Episode 14: “…Creeps at this petty pace from day to day….”

Greetings from the world of Turtle Woman Ceramic Studio.  My last entry was over a week ago.  Since then, progress has been negligible. I am still unable to enter the studio as I await the second application of tile and grout sealant.  Today the electrician came and moved the 220 line up from my kiln’s basement location to the new studio location.  This is progress; however, I won’t be able to fire again until the kiln also is moved. I hope Greg the Builder sees fit to come and apply the second coat of sealant so the move can take place.  Also, Phil heroically drove here in the bitterly cold weather this weekend and applied the baseboards. He was going to come back and take care of the pantry door and make the adjustment for the differing floor heights, but three days ago the starter on his car died and we haven’t heard from him since. This entire scene is disappointing and frustrating to me.  Arnold said the work would be done in eight weeks after the first digging was done, and that was late August. Everything should have been done by the end of October.  It’s hard to keep a routine going, harder still to have concentrated, dedicated work time with the disorder and uncertainty surrounding the construction project. I don’t think I’ll be able to have anything new for the January Gallery Night and Day. I had thought this Turtle Woman blog would be relatively short, brisk and optimistic in tone, setting forth an example for others who are contemplating an addition, as well as documenting the steps in the creation of my studio.  To my faithful followers, thanks for your patience.  I appreciate your comments and suggestions! I look forward to the day when I will use this blog to announce an studio open house.

This is the sight at the foot of the stairs. The effort to complete the cement walk was too little, too late. Our parking slab access, as well as our trash receptacles, are beyond the fence in the alley and are inaccessible.

Today the electrician finished the installation of the line of 220 current.

The kiln will be placed here.... Someday....

Tales from Turtle Woman Ceramic Studio: Episode 13: "Let there be Light" (and heat and a t...

Tales from Turtle Woman Ceramic Studio: Episode 13: "Let there be Light" (and heat and a t...: "On Monday, November 28, the electrician came and installed the light fixtures and the baseboard heating unit. Since then, this week’s progr..."

Episode 13: "Let there be Light" (and heat and a tile floor)

On Monday, November 28, the electrician came and installed the light fixtures and the baseboard heating unit. Since then, this week’s progress has been slow and steady, as the tile was fixed with adhesive and the grouting process has begun. Gina has been doing the tile work while Greg the Builder did some exterior work, digging a small pit into the frozen earth around the porch extension and bringing in a long slab of cement which I think is intended for cutting up and placing in the walkway.  Unfortunately, our luck with Mother Nature did not hold—the steps and path are not accessible for me and the porch isn’t finished, although there were several days they could have done this. (Greg said that some workers were supposed to show up but didn't. I thought there would be a pool of eager workers, given the economy....)  I wish they could have done that exterior work before we had our first significant snowfall. I don’t think I’ll be able to take the garbage out this winter unless we have a melt and they work diligently. (Just think what my kitchen will smell like by Spring!)

Taken a couple days before Thanksgiving, this is Phil working on the porch.  He thoughtfully created a place for lawnmower storage and was responsible for the exterior painting, as well.  It seems that Phil can do just about any step in the building of a house. I wish he could have returned to finish this porch project, but I think he was sent over to another project. The porch really is almost done now, except that it is partially unpainted and a couple more spindles need to be installed.

Here is a chance to admire the glowing ceiling fixture, the partially installed tile and the partially finished table that my son-in-law Mike is refinishing for me as my Christmas gift. He made some progress on it over Thanksgiving, but because the heat wasn't installed yet, the stain adhered to the top rather than permeating the wood. I'm hoping he can come to Milwaukee for a "workation" soon so this work table will be ready for clay by the time the studio is done.

I love the tile, made by Seneca Pottery in Attica, Ohio.

Here is Gina at work installing the tile.

