Not All Bad.

This vase came from my last soda firing and I am very pleased. I've made a few of these in the past and finally found the right glaze to fit the form. I have always used orange slip and sigillata on the top section with the hope that the kiln will create the dynamic surface that is unique to soda firing, but the bottom section eluded me.

I love this metallic glaze. I've used several metallic glaze recipes in the past but this one seems to work the best for me. No running or blistering.

These vases take awhile to complete. I throw the bottom section separately, then push out from the inside and paddle in from the outside to create the irregular/organic shape. I add the legs and carve away until it looks right. I then throw the upper section and connect it. After it dries a bit I return to delineate the connection. There are four more in the studio that are bisqued, waiting to be fired.

Not all was perfect. All these tumblers will have to be thrown away. The glaze that I used successfully so many times in the past blistered badly. There were a few that worked out, but most of the kiln load will have to go to the pottery graveyard. Sometimes ceramics breaks my heart.

Summer Time Tumblers

I usually don't make tumblers, but I have started to really enjoy summer beverages, so I decided to make a few. Here I am mixing the glaze, it's an icy blue green color, perfect glaze for an icy, summer time beverage. Notice the wet shirt. I dunk my head in the kids pool and let the breeze from the swamp cooler keep my core cool.

I'm dipping the tumbler in the glaze, bringing the glaze to the rim and not letting it overflow into the interior. The tumbler is already lined with a shiny white glaze.

I'll be unloading the soda kiln full of tumblers tomorrow and posting them on etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6382559 by Sunday. Hopefully it's a good firing, check it out to see.

New Pet

We have some neighbors that let their rabbits go free because they were tired of taking care of them. They're not too bright and are irresponsible people(all cute Easter bunnies grow up). So of course they found their way to our yard and garden. This one was pretty easy to catch, I just picked him up by the scruff. The other one is a bit more skittish and we caught him when he entered my studio and we were able to scare him into a makeshift trap. Lori made them a hutch and now we have two new pets.
Now that we have them housed and fed, the neighbor girls want to take ownership again. Their parents should have taken responsibility and built them the proper hutch instead of some on the ground, maggot infested cage. The maggots are why they let them go. Lazy!
The girls love them.

Summer Harvest

Basil from our garden. Thank you Lori for growing it. Tonights pesto. Also, the first tomato of the summer, bigger than my fist. Bagle, cream cheese and a home grown tomato is what I like.

Portland, Oregon Solo Exhibit

I'm having a solo show at the Beet Gallery in Portland Oregon. Some new work and slightly older work that still has a heart beat. I'm glad to be showing my work in the great city of Portland. Thank you Sandy for inviting me.http://beetgallery.com/exhibits.html

Figs For Sale

The young fig entrepreneurs setting up for business. They did pretty good today, $15. A German and a Brit among others enjoyed the fresh figs on their way to Zion. Four for a dollar.

St. George Farmer's Market

I'll be at the St George Farmer's Market tomorrow the 27Th of June selling mugs and jugs and maybe some figs if there are some ripe ones in the morning. I'm hoping to attend several times this summer with new work each time. Come by and see what's new.

Broken Hare

One of the hazards of working with ceramics. When a box gets smashed in shipment, fired clay will not survive. Set backs like this make me rethink my decision to use ceramics as an art making medium.

Chicken Wrangling

Wrangling the chickens from my studio and kilns.

Returning the escapee back to its new yard.

Our young chickens are finally doing their job, that is laying eggs consistently and giving Ella the opportunity for some chicken wrangling. I love that she can run around the yard barefooted chasing the chickens.

We like our chickens to roam and scratch and peck the bugs and grubs in the garden, but they spend more time exploring my studio and kilns while making chicken messes where ever they go. I decided my studio should remain a studio and not double as a barn, so we built a small yard for them outside of the original enclosure, under the sun.

1956 Camp Trailer

We purchased this camp trailer about 5 years ago to house Danny, our first (and last)Toquerville Clay resident artist. This spring we took it in to the mechanic to get it fixed up for the road, bearings repacked and tail lights fixed. We purchased some new rubber and now we're rollin'. Last weekend we camped at Red Cliffs Campground. The kids loved climbing on the rocks while the old man enjoyed a G and T with the bride.

The end of the month, you'll find us at Navajo Lake where supposedly exists the best mountain bike single track in the country. We shall see.

