School Garden Signs

Here are the signs for two classrooms...

The students stamped out the letters...

They also made some sprigs, which got dried out...

So, I had to remake most of the sprigs...

Then, it was time for some yard work...

Maybe I need a lawn coach...

Emptying the Kiln

Figuring out how to attach these to the wall...

Just a few more to figure out...

Lost the covered box, sadly...

The crack fused on Tom's original wall heart...

These prototypes are done...

These need a dark wash and some clear glaze...

Can't wait to glaze my giant Cheez-It...

These will need a dark wash...

A neighbor woke us all up early...

Garden Sign Preparation

We're going to make school garden signs tomorrow...

Students will press out the letters for each sign...

They'll also use these sprigs and stamps...

Each classroom needs a sign...

I was able to neglect my yard in order to prepare...

Saturday, I'll put the signs together...

Next Kilnload

These plates and first aid boxes need to be sanded...

I like to make the surfaces look worn...

Now they're ready for the second firing...

These still need two more coats, and sanding...

Hoping to start firing on Saturday morning...

Arbol de Vidas & Dog Grooming

I've been layering color onto these sculptures...

This chartreuse one is now sanded...

This cream colored one is sanded, too...

Now these are ready for the second firing... 

The dogs look pretty spiffy with their new hairdos...

Layer After Layer

These wall nests are ready for their last firing...

Seeing if the crack repair works on this one...

These wall boxes have only been bisqued...

These will go into the kiln for one last time...

Percy is exhausted, and needs a haircut...

Wrapping it up for the evening...

San Juan Bautista Mission and State Historic Park Field Trip

Our groups met the honored mission cat...

The missions of California are complicated. In many ways, they are a tragic addition to the history of Native American life in the rest of the United States. Or, we could say North America, in general. I have my students research a Native Californian tribe, and then they select a mission. Both reports are designed to show the clash of cultures. The historic plan initially, was to make the Native Californians near the coast into "good Spanish citizens". It was a way for the Spaniards to gain a foothold in Alta California, and to develop the territory. However, it seems that the plan went from being one of conversion and assimilation, to simple economics. When the missions were no longer making money, their land was sold to private citizens.

During this particular year of teaching, I've been comparing the mission system to the plantation system in the southern part of the United States, in my head, of course. I try to keep my judgements to myself, and let students draw their own conclusions, after looking at the situation from both points of view. But, in my head, I have been reflecting on my visit to Arlington National Cemetery a few years ago. I remember reading about the small town that was formed by all of George Washington's slaves, when they were set free after his death. They had nowhere to go, no livelihood, no land. They were free, but to what end? When the missions were secularized, and Native Californians had lost their languages, customs, skills, lands, and religions, what was left? Imagine being told to leave all you had known for a second time. Yes, you're free, but free to do what?

Our docent asked the students how they thought California would have been different without the missions? This is an excellent question. Would we have been claimed by Russia, or England? Spain did not have enough settlers initially. What would have happened when gold was discovered?  Would the miners have brought even more sickness, death, and loss of land and language? It's hard to say.

Our state is a complicated composite of everyone who has ever lived here, including us.

The museum needs more posts from his journal...

Many, many milagros...

Candle making from the tallow...

A typical travel trunk at the hotel...

Teaching the Native Californians to sing...

True crime stories from Early California...

A lovely wedding dress...

Wanted to play poker with some boys in my class...

Learned about mission architecture...

Got home and headed off to a meeting...

Ready to Trade

Have a soda and a burger...

And, here's dessert...

There are fries...

A grilled cheese sandwich, and some hot dogs...

This hot dog has it's own plate...

We're ready to get the trading started...