Friday night was "Christmas in the Ward." The array of sculptures were awaiting transport last Thursday. The sculpture of Rumpelstiltskin leaping over a fire is my newest one, just out of the kiln Thursday morning. I was thinking about how the miller's daughter carelessly bargains away her future for the present, promising her firstborn if the little man would spin straw into gold for her. Fortunately, Rumpelstiltskin is a game player and when the miller's daughter becomes queen and has a child, he gives her three chances to guess his name; but people are not always as lucky as the queen.

Here is where we are now with the floor.  The tiles are in place and have been treated with sealer and the original grout has been placed.  I admire Gina's skill and stamina, since it has been a very long week with this.

(It's now December 5, the evening of St. Nicholas. I want to remind you to put your shoes out for St. Nicholas' visit. I hope nobody gets a lump of coal.  George doesn't know it yet, but in the morning he'll find two boxes of the liqueur chocolate cherries from Trader Joe's. All our Milwaukee friends are invited to stop by for a first-hand look at the studio....and George can share his chocolates if there are any left!)

Episode 12: No News is NOT Good News

For the past week, progress has ranged from slight to non-existent.  Phil, mostly working alone, put in a couple half days and worked on the porch, as well as a few rows of tile. I was out of town on Wednesday, but had been assured that work would be done all day Wednesday. I left the key for Greg the Builder in a designated spot.  When we returned Thursday evening, nothing had been touched.  I called Greg on Friday and he told me that nothing would be done until Monday, that his crew did not show up on Wednesday. Yes, I can understand that the construction firm is also working on two other jobs that I know of and I am very, very pleased that they have work in this economy.  I can also understand that people want some holiday fun, but my patience is wearing thin. This project is now a month behind schedule. My kitchen is a cluttered mess. The studio is unheated and now that colder weather has set in, our boiler is running non-stop. I am eager to move on and move in!

Episode 11: Where have all the workers gone? (except Phil!)

This is the tale of a studio that is named after a turtle; and like a turtle, it is progressing slowly. Perhaps I should have named it after a cheetah! Nobody came yesterday. I waited until it was quite late, then locked the door. Today Phil came back and worked alone on staining and assembling the window frames. He is creating lovely window surrounds; but the outside siding still isn't done on the south side and the porch and the cement and the paint.... I hope the weather holds out so this project can be finished before it becomes impossible because of snow and ice. A thought just occurred to me:  I am having this work done by Bear Builders and bears are known to estivate in the winter...Oh, dear! (A small consolation: At least bears are not true hibernaters.)

Now, for my friends who like to follow the pictures, here are the latest.

Phil is matching the woodworks to the existing door and is detailing them to match the era of our house.

He has even included a window sill for the placement of plants and sculptures.

This is the view to the south.

This is the western side.

Episode 10: Remember, remember the 5th of November....

While many people remember the 5th of November because it is Guy Fawkes Day, in our family we remember this date because it is the birthday of our grandson Matthew. So on November 4, we designated Phil the Carpenter as "Keeper of the Keys" and took off for Matthew's house, about 200 miles away! (Happy third birthday, Dear Matthew!  May you have many happy moments with Thomas the Tank Train in the coming year!)

The roads were clear; the trip home went smoothly. When we returned today, I rushed into the studio to see what had been done. I was assailed by the pungent odor of wood stain, a necessary evil. After admiring the stained trim boards, the interior windows that had been given their frames and paint, and the expanded back porch, I threw open the doors in spite of the chilly weather and turned on all the fans I could find in a vain attempt to rid the house of fumes. Before night fell, I went out for the ritual of photographing, and I now present the results:


Note the shelves in the pass-through and the completed interior window frame. The drawers on the lower right side of the pass-through (formerly known as our pantry) are part of the original pantry that we could salvage, built by the Irish carpenter for his family in 1892.

Here are the stained woodworks--the source of the pungent odor. In the morning, I'll open a window.

Here is our dachshund Hildegaard standing on the expanded back porch, looking into the studio.

What might she be thinking?

