Carolyn Boeri on fri 13 nov 98
One of my more explicitly vocal girlfriends compared firing up the wood
kiln to like having a baby. I think that, in this instance, being the first
firing and all, that it was more exhausting!
The baby came out fine however, so I quess we did somethings right. We have
learned a few things about airflow and stacking. We have learned to have
more waddies and alumina hydrate/kaolin mixtures on hand. I will pace
myself better, so as to take care of my health and I will hope that the
same or same type of people will show up at every firing, they were fun to
work with, enthusiastic and hard working. One helper may as well have
catered it, she brought so much delicious food and washed my dishes and
even helped at the kiln and getting wood, the day before. She also brought
her husband, who cooked steaks in the firebox, yumm.
Bob Compton showed up on Sunday to give us some much needed advice and to
join in the thrill of the fire. Family and friends of all persuasions
showed up to uh and ah.
I slept for 24 hours off and on and took about three days to get back to
normal.
The place is now clean as a whistle, yard around the kiln raked up and shop
spiffy.
I peeked in the stoke hole and saw some nice ash deposits. I am holding off
from opening it until Sat. (We finished at 2:30 Mon.) so everyone can be
here to enjoy the opening. That will be "catered too, I hope," poor Kathy,
I think she has started something, but she did love doing it. I had lots of
food too. Woman tend to provide those things as part of the package.
So.... fire with wood when you can, those of you who have not. Do a little
sawdust firing or a raku at first. It is another ballgame.
Carolyn,
om, oops, in vermont where the kitchen wood stove needs stoking.
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