It has been nearly three weeks since my knee surgery, and I am finally back in the studio. Today was spent glazing pots and loading the kiln which as I write this has just begun firing. It will be two days until I can open the kiln and see the results of my work. Opening the kiln always feels like being a kid on Christmas morning, hoping I will get at least some of what I wanted!

I have begun taking hand-building lessons with Mary Mikkelsen. Mary and her husband Henry Pope collaborate in making beautiful work at Mikpo Pottery, and learning from her is a wonderful opportunity. Now that I have gotten glazing out of the way, I have enough room in the studio to practice the techniques Mary showed me. Working in a small studio means space is always an issue, but having the windows open makes the space feel larger. One of the birdhouses on the studio porch is again inhabited by a little Carolina wren who sings from sunup to sundown. This spring he seems to especially enjoy singing along with Robin Bullock's guitar recordings www.robinbullock.com .

I have also resumed hammered dulcimer lessons with Donna Germano classictouchmusic.net and am trying to spend some time each day practicing that. Playing the hammered dulcimer is like trying to pat your head while rubbing your belly and standing on your head at the same time. If it doesn't drive me batty, perhaps the brain exercise will help prevent dementia. There is a little song sparrow who sometimes sings along. His taste in music is obviously not nearly as good as the house wren's.