Everything, all at once
Jan. 26th, 2026 09:01 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
offcntrIt's been a while since I've posted. I've been busy in the studio, of course, throwing as much as a hundred pounds of clay a day. But there's been a bunch more.
My mother has been in the hospital, twice, in the last week and a half. First because her heart wasn't working properly--a pulse rate of 30 bpm is not optimal. They took her to the doctor in Neillsville, who immediately sent her on to Marshfield; they put in a pacemaker the same day. I called her a day or two after she returned home; she had a bad cough and seemed not to be thinking too clearly: she was trying to write a check for the electric bill and couldn't figure out how to do it. Next day she was back in the hospital, this time with Influenza A and pneumonia. She's home today, still with a cough, but otherwise much improved.
Meanwhile, Denise and I have been trying to decide what to do with her late mother's house in Wisconsin. We'd been renting it to my brother for the last ten years, but he announced in mid-December that they were moving to Detroit to be closer to his wife's extended family. Originally planned to stay until spring, but a housing situation opened up and they were moving out at the end of the year.
Yikes.
I transferred the utilities into our name, he kept the wifi running because the thermostat needed the connection. Met with our financial advisor to discuss what to do if we sold the house, even talked to a realtor about reinvesting the proceeds locally so we don't get slammed with taxes. Hadn't gotten any predatory postcards from real estate speculators in a while, but suddenly got four in the course of a week, an email a week later. Tucked them into a file folder in case we needed them.
While we were biting out own tails, trying to decide what to do, my nephew--brother's son--threw another complication into the mix. He and his wife would like us to keep the house in the family, and they'd manage it for us, either for an equity stake, or as a side business income stream, whichever we'd prefer. They're in St. Paul, which is a bit distant, but they think they can make it work. They're currently doing research. I like this idea. I don't want to unload the place on a house flipper, or someone who'd turn it into short-term rentals. It'd be a lovely family dwelling, and would be much happier as such.
I've been trying to repair my kiln vent since December, but it I keep needing just one more piece. First it was the fan assembly, $495 plus shipping. Then I had to order the vent attachment, as the old one was rusted solid; only $30 this time. This morning, I got the bugger mounted on the wall again, only to discover that the ducting had corroded through. $35 from Skutt, probably another month or two before they manage to ship it to me. I'm half tempted to drive up to Portland and pick it up in person.
Also meanwhile, I've have oral surgery--the same day mom got her pacemaker--new crown and implant post that will get a tooth attached next month.
And I've been watching with horror as things go to shit in Minneapolis/St. Paul. I've got family and friends there, including niece and nephew who have taken to carrying their passports with them everywhere, since they're a little browner than the fascists prefer.
I haven't known how to express any of this without gibbering, so I've been head down over the potter's wheel, trying to restore some order to my universe, even if it's just by making bowls.
My mother has been in the hospital, twice, in the last week and a half. First because her heart wasn't working properly--a pulse rate of 30 bpm is not optimal. They took her to the doctor in Neillsville, who immediately sent her on to Marshfield; they put in a pacemaker the same day. I called her a day or two after she returned home; she had a bad cough and seemed not to be thinking too clearly: she was trying to write a check for the electric bill and couldn't figure out how to do it. Next day she was back in the hospital, this time with Influenza A and pneumonia. She's home today, still with a cough, but otherwise much improved.
Meanwhile, Denise and I have been trying to decide what to do with her late mother's house in Wisconsin. We'd been renting it to my brother for the last ten years, but he announced in mid-December that they were moving to Detroit to be closer to his wife's extended family. Originally planned to stay until spring, but a housing situation opened up and they were moving out at the end of the year.
Yikes.
I transferred the utilities into our name, he kept the wifi running because the thermostat needed the connection. Met with our financial advisor to discuss what to do if we sold the house, even talked to a realtor about reinvesting the proceeds locally so we don't get slammed with taxes. Hadn't gotten any predatory postcards from real estate speculators in a while, but suddenly got four in the course of a week, an email a week later. Tucked them into a file folder in case we needed them.
While we were biting out own tails, trying to decide what to do, my nephew--brother's son--threw another complication into the mix. He and his wife would like us to keep the house in the family, and they'd manage it for us, either for an equity stake, or as a side business income stream, whichever we'd prefer. They're in St. Paul, which is a bit distant, but they think they can make it work. They're currently doing research. I like this idea. I don't want to unload the place on a house flipper, or someone who'd turn it into short-term rentals. It'd be a lovely family dwelling, and would be much happier as such.
I've been trying to repair my kiln vent since December, but it I keep needing just one more piece. First it was the fan assembly, $495 plus shipping. Then I had to order the vent attachment, as the old one was rusted solid; only $30 this time. This morning, I got the bugger mounted on the wall again, only to discover that the ducting had corroded through. $35 from Skutt, probably another month or two before they manage to ship it to me. I'm half tempted to drive up to Portland and pick it up in person.
Also meanwhile, I've have oral surgery--the same day mom got her pacemaker--new crown and implant post that will get a tooth attached next month.
And I've been watching with horror as things go to shit in Minneapolis/St. Paul. I've got family and friends there, including niece and nephew who have taken to carrying their passports with them everywhere, since they're a little browner than the fascists prefer.
I haven't known how to express any of this without gibbering, so I've been head down over the potter's wheel, trying to restore some order to my universe, even if it's just by making bowls.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-27 06:14 am (UTC)good luck figuring out the house - being so far probably makes it a bit more complicated, but possibly your nephew's idea can pan out. *crosses fingers*
Current Events leave everyone feeling pretty helpless - throwing bowls is a good way to distract. it take time and brain, and the world is improved by great tableware
times that try men's souls
Date: 2026-01-27 06:57 am (UTC)