My son David turned 18 on Saturday. In the blink of an eye he went from this gorgeous, gorgeous child.
To this six foot five eating, sleeping and mess making machine. David, whilst still totally gorgeous, is now legally allowed to drink in front of his mother as evidenced by the stubbie in his hand. Though he still has a bit to learn about building a proper fire. For the record the fire did actually go very well, once the tripod/teepee structure fell over.
Where has that time gone internet? I am now the mother of two adult children, both of whom have their own firm opinions and ideas about things. There is a wonderful freedom mixed with a great deal of sadness to know that I have successfully made myself redundant.
The title of this post is “A Galloping case of Inertia” A serious dose of the can’t be bothereds would also be an apt description of how I had been feeling all last week. June is a difficult month for me in that my children find June difficult. In 2009 we buried my mother on my son David’s birthday, it is a measure of how stressed I was by the behaviour of two family members that I agreed to bury Mum on that day. I should have waited, I should have hurried, I should have done a lot of things internet but what’s done is done and if wishes were horses I would own a circus.
With the emotional hangover of June still nipping at my heels, I have decided to focus on the other reason for my current sadness and inertia.
Character assassination.
It has been brought to my attention that someone out there who happily swims in the crazy soup of internet nutters and like minded loonies has been busily emailing people warning them that “@frogpondsrock” is dangerous.
I understand that to some people, questioning the status quo could be a dangerous thing to do. I will freely admit to poking peoples sore spots on the internet. I will honestly say that naming a group of bloggers as remarkable, leaves the creator of that brandname open to mockery. I will loudly question the promotion of Nestle at bloggers brunches. I will state clearly and for the record that Manifestos in handy dandy graphic form make me roll my eyes so far back in my head that I fear for my eyesight.
I am not afraid to stand up and very publicly speak my mind. I am also contrary enough to take the opposite side of an argument just to see what happens.
What this anonymous emailer fails to understand, is that I do not have anything to gain by promoting the truth as I see it and I also do not have anything to lose. Maybe this combination does make me a tad dangerous to certain fragile souls, as it means I can stand on my soapbox in my corner of the internet and say whatever I damn well please.
I am only one opinion amongst the zillions of opinions in this crazy online world I inhabit and if you feel so threatened by my opinions then I feel very, very sorry for you.
I learned at the fist of my father to never stay down and to never shut up.
I have opinions and in a quirky twist of fate my opinions belong only to me and I honestly fail to see how my opinion can impact on any one else other than me.
I will repeat that one more time for emphasis, My opinions belong only to me.
And now I will move along to other more interesting subjects, like my ceramics and my photography.
I was trying to photograph my work, I am not a technically minded photographer. I forget what f-stop I am supposed to use and I get my DOFs mixed up with my apertures and I honestly do not know what shutter speed goes with what. But I can tell you the exact temperature that small river rocks gathered from the banks of the Derwent river will begin to fuse with ceramic bowls (1260 degrees)
But sometimes, internet, sometimes I capture a beautiful photo and this is one that I particularly like. The work has been stained with a red iron wash and is waiting to be fired to stoneware temperature. But it is the background of this photo that particularly appeals to me, the reflection in the door of the kiln is like a soft pastel still life and it pleases me deep within my soul.
The texture on the rim of this bowl also pleases my eye.
Another pot waiting to be fired is this gift for a friend. The grey that you can see is a glaze which should turn out to be a deep blue/green gloss which I am hoping will work against the red/black matteness of the iron wash.
And yet more work waiting for me to turn off the computer and turn on the kiln. These are tiny little shallow pots that fit nicely in the palm of my hand. The daisy pattern was made by pressing a doorknob into a ball of soft clay, the other marks on the rim, come from bits of coral and other bits and bobs.
I would be lying if I said that the hate campaign directed at me didn’t hurt. But writing this post has helped me to see that one persons mud is another persons art and I have to ask myself how sad and insecure must this person be to be so obsessed by a middle-aged, mouthy mudslinger from Tasmania.
If I spent any significant time worrying about others opinions I would surely stop publishing so many blurry photos and start taking proper photos of proper things.
Comments on this entry are closed.
Pffft…..as IF yu CAN be silenced my enthusiastic friend hahahaha…love your work x
Yes, well my lovely one YOU have seen (and heard) me singing in public. trololol
darling,
you? DANGEROUS???
oy. you are one of the few genuinely sane (and deeply funny) people on the web.
my stepsons are both complete adults now, and “catching up” with one another in europe as i type. freaky how 11 years can just fly by…love your work. (both literally and metaphorically). x
Oh thank you Lucy, I didn’t realise how bothered I had been until your comment came through. Europe? How wonderful but also how nervewracking . x
You call a spade a spade Kim.. And sometimes a shovel 😉 . Most of us appreciate that.
