Seven and a half weeks ago, my husband Jim fell after leaving the Channel 9 Health Fair. His total weight landed on his right shoulder, causing a Grade 3 shoulder separation, which brought a halt to his daily activities. Before the injury, he had been making pottery and low-firing the bisque ware, and we had a garage full of half-finished pots. We also had stockpiled glazed ware. I called the galleries and told them of the accident. I really didn’t know if he’d be able to return to making pottery. I tried to stay positive, but little by little, I slipped into a blue mood.
For the first month, he kept his arm in a restrictive sling. He was taking Ibuprofen around the clock, and applying an ice pack day and night. This was the lowest time of his recovery. He sat on the living room couch watching YouTube videos of artists sculpting faces. Making clay masks was what he was doing before the accident– about 25 of them. He said they were all practice faces. Below is a picture of two bisque-ware masks.
It’s hard to get Jim to go to a therapist. But he agreed to see Bob Holtby of Physioworks. Bob balanced the muscles and tendons that had been affected by the fall–essentially, every part of his back, arm and neck.
Jim also agreed to try BioGenesis – a form of energy healing that Marcy Adams does. Here’s a picture I took while Marcy was working on him. This treatment lasted about 45 minutes. While he didn’t admit that the BioGenesis helped, I noticed a difference in him the very next day. His mood brightened and it seemed that was the turning point where the pain decreased and strength began returning to his arm.
From the internet, Jim learned that it takes people with Grade 3 separations about 12 weeks to recover, so he is a little over the half-way mark. The people he was reading about were bicyclists in their prime. Jim is 73 – a healthy 73. He wrangles heavy clay balls on his potter’s wheel, stacks the kiln with 24- pound shelves, and schleps 4×8 slabs of plywood when we set up temporary tables in our garage. He packs and carries most of our pottery deliveries. Basically, he’s the workhorse of the family.
Little by little he has been recovering physically and emotionally. The pain has subsided. His energy is returning and he’s no longer depressed. He can walk our neighborhood circle and drive to town and back alone. He can wash dishes, clean the cat litter boxes, cook (yay), and do some artwork. There are weeks to go before he’s pain free, strong and energetic again–and he’s more than ready for normalcy!
In his convalescence, he has taken up drawing. Below is a picture of him sketching a face with dry-erase markers. He is also learning to draw electronically with new Corel computer software.
Tuesday, I stacked the first kiln since Jim and I got married 28 years ago! I didn’t think I could do it. The shelves are hard for me to lift. I discovered I could stack up to a certain point, but no higher. Then Jim’s son John came to visit and I asked him to place two full-sized shelves for the sixth level. John is 6’4” and totally fit. Lifting those suckers was no problem for him.
At the last minute Jim remembered we had some half-sized shelves stashed under a table that we had never used. I finished stacking with those – each shelf weighs only 11 pounds. We now know that I’ll be able to stack the kilns from here on out until Jim recovers full strength. Below is a picture of the kiln, fully stacked and ready to fire.
I can hardly wait to see the five masks that will come out of the kiln a day from now – the ones Jim made back in February and I glazed last week.
Maria, This was really good to read. We are both so glad for Jim’s progress, also for what you were able to do in stacking the kiln. The therapies have helped a lot, it seems. Thank goodness! ML and Joe
MaryLou, I am glad you are reading the blogs and can keep abreast of our doings! I was just thinking of you yesterday as we were walking the circle – Jim and I wondered when you would be back in Riverside.
What a relief to think of Jim recovering–with the help of friends like Marcy who work with so much love. It’s also a real delight to think that you figured out how you–with John’s help–could fill the kiln. It’s good to feel capable at things you had not been sure you could do. Congratulations to both of you!
Bless you Susan! Just having Jim incapacitated for a short while causes even more empathy for your and Richard’s two year journey. You are one strong woman. Finding one’s lost or hibernating capabilities is rewarding. I’m still feeling those flabby stomach muscles from lifting the shelves, realizing that perhaps sit-ups are in order.
Maria and Jim, When Owen and I moved to BV almost 8 years ago, we visited the Courtyard Gallery. I was blown away by the masks and immediately purchased one – I think almost the last one at the time.
We are so anxious to see Jim’s newest work when he’s up and around again. And of course, Maria, I’m anxious to see your animal earrings when they come round again. Blessings, Owen & Kathy
Kathy and Owen, thank you much for your compliments on the masks! I’m glad you have one of ours. Also thanks for reminding me about the earrings! – Animals – I’ll be on the lookout for animal beads. I love the two hats you hand crocheted – even wore one this morning while starting to unload the kiln!
Dear Maria,
I am so glad that Jim is doing better. His masks are amazing!!! How wonderful that he started doing that for fun. He may never want to do pottery again because of his new adventure.
I am so pleased that he felt good after Marcy worked on him. It is wonderful to have friends that are good at this sort of thing.
You take care and that kiln does look filled.
Love, Niki
Niki, thank you. I am happy that he was making masks – at least one a day. He was on a roll. And now they are all waiting for glazing. I hope he can get back into the clay again soon.
Dear Maria,
CONGRATULATIONS on your 100th blog!!! You’ve been very faithful, and I always enjoy what you have to say and the photos you share with your narratives.
Love, Debby
Thanks for being a faithful reader. I always enjoy your comments. Without readers, I wouldn’t be encouraged to write.
When we had lunch Wednesday, you didn’t mention that you had not ever stacked the kiln before! Bravo! Those masks do not look like practice to me.
Jerri
Jerri, before I met Jim, I had bought the kiln and had done everything myself. Stacking was not a problem in my 20s and 30s. But when I met him in 1982, I was happy to have him lift those shelves into the kiln. He’s been doing it ever since. I am getting back into doing it though. This morning I unstacked the shelves — most of them. They haven’t gotten any lighter!
Let me add our congrats. I didn’t have time to open this until after we wrote together at the Vineyard this morning. You’ve done some mighty heavy lifting– in more ways than one–since we’ve known each other … multi-talented woman that you are. I’ll see what you have up your sleeve next at the Book Nook on Friday. I glory in all your successes.
Marge D.
Thank you, Marge! I couldn’t do it alone. Living here for fifteen years and having you as a friend who shares some of my artsy-fartsy passions has been a delight in so many ways! Maria
I am an old, new potter. I don’t know either of you, but I am so happy that you have a sincere success story — overcoming adversities (not intending to negate the struggle of the injury). Best to you both.
Thanks Dyan. And I wish you success in your pottery endeavors.