(This back porch was originally built by Mark Lutzenberger from South Milwaukee.  George's hometown is South Milwaukee, too; so he was pleasantly surprised to find out that Phil, the Keeper of the Keys Carpenter, is also from South Milwaukee and also attended Rawson Avenue Grade School--although much later than George.)

Episode 9: A Snowstorm of Drywall, then Walls of Sunshine and Rain

Episode 9: A Snowstorm of Drywall, then Walls of Sunshine and Rain

In this entry, I’ll let the pictures speak. Slowly, progress has been made on the drywall and paint through the diligence of Phil. There is still much to be done, but now that the color is up on the walls, the studio is beginning to take on a character of its own.

Here is Phil, the Drywall Artist.... He's been almost singlehandedly putting up the drywall and sanding it since Monday, although Greg the Builder came to help a couple times. Because it's been so cold out, we decided to run fans until 10:00 P.M. to speed up the drying process. 

Yesterday the walls were dry enough for the base coat and today Phil painted the ceiling and walls. The colors as portrayed here are not a very clear reflection of their actuality. The ceiling is white. The south, west, and north walls are sort of a pale sunshine or cream color.  The east wall, the Lake Michigan side, is sort of a pale blue-green-gray. Sunshine and Solitude. I looked at many paint samples from Sherwin-Williams and consulted with Maria and Mike over the decision. It seems like the choices are going to work very well.

On another note, there was a misunderstanding with Arnold Check, the Overseer, about when we were meeting.  I had to take Geo to PT at 3 today and he thought I said I'd be home by 3. "Check" seems to be the perfect name for someone who comes by to collect money.  He is coming back for another payment tomorrow morning. It's the third installment--he called it the "build-out" payment.

Episode Eight: "For Everything there is a Season..." and I hope I'll be working in my studio before the first snow flies....

To my faithful blog followers, I apologize. It’s been almost a month since I’ve had time to upload pictures and comments—time for the tales to grow long and for the studio to take shape. As I write, the studio awaits the arrival of the outside door so Chuck can complete the siding on the south side and woodworking around the door. As for the inside, the wiring and insulation are in place. Yesterday Jim the Building Inspector came by and gave the go-ahead for the drywall to begin. Greg the Builder has the studio cleared of debris and everything is in readiness for the next phase, which I anticipate will happen Monday or Tuesday.

 In my private life, I’m thinking about paint colors and if I should move my ceramic/art books into a bookcase in the studio and wondering when Mike will finish my table and other issues that could be on HGTV. I have framed some posters of my work to hang in the studio.  I am also becoming really impatient to have a clear work area—I need to complete two more sculptures for my Polish book, Trick a Witch, Wed a Hedgehog, Save your Soul: Encountering Poland. They will be featured at THE Fine Art Gallery next June during Polish Fest. I also am eager to use my new slab roller and work on more sculptures for my Lost Milwaukee Series, as well as making the usual bunch of Christmas/Hanukkah gifts and the House Blessing tiles that I donate to my church every year for the January Feast of the Three Kings. Our kitchen is more cluttered than ever, since I no longer have a pantry. (It has become the passageway into the studio.)

Some of the studio progress has been dramatic—like the windows being set and the door being cut through into the main part of the house; other steps have been quietly assertive—like the placement of the outlets and the mitering of corners. Fine craftsmanship in action by Chuck, who has honored the original construction of the house with his work.  I’ve been learning so much at every increment, waking in the morning wondering if a construction person, an electrician, or an inspector will show up and mark a new advancement. This part of my tale is best told through the photos. Although it’s been a month filled with non-construction activities in my life that have not allowed time for uploading the pictures (a weekend trip to Madison to see Wicked and celebrate two birthdays, iconography, a visit to the Rep to see Cabaret, a funeral in Appleton, an art opening at THE Fine Art Gallery, clay work on new sculpture in too-crowded kitchen, a writing class, word-processing the final chapter of George's mystery, a bout of crypto-like flu, transporting George to PT, etc…), I have faithfully taken pictures of each new advancement in construction. At this time I will share the pictures.