I’m finding it weird just having one adult child!
xx
Mostly a “fucking shovel”. Thanks lovely
Stuff the naysayers – your wit, honesty and intelligence has obviously gone way over their pea brained, narrow minded head!! Keep blogging – some of your stories are so well described that I can completely visualise them and laugh heartily along 🙂
🙂
Good grief, last time I heard David was just turned 16 and OMG he’s 18 and legally drinking beer???
You’re not dangerous, Kim, but you’ve obviously scared some fragile lil idiot on the ‘webs by questioning things lol.
Yes Jayne 18 and now he is allowed to drink beer and I cant stop him *sigh* Luckily he likes expensive beer so he can’t afford to drink much hehehe
Outspoken? Yes. Opinionated? Rightly so. Dangerous? No, I don’t think so. I would much prefer someone disagree with me and be passionate in their thoughts and feelings than be a yes-man.
So would I Glow, so would I.
Kim, you are ever so lovely, and you have raised two remarkable children into adults. Manifestos (particularly around blogging, which should be very individual) just make me worry, but then I’m a trouble maker (in the good way) too.
Much love,
Matt.
Thank you Matthew and you are a gentleman and a scholar xox
ummm you? DANGEROUS?? Maybe with some fired ceramics, a bad case of PMS and a target that stays still….but otherwise I am sitting here giggling. I mean your CAR might be dangerous to most people definitions of functional, your ceramics might be dangerous if you threw them a someone…. but you? NAH! Sorry love you are too big a softy.
What’s wrong with my car Zelda? I got you and your Mum to the airport and back in one piece lol. hehe Thanks for the giggle
Nothing is wrong with your car…. if you remember you are an artist!
My car is mechanically very ,very sound, it is just a tad dusty and full of very important stuff 😉
Like you! You is important!
<3
dangerous? are you going to get a leather jacket now?
And wrap around aviator sunglasses. If you want me I will be in front of the mirror practicing my sneer and perfecting my slouch.
Firstly, congratulations to your son turning 18. Mine’s 7 years behind and I know that’s gonna go quickly.
And to the hate campaign? I guess try and look on the bright side? At least you’re passionate about what you’re doing and that tends to attract haters. Sod ’em.
It goes so so quickly Jen, the days are long but the years are so very short. I think also, that some people are frightened of passion, they are used to bland and passion is not encouraged.
and since reading this post, I cannot get Roxette’s song Dangerous out of my head.
“hold on tight, you know she’s a little bit dangerous…”
thanks for the earworm Toushka, you are a real pal.
Thank you very much! Now it’s stuck in my head too!
😆
I love that song!
Good that you have ‘called them out’ by talking about it so publicly. Have they nothing better to do with their time? Some minds are just terminally narrow and small.Speaking your mind is dangerous? Long live being assertive and uncowed by such idiots as your nasty email ‘friend’. I once deflected a sharp remark of yours to protect another but uphold your right to express your opinion.
Just keep on doing what you do Kim, I enjoy your blog a lot, including the blurry photographs – – thinking of recent lovely expressions of tulips on your blog. I like your textural pots too, some seriously nice stuff happening there. Please post pix of them when fired, I hope it is stoneware so the oxide goes bluey in the recesses.
Anyhow, your openness and fearless way you speak of the fragile elements of family life are refreshing and touching – to me it is reassuring. I am not the only one who buckles and flails every now and then. You know that quote of Brendan Behan’s ? ‘ _ _ _ _ the begrudgers!’ if you’ll excuse the language.
Thanks Elaine, and thanks for deflecting one of my sharp remarks. I forget that sometimes my bluntness doesn’t translate well to the written word and I am sorry if I caused any hurt. Really sorry.
As to the pots, I will fire these to about 1260 and see what happens. The oxide wash is 60 Red Iron Oxide, 20 Rutile and 20 Nephelyne Syenite. I have sponged a cobalt oxide wash onto parts of some of the tiny pots as well just to see what happens. I was also thinking of adding a Matt white as an accent here and there. I will post photos of the finished pots along with notes of what I have done to each pot.
Oh poop to ’em!! You hit the nail on the head when you said it was ‘your’ opinion…. I love your blog and seldom leave a comment so here it is!! A comment!! Keep up the good work! x Debs
Thank Deb, Thanks heaps actually 🙂
Dangerous? Pfffft. It’s not like you’re hanging around twitter with a switchblade waiting to mug people. You speak your mind how is that dangerous? An advocate for insect porn, yes. Dangerous, no. Ah screw ’em Kim. not worth your time.
