Jerry Brown Pottery

Jerry Brown's Pottery Shop is located just a few miles from Hamilton, Alabama. It is a beautiful place.

There are shelves and tables of gorgeous pottery. Because it was Black Friday, Mr. Brown was offering 10% off everything in the store. I really wanted one of each item, but I had to settle on one thing for my anniversary gift. Decisions, decisions.

Mr. Brown was also giving tours. Here, he is explaining to Hub about how clay is turned until it is the consistency of play dough. Mr. Brown uses this mixer turned by a mule, just like his daddy did for many years. The elder Mr. Brown had Jerry helping with the pottery making when he was a very young child.

Above: Mr. Brown with his mule, Blue. Blue is thirty years old, and has been mixing clay for twenty eight and a half years.

Mr. Brown uses this gas powered kiln, and he also has two electric ones. He told us the color of the glazes they use change according to which kiln they are baked in.

It was awesome getting to be in the studio where all this traditional art is made.

Comments

100 miles or less: Rattlesnake Saloon

The Rattlesnake Saloon was opened on Labor Day, 2009. Dining there is an unique experience. It is way out in the boonies in Colbert County, Alabama. It is hard to get to, even for locals, but they have had visitors from all over the United States and many countries throughout the world. Sitting comfortably under the huge rock overhang, I couldn't help but think about the people who have sought shelter there from storms or heat. I can imagine the Native Americans using this place for a meeting area or a dry place to camp for a while. Not so many years ago, it was used as a pig pen. They have good food and live music and a hitching post if you want to ride your horse there. Most of us were picked up in a pickup, called the "Saloon Taxi", that runs from the parking lot to the restaurant continuously while they are open. The Rattlesnake Saloon is aptly named. During construction, workers unearthed a mother rattler with twelve babie...

Amish in Stantonville, Tennessee

Last week, my sis and her hub went with us to the Amish community near Stantonville, Tennessee. It was a beautiful day, and we love driving to new places and finding new treasures. We enjoy these mini-trips we take together, where we giggle a lot and get caught up on everything. Also, the squirrels ate all our tomatoes, so we needed to find some to buy. You know the food you are buying is fresh when they bring it from the field while you are standing there waiting for it. Here is part of what we brought home, and it was all delicious. Stantonville is located in McNairy County, Tennessee, northwest of Shiloh National Military Park.

Old Water Tower in Florence, Alabama

So, we have lived in Florence since 1986 and I didn't see this old water tower until last week. Shame on me. It is located on Seymore Street, in a residential neighborhood in Florence. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this tower of native stone was completed in 1890 as the foundation for a wrought- iron tank with a capacity of 280,000 gallons of water. It is 70 feet high and is located on the highest elevation in the city. Water was pumped here from Cypress Creek. It was constructed during the Industrial Boom at which time the population of Florence increased from approximately 2,000 in 1887 to over 6,000 in 1889. It was replaced by the adjoining standpipe in 1935. (from historical marker on site.) I'm sure there was lots of planning, lots of discussion about funding, and lots of joy when this water tower was completed. Not one person who was there to celebrate its completion is alive today, but the water...

Faith, Folklore, and Friends

Search This Blog