We're happy to see the first window is in place.

These windows will be next! They will be on the west wall.

And here is Craig with the west windows installed!

Now we have direct access to the studio from the house.  Yesterday this was a pantry! I'm happy to let it go, but somehow will have to deal with the loss of a place to store food and small kitchen appliances.

The craftsman who wishes to remain unidentified has given a tribute to the original carpenter who built this house for his family over 118 years ago.  This original built-in has been rescued from the west side of the pantry and is in the process of being installed on the north side of the walk-through.

This picture shows the recessed ceiling lighting, as well as the interior door.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

The insulation phase...

The siding goes on, board by board.  Note the fine work at the base that matches the existing structure.

Our friend Mark Lutzenberger built this little porch originally, with two safe railings for George to brace himself on. I called it my "Coffee Porch" and often abandoned the kitchen in the mornings for a bit of communion with caffeine, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and nature.  Now it is being expanded and also will be the exterior entrance for the studio.

When we came home from our weekend in Madison, at first I thought nothing had been done during my absence.  Then I discovered that the roof had been shingled! Happy Monday! 

Here is the latest. Greg the Builder came over on Thursday and applied the interior insulation. He also cleaned out the rubble and got everything ready for the next step--the drywall and the electrical components. On Friday, Jim the Building Inspector came by and admired the progress and the good work being done.  He had some questions about the exterior steps conforming to code, but he assumes that is only a temporary situation. He will check with the contractor on that.

As for me, I've spent more time than I intended on this because it took so long to upload the pictures. (In between uploads, I cleaned a closet! Borrrrring!)  I will now see if the butternut squash and potatoes that have been baking for the past hour are ready.  I also want to say that I am pleased with the progress of the construction, in spite of some delays, and I am beginning to think I should start planning the Open Studio Party.

Episode Seven: "Splendid are the Heavens High...." Viewed through a Skylight

Although I have not uploaded pics or news for the past few days, my studio is progressing. Still working at my kitchen table, I have put “The Ghost of the Pfister” from my “Lost Milwaukee Series” through two more glaze firings. I’m finally done with it.  This sculpture was very demanding and kept me too occupied to write about the studio. I hope to display this sculpture at THE Fine Art Gallery for our next Gallery Night, beginning October 15.

"Lost Milwaukee Series: The Ghost of the Pfister"

In the following photos, you will see that there’s been a turtle-like progression—slow and steady—of work on the studio. The lead carpenter for this phase of construction even put in time on Saturday and Sunday. Although he is camera shy and doesn’t want a mention, I must say that his diligence and expertise have kept the studio progressing. 

On September 20, this is how the back of the house looked.

Here is the back of the house on September 25.

I took this picture tonight, facing South.  At this point the roof is on and the walls are being covered. The space on the far left will be the outside door. The other two openings are for windows.

I took this picture this morning very early.
"Splendid are the Heavens High..." Viewed through my studio skylight.

Just one month ago, this was actually the healthiest part of our lawn. Oh, dear! What happened to the grass?

A friend consoled me yesterday with this comment:  "Just wait and see what happens in the Spring."

I spoke with the Builder Greg today and met Carpenter Phil, who will be taking care of interior construction in a few days. The tile is ordered and on schedule. Greg wondered if I would like the interior ceiling all one level or if I'd like to keep a sloped ceiling on part of it around the skylight.  I asked about heating expenses and he said that since it would be so well insulated, this would not be a major concern. In that case, I will go with the slanted ceiling. He said that now it is time to think about the lighting.                                                 

Episode 6: "Raise High the Roofbeams, Carpenter"

Progress is evident all around. As I look at the kitchen table and push aside ceramic glazes and brushes to make room for supper, I realize that in a couple months I will have a dedicated clay space. After years of working like this, I am really looking forward to my studio. Every day now this plan inches forward to becoming a reality.