I was thinking about your comment as I walked up to the studio and I ended up having a wonderfully silly daydream about an online trebuchet full of the spiky letters like X and W, Z an K attached to my twitter handle. Ready to fling off stabby random letters and… well anyway you get the picture lol
I love that you speak your mind. Only a weak mind would be threatened by this and I resent the troll’s assumption that people need to be “warned” about you. (Hi Troll – most of us are smart enough to work out that Kim is genuine which must make you the “dangerous” liar).
God knows we’ve disagreed about some things, but being adults, we are civil about it and it doesn’t stop us from expressing our opinions and speaking our minds and remaining friends.
Love you.
XA
Thank you lovely, I cant ever remember disagreeing with you, well apart from the issue of School Chaplains but we agreed to disagree on that one. Love to you as well xox
hey, my DANGEROUS friend – I do love the doorknob patterned bowl!!! and your photos…..and your very grown up kids – seems to me like you’ve done a great job all round (I’m sure my parents always suspected you were dangerous!!)x
Oh you make me giggle, thank you lovely. I spent the afternoon thinking about how long it would take to really teach a budgie to swear.
It’s a shame that the most hurtful are the most insecure. I know when I’m feeling insecure other people’s mere opinions can feel like criticism, and also I start doubting my own opinions in the light of theirs.
What beautiful photos on this page – your son and your art 🙂
Thanks for your insight Sue, I hadn’t thought about my assassinator feeling insecure. I like your perspective 🙂 and thank you for the lovely compliment.
Ugh. Some people are just dicks. And as for having adult children, I have two now too. Scares the crap out of me. And as you know I have 3 to go.
Surely by the time the fifth becomes an adult you will be an EXPERT Tina 🙂 xox
LOVE your pottery, also happy birthday to your son.
Thank you 🙂
Oh feck……..,some people just need a smack……in the head….with a brick.
Sending much love
I feel like choc caramel slice now lol.
David looks just like Isaac in that pic
My oldest is 23 that’s scary…………
Isaac is very similar to David in a lot of respects. Strong genes here.
Wow. I think I just blinked and woke up in the dark ages.
Maybe this person should throw you in a lake and see if you drown. If you do, you weren’t dangerous, and if you don’t, you’ve proved them right and should be burned at the stake.
Sheesh.
I only hope I can be as dangerous as you one day, dear Kim.
I love you Fe, You make me giggle. lots.
Meeting you last weekend was amazing, and reaffirmed to me ho awesome you and your daughter are.
And
ZOMG that little David looks like V’s boy.
Thank you Fiona 🙂 xx I hope you come back down to Tassie again soon. And Yes, Isaac is very very like his uncle David
Far too eloquent a post for me to really believe you fail to see how your opinions can impact others. It is just an opinion that it’s a good thing that you and your kids have your own firm opinions and ideas about things. When people look at you and like what they see, that opinion is endorsed and supported with evidence. Opinions don’t come from nowhere. They’re modelled and moulded, adopted, adapted and rejected.
By these comments, sounds like your a great success in the modelling, whilst going easy on the moulding. A virtuous approach to free-thinking that is unsuited to many environs.
Cam I honestly can’t work out what you are trying to say.
I can’t pretend it’s the first time I’ve heard that, Kim.
I was simply a bit confused by you talking up the importance of opinions, and the claiming not to see how your opinions can impact others. When you share your opinions, you help people (including me) understand the world – that’s the impact. I believe that’s why many of us play in opinion spaces.
If someone rang a hate campaign against me I would be utterly crushed. I admire you so much for not letting it get to you. Like you say, nothing to gain (so why are they angry? so strange), nothing to lose by speaking your mind. You are sometimes the one voice of sanity in my twitter feed Kim. Don’t stop.
And your boy is so grown up! That photo reminds me of my brother and his mates when they were that age. Always with the bonfires.
I have been leaving twitter alone because of this Sarah, you have made me realise that not everyone thinks I am a horrible mouthy monster. Thank you. And yes boys with fires, it is always the boys poking in the fire. Luckily we have the space so that they can have a decent fire.
Happy birthday to your son. Whenever I feel challenged by parenthood, I know I still have so much to learn … congratulations to you both for making it so far.
As for the nasty emails – I have no words. It is scary that the so-called anonymity of the internet (and often this is untrue as anyone with a bit of knowledge can track down their nasty attackers) has bred this collection of trolls who feel so empowered to say things online and without their names that they don’t have the guts to say to our faces.
But I always feel these attacks say so much more about them than about the victim, particularly when it is someone like you, who is strong enough and brave enough to speak out like you have done here.
