As we began planning our time in Ojai, I decided I would try my hand at pottery during our stay. Turned out, this was a great decision. In the tiny town of Ojai where there is mostly just one of any kind of store or outfit, there are 3 pottery studios. Ojai is a mecca for artists. I did my research when we arrived and found a place that is not too expensive for a beginner like myself.
My first lesson was last week. Bryce, a young college going student offered to get me acquainted with clay and wheel. In an hour-and-a-half, I went from working the clay into a ball, centering it on the wheel with little success and then crafting what may pass as a cereal bowl with much help from Bryce. It was exhilirating! Working with clay on the wheel turned out to be a full body workout. Don't believe me? Try it sometime. My whole body was sticky ... with clay. Thrilled with my first lesson, I signed up for 3 more, hoping to get them all in by tomorrow while the wheels were turning .. if you know what I mean.
And then, it began to rain. This Ojai rain has been no ordinary rain. Its exactly like the monsoon in Bombay .. it comes down constantly, endlessly, ceaselessly and steadily. It started Thursday night and here I am on Monday night and it is yet to let up. I am told this is unusual .. but I don't know that. I am also told that when it stops on Wednesday the town will return to its 70F and sunny weather and nobody will believe me if I told them that it was raining only a few days ago.
The continuous nature of this particular low pressure system that descended on Ojai has caused water damage to the pottery studio. It is going to remain shut for a while to come. I spoke to Bryce today and he says he is going to investigate further. While I don't have a picture of the water damage at the studio, I am including here a picture of the 'waterfall' that formed in our driveway. I am told I won't get to see such a waterfall again during our stay. That it was a one-time wonder; the kind that I don't want my pottery experience to be.
Comments