Raini in the Snow

Wayne (Lynn's son...the one with the carrots ;-) and I loaded the kiln today for the last bisque of the winter. I'll be teaching psych online this coming semester, as well as writing up the articles for the 800+ pottery photos I have yet to sort through and ready for publishing, so am not going to push to get more firings done until April.

Rainier, of course, came out with us as we moved greenware from the house to the kiln shed and loaded Red Eye up. At first, she'd disappear in the snow, leaping from place to place. That drew lines in the snow, paths she has continued to beat down, just as the path from the back door to the shed also got beaten and packed down.

Man, I love my dog! :-D

Veggie Wolverine???

Wayne is playing Wolverine....Vegetarian Wolverine? Chef Wolverine? What do you think??

the things we do when snowed in, lol

Raini the Mooch

I was busy getting some pots trimmed and completely lost track of time. Lunch time came and went, without me paying the least bit of attention. Then my sister Jeannette stopped by, bringing hamburgers for my other sister Lynn and myself.

Ah! I looked up and received my burger, just then realizing I was quite hungry! But of course, my hunger was as nothing to my dear Raini-dog, LOL. A food-hound she is and is happy to remain so!

For those of you who may want to comment on my weight --- yes, I know I am huge. It is in large part due to the form of lupus I have...my body weight and heat regulators are completely whacked.

Living with Lupus

Actually, I'd rather not have to. Lupus is kicking my butt, and there's no two ways about it. I've got all three types -- diskoid lesions, systemic, and CNS. Plus, I've also got RA and a few other auto-immune disorders as well.

It is extremely frustrating not to do all the things I want to do. Some I simply can't do any more, such as horseback riding and backpacking. Others I have to measure out in careful little energy-expenditure packets, such as working in my studios or writing. And all too often I have to force myself to be still and simply give my body the time it needs to get a grip on itself again.

Thank goodness I found an excellent rhuematologist -- Dr. Micheal Rezaian. It's also helpful that both my sisters also go to him...that way he really gets a good view of the familial (genetic) patterns.

I live with lupus another way, as well. My eldest sister is severely disabled from lupus (all three kinds again) plus other auto-immune problems. We have lived together for several years now, from before either of us had to go on disability. As it stands, I am still able to do caregiving for her....but it also means I'm seeing a closeup on where I am likely to be in a few years. Scary.

On the plus side, we are able to support each other as we both go through this process... Frustrations shared become less frustrating. And we are very good at coaching each other as we work to stay positive and as active as possible, without overdoing.

It continues to be a goal to accept and live with lupus, within the constraints it imposes. Wish me luck!

So much to do!!

I have a terrible time between the urge to create in my studio and the urge to create on my computer (writing). On the one hand, I've got to get a kiln run through by next week, but I've also got tremendous amounts to write and do online on my websites and with uploading more video clips to You Tube. So much to do, and so little time and energy!!

I think the studio work will win out for today. I've only got about 70 pounds of clay left that's ready to use. Throw today, write tomorrow! --- And let the pots dry out.

And nephew Wayne just came to tell me about some great free lumber!! I love it when demo teams leave what they term waste!! (OK, yes, I am a scavenger and hunter after cool bits and pieces that can be made into new things!)

Getting Back to Blogging (for me)

I blog a lot...usually once a day...for Pottery.About.com. I am, after all, the Pottery Guide! But I do have things to talk about that aren't appropriate for that, of course. Personal opinions, thoughts on mental health, destructive relationships and groups and the dynamics of extreme levels of interpersonal manipulation. And also, my art as it is shaped by these thoughts, experience, and knowledge.

I had a blog before, but it was directed solely at personal growth and, to a lesser degree, to manipulative relationships and groups. So this one will be a mish-mash.... pottery, sculpture, painting, mental health, spiritual growth, and probably at least one or two posts about my life with my eldest sister (who is disabled and lives with me) and my dog (Rainier aka Raini, Rain, Raindear, Poug, Pougger, Pouggy, Boug, Bougger, Bouggy, Fuzzbutt, Furfeet, and more).

Get ready for a ride...There's no telling where this road will go!! ;-D