I have admired you and your daughter since my early days as a blogger, and found you both supportive and encouraging. Not dangerous at all.
In fact, very, very, brave.
Thanks For the birthday wishes Bron, raising boys is seriously tricky. There were times in the past three years when David was grieving his Grandmother so deeply that I doubted that we would be here together. Phew.
Thank you for your supportive words as well xox
Happy Birthday to David. I truly thought that first picture was Isaac when it showed up in my reader.
My kids have been adults for so long the novelty has well and truly worn off, but the grandchildren! 18 and 16!!
And the boy does love bonfires, he and his mates do things with packets of sparklers and empty bottles and stuff….not to worry though, an adult is always around and there is plenty of space on their property.
I like the look of your new work and can’t wait to see how the colour turns out. I like your idea of using a doorknob to make a daisy, that’s so resourceful! That pot with the vines/twigs/branches design is going to be lovely.
And what’s this about singing in public??? I can’t even sing at home. I so rarely use my voice (except at work), I’m sort of afraid of hearing myself. I’m the quiet type. Plus there’s no-one here to talk to.
I’m glad you’re going to ignore the dissenters and keep voicing your opinions. If only they knew that everyone is entitled to their own opinions and they don’t have to agree with everyone else, it’s the many varied opinions that make this world go round.
PS, the fist of your father is a horrible way to learn anything.
David and Isaac are very very similar and not just in looks. Boys need space to be boys and that quite often involves letting them work out ways to blow stuff up, without blowing themselves up. David’s current group of friends all have very long skateboards and were very impressed by how steep our hill is.
I am an atrocious singer River and can only hit one note out of ten when singing BUT that never stopped me. Meegan has been a friend for a long time and she has the voice of an angel and to her credit Meegs only winces slightly when she hears me sing very loudly and very badly at the top of my lungs.
If you are listenting to the world around you, you will notice a new attitude … “I am right and that makes you wrong if you don’t agree with me.” And,” if you don’t agree with me, that makes you a bad person.” I hear it every time I listen to the news or the radio … it disgusts me. These people are shallow and spoon fed ideas by others who want to use them and take advantage of their stupidity. We will all suffer from the outcomes that they seek. So, that you have an intelligent voice speaking out and committing to truth, you should be proud. I have not been following you long enough to know of all your opinions, but what I have seen, I respect. You go girl!
Happy Birthday to your 18 year old, beautiful boy. My youngest just turned 40 … that should make you feel young:)
Andrea @ From The Sol
Yes Andrea that attitude has become very prevalent here in Australian politics as well. The shouters are getting very shouty and their hate filled rhetoric makes my heart hurt.
Thank you, your encouragement and kindness means a lot to me.
And wow 40, that has surprised me, I assumed you were around my age, hehe 🙂
OMG for the first time ever I actually haven’t had the patience to read all the comments. I read about the first ten and if the rest are like those, that one ‘hater’ will disappear from your mind. I actually listened or maybe watched on the TV (the menopause has stolen my memory) a programme dedicated to people like this. The reality is that normally they are very sad people. I know its difficult not to take it personally but you are a realist Kim and I know you will rise above it. Doesn’t stop it hurting feelings though does it because I think you like I whilst having pretty strong opinions are inside fragile beings and nastiness is just that nasty and nasty affects sensibilities. ‘Its the side of the internet I abhor but I hope you feel a whole lot better now that the comments validate that you are not dangerous. You are fantastic.
Your mum I think would want you to celebrate her life whilst celebrating your son’s birthdays. I know its so so sad and you all miss her so. No matter how many times someone says in time the pain will ease this doesn’t feel possible at all. My grandmother/s sister says my grandmother talks to her whilst she sleeps and tells her to tell me to stop being sad. Only my grandmother would do this! I understand so much in your words about your mum. We share emotions. My heart goes out to you. But Kim please don’t berate yourself for decisions you made when you were in the middle of the shock of her passing. I type too much I know but please Kim don’t beat yourself up for something you can’t change. xxx
Nestle, oh Nestle, hide your corporate head in shame. over here an entire programme was dedicated to their direness.
I love the little hand size pots and love that you love the blurry soft backgrounds in your pictures. I love them too. Never stop this blogging malarky it is afterall my social life! Twitter may end up boring me, I have to sift through too much stuff I just can’t be bothered with and I think the word limit sometimes creates misunderstandings that proper English might otherwise prevent. Gosh I hope that mildly anti twitter comment doesn’t get me a hater. I won’t get one from my blog, as I seem to have forgotten how to talk about me!
