CLYMER REVISITED

Yesterday, Wikipedia provided information on the George Clymer Columbian Press, one of which is located at Quyle Kilns in Murphys. Pam Quyle very graciously sent me more information on the press, which follows: Hello Mary, The press is an 1825 George Clymer Columbian Press. Clymer patented the press design before the war of 1812. It is considered an American invention. However, the Colonial printers rejected it preferring the ease of mobility (and cost savings) of the wooden press (getting out of town before being tared and feathered...) Clymer took his wooden prototypes and moved back to England in 1817 and set up a foundry outside of London and produced the cast iron presses there for many years. They sold very well in Europe where print shops stayed in one place. Clymer changed the ornamentation on the presses from year to year. First changing the coiled serpent of the thirteen colonies for a sea serpent and adding a cornucopia of fruits around the brass face plate, and offering other counterweights other than the American Eagle . (The French however preferred the American motifs as they were geared up for revolution also. ) The presses sold throughout Europe and were widely copied. The press we have here in Murphys was sold to a print shop in Nottingham England in 1825 and is one of 12 remaining made by Clymer himself. Paul Quyle (Pam's father) heard it was for sale (in 1962) through an English printing friend, and cabled a bid of two hundred dollars for it which they accepted, boxed it and shipped it to us. Six of his presses have been brought back to the Americas and the other six are still in Europe. In California there are 5 presses, one at UC Davis, ours and three at a printing museum in Los Angeles. The sixth one is at the university at Reno Nevada. Clymer died at age 80 in 1834. The Columbian press continued to be manufactured for many years after his death. However every year shows progressively less ornamentation and the presses became strictly utilitarian. Our press is in perfect working order and sits in our pottery show room in Murphys where it's story entertains (and surprises) our guests daily. Eventually we plan to donate it to a library who will cherish it as we have. The Smithsonian had one on display for many years and just closed their printing section and sent theirs to that printing museum in LA. (Humph!) Thanks for your interest, sincerely Pamela Quyle

QUYLE KILNS, A CLYMER PRESS, POTTERY, WATERCOLORS, ART GLASS, AND OTHER TREASURES

A trip to the Mother Lode Community of Murphys wouldn't be complete without stretching up Highway 4, just above town, to Quyle Kilns. Pottery isn't the only attraction at Quyles. Pam Quyle's showroom has watercolors, glass art, jewelry, the work of other potters, pounded copper, and various other wonders. Pam is a most congenial and knowledgeable hostess and central to the showroom is a George Clymer Printing Press, one of a huge collection on the property.
Clymer, an American Mechanic invented the Columbian Printing Press, basically, an iron, lever operated, and more efficient replacement for the wooden Gutenberg Press. He chose to decorate the press with eagles and serpents and other additions to set it apart from competitor's presses.
Besides the Clymer, photos above show an unusual color glaze and a second firing glaze batch ready for the kiln.
Delores Quyle, Pam's sister, and her husband, Stewart Mast, have fine wines and a tasting room nearby. You can't miss being entertained and enchanted by the talents of the Quyle family.

COME AND ENJOY THE FLOWERS

Some people really get into their photography and I enjoyed watching this woman's technique. Tulips are ablaze where the daffodils have finished. At Kautz Ironstone Winery, you can Tiptoe Through The Tulips. Come up and enjoy the flowers.

ROMPING THROUGH THE MOTHER LODE

If you want rollicking laughter, Neil Simons Barefoot In The Park opens tonight and plays through May 17th at 208 S. Green St. , Sonora. Stage 3 theatre. Call 209 536-1778 for info.
The 30th annual Old Mill Run, Saturday, Columbia Park begins registration at 7 a.m. Call 209 586-4802.
The 5th Annual Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival stops at Newsome Harlow Tasting Room, Saturday, Main St. Murphys at 6:30 p.m. starting with wine tasting. The Greening Of Southie shows at 7:45 p.m. Admission free.
Big Band Meets Latin featuring Mario Flores Latin Jazz Band at 7:30 p.m. in the Dogwood Theatre Columbia College, Saturday, April 18th., call 209-588-5211.
Blues Jam spreads to Murphys, Saturday 1-6 p.m. at the Nugget Bar in Murphys. Individual artists and bands are welcome to join the jam, full bands are limited to three, on a first come basis. Free admission.
Sheron Mc Carthy Scholarship Concert 2p.m. Sunday, at the Bret Harte Theatre in Angels Camp. Tickets at the door.
A dessert tasting contest (a benefit) will be held at Sonora Elks Lodge Sunday, April 19 from 2-4 p.m. Desserts from local restaurants, yum! Call 209 533-1397.
The 60th Annual Columbia Wine tasting 1-4 p.m. Columbia Park, Sunday.
The Sierra Rock Garden Society will hold a free Spring Garden Tour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.-free. Five local gardens will be featured. Call 209 532-8094.
There is a children's fair, numerous art happenings, a classic car run, open air markets and more this weekend in the Mother Lode.
Next week April 21-25 think about catching the 16th Annual Art Glass Show with a Saturday reception 11-4 at My Glass Shop, 291 South Washington St., Sonora. And the fast draw contest April 24 & 25 at the Mother Lode Gun Club on Jamestown Rd. in Sonora. Fun for everybody.

BIRDS, BATS, FEEDERS, OSPREYS...

