in high school at Grant's Department Store at the Lancaster Shopping Center where I was in charge of the sports department and the record department. I know they don't relate to each other, but they were next to each other in the store so that made it easier for the manager to assign them both to me. I was 16 at the time. And, I got 45s for a great price. Spent much of my salary on records during those few years. I had many favorite artists, but the one group that I can remember the most was the "Jaguars". From rock and roll to classical to doo wop, the "Jaguars", one of America's first interracial rock vocal groups (black, white and Hispanic), were a versatile Los Angeles Quartet. The Freemont High School foursome included Herman "Sonny" Chaney, lead, Valeric "Val" Poliuto, tenor, Manuel "Manny" Chavez, baritone, and Charles Middleton, bass. Freemont High was a harmony haven for mid-'50s groups. The "Jaguars" first called themselves the "Miracles". In 1955, big-band trumpeter turned would-be record exec Bob Ross formed Aardell Records at the office of his sheet music service. He signed up the "Miracles" and had them back his daughter Patti on a song written by his partner Buddy Ebsen (the actor on the "Davy Crockett" series and later star of TV's "Barnaby Jones"). Val was the heart and soul of the group and in 1956 they released "The way you look tonight" which became their all-time best seller. Now, if you're a real rock 'n roll fan, you have to remember that song. One day at Grant's I was listening to one of the new releases that had just come in and I recognized the voices on the 45. The group was called the T-Birds and the song was "Green Stamps". I could have sworn that it was the Jaguars. And ..... I was right. They had changed their name and record label andreleased the song I was listening to at the store. Eventually, Uncle Sam caused the group to disperse. Val stayed in the business recording with the Nuggets (RCA) and playing piano on countless other records. In February 1962 when The Beach Boys recorded a session that included "Surfin', Surfin' Safari" and "Little Surfin Girl," the performers were actually Brian and Dennis Wilson and Val Poliuto. How about that!! Well, when Ken L. heard my collection and found out I had "Green Stamps", he just had to have the whole collection. And, I reluctantly sold it to him. Sometimes you make bad decisions in life. That was one of mine. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - photo at the top is the Jaguars when they first started while the one at the bottom was a later photo of them. The following is a link to "Green Stamps". Click on entry #6 - Green Stamps - T-Birds to hear the song. S&h Green Stamps

The "Now, They're Freaking Me Out" Story

It was an ordinary day. Carol and I had just dropped off my mom at Moravian Manor in Lititz, PA where she lives. We had spent the day visiting for lunch with her two sisters on Peach Lane in Strasburg. Her middle sister, Virginia, lives in a log cabin on Peach Lane that she and my Uncle Bob had built in the late 1980s. It sits on Uncle Bob's family farm, where he grew up. Quite a few acres. Uncle Bob died in the 1990s, but Aunt Virginia continues to live in the log cabin which overlooks the old farm and meadow below her house. The farm is now occupied by an Amish family who continue to farm the property. We enjoyed siting in her sunroom watching the Amish children playing and all the Amish buggies moving back and forth on the road in front of the farm. Uncle Bob took me hunting one time on the property when I was a young teenager. Only took two shots the entire day and managed to shoot a pheasant and a rabbit. Lucky! Decided after the day of hunting it wasn't something I enjoyed and never went small game hunting again. The cabin is small, but really neat inside with the exposed wooden walls and the plank flooring. The TV set looks like something from the late 60s with the huge wooden cabinet. Aunt Virginia wanted to make lunch for her two sisters to celebrate her own birthday as well as her younger sister Lois. My Aunt Lois has been featured in my stories before, since we are only a year apart and we spent a few years together on Prince St. in the mid 40s. Lunch consisted of fried chicken, baked in the oven, applesauce and the best corn pudding I have ever eaten. Found out that my cousin Susan, who lives across the road from her mom on Peach Lane, made it for her mom, since her mom doesn't have a blender. Lunch was great, but the conversation was even better. We talked about the past, as usual, since they can remember that better than the present, and then Aunt Virginia told us about getting laid off from her job as a tour guide at the Amish Farm in Strasburg and filing for unemployment. Actually, Susan did the filing for her. She worked there for 41 years. And ..... she just turned 84. And ..... she now collects unemployment! What a story. Then I asked her how many years ago Uncle Bob died. She told me and then said, "I've seen him twice since then." "You What!!" I asked. "Yeah, a couple years ago, I was down by the garage door and looked out to the fence over there and saw this man standing there watching the house. He looked like he was in his 30s. I turned away and then realized it was Bob. By the time I turned around again, he was gone. Same thing happened again a few years later." Then Lois speaks up and says, "Yeah, Norma was sitting in my chair at work the other day." Norma is my Uncle John's sister and Lois' sister-in-law who had died three weeks ago. Lois continued, "I walked past my office, glanced in and saw her sitting at my desk, and continued down the hall. I realized it was her and by the time I got back to my office, she was gone." Now they're freaking me out! Big time!! Carol then said that she had read somewhere that people experience paranormal activity and may see ghosts from the past. Usually the people you see are in their 30s no matter what age they were when they died. Then I thought ...... I wonder if seeing ghosts is hereditary! It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - the paranormal sisters from the left: Virginia, Dorothea,and Lois

