Monday 19 February 2024

Op day -1. Busy!!!

 I thought we had an early start today...but after several more Fridays upstairs...and another toilet visit....we were off at 9.30am.

Just as we left the rain came down...ah well, the washing on the line could wait!

Plenty of time for him.....he wasn't due to clock in until 10.30. I was supposed to be in town and at the dentists by 9.55.....

He phoned the dentist as I drove, to forewarn them....dropped him at the hospital door....got every traffic light green and a parking space straight away before five minutes walk....and stairs to the second floor...I was only ten minutes late and they were 100% understanding !!

Teeth checked....new dentist..a cycling friend of ours....and only one small filling..relief!!

A cuppa to celebrate in our favourite bookshop....and a text arrived..Pirate had left one of his array of meds on his bedside cupboard....no hope of gallivanting! 

Back to the hospital with his meds..and I kept him company in the day room until his bed was ready...at 2pm. They are SO busy...but always cheerful.

Back home to almost dry washing on the line..relief...and no more showers forecast..I checked the radar report..full speed ahead on sorting drawers, finding odd socks and lost ( mis-filed) t-shirts and trousers...and doing ALL the washing...a grand achievement.. and not overdoing things atall.

A quick trip to the local feed merchant for wild bird supplies..Pirate loves feeding the birds...

Then all the ironing....

And to crown the day, a phone call from the gas kiln specialist in a kiln company..I have started the ball rolling towards getting the kiln going again.

He will email me a couple of ideas on Wednesday...and he has a kiln visit coming up in Scotland.. hopefully he can do a diversion to here to see what the kiln situation is. Far easier than phone calls, emails and photos.


So all in all, the Lunar New Year has brought positive moves on many fronts.

Let's hope that carries on with a successful op for Pirate tomorrow and before too long a working kiln!!

At least I don't have the problems if a fellow potter about an hour from here.

She is a brilliant maker..and is disabled. Her business has been growing slowly..but due to illness she has had to claim Universal credit benefits.

She is supposed to prove every three months, to the departments satisfaction, that she is doing enough to grow her business.  They seem to want her business to grow at a fantastic rate...when on benefits firing the kiln takes too much money...so to keep her benefits she has had to withdraw all her work from  galleries,  pull out of potfest shows, stop selling online.

Universal credit system destroys artists. What does that say about our society 

17 comments:

Susan Heather said...

What a busy day. Good to get the dentist over and done with and with only one small filling. Hope all goes according to plan tomorrow and Pirate's recuperation from the op is speedy.

Tom said...

...I hope that the operation goes as planned.

Catalyst said...

Peace and love. Trusting in the medicos to treat Pirate well.

Fresca said...

A kiln seems just right for year of the dragon—a dragon could fire 🔥 up a kiln nicely!
What a terrible situation your potter friend has been put in—I see similar situations here in the US w people on disability.

Good going, Pirate—best best wishes for the Big Op! ❤️

Barbara Rogers said...

Holding your dear pirate in my thoughts for tomorrow's good outcome, and speedy recovery. Hope a kiln that works is in your future!

Anonymous said...

All the best to Pirate and to you!
KJ

angela said...

Wow I’m exhausted just reading all that.
Yes governments are very good at destroying peoples dreams
All they care about is staying in power long enough to get their benefits.
If only they had to live by the rules they make us live by. Only then will things change

Allison said...

Sending you good wishes for a successful outcome.

Katerinas Blog said...

I don't know what this says about our society, but we are definitely going to places unknown to humanity, we don't know where we will end up! Surely the artists must be protected because without them... Have a nice week!

Tasker Dunham said...

Hope op goes well.
Interesting that your kiln is gas. Daughter's is electric.

JayCee said...

It is sounding positive and you certainly seem to be keeping yourself busy!!

jabblog said...

Busyness keeps the demons at bay. All good wishes for the operation.

jeanie said...

All the best for good medical guidance being to the forefront tomorrow. I have the dentist, but I have very badly organised myself as I am putting my car in for an operation in the morning!

northsider said...

Best wishes today.

Anonymous said...

Sometimes when I am worried, it feels good to keep myself occupied and ticking boxes. Good luck to you both.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Good luck to Pirate tomorrow with his op. And I hope you are able to get your kiln going again!

Susan said...

Having an expert look at your kiln, sort the fix and plan the work sounds great. Any surgery provokes nerves for all. My thoughts are with you and Pirate. Here's to a smooth surgery and recovery.