As I hobbled around this morning, moving carefully (my back seems to be at its worst when I first get up) the morning light was shining on my vase of flowers. It was if they were under a spotlight. So I grabbed my iPhone and took a picture.
And then it occurred to me: Have I ever talked about this – my very favorite vase – before? If I have, it was only in passing.
As a collector of pottery, you must surely know that I have a LOT of vases. (A quick count of what I can see from my blogging chair results in at least 15 – and there are a lot more of them in various cabinets and on various surfaces. Maybe I’ll count them someday.) So, when I say this one is my favorite, that’s saying something.
I found it years ago, when I was living in Cambridge, in a little shop I used to frequent. It was run by two ladies who often had vintage Fiesta on hand and I used to collect Fiesta. They were so helpful and would call me when they found pieces of Fiesta they thought I would like. (I often wonder what happened to that shop.) This was in the late eighties – early nineties, so we’re talking at least 25 years ago. I saw this vase and was immediately taken by its form and function.
It was made by Red Wing Pottery. The outside is a matte white glaze and the inside is an apple green glaze. I looked it up on eBay and I didn’t see any pieces like this one, though I saw other designs in this white/green combination.
What makes it work is the simplicity of the design. It’s geometric in design; a four-point star. Those four corners formed by the star are the key. When I take a bouquet of, say, alstroemeria, and put it inside the vase, the stems automatically fall into the corners while some remain in the center and the bouquet looks beautiful. No arranging required. It looks utterly natural.
Genius.
I have a feeling I was initially drawn to this by the white/green combination, which I find striking.
It’s the perfect vase. It’s the one I always go to. I don’t know what I’d do without it.
I have no idea what I paid for it at the time, but I was on the strictest – and I mean strictest – of budgets, so it can’t have been much.
I just looked at the marking on the bottom: Red Wing USA 412. (Made in about 1952. We share the same birth year.) In searching for that particular number, I see that it was also made with a pale blue exterior and a coral interior. That would be pretty, too. (Hmmm. I’d have two of them! I’m filing this thought away for future eBay searches.)
Yesterday: I realized that vacuuming is entirely different now that Scout is not with us. There was hardly anything to vacuum. I stood there looking at the rugs and the floor which used to be a treasure trove of her beautiful hair and sadness overwhelmed me.
We still don’t know what to do with ourselves.
Happy Friday.
your vase is a very nice shape and being white all flowers look pretty in it. Doris
It works with any kind/color of flower, Doris.
You have to find the blue/coral combo, and something tells me you will. haha
I love the white/green. Different.
You will probably find less dust around your house also. But I realize this is of no
consolation. ::::sigh::::
You probably should back away from the vacuum until your back is 100% again.
Trust me. ;/}
Is the Fiesta made in West Virginia by chance?
Take a time out today and lay down with a pillow or two under your knees. It relieves the
pressure and your spine. This could help.
Have a beautiful day,
Monica
It was made by Homer Laughlin Pottery which was based in West Virginia, Monica. Mine was all vintage, so it came from WV.
My vacuum moves pretty easily and I barely have to lift a finger, so it will be fine!
I was made in WV in ’52. And they do make some beautiful pottery
to this day.
A good year, Monica!
Grief often finds it’s way into our body causing back aches or neck aches. You may want to consider a Reiki treatment, acupuncture or massage to help you get through the physical symptoms of sorrow.
Your pottery is beautiful and must lift your heart! Have a sunny day!
Coincidentally, my neck aches too! Right now, I’m going to baby myself and I know it will pass. xo
Good morning Claudia, Your vase full of flowers is so pretty, thanks for sharing. Grief is so challenging and changes by the moment. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Don as you mourn the loss of Scout.
One of the best things that works for me with my back is to just lay flat on the floor until your body relaxes and the shoulders relax and stay that way for about five minutes. I do that periodically throughout the day and it helps me. Not sure if it would help what is happening with your back, but it can’t hurt.
Thank you, Annie!
That is a beautiful vase Claudia. I very rarely see something on a blog and think, ” I could really use one of those.” But I did with this vase. I’m a horrible flower arranger but I love fresh blooms. And the clean, no fuss, lines of this vase are gorgeous.
I’m sorry about the vacuuming thing. I remember having that feeling when our last dog died. I used to joke I could make a pillow each time with the hair I vacuumed up. Then…what I wouldn’t do to have all of that hair everywhere. Praying always for you and Don.