Soda Kiln Firing

Here is some of the process of loading and firing the soda kiln. The kiln that I fire the most is small, so that I can turn over the work fast and respond to glaze and firing applications. This was a good firing for the most part. Some glazes didn't do what I expected, but maybe if I wait awhile, I'll come around.
The picture of me stacking the door shows the scale of this particular kiln. I have a larger soda that takes two days to glaze and load, plus a reduction kiln.
The last picture is of me squirting in the baking soda that is dissolved in water. The soda solution interacts with the silica in the clay and turns it to glass. The soda also helps create flashing and flame patterns.

Teaching Again

After grad. school and before we moved here, we lived in Denver. I taught adjunct ceramics at three different colleges there. When we moved here I gave up my teaching aspirations, and for the last 8 years, I've been a studio artist and part time bus driver to varying degrees of financial success.

Then 8 months ago the economy crashed and I panicked.

I called Susan Harris that teaches at Southern Utah University in Cedar City to see if there were any teaching opportunities and, if there were, I'd like to teach 3D Design. There were two classes available and I took them both. My initial interest in teaching again was financial, but it didn't take long for me to remember how intellectually stimulating academics is.

These wire projects were rendered by my 3D Design students from last semester. I found them to be very intriguing and amusing.

Mold Made Hare

Here is the mold made hare sculpture. It took me about 10-15 hours to finish instead of 50-60. The mold that I produced from the broken piece wasn't perfect, there were undercuts which distorted the finished product. When I pulled the body sections from the mold, they required only minor repairs due to the imperfections in the mold. It's like putting together a puzzle. Also, I didn't make a mold of the ears, so they have to be created from a slab of clay.

I'm now drying this sculpture on a kiln shelf and when it's dry, I'll place the sculpture and the shelf in the kiln together.

I have two other hares almost completed. I'll make molds of these two sculptures also. Eventually, I'll have several molds and I'm hoping the parts will be interchangable.

Since the pieces are finished in less time, I'll be able to take some risks with the glazing and explore some new surfaces. I see some aesthetic doors opening.

Jammed Up

This bisque kiln has been sitting like this for four days now. My plan was to be in the middle of a glaze/soda fire today and have the tiles finished by now. The "broken hare" and the subsequent mold making adventure set me back a few days. Also, the show at the Beet Gallery in Portland Oregon is stressing me out a bit as I want the broken hare to be included in the show. I wish I could do more than one thing at a time. I have too many interests and sticks in the fire.

Broken Hare and a New Mold

After working on this piece for 50 or so hours, I loaded it in the kiln and broke the two front legs off. This was an important piece, I felt as though I made some technical, conceptual and aesthetic progress, so to break the piece before it was fired was truly heart breaking. After a few days mourning the loss, I decided to make a mold of the broken hare.

I cut it into pieces, then poured plaster around the parts. It took me two days to make the molds since my skills are limited. (Why didn't I pay closer attention during that mold making workshop?) Anyway, after the molds dried in the desert sun, I pressed clay into the negative created by the cut up pieces. I now have a new piece put together. It's not finished, it needs to be cleaned up, but I'm only 3 hours into it which previously would have taken me 15-20 hours had I started from a fresh bag of clay. I'm looking forward to making some molds of more pieces as I finish them. Maybe I can make 4-6 a month instead of one. I'll post pics of the piece in progress later.

Zion National Park Shuttle

When we first moved here from Denver, I got a job baking bread, driving school bus and finally Lori read a job announcment in the paper for shuttle drivers for Zion National Park. We filled out the ap. and sent it in. I interviewed and got the job. Eight years ago, I started as a full time driver and three season's ago I went part time. This summer, I drive two days a week as my focus is the ceramics studio. This has been a great job and the folks I work with and for are easy to get along with. The job is seasonal and part time, so I get plenty of time in the studio and make a few dollars to help pay the bills. Plus, I get to look at the beautiful landscape all day and hang out with passengers that are on vacation.

I met these two ladies several years ago while driving the shuttle and they return each year from Florida. I just happened to see them today waiting to catch the shuttle from the Lodge to the Temple of Siniwava. It's fun to meet and see folks that return each year.

Coming Soon, Opal Moon Cafe

This is a picture of the soon to be "Opal Moon Cafe", taken from our front yard. Soon, the first of July, you'll be able to come to Toquerville and get a hot beverage or a savory meal and walk across the street and see and buy the latest pottery, tile and sculpture made by me, here in little ol' Toquerville.

