Ode to The Groundhog

 Groundhog Day Official:

- We're closing the road.  Big blizzard movin in.

Punxsutawney Phil:

- What blizzard? It's a couple of flakes.

Official:

- Don't you listen to the weather?  We got a major storm here!

Phil:

- I make the weather!  All this moisture coming up out of the Gulf will push off to the east and Mt. Altoona.

Official:

- Pal, you got that moisture on your head.  You can go back to Punxsutawney or you can freeze to death.  It's your choice.  What's it gonna be?

Phil:

- ... I'm thinkin...

                                      

Groundhog Day (2 Feb.) marks the midway point between the winter solstice (21 Dec.) and the vernal equinox (21 June).

The commemoration of this day began in 1887 in Punxsutawney, PA with a lowly groundhog as beacon for winter days ahead.  Sun and shadow = winter grips for 6 more weeks; no shadow = spring is imminent. 

Hope springs eternal!  

A is for Art

The world is but a canvas

to our

imagination.

                                         Henry David Thoreau, 1817-1862, American Author

                                      

Coming soon to

simplycoolstuff

Original oil paintings, exquisitely  framed.

Just in time for Valentines!

Adversity in Life

Setbacks bring wisdom and benefits.

Expect them,

embrace them,

for the advantages they pose.

You know all you need.  You need all you know.

Z is for Zephyr Lily

The Roseville Pottery Company, founded in 1890 in Zanesville Ohio, created among the most beautiful pieces of art during its 60 years in business.  Although strictly utilitarian pieces were made until 1900, it was the introduction of the Rozane line that emphasized quality in detail and design.  

Frederick Rhead became Art Director in 1904 and was responsible for the Aztec, Crystalis, Della Robbia and Fudji lines.  Rhead was succeeded by Frank Ferrel in 1919 and along with George Krause produced the Blackberry, Cherry Blossum, Dahlrose, Ferella, Rosecraft Hexagon, Sunflower and Wisteria patterns.  The Pinecone pattern, introduced in 1935, became Roseville's most successful and highest volume line with over 75 different shapes in the three major pottery colors of green, brown and blue.

The 1940's saw the introduction of Roseville's best art quality pottery with Bittersweet, Columbine, Cosmos, Fuchsia, White Rose and Zephyr Lily (1946). Unfortunately the ravages of WWII plunged the company into economic uncertainty and after sixty years of business Roseville ceased production in 1954.  Sixty years later it still remains among the most beautiful and highly collected pottery.  

Zephyr Lily pattern

Happy Hunting!