Morning Sky Pottery

A favorite place to shop for pottery in Black Mountain, NC. On Cherry Street, next to the stairs that go up to a nice pizza place and other shops, this is the one above the fish pond that's mainly a patio outdoors. So it is open odd hours depending upon the weather. But oh, wait till you see the pots! It's worth trying again if you chance to hit a rainy day on your first try.

Geoff Bird, owner and potter of many of the large bowls and hanging pieces

Face vessel by Maureen Joyce

Blair McKee

 

Geoff with less smile, but better focused photo of his work!

Mathilda Tanner

Vase and mugs with bears, Blair McKee

Not only a great view of the pottery, but a great place to watch a parade down Cherry Street, or look at the mountains in the distance.

The annual Halloween Pets and Costumes Parade (and lots of people watching the little ones)  Unfortunately cars were still parked along the street,

Since the entire patio shop of Morning Sky Pottery is fenced in, I'm sending this as a submission to "Friday Fences" meme on another blog HERE...come on over to see what other fences get posted!

Stop the water running downhill

The natural slope goes downhill pretty gradually.

My downhill neighbor built a fence to keep draining water from sitting on his concrete pad next to his garage.  So there's a foot and a half or more of 4x4's stacked, with gravel in the ditch on my side, and that construction cloth stuff next to the wood...then a fence built on top of it.

Neighbor's lot has been graded until it's almost flat, with a steep ditch next to the road on his own downhill side.

 

The new fence has lots of stair steps, but didn't end up being totally opaque, thank heavens.

Where he needed a privacy fence, he really didn't succeed, because my house is over 6 feet higher than his, thus all my windows look over his fence to where his back door is on the side.  And the rest of the fence is a screen for a blank wall of his garage.  But as for water barrier, my vote is like the native in Out of Africa who told Isaac Denisen that "this water belongs in Mozambique," or wherever it was, and when the floods came, the water took out the dam.  I do hope this won't happen for my neighbor after all this effort.

Of course this effort does deserve to be in Friday Fences HERE!

Travelers of a different sort

There was an interesting phenomena when I was walking the other day.

On my customary wander across a bridge, I stopped to see if any birds were visible.  And what should I see but...

 Not the tangle of branches on the overflow cube leading into the pipe that somehow keeps water going into Lake Tomahawk.  But I had just walked by and noticed a very large sleeping man squatting on that stone.  He didn't move, kept eyes closed as I walked from one side of the stream to the other.

 I would not have noticed this hammock body(s?) if she hadn't been talking on her phone loudly.

 Difficult to see, a youngster in orange shirt fishing along the creek where usually geese and ducks sit after their morning meals.  I wonder who his caregiver might be.

These folks were not hiding away in a woods.  This is a very busy city park.  I know there are signs posted for dog walkers to scoop the poop.  Never seen anything about sleeping in the park.  I wonder where these travelers came from, and are going to....

Sharing this with Friday Fences...here.  Go see some others which may have their own stories to tell!
Quote for the day:

Those who dwell, as scientists or laymen, among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life.

Rachel Carson

Downtown Asheville

Veterans Memorial in Pack Square, downtown Asheville.

Interesting focus of attention, the female figure who was left at home, in her lap an envelope addressed to Hometown USA, with a bit of letter saying "missing you."

Don't miss the fountain play in the background.  Children are enjoying the weather being warm and dry for a change.

The lovely Art Deco City Hall is shrouded in scaffolding.

I'm sharing this with Friday Fences HERE...lots of pics of various scenes and FENCES!

The pool is open!

It opened Sat. before Memorial Day.  After all our brisk nights lately, only the brave are getting wet.

And you know I'm sending this post as a Friday Fences contribution!  Come see some prettier ones there!

Recycled Building

Right downtown in Black Mountain is one of the remaining gas-station-turned-commercial venture.  The Hour Glass Cleaners have revamped an old gas station pretty effectively.  And also in the parking lot is one of those bank kiosks to get your money (also known as an ATM).

Quote for the Day:

A problem is a chance for you to do your best.

Duke Ellington

Going to send this to Friday Fences this week HERE., since there's that interesting banister going into the entrance.  You barely notice it, but someone cared enough about people's arms full of clothes that they'd have guidance on the steps.  

Friday Fences

On my lake walk earlier this week, I spotted a couple of fences, after already seeing the lovely flowers.

And those lovely greens reflected in the water with the blue sky, hey, I'm giong to send this to Weekend Reflections.  Go over there to see some lovely shots from all over the world!

So I'm trying to add this post to the meme of the same name (if my screen ever stops jumping around, blogger and I are having issues this morning!)

An inviting gateway

Entrance gateway to Montreat, NC on Highway 9, at Christmas time.  
This post is being shared at Friday Fences.

"Not one single atom opposes us."

Zen Master Hongzhi

Chimney Rock outlook

Walking from the concessions area to Chimney Rock outlook - a great summertime place to visit.

This is included in Friday Fences for this week.  I'm actually getting it posted on Friday, rather than the following Wed.  Do I get a gold star?  Come over to see some other great fences!

May the sun bring you new energy by day, may the moon softly restore you by night, may the rain wash away your worries, may the breeze blow new strength into your being.

Apache Blessing

A good book

Library in Black Mountain, wintertime

"People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone."  Audrey Hepburn

I'm sending this to Fri. Fences!  (Come on over to see some other great inspirations) That red railing surely shows the spirit of the season when I took this.  And that's also the most snow we've seen this winter in Black Mountain ...at least here in town.