There was a time when birds of all types flew and sounded in and about the yard, on the road, and wherever we moved about. Its getting harder and harder to find them now. These finches crowding the bird feeder are a welcome sight. Audubon once observed that song birds were so numerous when he caught birds to paint, flocks taking flight could blacken the summer sky in front of him. We've come a long way down since then. I keep that in mind when I see a bird in the wild or those attracted to a feeder. Efforts to save bird habitat are working. We now see ospreys nesting in the mother lode. Neighbors are putting up western blue bird boxes. Saturday, in Sonora, the Audubon Society is selling various sized birdhouses, bat houses and bird feeders at the West America Bank parking lot 14729 Mono Way, East Sonora. The American Native Plant Society is also having its annual sale at the same time. No time was given but you can check www.centralsierraaudubon.org. on line.

LEMONS AND LEMON LAW

This lemon is 8" tall to the top of the stem, a marvelous specimen from Danville. Being raised in Upper Michigan, lemons were expensive and rare in our part of the country. When I first moved to Murphys, I planted a Myer lemon tree on the south west corner of my house. It grew and produced lemons for 11 years before a hard freeze backed it off to the ground. It didn't actually kill it, but it never came back with vigor. As a mix for drinks, condiments, flavoring...so many ways to use them. Favorite recipes come to mind. The juice with baking soda makes a good cleaner. Now, my question is, why do they call a failed auto a "lemon". I drive a truck purchased under the lemon law and it runs just fine, thank you.
I don't recommend you plant a lemon tree in the mother lode, but, mine did very well by me.

STATELY OAKS BECOMING RARE

Around the Mother Lode, these massive oaks are distinctive among the much more prolific live oak that is common to our environment. Unfortunately, they are not regenerating as well as they should. The causes are many and scientists are working on why. Perhaps that is why I appreciate them so much. I do know I took four acorns and planted them on my property and I now have two young trees about 15 feet tall. This particular oak on my road is a "healer". It has lost numerous branches over the years, but they heal over. The bark actually grows over the wound and heals the tree. It takes a long time for this type of healing to take place and I can't help but admire its fighting spirit.
There is a poem by Henry Cuyler Bunner worth reading entitled The Heart Of The Tree-
What does he plant who plants a tree?
He plants a friend of sun and sky;
A shaft of beauty, towering high;
And seed and bud of days to be...
I've always been sappy about trees.

TOILETS AS ART-WORTH SEEING

Whenever friends come to Murphys, I bring them by the "toilet" store. Unique toilets, to be sure. Pieces of art from the past that speak for themselves. Tom Scheller and Mike Skenfield opened this place as a mail order shop called the IDEA store (late 1960's)) and it once had a huge Clivus Multrum composting toilet on display. (Think Alcatraz). Imagine a shower that had seven or eight arms. (The shower sold and I can no longer show it off.) Its worth a trip to Murphys just to see this place with its plumbing fixtures and other amazing working gadgets from the past.

EASTER WEATHER UNPREDICTABLE HERE

Easter was almost as wonderful as Christmas when we were kids. Lent was over and the hoarded goodies could then be eaten, stale, along with decorated eggs and a chocolate treat. We'd get decked out in our best finery, always a hat, and head for church. It was a parade of sorts as the women wore their newest hat and gloves, maybe a new dress and shoes. Neighbors stopped outside to chat and preen just a little bit before heading home for a ham dinner.
Here in the mother lode weather has proved unpredictable. Last week the neighborhood horses basking in the lush grass and sunshine have now been covered with winter coats. The daffodils are beaten to the ground in recent rains, the squirrels have retreated to their warm nests.
Though it is Easter Sunday, hardly anyone wears a fancy hat anymore, but this delightful hat display is a reminder of Easter's past and prudently defies the weather.

Her feet beneath her petticoat
Like little mice, stole in and out,
As if they feared the light;
But oh, she dances such a way!
No sun upon an Easter-day
Is half so fine a sight.
(From Ballad Upon A wedding-1641)

Oh, enter spring and new beginnings.

RANDY VINING'S STEALTH RV

Randy Vining is a unique character who chooses to live full time traveling the country in his "stealth" RV. When Randy stopped in Murphys for a few days, Producer, Paul Moeller decided to feature his interesting vehicle and lifestyle on a program for Public Access.
Randy likes the anonymity his vehicle gives him. He can pull into any parking lot, or reasonable space and stop for lunch, or a nap, or wait out a storm, then pick up and be on his way.
The vehicle is a featherweight cargo trailer converted through his own inventiveness into 84 sq. feet of living space. It contains a shower, toilet, holding tanks, refrigerator, stove and a bed. Not that you can see them. The vents are really windows. He has solar panels on the roof. Its hard to believe that he can manage his favorite radio station, television, a computer desk and all of the comforts of what the rest of us call home, in such a small space. RVers tend to live light inside and heavy outside where the weather is pleasant and cares are few. (No mortgage). Randy has been retired for 35 years, much of it spent on the road, and wouldn't want to live any other way. Travel as a way of life gives him the time to write his poetry, philosophical essays, indulge his curiousity about people he meets, and visit quirky places in this country most of us have never heard about. Check him out at www.http://cheaprvliving.com/StealthCargoTrailer.html and mobilecodger.blogspot.com. I loved hearing his stories from the road. Local Access in Calaveras County is Channel 7.