Also, Noel Logan has recently retired and is now a full time sculptor and jeweler. He'll be here too. So you can visit him and see and buy his latest work.

We're thrilled to no longer be the only thing in town. Thank you Sebastian for working so hard to get the "Opal Moon Cafe" up and running. I can't wait to walk across the street for my morning cup.

Upcoming Mother's Day Sale

We are filling our shelves with handmade pottery and jewelry in anticipation of our Mother's Day Sale on Saturday and Sunday, May 9-10, 2009 from 11-4 both days. The sale will take place in Toquerville at our gallery and studio. There is a map on the right hand side of your screen for directions.

This year we have the work of myself, Danny Crump and Noel Logan. Danny Crump was our first artist in residence in Toquerville. He worked and lived in our 1950's camp trailer for two summers and sold his work out of our gallery. He has since gone on to undergraduate school in Logan, Utah at Utah State University where he just recently graduated with his B.F.A. He will have functional, wood fired pots.

Noel Logan is a sculptor who lives in Toquerville and owns Toquerville Bronze Works. He has a foundry in his backyard and has recently retired from archaeology to spend full time on his sculpture and jewelry. He sculpts his own wax molds and pours his own bronze and silver to make wonderful pieces of jewelry and unique sculpture.

I just returned from Phoenix where I participated in two sculptural shows and gave two presentations about my work. I have been busy trying to change gears and make functional pottery in my studio since I returned two weeks ago. I will have large jars and a new kiln load of functional ware on my shelves for the sale.

Lori will have homemade goodies to share throughout the two day sale so consider coming to Toquerville for the Mother's Day weekend and taking part in our handmade art sale. Local, original art...it doesn't get much better than that.

Don Reitz and Hide and Seek

Last year, at the Toquerville Clay Annual Holiday Sale, after all the artists arrived, our three kids were hyped up on all the activity and were playing hide and seek. I heard Brynn's muffled giggle and couldn't figure out where it was coming from. I followed the laughter to a Don Reitz pot that I own(because of a fire brick trade we made years ago). She climbed in and stayed there till I lifted the lid. This is a valuable piece of pottery, so I hesitate to allow it to be a hiding spot, but it is darn cute and I like the idea of a Don Reitz pot being reinvented for another use.

Potters as Sculptors as Potters

This sculpture and pitcher were in the "Potters as Sculptors as Potters" show at NCECA. It's always an honor when my work is exhibited along side artists that I've admired for so long. I was also on a panel of the same name with 4 other artists; Donna Polseno, Doug Casebeer and Liz Quackenbush along with Jim Ibur as the moderator.

We each had 10 minutes to show slides of our work and tell about ourselves. I had a speech ready to go before we arrived on stage. Then the opening line, "I have two mistress' " entered my thoughts and so 5 minutes before I stood at the lecturn, I changed my presentation entirely. I don't remember what I said, but I feel pretty good about it. It was flattering and an honor to be on a panel with such distinguished artists.

Lorna Meaden and the economy

I was talking to Lorna the other day and I mentioned something like, "How dare we try to be potters in this recession, who do we think we are?" She said something that caught me off guard, "I think it's great, we've learned how to be resourceful out of necessity and now everyone else gets to learn how to live like us, within their means".

This is a picture of her work in my kiln from a year and a half ago when she came to our Holiday Sale. It was a pretty good firing.

Look her up, she makes fine dishes.

In the Works

Three sculptures in various stages of completion. I almost gave up on the left one, too complicated and time consuming. The middle one is dry and ready to bisque then glaze. The one on the right is still giving me fits. I'll attach the arms after I figure out some technical and aesthetic issues with the lower half.

Hand Made Tile

When we moved into this house 8 years ago, the updates were cheaply done. Originally, there were no bathrooms in this house so we're grateful for the indoor plumbing, but it could have been done better. Currently our shower is down stairs in what was once the pantry. The previous owner chose the cheapest solution and after 8 years, it has run its course. So we're removing the shower downstairs all together and replacing it with a sink and putting in a shower upstairs where it should have been from the beginning.

I made these tiles with the help of my bride and kids. It takes a lot longer than I expected and with sculpture exhibit dead lines looming, I'm finding it difficult to focus on finishing the job. We have all the tiles made, I just need to glaze and fire them. When the shower is finished, the tiles will be placed where the backer board is installed. I like the wiggly, uneven quality of the hand made.