Blessings,
Betsy
Exactly. I’d do anything to have to vacuum all that hair up once more. Thank you, Betsy. (And it is the perfect vase, truly.)
I really love that vase! It is perfect for flowers. I know the physical grief also, our bodies are still traumatized by our loss. Taking it easy and letting your self heal is the way to go. I so understand the vacuum and for me no cat hair. Day by day is all I can do now. I just watered my plants and I must admit I miss seeing Charlie ‘bites’ on the leaves. Sigh…everything reminds me of him as I know things remind you of Scout. The sun is shining today so I think I will get out of the house for a walk.
hugs,
Linda
That’s a good idea, Linda. I’m forced to stay indoors right now, but I’ll putter around here.
You’re so right – everything reminds us of them. Everything. Sending you a big hug.
What a great vase Claudia! I agree that you MUST find the blue/coral combination one as well. A little search on the internet could be fun. So wishing your back feels better soon. I know it is no fun. I remember that for months (and months) after Maestro (our cat) died my husband and I kept thinking we heard her – calling/meowing from outside, or scratching at a door. It has been 3+ years now and we have a new cat Tyge (for almost 2 years), but I still miss Maestro who was so special to us.
This morning I heard the floor squeak (turns out it was Don) but for a moment I thought it was Scout getting up to go get water. Don thought he heard her downstairs during the night. Sigh.
Claudia, I know you are going to be getting little fur ball “I Love You’s” from Scout for the longest time when you move a piece of furniture, etc. They will be precious reminders of your sweet girl.
I just looked at your Instagram pix and would love to know about the larger plate with the red wine/purple flowers situated behind the Roseville Water Lily vase. My mother (age 96) was given a creamer in this pattern by an elderly friend many years ago (1940’s I believe). When I searched on-line, I was not able to get much information.
The one in the very back, Kaye? I just got up to look at it. No markings! I wish I could give you more information. It’s very old, with a lot of crazing. I’ll try to find out something.
Thank you, Claudia. Next time I visit Mother I will give the creamer another look. Can’t remember if it has any markings.
I’d be curious to see what you discover, Kaye.
That’s really an unusual vase…but it’s shape makes perfect sense! I like it! Hope your back feels better. Seems like the older I get, the more careful I need to be about my back. Hope you can enjoy your day! ;)
And I really didn’t do anything to it that I can recall. It just happened, darn it!
The vase is beautiful! A few years ago I bought 3 little candles in white ceramic holders w/ the green on the inside. They remind me of Spring and I love them! To find the other 2 vases would be a fun find, for sure!! I don’t remember you ever showing that vase before. But perhaps it was filled with blooms and I simply saw a white vase because of the way it cleverly cradles the flowers.
Hope your back feels better as the day goes on.
I’ve shown it before, but you’re right – it’s usually filled with flowers. Otherwise, it’s in the kitchen china cabinet. The back does feel better as the day goes on but in the morning, yikes. It’s very painful!
Claudia, I am a long time reader yet this is my first time to comment and I have purposely waited just a bit before posting. One thought continually surfaces throughout each day since Scout departed. “Because of the great love that flowed so openly between you, Don, and Scout, hundreds of people have been drawn together in kindness and sharing.” I believe many of us are finding comfort and healing in the words of others that we may never meet beyond your blog.
Isn’t this the perfect example of what life is to be about, caring for one another and lending
support through the darkest hours. Scout brought about this gathering of hearts and we have all been blessed.
Rebecca
Thank you so very much, Rebecca. Your words have provided solace and peace and I can’t tell you how much they mean to me. Bless you. I have been blessed by all of you. xoxo Claudia
Yes Rebecca, That is a Wonderful, Beautiful Thought!
Well Said!
And to Claudia my thoughts and prayers remain with you as long as needed. Judy A-
Thank you, Judy. I agree – it’s simply beautiful.
Hi Claudia,
I have only posted once or twice but have been reading your blog everyday for a few years. So, feel I know you and Don and Scout even tough we haven’t met. And, I have the gorgeous Wildberries scarf you made!
I have cried so many times since you lost Scout. Am a total animal lover and I just am so sad for the pain you and Don are going through.
Have always had a cat or two my whole adult life and have been through that many times. Especially with one, Sami ( Samantha) who lived to be 20.
She really was a special little soul.