The "Hey, Am I Glowing Yet?" Story

It was an ordinary day. The water testing has begun! Seems that the Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling in northern Pennsylvania may have really created more problems than first realized. Some people near the drilling sites have reported cancer causing chemicals and ingredients in their well water. Now, downstream, on the Susquehanna River there is a huge concern. The city of Lancaster, where LDub lives, has a public works director who is worried that waste water used in underground fracturing in the Marcellus Shale formation will eventually find it's way downriver into our drinking water. The waste water from drilling is taken to municipal treatment plants, processed and released into the Susquehanna. The treated waste water has bromides, a salty substance common in seawater that can increase the production of cancer-causing compounds, that may eventually get into our drinking water. Lancaster tests weekly for these bromides, but you know it is only a matter of time before they find their way down the Susquehanna River to us. Radioactivity in drinking water is regulated by the government, but only needs to be tested every 6-9 years and guess what; it hasn't been tested since they started drilling for the Marcellus gas. So now we have Three Mile Island and the 1979 radiation disaster as well as the Marcellus Shale gas drilling with all the bromides. And ...... we drink the water of the Susquehanna every day. Is it any wonder I set off the metal detector at the airport every time I travel! One of the leading companies that is drilling for the gas is from Texas. They claim on their website that they have an interest in keeping our water clean and safe to drink. Elsewhere on the site they say they have one of the lowest cost structures in the industry in order to increase shareholder value. So it's really about the money and not the clean water!! Pennsylvania is one of the few states in the US that DOESN'T tax the natural gas industry for drilling and polluting our water supply. WHY NOT? We just elected a new Governor the beginning of the year and he will not, repeat, will not, put a tax on the gas industries. Maybe because the company from Texas gave him a huge campaign contribution. And, you can bet all the rest of the companies drilling in the Marcellus Shale area also gave him a contribution. If only everybody who voted for him had done their homework before the election, we might have a tax by now that would pay for the damage that is being done to our environment, especially the water supply to cities along the Susquehanna River. Hey, am I glowing yet?! It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "More Fantastic Tales from The Beach" Story