We have a wonderful installer who is doing our remodel and happens to be our neighbor and friend as well. Nate Torgerson is the guy you want if you need anything done to your home. He has great ideas, works quickly and efficiently and is great to have around.

Hare-arss

Two pics of a piece I've been working on. If it survives the firing etc, it will be at a show in Phoeniz, AZ for this year's NCECA. My daughter Brynn(8) giggles at this sculpture everytime she comes into the studio.

Two Pitchers/Jugs

These two were set aside from the last soda firing. I'm sending them to Red Lodge Clay Center in Montana today. www.redlodgeclaycenter.com Lots of great work up there. Check out their website.

Thank you to all

The Holiday Sale was a success. I had low expectations in terms of sales with the economy such as it is, so 15% less than last year was OK by me. All the artists left fed, hydrated and with a little extra cash. Thank you to the artists for lending us their reputations and professionalism and everyone that has supported the sale over the years, especially now with discretionary income limited.

Normally, I've been able to relax for a few weeks after the sale, but I have shows lined up until next fall. This week, I need to ship a show to Red Lodge Clay Center in Montana http://www.redlodgeclaycenter.com/, then next month, two pieces (one sculpture one vessel) to a group show at Ball State in Indiana, then two group shows at NCECA in Tempe. Then on to solo shows in Portland, Oregon and Denver, Colorado.

All the work is already made in my head and waiting to be turned into reality.

The Daily Spectrum, Life Section

Great article about the Holiday Sale. It came out this morning. I'm always a little nervous when articles are written about me, but I'm in good hands with Mr. Passey. http://www.thespectrum.com/article/20081205/LIFESTYLE/812050307/1024/CUSTOMERSERVICE02

Our Holiday Sale December 6-7 10am-5pm Saturday and Sunday

I've been receiving several compliments on my last email newsletter. If you're not on the list, it had pictures of the artists, their work and their artist statement. It occurred to me that if I look good, it's because of the professionalism and talent of the artists that are represented in the letter and at our sale. Scroll down to see a few images of their ceramic art and come to the sale to see and touch in person.
If you'd like to be on the list, email me at http://www.toquervilleclay@gmail.com/ I send four a year.

Joe Singewald

Joe is the only artist returning this year. Last year we invited him based on Danny Crump's (former resident artist here at Toquerville Pottery) recommendation and we're glad we did. He's great to have around and his work is just as fine as he is. We ended up with one of his woodfired serving plates and it's the one we reach for every time we BBQ. He just received his MFA from Utah State and is currently teaching at Southern Utah University in Cedar City.
Toquerville Pottery Holiday Sale, December 6-7 10am-5pm, Saturday and Sunday

Steve Schaeffer

I was first introduced to Steve through his sculptural work at a gallery in Flagstaff. A year later we got to know each other at the Louisville, Kentucky NCECA. There I was introduced to his utilitarian ware at a different gallery. When he agreed to come and share his sophisticated and beautiful pottery I was thrilled. His work is also wood fired and as you can see from the pictures, the surfaces range from subtle ash and flame patterning to slightly crusty. I'm looking forward to including his work in my collection.

Brad Schwieger

I got an email from Brad today telling me that he just shipped his work. Eight boxes from Ohio. I'm thrilled and flattered that Brad is coming to join us for this event that has been growing each year. His work is informed by both historical and contemporary pottery and is rooted to utility, but it can also function as a sculptural or decorative object. I'm looking forward to getting to know Brad over the weekend and acquire his art.

Anna from Germany

Hi Russell,

I just wanted to take the time to let you know how much I enjoy the pottery I bought from you.
Bringing home something that was made by a person I actually met in the country I visited has always been the way for me to select a “souvenir”. (O.k., I do buy a t-shirt every now and then). I use the plate, mug and bowl daily. It’s beautiful work! I selfishly decided to keep 3 out of the 4 bicycle tiles I bought. I had initially intended to give them away for Christmas – I guess I have to think of something else to give to my family now. Hanging them up next to each other on the wall is very decorative.
Unfortunately, I can’t come over for your Christmas sale to get new ones but I’ll be back the next time I come over to see Delena and Jon.
Keep doing what you love to do and good luck with the Christmas sale.
Tell your wife and the kids Hi.
All the best
Anna
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17503119

Jason Hess

I'm glad to have Jason Hess coming to the Toquerville Clay Holiday Sale. He teaches at Northern Arizona University and is coming from Flagstaff, Arizona. Most of his work is wood fired or wood/soda fired. The surfaces he gets range from juicy and luscious to dry and crackly. He exploits the wood kiln and uses it as a tool to achieve beautiful and varied surfaces. I'm excited to acquire something of his to add to my pottery collection.