My Kitchen

Yesterday the joists were secured and the floor was insulated. Because the windows were moved into the back yard, I now have a much better sense of how much light I will have in my studio. The architect’s drawing didn’t truly represent the size of the windows. They are Pella windows, beautifully constructed. 

The entire floor couldn’t be sealed up until the city building inspector came through. This served our purposes well, because Ana, Emily, and Megan wanted to help with the time capsule. In fact, doing a time capsule was their idea. I had purchased a cobalt blue porcelain canister with a tight-locking lid for our purposes. Before Ana and the children came over, I had gone around the house and placed several small items such as campaign buttons, coins, and old postcards into the capsule.  I also printed out a copy of this blog and some of my art documents, as well as some photos of the family and house, and a small sculpture of a turtle woman.  Ana had other ideas, though, that we should keep it contemporary—in other words, no old Nixon or Carter buttons; instead we should include the front section of Sunday’s Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.  I’m no expert on time capsules, so I agreed with whatever their plan was.  Once everything was placed inside, we sealed the top with duct tape. I asked the children what we should put on it, and they thought “Open Me” would be appropriate.  Okay! Permanent marker:  Open Me. TIME CAPSULE.  Once before I stuck a note in a wall—that was when my father and grandfather built a house for us in 1957, I think it was.  My father was putting the walls in and I wrote a letter that began, “My dad and grandpa built this house….” I don’t remember the rest.  Time capsules, I think, are more for the present day than the future. It gives people a great awareness that we are here, now…. And, of course, there is the thought that the house will continue after us, but some day, it might not continue….

Here is Ana descending to the lower depths of the studio to place the Time Capsule.

The insulation will help us make it through Wisconsin winters. This cavity will be filled in after the city building inspector gives his nod of approval.  The time capsule is slightly visible in the upper center of the picture.

Today is the last day of summer before Wednesday’s autumnal equinox. We were quite aware of summer because of the oppressive humidity and warmth after so many days of cool temperatures. Now it is a rainy evening, but great transformation has occurred in the studio:  The wall and rafters have risen and it stands skeletal in the night, draped in a fine cape of plastic tarp. The carpenter told me that the floor boards fitted together smoothly, too. I was in Cedarburg today for my study of iconography with Katherine de Shazar and didn’t get home until sunset. Of course, I immediately grabbed my camera and went outside to check on the studio. The building inspector must have been here and it must have passed inspection because the floor is entirely sealed now.

Taken this morning.  When I saw this framework with space for the windows, I realized how spacious the windows would be.  I don't think the architect's plans did this justice.  My studio will be filled with light.

When I came home from iconograpy tonight, I saw that we now have roofbeams, as well as an outer wall. The tarp is up because rain is in the forecast.  This seems to be a perfect end to the long summer!

I am presently working on a sculpture from my “Lost Milwaukee Series.” It is “The Ghost of the Pfister Hotel.” I mention it now because as I write this, it is going through its first glaze firing. Tomorrow morning before I swim, I will descend into the basement and open the kiln. Then I will go out on the back porch and check on the studio. To quote the famed but reclusive J.D. Salinger, “Raise High the Roofbeams, Carpenter.”

Episode 5: And now for the Floor Joists!

Oh, Joy! Joists!

This entry will be brief.  Construction people came on Friday, brought lumber, measured, and cut it to the proper length.  They began to work on the floor.  The joists are secured on the outer side, but need to have the inner support brackets firmly attached on Monday. In the meantime, we are assembling items for a time capsule to place under the floor.  As I write this entry, I am printing out a copy of my blog this far, so it, too, can be included in the time capsule. We will put our time capsule filled with small items that reflect our lives here in this house, in this era, under the flooring before it is sealed tomorrow.

One slightly uneasy note: It rained intensely over night and the section of downspout that channels the rain water into our back yard has been removed.  However, the down spout from the roof is still there and all the rain from the rear south side of our roof now has soaked into the pea gravel.  A piece of plastic under some of the gravel wasn't enough to deter it, and we have lots of dampness in our basement now. I will ask Greg to address this problem tomorrow.

