North Korea has vehemently denied blowing up a South Korean warship in South Korean waters and, at the same time posted these posters in Pyongyan.

Just when I think we have first class crazies, along comes North Korea

For me, one of the highlights of summer is the Palo Alto Clay & Glass Festival. It is always surprisingly good but the high goodness factor shouldn't be surprising. Palo Alto is the cultural capital of Silicon Valley – or, probably, more accurately – the Haute Culture capital of Silicon Valley and Silicon Valley has a lot of young, educated, hip, very rich people.

In many ways, Palo Alto is an mid-America city with shady residential streets and a small Art Center. Except that, per square foot of lot and house, it is one of the most expensive places in the known universe. Behind the trees are alot of very wealthy people and the Art Center reflects that by putting on very sophisticated shows.

My first taste of the Craft Movement came at the Renaissance Faire – note the classy "e" at the end of Fair – which featured very primitive crafts. One glass artist I talked to, reminisced on how his first glass teacher could barely blow glass. Forty five years later, the artists have become very good.

The ceramists – ceramics being my first craft love – are getting especially good. Some of them are making forms that highlight the nature of clay and some are making exquisite bowls.

  At this point, Michele and I have enough handmade bowls and plates to last usd for the rest of our natural lives but it is still a treat, on a summer afternoon, to wander under the trees looking at all the goodies. 

This was a trip to my sister Paula's wedding without much Albuquerque. We got into town just in time for a barbecue at one of our future daughter-in-law's home. The next morning, Michele took it easy by sleeping in while I wandered around our Bed and Breakfast – Adobe and Roses, which we can both highly recommend. .

As an aside, it seems to me that Albuquerque is a city with a real sense of place. I am not sure that was always the case. Actually, I'm pretty sure that wasn't the case, say, thirty years ago. As I remember Albuquerque, thirty years ago, it looked pretty much like any other small, spread out, city except for a so-called Old Town. Thirty years ago, only Santa Fe had a distinct image. And it had worked hard to get it.

When I first saw Santa Fe in the early 1960's it was not as adobe-ish as it is now. But good zoning laws and civic pride had changed that by the mid-80's. Albuquerque followed suite and now, even drugstores in Albuquerque are adding to the look.

But it is more than just a look. The City was founded in 1706 by the Spanish – Santa Fe, about 45 minutes away, was founded sometime between 1050 and
1150 by Pueblo Indians and claimed by the Spanish in 1540 – so its roots go back to before we were a country. End aside.

The rehearsal dinner was our next event and everybody had a good time. Especially the future bride and groom who, surrounded by friends and family, were almost giddy. There was singing, story telling, and plenty of laughing as can be seen in this photo by Michele.

Finally, the next morning, they were married in a cameraless wedding, looking very much like two teenagers in love. Congratulations, again.

 My sister is getting married and we are on our way to see it with our own eyes.