Pottery Trail

Pottery Trail ( North Carolina )

I love collecting pottery and consider it to be a wonderful hobby. I developed an interest in pottery while living in North Carolina. For pottery aficionados there is no place like the pottery trail in North Carolina's Piedmont region. Attending the annual pottery festival in this area is a memorable experience.The master potters here have perfected the art of creating pieces which are beautiful yet functional. A few years ago I spent a wonderful summer day driving along the " pottery highway". It was amazing to see the potters working in quaint studios tucked away in little towns . For nearly 200 years the potters have worked in this area to keep the tradition alive. The locals are proud of this unique heritage. The North Carolina pottery center in the town of Seagrove has a wonderful collection of pottery from artists in the area. This website gives a good insight into what they have to offer. http://www.discoverseagrove.com/ I remember picking up two small pottery pieces for my home. I shall cherish my day on the pottery trail forever. I hope to be back there someday but for now I have some wonderful memories.

My Table

I have a fascination for pottery and brightly coloured dishes. Here are some from my collection. They bring warmth and character to my table setting. I am constantly on the look out for new patterns, unique shapes and colours.I love this blue platter as it reminds me of a trip to Hawaii. I bought this from a coffee shop in a little village on the Island of Maui. The bright coloured leaf dishes bring the fall colours into my home.

Sails

Cruise on Lake Washington. Love the sails flapping in the wind !

An amazing Story

This morning I caught a newscast which really got me thinking. Mr Leon McLaughlin who shines shoes at a Bank of America building in Seattle is responsible for bringing clean water to poor people in Bolivia. I am amazed at this man's vision and dedication and his story is truly inspiring.

He has been instrumental in the installation of water-filtration machines in 10 hospitals and 10 schools. He founded his own company, LAM (his initials and an acronym for Land and Water Maintenance), to bring water-filtration machines to developing countries. LAM buys the machines for $8,500 and then donates them . McLaughlin takes a small commission, which he says he puts back into the project. At home in Seattle,McLaughlin takes advice from customers. These are professionals , businessmen and lawyers who give him free counsel along with 5 dollars which is the cost of his shoe shine.

It makes me think of what I am doing with my life. I truly hope that in some small way all of us can take some time out to do something for people less fortunate than us. I for one hope to learn a lesson from this man's life and become a better person.