PLEASE ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE MYSELF,

I’M A MAN OF CLAY AND GLAZE

PUSHED MUD AROUND FOR SEVENTY YEARS

OR TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND DAYS.

Robin Hopper is a man of many parts, mostly worn out, rusty or dysfunctional, due to a lifetime of excesses! He started working with clay at the age of three and is still doing it over 70 years later. His lengthy, peripatetic career as a mudpusher has included side trips into working as a Professional Actor, Stage Designer, Property Maker, Stage Manager, Stage Carpenter, Grocer, Greengrocer, Jazz Musician, Teapot, Wine and Beer-Bottle, Trumpet, Trombone and Bugle Player, European Travel Guide, Founder of Several Clay/Art/Craft Organizations, Alchemist, Geologist, Primatologist, Linguist, Ornithologist, Botanist, Ceramic Historian, Educator, Author, Garden Designer, Lecturer on Japanese Garden Design, Laborer and Star of Stage, Screen and Potter’s Wheel!

Friday, May 18, 2012

ONWARDS AND UPWARDS!

FRIDAY,  18 MAY 2012

ONWARDS AND UPWARDS!


THIS BLOG IS BROUGHT TO YOU  BY THE SUNSHINE COLOR OF YELLOW, AND THE MELODY OF 
"FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD" 
FROM "THE WIZARD OF OZ"

GREEN TEA - TEABOWL OR CHAWAN - WHISK OR CHASEN
FOR THE JAPANESE TEA CEREMONY - CHANOYU

THANKS GREATLY TO THE MANY READER'S WHO SENT BEST WISHES VIA VARIOUS MEANS REGARDING MY TURBULENT HEALTH ISSUES. I FINALLY GOT A CT SCAN. SOON I SHOULD SOON KNOW IF I STILL HAVE A BRAIN! THIS POST IS SPECIALLY DEDICATED TO ANYONE WHO HAS ANYTHING PHYSICALLY OR MENTALLY WRONG WITH THEM,  DEVELOP A SMILE AND SENSE OF HUMOR. IT IS THE BEST MEDICINE I HAVE YET FOUND. IF THERE IS ANYONE LEFT OUT THERE WHO IS NOT YET A PHYSICAL OR MENTAL MESS, TAKE HEED - SLOW DOWN - ENJOY LIFE!



MY NEXT SET OF TESTS, NEXT MONTH, SHOULD TELL ME A LARGER PICTURE. ON WHAT AND HOW MUCH I CAN DO WITHOUT FURTHER BURNOUT. AT THIS POINT I AM ON HOLD. IT HAS BEEN 14 MONTHS SINCE I PICKED UP AN AIRPORT BUG THAT STARTED A DOWNWARD SPIRAL THAT HAS MADE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DO MUCH OF ANYTHING. MY DOCTOR TOOK ME OUT OF THE WORKSHOP CIRCUIT BECAUSE OF MORE STRESS ON BOTH BODY AND MIND.  THE PHYSICAL PROBLEMS HAVE BASICALLY CURTAILED 70 YEARS OF SERIOUSLY WORKING WITH CLAY.  

TREMORS IN THE HANDS PROHIBIT THROWING AND HOLDING A BRUSH FOR PAINTING OR DECORATING POTS. IT IS ALL VERY FRUSTRATING AND DEPRESSING. 

EVEN TYPING IS A PROBLEM, DAMMIT!  MY NEXT SKILL THAT MUST SOON BE LEARNED  IS WORKING WITH A DICTAPHONE APPLICATION ON MY IPAD. THEN I WILL PROBABLY LOSE MY VOICE!! THERE ISN'T MUCH THAT IS WORKING NORMALLY. AS LONG AS MY EX-BRIT SENSE OF HUMOR DOESN'T GIVE UP ON ME I CAN JUST HANG IN THERE.

ONE VERY PROMISING THING THOUGH, I AM HAVING A RENEWED LOVE AFFAIR WITH MY "ANGLOJAPANADIAN" GARDEN THAT I STARTED ABOUT 30 YEARS AGO.  PREVIOUSLY I NEVER HAD MUCH TIME TO KEEP UP WITH THE GROWTH OF WEEDS, BECAUSE OF AN INSANE COMBINATION OF STUDIO WORK, WRITING, TRAVEL, LECTURING, WORKSHOPS AND RESEARCH. NOW THAT I CAN'T DO MUCH OF THAT LIST ANYMORE, I CAN THINK BACK TO ANOTHER WELL-KNOWN SIMON AND GARFUNKEL SONG FROM THE SIXTIES - "59TH  STREET BRIDE SONG" COMMONLY  KNOWN AS  "FEELIN' GROOVY".  THIS SONG IS FOR OVER-ACHIEVERS WHO ARE LIKELY TO FOLLOW MY BAD EXAMPLE ON A DOWNHILL HEALTH TRAJECTORY.  THE FIRST LINES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

"SLOW DOWN, YOU MOVE TO FAST" 






"59TH  STREET BRIDGE SONG"


Slow down, you move too fast.
You got to make the morning last.
Just kicking down the cobble stones.
Looking for fun and feelin' groovy.