The good smell of fresh-cut lumber fills the back yard.  The joists are secured.

Episode 4: Tar, Pea Gravel, and a Table With a History and a Future

Further progress was made on the studio during September 6-11. However, I was out of town until yesterday and was unable to document it.  I know all my Dear Readers are really eager for the update, so....Here it is!The wall was waterproofed and a firm foundation was poured and cured. The back yard was further devastated by the arrival of pea gravel, which was poured into the stairwell and inner fortress area. Regarding the equally important aspect of the interior furnishing of the studio: My son-in-law Mike is in the process of giving me an absolutely grand Christmas gift. He is refinishing the ancient work table from our basement for use in my studio! (Forgive me if I rave like Eloise in the Plaza!)  This table, made of walnut, has been in our basement for perhaps one hundred years.  When we bought our house thirty-five years ago, the previous owners asked if it would be okay to leave it where they had found it since it was such a cumbersome piece. They said it had been in the house when they bought it. (I think we're only the fourth owners of this house.  George and I spent one really thrilling vacation--yeah--researching our title. An Irish carpenter built this house for his own family. The original sink was so low--I always thought he must have had a short wife.... Where the Sottiles' house now stands there was once the garden for our house, and the adjacent house was sort of a copy of this house which the carpenter also built.) Back to the table: we have used it for everything from laundry sorting to ceramics supply storage through the years. Originally, the “canning kitchen” for our house was in the basement and I am assuming this was the work table. We even noted a few blobs of peach-colored paint that was the kitchen color when we bought the house, showing that every owner had its own use for this table. (I have to say, that old paint was hard to wedge off.  Paint remover wouldn’t touch it!) This table so resonates with our house’s past, I thought it would be an ideal way to carry the mellow old-home karma into the studio. It will serve my purposes well—already so battered that I won’t have to worry about clay dust or glazes; yet beautiful in its own rustic, mismatched way. Although Mike isn’t done yet, he got the finish down to the point where he could begin to apply walnut stain and sand it down with steel wool. A few more hours whenever he can return to Milwaukee should finish the job! Then it’s just a matter of waiting for the time we can place the table in the studio.

It is now Wednesday, 9/15. Today Greg the Builder and an assistant came in with the first timbers—measured them and made ready for the flooring.  He will bring me pictures of possible doors. We will have to choose very quickly so progress can continue. Also, he’ll bring pictures of the skylight. He told me it was time to go ahead and select the flooring and recommended The Tile Store out on Hwy. 100.  Maybe we’ll do that on Saturday. 

The Basement Door and Stairwell are Waterproofed

The Cavity is filled in with Pea Gravel

Here is my Son-in-law, Mike Maahs, ready to begin stripping the table!

On Saturday morning, the table is moved to the front porch because of rain. Ana Brokmeier, my daughter, decides to become a stripper, too!

"How firm a foundation!" The Tale of the Pouring of the Cement

As I got up early and looked out the window, it seemed like Thursday would be a rainy day. At present, I’ve been analyzing weather in two ways: Will it be nice enough for progress to be made on the studio? And Will it be too humid, thus debilitating, for George? (An aside for those of you who are following my blog without previous acquaintance: George is my husband and he has multiple sclerosis. People with MS generally react badly to humidity. George really can’t take humidity.) The plan was for the building inspector to meet with the cement contractor at 10:30. I couldn’t be there because I had to take George for physical therapy. However, the contractor had said I really didn’t need to be there. When we got home around 10:45, there was no sign of anyone. I thought that perhaps everyone had come and gone and sat down at the computer to play a quick game of spider solitaire. The doorbell rang before I could finish a game. It was the building inspector—cheerful, polite, and apologetic. He had been delayed and was first arriving on the scene. I opened the gate, removing the special dachshund barricade, to let him into the back yard. He had some questions regarding what was under the cement steps leading to the basement. If the foundation was not solid, he would not give the go-ahead. There was also a concern about metal rods anchoring on to the existing structure. He said he could not come back until Tuesday, because Friday (today) was a mandated layoff day as part of the city’s efforts to save money. In my mind I saw the pages of the calendar floating away into the clouds, day by day…. Another studio delay, more days before I could sit in my studio and work. But I understood.




