Everything in the kiln turned out just great. At least I thought it did. I noticed that my morel cheese board had a small hairline crack on the edge going in about an inch. I figured I could live with that mishap. I had previously noticed that the first cheese board I had made several weeks ago had the same type of crack. The other mushroom cheese board doesn't have that crack at least not yet. It's a bit thinner than the other two, perhaps they were too thick.
Anyway I was almost finished glazing after about six hours yesterday and I got up to get three more small heart dishes. I tripped on the uneven tile and flew across the room and fell on my knee. Of course this was the knee that was almost healed from previously.
While trying to stop my fall I grabbed a rolling cart which held finished work from the last firing. Several vases and plates and other pieces on that cart fell and broke. On another low cart I had the three fish platters already glazed and one of them fell and broke. Now I can barely bend my knee. I've been putting ice on it but I just know it will take weeks to get better. I am not even sure how I'll be able to get down the stairs to the studio to load the kiln this morning.
We knew the tile in the studio was installed improperly and there are several tiles which are raised up on the corners and I routinely trip on them. Gary said he trips on them too. We can't afford to take them up and there really is no way to correct the problem. We thought about putting some throw carpets over those spots but carpet in a clay studio isn't the best idea since it will traps clay dust.
Then Gary started saying maybe you'll have to sell all of your pottery stuff and forget about making pottery. No I can't do that; making pottery is about the only thing that keeps me going. Even if I do take one step forward and five steps back. Maybe I'm foolish to keep going, I don't know. I just can't imagine what I'd do with myself if I didn't make pottery. A life just traveling around enjoying myself just seems so empty.
Oh no.
ReplyDeleteThat is just awful.
And potting is what you do and who you are - you can't give it up. Your world would be severely diminished.
Hi Sue, thanks, yes I think severely diminished says it quite right. I just had an idea maybe some rubber mats in the studio to cover the tilted tiles.
ReplyDeleteOh crap. Seems like the older I get the longer it takes to heal. Good Luck.
ReplyDeleteHi Dennis, thanks, yes it does for me too, and come to think about it perhaps that's how I originally hurt my knee unknowingly by slightly tripping on one of those tiles.
DeleteFalling sucks! The pain of losing pots must be almost as great as the physical injury! And of course it had to be the knee that was almost healed. If it doesn't get better quickly you may want to bite the bullet and see a doctor!
ReplyDeleteRugs are a bad idea in a studio, but what about thick, rubber mats? They can be cleaned quite easily.
But at least you had a good firing!
Hi Suzi, thanks, last night it was worse the broken pots then later the pain set in and the pain of the knee was worse. I'm going to check into some mats as soon as I can get around, it all costs money though, ugh.
DeleteOoh no...so sorry. Ouch!!!! (knocking on wood) I haven't taken a fall in a long time and keeping fingers x'd that I don't. It takes so long to heal, now that I'm older. Hope it gets better soon....
ReplyDeleteHi Turquoisemoon, thanks, I guess I am my own worst enemy although I am always extremely careful in the studio since I know there are so many breakable pieces lying around here and there.
DeleteA life without being creative is indeed empty.
ReplyDeleteWhat about writing your memoir?
Or a how-to book?
Hi Gigi, thanks, oh my memoir would be memorable and I have actually thought about that, I'd only publish it if I had the nerve you wouldn't believe the stories I have to tell. But wondering do books actually make any money not that money is everything but it does help pay the bills.
DeleteSending healing energies (whatever that means) and I'm so sorry you were hurt again in the same place. Yes on rubber mats. I actually put an old rug down in my studio and it's probably full of clay, but it makes the floor warmer. Guess I'll get someone to beat it out whenever I take it up. So sorry you had pots come down with you.
ReplyDeleteHi Barb, thanks, you could probably hose the mat off outside to get rid of the dust and then wash it later. have a spare one till the other one dries. I really need some healing energies.
DeleteYou'll get better. Keep making pottery.
ReplyDeleteHi Joanne, thanks, Gary said the white rabbit must have been sleeping this month, ugh, I've just had too many mishaps this past year and I am sick and tired of it all.
DeleteSo sorry that you tripped, but glad it wasn't worse. And on a good note, you WILL REMEMBER to be more careful in the future. Pain (whether it's your knee or the loss of your work) does that. I think the rubber mats sound like a good idea... you could trip on them also, but at least you would see them and be reminded. Sending healing thoughts your way...
ReplyDeleteHi Rian, thanks, funny but I am always so careful but truth might be it was a long day and I was tired perhaps I should have taken a break. I guess it could have been worse I could have broken my knee - it feels like it's broken I can bend it at all but it's slightly better now than it was last night and this monring.
DeleteOuch! Ice followed by heat might help. Also, rest it, you’ll loose less time.
ReplyDeleteHow about a rubber mat that can be washed, even hosed off outside. Those interlocking ones are easy and it would be nice on your back and feet if you were standing for a long time and easier on pots if they fall.
Feel better soon.
Hi Lori, thanks, I really did it this time, my knee is so sore, we are going to check into mats the next chance we get out, not sure when that will be.
DeleteI agree with Lori, they have these colored interlocking matts, I see them used for childrens play areas, they can be wiped/washed off might be just what would work ~~~ we had concrete floors for the dental lab, but it was cold and hard if something fell on it, so we just bought inexpensive carpet, we had dust, plaster, shavings, etc and it wasn't that hard to just vacuum once a week~~~hope you heal & feel better soon
ReplyDeleteHi Carroll, thanks, yes I am going to check those interlocking ones, I have seen them on TV of somewhere and they just might work out. I just hope this isn't permanent, you have no idea how much the knee is needed in mobility till it isn't mobile.
DeleteSorry to hear about your fall :-(
ReplyDeleteRubber mats are a good idea. Jeff and I each have some in our work area to stand on. Concrete is hard on the feet and back... and even worse on the knees should you fall!
Don't stop making pots. I think you would regret it.
Hi Michele, thanks, I know I would regret it; I already regret it but it's hard to take when Gary says I need to give it up. I know I spend more than I recoup both in time and money but what can I do, I just keep pushing the stone up the hill like Sisyphus, It's hard when I'm in a low place and dh doesn't always encourage me. he has a sing song script, one encouraging the other discouraging. I have that same script as well; I have more work to do.
ReplyDeleteOh, dear...you would've gotten a hell of a shock, too. I agree about the matting. Hard floors do absolutely no good for our backs, knees and hips...I have proof!
ReplyDeleteHi Lee, thanks, I have too much proof myself, I know what you mean.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you guys could scrape the tiles up and just resurface the concrete? Stain it yourself?
ReplyDeleteAnd rubber mats would help. At least you can take them outside and hose them down.
Heal fast. I just cringed when I read that you tripped, because I do it all the time, too!
Hi Shelley, thanks, Gary was just saying there is a piece of machinery that will take out multiple tiles at a time, we are researching various options. It isn't a picnic falling down that's for sure.
ReplyDelete