Ba da, Ba da, Ba da, Ba da...Feelin' Groovy.

Hello lamp-post,
What cha knowin'?
I've come to watch your flowers growin'.
Ain't cha got no rhymes for me?
Doot-in' doo-doo,
Feelin' groovy.

I've got no deeds to do,
No promises to keep.
I'm dappled and drowsy and ready to sleep.
Let the morning time drop all its petals on me.
Life, I love you,
All is groovy.



++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++




THE "FEELIN' GROOVY" KOI- POND-SIDE TEAHOUSE - I AM NOW ABLE TO FIND TIME TO USE IT!!




SEE YOU SOME TIME NEXT WEEK BACK AT THIS BLOGSPOT
Posted by at

10 comments:

  1. jffolliesMay 19, 2012 at 4:07 AM

    You don't know me but I have your books and really enjoy your blog. I came to clay late-at sixty. Seems gardens and artist are a very natural fit . Hope your health improves soon.

    ReplyDelete
  2. jffolliesMay 19, 2012 at 4:09 AM

    OH and by the way your garden and pots are spectacular.

    ReplyDelete
  3. GRASSMay 19, 2012 at 5:11 AM

    Many thanks, I always enjoy the feedback. It helps me do better and suggests new ideas to research for future posts. The more I hear from people, the more interesting and valuable I can make future posts. Thanks again for your response. RH

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownMay 19, 2012 at 5:54 AM

    I just wanted to say thanks for sharing so much on your blog (and books) since I haven't been able to attend a workshop or lecture in person.

    Personally, I enjoy the information about materials and glazing as I've just begun to mix some of my own glazes.

    Also, hoping for the best for your health.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Barbara RogersMay 19, 2012 at 11:10 AM

    Yes that garden is a very worthy one for feeling groovy in...in which to feel groovy, I guess I mean it turned that way. Both ways. Enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
  6. John BrittMay 19, 2012 at 2:44 PM

    Enjoy the spectacular garden Robin!

    ReplyDelete
  7. OwenMay 19, 2012 at 3:02 PM

    Well the truth is that a life making a living from pottery is go go go. Eventually we will all hit that wall, sooner or later - when the body absolutely has to slow down. I say this as I am approaching my next deadline and after many 12 hour days in the studio, while at the same time trying to get out on my bike to train in preparation for a tour with some friends - and today I hit the wall. People don't understand how much it takes out of your body being a potter - not to mention the countless hours one devotes each week to running a business - so glad you have finally got some time for your garden Robin, even though it is not the way that you envisioned it happening. . I visited your garden and studio some 10 years ago, you were away at NCECA in Phoenix at the time I believe. My mother, Janet, who apprenticed with you in Barrie in the mid 70's was there as well. She bought me two of your mugs which are up in the display case. Thank you for your blog, it is priceless! All the very best, Owen

    ReplyDelete
  8. DarleneMay 22, 2012 at 3:11 PM

    The best advice ever Robin, though it often does take an illness or something equally life shattering to get us to do it. It wasn't until the migraines got to lasting days and weeks on end for me that I slowed down and rediscovered long walks, embroidery, crocheting, dogs, photography, sewing, more time with my friends, and the list goes on. Your garden photos are especially inspiring to me right now, because that is my latest infatuation ;) May you get some good help with your challenges and some good days. thanks for sharing!
    Darlene

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sharon @ Crooked Creek StudioMay 25, 2012 at 3:50 AM

    So glad you have your gardens to nurture so they can nurture you, particularly during this time of difficulty. I so wish I could stroll them also. Your lively spirit and good humor inspire me. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Nadine MercaderJune 24, 2012 at 8:35 PM

    Robin,
    I will look forward to reading your posts when you are feeling better. Take a nap every day, that helps the spirit.
    I am firing a test kiln right now and praying that we don't lose power. I am in the Tampa Bay area and we have had over 8" of rain today alone!
    Take good care of yourself,
    Yours in friendship, Nadine

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)