[Clayart] David's post

[kathi at lesueurclaywork.com]

We always hope that we can stay in our home until the end. But, few of us do. We finally made the decision to move my mother in law to assisted living at 95. She went kicking and screaming but now agrees it was for the best. A small 29 women facility. She has people to talk with, eat dinner with, and enjoy her life. At 99 we are wondering if she will out live us. I’ve already bucked the family history by living ten years longer than my parents and grandparents. I hope to be making pots in my late eighties like Mel and Bonnie Staffel. But, I’m already preparing to switch to electric firing. It will be easier to get help. Cultivating younger potters. Like Mel, I’ve lost seven friends this year. Several younger than me. Every day I’m given is a gift. 

Kathi LeSueur

Sent from my iPad

> On Nov 9, 2022, at 8:46 AM, mel jacobson <melpots at mail.com> wrote:
> 
> I always depend on David to follow one of
> my philosophy stories.  The one thing I will add
> to his post.  "David, re/write your post when  you
> are 88."  When those around you are in Nursing homes
> and or dead.  I lost 5 more dear friends this last 6 months.
> 
> My home at the farm is hand made. I did the entire house.
> All the plumbing and wiring too. The entire house is 5 quarter
> oak, with 4x12 beams in the ceiling. (old time saw mill
> four miles from home site) I love this house in the
> woods. We did not use 2x4 studs...they are 4x4 oak. However, it is
> about the same size as a two bedroom condo. And my house and land
> has been paid for almost 30 years back.  We have seven buildings
> now here at the farm. All of them have been converted to steel roofs.
> 
> As is with David...We build everything ourselves and hope to live
> in it for the rest of my life. I do keep an apple watch around
> my neck at all times. one button calls 911.
> 
> The other issue is: Donovan built a wood fired kiln as big as
> a small bus. It takes six young and strong people to fire it.
> I have nothing to do with it. I sit in a pink lawn chair as they
> fire it, and go to bed at 10.
> 
> this winter we will have days of -25F and I am snug. We have a gas
> furnace with the stack going out the side of the house. No threat
> of CO2 in the house. critical with snow.
> 
> My constant reminder is...."don't give up".  If all else fails and
> you have a small electric kiln and some clay, it will bring smiles to your face.
> with love,
> mel
> 
> website: www.melpots.com
> www.melpots.com/CLAYART.HTML
>