To my surprise and delight, the contractor and the building inspector both returned around 2:00 in the afternoon, and by evening, two cement trucks had brought their slushy mix and had filled the trench. And so the project proceeds! Being Labor Day weekend, and also giving the cement a chance to harden sufficiently, no progress has been made on the studio today. I think business will resume on Tuesday. In the meantime, I hope to work on glazing my “Lost Milwaukee: The Ghost of the Pfister Hotel” sculpture to finish it in time for THE Fine Art Gallery’s participation in the Third Ward’s October Gallery Night.

The ground-breaking begins!

The trench is complete. Notice the lovely red clay bed our house sits upon.

The cement is poured!

The trench fills, but it takes two loads of cement.  Notice the old bricks. I think I'll try to save them this weekend and use them in the garden.

The Creation of the Gate with the Bungee Cord Hinges

Time to tell another tale…. After several days of silence in the back yard, the action resumed today. As I was trying to find the top of the kitchen table, getting ready to leave for Cedarburg for my Tuesday class with Katherine de Shazar who guides my studies in the writing of icons, I was summoned to the front door by a man wearing his “Bear Builders” shirt. He introduced himself as Bill and said he was here to remove the back fence so the construction crew could have access. I was happy to direct him to the alley where we have a three-car parking slab behind our tall fence. Fortunately, our neighbor from across the alley, Mike, was in the back, too. We let him park his snow plow/jeep on the slab in exchange for keeping the slab plowed and tidy. He obligingly moved his jeep and Bill moved his large truck in. Then he discussed the overall plan with me.




All this went very well. In fact, when Bill found out about Hildegaard (our dachshund) he devised a clever plan to remove a section of fencing, but to re-attach it with bungee cords like an improvised gate. This means that I will be able to let Hildie out in the back yard when the workers are not there. This may not seem like much, but it really makes a great difference since the construction might take up to eight weeks. He told me that his wife is also an artist with work in the collections of the Smithsonian. Of course, I gave him a brochure about THE Fine Art Gallery and invited them to visit.



I would have taken a picture of the fence, but by the time I got home from icon class and we were done with supper and Hildie’s evening constitutional, it was already dark. Anyway, the fence itself is quite unremarkable in appearance and I'm sure it will be included in later photos.

I will now add another comment, indirectly related to the actual construction of the studio. We live on Milwaukee’s Lower East Side, an area of old Victorian houses standing close together on long, narrow lots for over one hundred years. Most of our homes have generous front porches and most of us have at least one dog or cat or child. We really live in our houses, in our yards, especially in the summer. Because of the porches, I think, we know one another very well. I am truly appreciative of our neighbors. For example, the people next door generously offered to help out with Hildie when construction is underway. She loves to sit out on their porch and enjoys the action and their loving companionship. We are all quite loyal to our neighborhood and I would find it very hard to leave. A few days ago, the woman three houses down brought us a bag of homegrown heirloom tomatoes which I made into a tasty salsa. I left a small loaf of banana-raisin bread in her door and yesterday she returned the pan with a jar of lavender lotion tucked inside—always a luxury when one’s hands are dried out from clay work. They are keeping track of the progress of the studio, as well. When it’s done, I am planning a neighborhood open house.

Tales from Turtle Woman Ceramic Studio: Awaiting more action

Next episode isn’t happening yet!


Early today, while I was still taking my morning swim, Arnold the Contractor returned my call from yesterday afternoon. Sleeping-in-George took the call and when I got home, I returned Arnold’s call. “No,” he said. “There must have been a misunderstanding. Who had told me that the cement crew would be coming this week?”