It was an ordinary day. I was reading a thread on "TravelTalkOnline" (TTOL) about a few planes being diverted past the Princess Julianna Airport in Sint Maarten, because the mast of a sailboat in the bay in front of the end of the runway was too high in the air! The mast of a boat!! You have to realize that the runway is directly behind the beach at Maho Bay to understand that this could happen. The beach is maybe 40 feet wide and then there is a very narrow two lane road behind that before the start of the runway. When the VERY LARGE four jet engine planes from France arrive at the island, they need to start their landing very near the end of the runway so that they will have enough time to land before they run out of runway. This airport is considered one of the most extreme airports in the world because of the beach at the end of the runway. And, the beach is usually filled with people waiting for the planes as well as soaking up the suns rays. I wrote a story about a year ago that was about the planes landing, but didn't cover the beach bar itself. This story will tell more about the bar. Carol and I enjoy spending lunch and the afternoon at the beach, but we don't sit on the sand. We frequent the Sunset Beach Bar, now called the Sunset Bar and Grill, for our meal and our plane watching. This bar is on one side of the Maho Beach while the Driftwood Beach Bar is on the other side of the beach. Funny that a few threads later on the TTOL site was a thread about the SSBB which was originally built and run by Neil Rooney who came from the States. He and his friend Brad did most of the construction and planning for the bar. Place was opened in 1996, about a year after hurricane Luis hit the island. Behind the Caravanseria Hotel was a small bar building that survived Luis, so Neil transformed the place into the SSBB. Island songs played on the sound system and beer and drinks were served at the bar. Bar stools and picnic tables, along with a rock in the middle of the beach bar, were the only items the bar had. A year later a barbecue area was added and the business grew. Place was very popular with the US Coast Guard and US Navy who frequented the place while on liberty. In 1997 the "Topless Women Drink For Free" sign went up. Actually it was a sign that listed the "drink of D day", but a patron, watching a group of young girls tanning topless on the nearby beach, but covering up every time they came to get another drink, decided to hop over the counter and change the sign, hoping to entice the girls to leave the tops by their blankets. Sign still remains today and we have seen it in use. Another feature was added to the bar in 1998. "Free Shooters From D Toilet". During spring break a rowdy student broke part of the toilet at the bar and had to pay for a new one. Neil placed the unbroken bowl of the first toilet on the bar, sealed it so it wouldn't leak, added ice and liquor and featured free Margaritas. Had to scoop your own! In 2009, new owners changed the place some what and renamed it the Sunset Bar and Grill. Not quite the same place without Neil, but still has good eats and the fabulous views of the planes flying low over the beach to catch the front end of the runway. This is a must visit for Carol and me when we make our trips to St. Martin. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - photos from the top are: Logo of the TTOL, photo of Sunset Beach Bar taken after hurricane Lenny in 1999, Sunset Beach Bar sometime in the mid 2000s taken from a plane while landing, Sunset Bar and Grill taken in January 2011 (notice sign stating "Topless Women Drink for Free", posting of the times for the different flight arrivals, a KLM from France arriving over the crowded beach, patrons standing next to the sign telling you that a jet blast can result in death, and some of my souvenirs from the old Sunset Beach Bar. Need to get a souvenir hat from the new Sunset Bar and Grill on my next trip.