I know it’s too soon, but I wonder if you have thought of rescuing another little dog. Scout knows you loved her and would know you weren’t replacing her. I think she would be happy if you gave another pup the loving home you gave her. She wouldn’t want you to to be so sad.
There is another special being who is sad and lonely and maybe scared, who needs a loving home. Scout has probabably picked her/him out for you!
You just need to find her.
Hugs,
Suzanne in Carmel, CA
(I gave you a Monterey address for the scarf)
We will someday, Suzanne. We can’t imagine our lives without a dog to love. But we have spent the last 9 or 10 years nursing Riley and then Scout. We haven’t had a vacation together for years – we’ve chosen or not chosen work based on the need for one of us to be home with the dogs. We’ve missed each other’s opening nights. And if that happens again someday, that’s fine. But right now, hard as it is to not have a little one in the house with us, we want to be able to visit my sister in Florida and to go to England and France. So we’re going to take some time for us and travel before we rescue another animal. The right situation will show itself to us. I’m a firm believer that we will be led to rescue and adopt a dog when it’s the right time.
You certainly deserve a vacation together Claudia. And England and France sound wonderful!
So, I understand completely.
Visiting your sister and “little buddy” too.
Thanks for your nice reply. I was almost afraid to suggest adoption so soon. But just worried about you. But you’re on top of things!
Hugs,
Suzanne
Thank you! I’m worried about me, too. I don’t know what to do without a doggie to mother. So even though we’ve made this decision and it’s a wise one, I’m still yearning for a baby to love. It’s not easy for me to be without a dog. I truly don’t know what to do with myself right now. Neither does Don. Especially since the past year has really been about taking care of our fragile girl. It filled every day. So…we’re at sixes and sevens right now.
I meant “probably!”
My iPad changes words!
Suzanne
xo
Ar those the same flowers you purchased in Hartford? If they are, they still look so fresh and beautiful!
Take care of your back. I hope both you and Don have a restful and peaceful weekend!
Yes, I purchased them on the way home last week – actually, Don did. Alstroemeria last at least two weeks, if not more, so you get a lot of bang for your buck!
That is a brilliant design for a vase. Plunk the flowers in and they fall naturally into place. So much easier. Sometimes I feel like I need architectural skills just to get a bouquet decently-arranged – LOL. I think the simplest vases are the best too. They really let the flowers shine, as it should be. Hope your back bounces “back” soon – and have a great weekend. Leap Day on Monday…
It is perfection, this vase! Have a wonderful weekend, Janet.
I love that vase. I’ll be on the lookout for a geometric vase like that. I love the idea of dropping in a bouquet and the flowers arranging themselves! Claudia, do you have a scrapbook of Scout, Winston and Riley? I know many people have digital scrapbooks, but someone like you enjoys the visceral feeling of a book in your hands. You can collect yours and Don’s favorite Scout, Riley and Winston stories from your blog, and write new ones that would be private, no need to share them with us. Create a three-volume set of stories and photos with a hand-created binding.
I’m thinking of making a photo book of both Riley and Scout. We have fewer photos of Winston, simply because he was in our lives before digital cameras. I think I’d have them done professionally (by that, I mean bound.)
Claudia, I came back to read the comments today and What R. Dineen wrote is beautiful. Doris
It truly is, Doris. I think I’ll share it everyone tomorrow.
It took me literally months to clean the glass storm door when one of our dogs passed several years ago because the glass had her nose prints on it. Grief does such strange things. I am excited that you might be going abroad. Hope you will share your travels with those of us who remain at home.
I completely understand, Dottie. I would hesitate to clean that glass, too.
We plan on going, but we’re not sure yet as to when.
I don’t have your knowledge of pottery but my mom was fairly knowledgeable, and I don’t remember her ever telling me about Red Wing; I don’t know a thing about it. Interesting.
The vacuuming. Not having to. I don’t know what that is…yet. We’ve never not had furry creatures since we got married. I do remember as a newlywed thinking, “Man, my apartment never needed this much cleaning!” (Apartment dweller = no pets allowed.) My shepherd sheds so much hair right now (well, year’round); I’m amazed it doesn’t plug up the pipes in this older house we’re in, when I do laundry or give her a bath. It’s all over everything all the time (as a vet I once had said, ‘it’s even in the ice cube tray’).
Sending you and Don a comforting hug for the weekend. A ‘new normal’ is challenging.
