A small winter storm has blown through the valley and with it came a bit of rain. It was cold this morning, overnight low of about 42. Nothing like the bitter cold that hit the East Coast, but still enough to give plenty of people runny noses and sore throats. The elevator at work today had the unmistakable smell of menthol lyptus.

I took my morning walk this morning, it was about 45, I'd say. I forgot my jacket. Well, not true- I take a walk most mornings, and always sans jacket, so I didn't forget it per se. I like the cold, it's bracing. I like how it grips me. I walk briskly, so the cold makes it especially difficult to breathe. I think the exposure to the cold hardens a person, makes one less vulnerable to colds and viruses. I'm not saying I'm ready to move to Alaska or anything, I'm just saying I'm trying to get more used to the cold.

Brrrrr.... *shudders and walks away, breathlessly*

ANYWAYS.......

Turns out I'm a sucker for the ren fair. Truly, a sucker! There's nothing for me there; I know the people are all role playing, yet I love the atmosphere. It's all fake and fakery. The 'cast members' are all a bunch of long-haired hippie geeks, yet I so much want to embrace the geekery. I love walking about, turkey leg in hand and I love the shows. For some reason, the cheesyness of it all doesn't seem cheesy at the moment.

Did I mention I bought a hat at the ren fair? Did I mention this is a wide brim, three-musketeers type hat with hunter green and black ostrich feathers? Did I mention I feel like The Scarlet Pumpernickel when I wear this hat? I can't wait to see what this hat looks like with my full on pirate attire! I'm sure I'll look like a butt pirate, but so what! Daffy Dumas Duck will having nothing on El Zorro Verde!

Wish I had some more to write about clay or bonsai. I have a bunch of stuff at the studio that just came out of the kiln and is ready for glazing, plus I just dropped off MORE stuff for the first firing. I might have some stuff starting this weekend.