Pottery

Here's anothe example of what will be available at our Holiday Pottery Sale. I'm really energized right now. I'm waking up in the middle of the night with new glazing ideas. I'm taking some creative risks so that I'm anxious for each kiln opening. The honeymoon is on again. This mug can be yours by going to http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17371083

Holiday Sale 2008 , December 6-7

Here's a vase that's been waiting to be glazed for about 6 months. I couldn't decide what to do until the metalic glaze came along. I made the glaze for my future handmade bathroom tiles(I will post the bathroom images later). I am very pleased with the outcome and the slip on the upper portion turned a really nice red/orange. Buy it?http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17370290

Holiday Sale Pottery

Another plate for the Holiday Sale. My efforts in the studio ebb and flow. I am now in the flow of things and am really invigorated by the process and waking up in the middle of the night with new ideas and designs. For your purchasing pleasure, go to http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17369863

6th Annual Pottery Holiday Sale

This is an example of what will be on hand at our Holiday Sale, Dec 6-7, 10am-5pm. I made this plate last week, it's inspired by my tiles. This is an example of one type of work influencing the other.
Other artists that will be here are Brad Schwieger from Ohio (OU), Jason Hess from Arizona (NAU), Steve Shaeffer fromArizona (NAU), Joe Singewald, Utah. Plus me. I'm a little worried about this sale, in this economy. I hope they can at least pay their travel expenses. Thank you in advance for coming and spending your money on thoughtful and meaningful gifts for yourself and your loved ones. I'll post more images in the next few days.
Go Obama!

A friendly note

I love when I get these kinds of emails.

Hi Russell, We were delighted to meet you, see your studio (and jack rabbits) watch your work evolve and acquire another one of your tiles in mid-Aug. Thought you might enjoy seeing where those tiles now reside in Flaggstaff.
Cheers, and thanks again for letting us invade your home.
Maria

Rabbit

Here's what I'm working on now. I have a show coming up in Springdale, Utah which will consisit of all sculptural work. I'll have four new pieces including the one that's shown here, plus some old work that's been shown here and there around the country. Next year I have two one person shows in Portland, Denver, and two group shows in Phoenix, AZ as part of NCECA. Plus, our Holiday Sale is around the corner and I need to get my shelves full of pottery. I'm having a good time making sculpture. I lose sleep thinking up new ideas.

Go to my website www.toquervilleclay.com and click on "Upcoming Events" for details on upcoming shows.

New Pottery

Teapot #1 $195 plus shipping. Large Serving Bowl $75 plus shipping
MUG $25 plus shipping.
SOLD, thanks Pete, Durango CO Teapot #2 $195 plus shipping.
Large Serving Bowl $75 plus shipping
When emailing me with your choice, indicate blog post title and pot number. http://www.toquervilleclay.com/

5 Mugs

MUG #1 $25 plus shipping. MUG #2 $25 plus shipping.
SOLD thanks Pete in Durango, CO MUG #3 $25 plus shipping. MUG #4 $25 plus shipping.
MUG #5 $25 plus shipping.

When emailing me with your choice, indicate blog title and mug number. http://www.toquervilleclay@gmail.com/

motives

A fellow just left our gallery and wants to sell me his equipment. He sandblasts kitchy kokepeli and other images from Southwest petroglyphs into stone tiles and I guess he has been successful until recently. He mentioned that he used to "bid against me" for some of the St. George Parade of Homes and that I used to frustrate his ambitions. It was kind of amusing because I don't really "bid". I just make objects that I enjoy making and if someone likes it, then they buy it. He discribed for me how they displayed my tiles since I didn't attend the home show.

Anyway, he's getting out of "the business" because he's not making any money. I have complete sympathy, our sales are down too, but I'm not getting out of art making. My studio practice is evolving in response to the down turn, in fact, I'm making objects that are more time consuming, more expensive and less marketable, but this isn't something I do just for money. When the times are good, everyone is an "artist", but when they're tough, the fair weather "artists" find something else to do. I told him he has to make what he makes for the right reasons, not just for money.