Since my old-man cat died at age 19 a few months ago, every time I go in my garage (where he liked to spend all his time in his bed at the sunny window), it hits me that I don’t smell a litter box…for the first time since I’ve had cats (nearly 30 years)…and I’m not saying that’s not nice, because it is (I obsessively clean litter boxes because I can’t stand the stink, nor can the cats). [I always seem to wind up having at least one cat in the garage in any house I live in; somebody I’ve brought in from danger of night and also weather but who will never transition to a ‘house’ (indoor) pet.] But the absence of the litter boxes only makes me miss the cat more, each time I go out there, which is daily because the garage is where I have the washing machine/dryer. I keep feeling there’s something more I need to do…check his water, open the window, straighten out his blankets, clean the box, check on him, give him medicine…but it’s only just the wash now.
I miss the old man, little kitty, who never failed to greet me, no matter how badly he was feeling on a certain crummy day in his old age. He’d outlasted all the other cats and even though I know he missed his feline companions SO much…they were all amazingly compatible, mostly because they deferred to him(!)…he also made me quite aware for 19 years that I was the most important thing in his life from the absolute FIRST minute I ever saw him and he let me hold him in one hand when he was barely 2 months old.
It’s love. Just pure love. I can’t imagine not having the love of a pet at least once in a life. You and I and other readers here have been blessed with that love, Claudia. How lucky to have had it when other people simply have no idea what they are missing…
You were blessed by your old man’s presence in your life and he was blessed by yours. That’s not a small thing. It’s a huge thing, a huge relationship and when it suddenly ends (at least on this plane of existence) it’s devastating. Today, Don came in the door and said “Are we still a family?” I know what he means. We’re a couple and yes, we’re family, but our family was a family because of our pets. And Scoutie was with us the longest, she was simply our baby girl and even when she was so old and fragile, she was still our baby girl. I don’t know sometimes how to get through the day. Then I’ll suddenly remember my dad in his hospital bed and I’ll have a flash of Scout memory and I’m undone.
Red Wing pottery was made in Minnesota. Check it out on eBay. xo
Oh, shoot, I just had tears spring to my eyes. I know what that is; I do, I do. Coincidence but, yes, just last night, I was sitting on the sofa when my husband got home very late from work (Job #2 [night] after Job #1 [day]), 11pm; he was exhausted after the hour’s commute and long day which had started at 6am, still trying to overcome his surgery from the end of January (he only stayed off work for a week, too concerned about the jobs). He flopped down on the sofa next to me, head on my shoulder, and of course, who came next in the flopping, but the dog, right next to him. Daddy’s home; big sigh of relief. She can’t rest til we’re all together. I looked across at the three of us stretched out on the sofa and thought, “Well, that’s our little family.” Yes, I understand what he means. I totally, totally get it, Don.
Me too. xo
Had a normal Friday at school today (teach Kindergarten). Tired after a week of teaching energetic Ks. Had to vacumn after seeing all the dust bunnies from our two rescues. And am thankful for it. Still missing my KK (Casey) who crossed the rainbow bridge 2 years ago Earth Day. By the way my mom passed away same day year earlier. Coincidence don’t think so. And Dad almost year earlier from Mom. So understand your grief. Take your time. It does heal but they are always in our hearts and we all find our way to do so.
I would be thankful, too. As annoying as they were, I’d give anything for those dust bunnies to be here again. So sorry for your losses, Sandy. I understand how painful and gut-wrenching they are. xo
I could definitely use a vase that arranges the flowers for me…lol..
Exactly! It does it for me and much better than I could, I might add.
The flowers look gorgeous in the light. I have a quite similar vase only that mine has a six-point star in all white, which still allows the magic to happen when you put the flowers inside of it. It really is genius. The color combination is fantastic. I bet it would also look great with a light Lila or a light sunflower yellow inside. Hugs, Susi.
It IS genius, isn’t it? Now I have to look for a six-point star vase, Susi!
That’s a great vase I will be on the look out for one – perhaps at SuzAnna’s Antiques! The green inside is unusual – must even look pretty without flowers.
Take care of that back – I find I cannot push the vac much anymore on carpet – now hire Bob to do stairs and our bedroom. Just glad I had hard floors put in living/dining area etc. couple of years back, so much easier to clean.
I know how you feel – older daughter and family just had to say goodbye to their poodle – but like you they have lovely memories of little Lexi who was their fourth ‘child’ for 12 years.
Hugs – Mary
It’s a chronic back thing – lower right back – I have a knot there and it hurts!