I think you are just GREAT so ignore that smelly rat that has nothing better to do with their time.
Oh and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the very tall son.
*You are not redundant, Veronica keeps producing more grandchildren. Your services are very much required. Fast forward to new baby arrived ……………….
I am off, its one of those late night comments that no doubt I will regret but I haven’t written a long one in a very very long time and I feel so much better now.
So I hope all these comments have hit the spot and you have a warm glowing feeling inside. You are respected and loved. Never forget that.
xxxxxxx
How could I forget how loved I am, when I have a lovely friend like you to remind me when I lose my way. xxx
Happy Birthday, David! (Gorgeous then, gorgeous now). Kim, I’ll bet you’re proud of the caring person he has become. I don’t understand the criticism… I love your blog with all of its variety, spice, art, environmental thought, and real life. Keep writing in your own way; it’s your blog and that’s why it’s so good.
Thank you Janet, and thank you for your lovely email,you painted such a beautiful picture with your words that I am smiling away down here in the cold Tasmanian winter.
Oh, good! But does that mean the pictures didn’t come through?
The pictures came through and they were beautiful. Thank you. I am sorry I always “mean to” reply to your wonderful emails but then I get distracted and…
I apologise for my bad manners xox
No need to apologize! Not to me. And your manners are just perfect.
As lovely as your art is ( I know because I bought one) is in stark contrast in regards to how foul some folk can be. You and I know that we don’t agree on everything, but we both agree on respect. I respect you xx
Thank you Mrs Woog, I also respect you. You are very, very good at what you do and I think that you blog ethically and with integrity and it shows.
I am off on a tangent here now because Razers recent article has given me the irrits. Her assertion that bloggers are being duped by brands shows that she hasn’t looked at the bloggers who are actually blogging well and by blogging well I mean blogging ethically and with integrity. She paints all bloggers as being a clamouring bunch of seagulls waiting for the next PR to drop product into their laps and it shits me. I will stop now as I have too many words on this topic to fit nicely in a comment box.
xx
Firstly happy birthday to your son and all the wonderful memories it holds for you. Secondly hugs for the loss of your mother, and the emotional challenges that are brought up this time of year. December is my most challenging time. I understand.
Thirdly, I come over to read your blog when i want to be in the company of someone who feels like a friend. I listen carefully to the things you have to say. I respect your opinion, love your humour, admire your intellect and adore your art. Thank you for making that choice so many years ago, to share your thoughts and beautiful art with the Internet. I lurk a great deal these days, on twitter and the blogs, and get a little angksy when the beloved ‘community’ i have gathered together here on my desktop start fragmenting over things. While a constant refining and redefining process is good and normal, initially it can feel chaotic and threatening. I love the freedom of speech that i find in the blog world and i shall always respect and defend it. But like you, i will do that with my own ethics intact. The blog world is but a word-and pictures reflection of the real communities we live in, with various views, values, dysfunctions, and consequences. Those who speak out will always have their detractors. Thank you for being you, online.
Oh Jenny, thank you so much for this comment. When I read this a few days ago, I hugged myself with glee. Sometimes I get caught up in the negativity that comes my way and I forget that I am writing my blog for you as well as for myself. Thankyou so much, your words have helped me so very very much
1. Are you very certain that first picture isn’t Isaac?
2. I love this post times infinity. Your attention jumps and I follow.
3. You are rather dangerous. You vicious woman. *wink
I should dig out a photo I have of Veronica at the same age, all three are peas in a pod. I have a dragonfly mind Sophia it flits and hovers and darts about the place I am pleased that you followed my jumps. xox
You are not dangerous and are only threatening to anyone with the inability to justify their position. In that, you call others to think deeply about their words and choices, which is nothing more than you expect of yourself. you are one of the most honest and trustworthy people I know and I am very proud to call you my friend, near or far. Same goes for your lovely daughter.
The photo – that is so very like Isaac. Gorgeous it certainly is.
Lastly, on the topic of dangerous again … I know, I’m rambling, but I have my own thoughts bumping in my head tonight … if your accusers feel that way then you must be making a point that they cannot reconcile in themselves. It’s easier to attack one who holds others to account, rather than look within the self and find our own failings. Keep being you. I like you infinitely more than those who refuse to learn or grow. X
I’m so glad I had the day free to visit my fav blogs….to read you are dangerous??!! Oh, the poor poor person that thinks that….and to remain anonymous too, so sad…..I love your blog – it’s good and real… Happy birthday to your big boy – what a handsome youg man you made. Hugs for you on your mum’s anniversary….Your photos are magic, the door knob idea is awesome….and I’m humming to Roxett in my head!! Thanks for sharing your stuff….