“You did,” I told him, in your note with the timetable on it.

“You don’t understand construction,” he told me. “Things don’t necessarily go like that.”

“Also, Greg the Builder informed me on Wednesday (when he was here removing the basement door jamb) that the mason would be coming either that very afternoon or Thursday.” Arnold the Contractor informed me that this could not be happening because the Digger’s Hotline People had not come to check out the site and give the go-ahead.

“I thought that’s what the little white ATT Flag from Monday was about,” I responded. Apparently not….

“Anyway,” he assured me, “they have now filed their report and we have permission to continue.” He said that the diggers had to come first and make the deep holes below the frost line for the pilings and foundation before the basement doorway could be bricked in. (Apparently the mason/cement people can’t possibly make two trips for the two separate tasks.) This event is now scheduled for next Wednesday, September 1. That is, weather permitting. So… in the meantime, the piece of plywood will remain blocking the outside basement entrance, with the cracks of light showing around the bottom and sides.

     I told him I was worried about mice and rats getting in, but I guess he doesn’t think that’s an issue. I do, though, because just in early July a mouse stashed some of Hildegaard’s dog food under the oven grate in our stove and I had a major oven fire that ruined the stove. I now have purchased a new stove that bakes well, that I went over budget (what budget?) to procure, and I don’t want to have another stove episode.

     The weekend is now upon us. There is plenty of work to do in the back yard which is an overgrown jungle, beloved of mosquitoes, dachshunds, and small grandchildren, but which I hope to make a bit more attractive since I will have windows overlooking it--before it's all snow-covered, I hope.

Tales from Turtle Woman Ceramic Studio

When I went out in the back yard Monday, I noticed this little flag had been stuck in the ground. I am glad that the ATT people were considerate enough to re-latch the gate so our dachshund would not make a run for the neighbor's house!

Yesterday saw a little more progress on the creation of the studio. The Field Supervisor and, I think, lead carpenter came over and removed the door jamb and the basement door, preparing for the mason, who should have come today to begin the next phase. (It's already a bit after 4:30 and s/he still hasn't arrived.)

My attempt to upload the pictures seems to have failed, so I will have to try again later tonight or tomorrow. (Sorry, Dear Readers! I have to make supper and then it's off to a meeting of the FITWIGs--our writers' group.)

It's now after 5. I just called Greg, the Field Supervisor, and told him that the mason hadn't shown up.  He said he would check into it and get back to me tonight or tomorrow.... Well, that may be okay, but I'm worried that mice or worse--rats--will invade the basement because the temporary plywood over the door is not a tight seal. Lions and tigers and bears!!! Oh, my!

Tales from Turtle Woman Ceramic Studio

SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 2010


Episode I: The De-construction of the Storage Shed


I have a timeline from the contractor. “Week of 8/16: Tear Down Shed; Week of 8/23: Masonry and concrete work; Week of 8/30: Build out.” I got a bit edgy by Wednesday when I hadn’t heard from anyone, but the contractor reassured me that all was well, that the crew was on schedule. Today was the day! Because I had to gallery sit at THE Fine Art Gallery in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward (I am one-tenth owner and display my ceramic sculptures there. More about this later), I was present for the beginning of the demolition. When I came home, I saw the fine subtraction! We've lived in our house-become-home for thirty-five years. The shed was built over the stairway to the basement and I've stored the lawn mower and a varied assortment of pots and garden tools there. We don't have a garage, so it's a little problematic where we'll end up keeping things until the addition is completed and we can store them underneath the studio. At present, the lawnmower is in the basement--which is difficult and not really a solution because it's going to be hard for me to get the lawnmower up and down the inside basement steps. Oh, well.... Here are the before and after pictures:

This is how our storage shed has looked for years, maybe a century.

This is the work in progress. My studio will be 18 feet across the width of the house and extend out 11 feet.