So this makes me wonder, why would anyone want to spend money and live with an object made by a guy that is only pandering to the market place? Instead, wouldn't it be more enriching to own work made by someone that makes their art because they have something to say, something to contribute to the overall conversation and because they just like making art?

Hand Made Teapots

1. Teapot, $195 plus shipping. This teapot was fired twice. The green glaze has a tendency to turn an ugly, bubbly matte pink, which is how it looked the first time it came out of the kiln. Firing it twice is a bit of a risk because the glaze can be blasted too much with the soda and get washed out. The second firing worked great this time. This glaze tuned the beautiful green that I hope for every time I use it. The subtle dots are where I applied wax resist.

2. Teapot, $195 plus shipping. I know most people use my teapots as decoration, but they are made to be used. There's a built in strainer on the inside and they pour beautifully.

Teapot Update

The teapots were fired successfully but, before I had a chance to photograph them, they were purchased. I have more in the works and plan to glaze similarly. I'll be sure to get them on the blog.

Three Teapots

Here are the three teapots from the previous entry that I'm getting ready to glaze. They have been bisqued and the green color is wax resist, the rust/reddish color is a terra sigillata slip. Sigillata is a clay that is reduced down to its smallest particle size, it's really smooth and once fired, makes for a nice rust colored glaze. Next, I'll dip the teapot in glaze and my hope is that the glaze will flow over the wax resist, leaving just a subtle hint of the dot since the glaze will be thinner in those spots. I have never made dots like this. Usually I make stripes to break up the swath of glaze color, but while waxing today the dot idea came to mind. I'm not the first, but it's new to me. We'll see if it works.

Three New Teapots

Here are three new teapots. They still need to be bisqued fired and glaze fired, so stay tuned. The last teapots I made were similar but with these, I'm no longer flaring the end of the spout. Also, I'm seeing how far I can push the fat portion of the spout, the part just before the opening. The one on the right is furthest along. Also, I like spouts that are smallish relative to the pot. My friend Rick and I had a long discussion about teapot spouts and we both agreed. The spout does have to rise above the lid flange.

I'm still working on two more, similar but with different proportions.

Opening Night in Pittsburgh, PA

Opening night for the "Greatest Show on Earth", a themed show in Pittsburgh, PA last month at NCECA. The show was curated by Lorna Meaden and Ilena Finocchi. The opening was fun with good conversation and many libations. I love going to NCECA and spending time with new and old friends. After all the fun, I'm always a little deflated when I return home to my quiet studio. I made this sculpture specifically for this show and am always flattered to be included in shows like this.

Can You Make Money At This?

Today, a gentleman stopped by to mostly talk about himself. One thing that he asked that has been asked many times before, and it always puzzles me, "Can you make money at this?". The answer is "no". That said, we do make "sufficient for our needs", but our motivation isn't money. We do need to make it financially, but not at the expense of my soul. I may be naive, but if you're going into the arts for money, then you're in the wrong "industry". Whenever an artist derives their self esteem from how much money they make, I think they need to dig a little deeper and find meaning in making work that comes deep from within their soul.

A Letter in the Mail

Not long ago, we received a letter from the local den-mother scolding us for not making cub scouts a priority. If fact, we've decided to not encourage Eli to attend for a number of reasons.

It was a lengthy letter but one sentence that stood out was "we should at least be willing to sacrifice an hour a week for our children". Implied is that since we don't participate in what is perceived as the proper and legitimate "family" activity that we must not posess "family values". While we don't attend church or send our kids to scouts it doesn't mean that we don't do anything for our children or that we have no structure. We just have our own set of priorities. For example, in our home, music is important. What that means is that we spend about $180 a month on lessons plus the drive time 20 miles away and waiting for the lesson. There is practice time that we're around for, plus all the group music events and more. I'm not saying that our priorities are better than church goers or sports families, everyone has their thing. But we do spend time and make sacrifices for Eli, Brynn and Ella, so when a fundamentalist of any stripe tries to claim their family values are superior to mine, it gives me pause. An hour, how about ones life?

Clarification

Even though we are paying extra for wind energy, I recently found out that as of now, we're not necessarily using the wind. Our money goes towards the development of clean, renewable power. All energy created by the wind is going into the grid so we could be using the wind and/or coal. I wish we could get just the renewable source, but for now, we're still putting our money where our philosphy is.