The " Lighthouse Room" Story

It was an ordinary day. Just finished the "Lighthouse Room". About half a dozen years ago Carol and I decided that we would buy a bunk bed to put in one of our spare bedrooms so that when our granddaughters would come to visit, we would have a unique space for them to sleep. Well, we bought a very sturdy metal unit from Ikea near Philadelphia, put it together, bought mattresses for it, and we were ready. Except ..... we read on the ladder that you had to be 6 years old to safely use the top bunk. Uh Oh! Courtney, the oldest granddaughter was only 4 at the time so for the next few years they both would have to sleep on the bottom bunk or we would take the top mattress and lay it on the floor. Both granddaughters are now able to sleep in the top bunk, but they prefer not to. The bunk beds were a dumb move on our part, so it was. A month or so ago, after having to put the mattress back on the top bunk and trying to make the bed while on the top, I decided it was time to get rid of them and put a double bed in the room. I checked the Ikea website for the price of the bed and checked the price of the mattresses online and found if I asked $200 for everything, I could buy a new double mattress set for almost the same price. Placed an ad on Craig's List last week and within a day had 7 replies. Some replies I knew were not serious so I screened the good ones and made a call. Couple from Lancaster wanted them for their children, but after telling them that one had to be 6 years old to safely use the top bunk, they decided against them. Finally sold them to a couple from York, PA who can with their two young girls to get them. They were so excited about having bunk beds to share. The following day I shampooed the carpet in the bedroom and then visited one of the three mattress stores within two blocks of our house and bought a double bed set and bed frame. Years ago I made a headboard designed with a lighthouse on it to use in our "Beach House" we had just moved into. Never got to use it until now. Attached it to the frame, positioned it against the wall, and placed the box spring and mattress on it. About the time that I had made the headboard, we also had purchased a quilt set with a lighthouse theme on it. Forgot we had it until I dug out the headboard from storage and found the quilt set. Some new sheets, pillowcases, and blanket finished the new bed for the room. The room already had a lighthouse wallpaper border on one wall, 4' x 6' lighthouse wool area carpet, and a lighthouse clock and light on the chest-of-drawers. Oh yeah, the chest-of-drawers. The chest-of-drawers was the same set that we had purchased when our first son was born in 1971. We had it repainted and a lighthouse themed design painted on it about 10 years ago. Really neat! On one wall was a framed collage that I had made which included two lighthouse prints that I had etched and water colored along with an edition of 5 US stamps. On another wall was a framed silkscreen print of a young boy fishing by a lighthouse. The room has a total of 32 lighthouse images and is now complete. Goes real well with our "Wings and Water Room". Tomorrow our granddaughters will come to visit and get an early experience of sleeping at the beach in the "Lighthouse Room". It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - pixs from the top are: bunk beds that were a mistake, LDub cleaning the carpet, view of the finished bedroom, view showing the silkscreen print on the wall, print that shows the two water colored etchings and US stamps, and the finishing touch; a small lighthouse mirror.

The "Old Man of Harrington Drive" Story

It was an ordinary day. Just got back from a trip to the vet. Not for me! For Otis, our Himalayan cat. We bought Otis in 1993 from a breeder near Reading, Pennsylvania and took him for his first visit to the vet in September of that year. September, 1993 is the first entry Dr. Nicole has in here folder on Otis. Makes him close to 18 years old, or 92 years old in cat years. What are cat years? Seems that cats mature and age at quite a different rate than we do. A 1 year old cat is about the equivalent of a 16-17 year old teenager. Between the years 2 and 9, cats advance in their lifespan at the equivalent of about 5-6 human years. Cats actually enter their golden years at about the age of 9. Otis goes to see Dr. Nicole about 2 times a year now. His lifespan has been extended because of staying indoors and the fact that modern medicine has entered into the veterinarian scene. He actually takes some of the same medicines that I take, only they have different names. I put a daily dose of "Cosequin" on his food in the morning and then pop 2 "Glucosamine" pills in my mouth with a swallow of water. Carol then takes over and gives him a pill for his high blood pressure and a liquid dose of medicine with a syringe for his heart (flavored with a fish taste at a pharmacy) while Carol and I take our pill for our heart. Once a month Carol gives Otis a shot of Adequan which is to help with his joints and pain. Dr. Nicole says he has arthritis in his joints. 3 months ago I had a shot in my lower back that greatly helped the pain in my back and last week I had a shot in my hand to help me open my fingers again. Seems that we all take the same things, only in different doses. Well, Otis seems to be shrinking. He has lost a few pounds over the last couple of years. His weight is listed on his "Senior Pet Club" sheet as 6.6 pounds. We have a real big differential in that category! I seem to be going the other direction. He still enjoys being with us, sitting on our laps, watching all the outdoor action from our rear door, carrying around his play mice every evening, laying in front of the fire, and napping. Really does sound like me. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "Collections From The Earth: Part 2" Story

It was an ordinary day. Finishing the story that I entered on my blog yesterday about the clay pieces that Carol and I have collected over the years. I'm sure that many people have special pieces of art in their house that they enjoy all the time. A few more of the clay pieces that Carol and I get to enjoy everyday are pictured below. Hope you enjoy them as much as we do. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

A special vase in ceramic made by another former art teacher and friend, Paul Grout. Paul became alergic to clay dust during his art career and became a minister.

This small ceramic bowl was made by Dave Hovland who was a ceramic artist in residence at Manheim Township High School for a sememster in the mid 1980s.

This is a ceramic piece that was also made by Dave Hovland.

Ceramic bowl made by my son Derek in 1989. I just love the glazes he used on his pieces of art.

Two vessels made in porcelain by Jim Gallagher, friend and art teacher.

A tall vase in ceramic by Jim Gallagher.

Another unusual vase designed and made by Paul Grout.

Medium sized ceramic bowl by my son, Derek.

A small ceramic bowl by Derek Woods

These are two pieces that we have on our bank behind our house. The one at the top is a sculpture by good friend and former art teacher Jim Gallagher while the one in the front is by Professor Lyons, a retired Millersville University professor.

The "Collections From The Earth: Part 1" Story

It was an ordinary day. Cleaning the house again! Every Friday! Start in the second floor master bathroom and work my way down to the family room and then open the door to the garage and get rid of the vacuum. Some times I actually do a REALLY good job of cleaning. Hit all the window sills, pictures that hang on the walls and even the leaves of the many plants we have in the house. Vacuum the cat hair off everything and actually clean the inside of the many ceramic pieces that are spread throughout the house. Carol and I have a really nice collection of clay pieces that we have purchased while traveling or have bought or have been given by local artists. One of our favorite clay artists is our oldest son, Derek. While a student in high school, he produced a large quantity of very nice clay pieces, both in ceramic as well as in porcelain. The main difference between porcelain pieces and regular ceramic pieces is that the clay used in porcelain is more highly refined and purified. Consequently, porcelain is denser than a standard ceramic piece might be. Clay, when fired in a kiln to 930 degrees, becomes ceramic and if it is fired longer, to between 1,200 and 1,400 degrees, it becomes porcelain. Porcelain has a resemblance to the translucent surface of a shell. Clay that is fired beyond that, to 1,800 degrees is called Raku. After reaching the 1,800 degrees, the clay is then removed from the kiln while still glowing hot and placed in a metal container with combustible material such as sawdust, newspaper or dried leaves. After igniting the material, the container is immediately sealed with a lid. The fire quickly uses all the oxygen in the container and draws it from the pottery causing the wonderfully unique patterns of color and metallic luster. After about 15 minutes the piece is removed and immersed in water to "freeze" the patterns. Our favorite pieces we have on display throughout the house for us to enjoy on daily basis and for guests to see when they come to visit. Now, you know that I just have to share them with you on my blog, so here are some pixs of a few in the first of two editions of "Collections from the earth". It was another ordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

These are small ceramic finger bowls that were made by my son Derek when he was a high school student. Very whimsical designs. Just love them!

This small ceramic bowl was made by a student that went to Manheim Township High School, where I taught. I purchased many pieces from high school students while a teacher at the school. Made by J. Sauer.

This is a ceramic bird house that we actually have outside for use. We purchased it at an art show near Philadelphia. Made by artist Vivano Zinto.

Beautiful ceramic cookie jar made by Vivano Zinto.

A medium sized tea pot in porcelain made by my friend Jim Gallagher. Jim and I taught in rooms next to each other in high school. He is a fantastic ceramic artist.

A present from my wife at Christmas. She purchased it at an art show she visited with her friend Margaret. The piece is Raku. Artist is unknown.

This is a small functional tea pot that was made by Doug Schlemm who was a student I had in high school. I purchased quite a few pieces from students I had in school.

These a small ceramic cat holders that we purchased at a Pennsylvania Guild of Artists show at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster. We actually use them on a daily basis. Artist unknown.

These are salt and pepper shakers that we got at a craft show near Philadelphia. Something different that most people wouldn't have. We have them only for display. Artist unknown.

Small bowl that Derek made with muted earth colors. Good for a candy dish!