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Thursday, March 28, 2013

chess board nearing completion







Clay tiles drying slowly...









just another view...
Once the tiles have dried, I can sand them down a bit more, then give them 3 coats of underglaze before firing to bisque. Hopefully the tiles won't shrink too much in the first firing. Today I was putting it all together to see if the pieces  fit together.  They did... more or less... not perfect, but then hand sculpted is never perfect. As for color, I'm *thinking* black and rust for the square tiles and then maybe using 4 strips of a stained wood around the sides. Again, it's a work in progress and I tend to change my mind as it goes along.  However, I'm pretty certain that I'll stay with earth-tones.

There's nothing else going on around here today. I've still a few last minute Easter things to do... oh, and Jack  had an 'episode' yesterday. He hasn't had any in a long time, but it lasted most of yesterday evening. Seems to be over now.  It's a long story about Jack's condition... one I don't want to go into today. But he has been on Rx Prednisolone for years. It's not good to stay on steroids for this long, but according to the Vet, it's all that is keeping him going. However, I believe that it's the steroids that cause these 'episodes'.  They seem to be neurological... he gets jumpy and twitchy and his eyes are frightened, ears back.... like he's having hallucinations. He'll run and hide or jump into our laps, etc. Occasionally he'll lose control of his bladder. He's such a wonderful cat, it's hard to see him go through this.  Hopefully this one is over and done with.






20 comments:

  1. Poor Jack! Purrs from the boys for him. I'm leery of any vet who would prescribe Pred long term. Guess it depends on the condition--someone who works in our office (another dept) is *severely* asthmatic, life-threateningly so, and is on super-high doses of Pred a lot. Has serious side effects, but in her case, the ability to keep breathing outweighs them.

    Anyway.

    Your chess set is going to be lovely, can't wait to see it completed.

    Happy Easter and weekend to you all. :-)

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    1. Kim, as far as we know Pred is the only thing that has kept Jack going this long. We have seen several specialty vets and Pred is not recommended long term, but... his blood count has been so low on occasion that they are amazed he is still surviving... and doing pretty well most of the time.

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  2. So sorry to hear about Jack. Hopefully he is feeling better today. I can deal with explaining things to people and helping them deal with the fear. Animals, that is another story.
    The chess set will be so beautiful with your chosen colors. I cant wait to see the finished product. You are so talented.

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    1. Thanks, Kelly. Jack is doing better today. Seems to be back to his normal self - except sleeping a bit more (after his difficult day yesterday).

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  3. You-do-such-beautiful-work!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Looking forward to the fully completed project, too!!!!

    Oh poor Jack. And poor you too. It's so hard, to have a pet, in any form of "trouble."

    Gentle hugs,
    "Auntie"

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    1. It's 'awful' to see him when he's having an episode. His eyes are so scared and his ears are back... I often wonder if he's having hallucinations? But he seems to know us and runs into our laps... to hide. I also wonder if he's having any pain, but it's so difficult to know. All we can do is hold him and comfort him with words and strokes. It seems to help a little.

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  4. Dear old fellow. We had an epilectic cat. We kept most seizures away with drugs.

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    1. We're not sure if it's the condition or the medication that causes the episodes. Luckily they don't come too often.

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  5. I know from experience that t's hard to have a cat with a medical condition.

    Our Handsome who is about 11 years old has had seizures for the last 5 or 6 years. Maybe every six weeks or so. They last about 2 to 3 minutes then he just sits there looking dazed for a few more minutes and then seemingly is okay again.

    The vet doesn't know what causes them and so there is really nothing that can be done except be there with him when we are aware that one is happening.

    Worrisome but manageable.

    Victoria

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    1. Yes, you feel so helpless. And you are right, all we can do is be there for him and hope it doesn't last too long. Jack looks dazed and sleeps a lot the next day.

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  6. Oh, poor Jack. I am so glad he is better today. It's always so hard to have a loved one in any kind of distress. Your chess pieces and board are going to be wonderful when finished! :-)

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    1. Thanks, DJan, he is having a little trouble today (Friday), but not as bad as before.

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  7. Our Ethyl has had a couple of strokes/seizures that have given her mild dementia. :( Seeing all your chess pieces together is cool...I am eager to see the finished project.

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    1. We had an older kitty years ago who had several strokes and would walk in circles, but she did fine for a while - was able to get to her litter box and food. When she got into severe distress, it seemed like she was asking us to 'please do something'... and we did. But we were able to hold her as they administered a sedative and she seemed to go right to sleep in my arms. (It is so hard to watch them suffer.)

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  8. I so hope this is an isolated episode ...it is so hard ...our Smudge has not had another fit and is still not on medication...thankgoodness ... I know how scarey it is and, like a baby ,we feel helpless when they are ill.
    Missed your last post ..sorry ...have to agree about recipes that say put veggies in raw ...I find that only works in stews that are cooked slowly for several hours.
    Lastly I think your chess set and board are amazing ....I so hope you get minimal shrinkage ....cant wait to see the complete set finished. xx

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    1. It is hard, Angie. They *depend* on you to take care of them...

      As for the veggies, I don't like mush, but I sure don't like to have them uncooked in a cooked dish.

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  9. Aw, poor little Jack. I hope this doesn't happen too often. I can just imagine how stressful is for you to see him go through this. I hate that we can't explain these things to animals.
    Your chess set is wonderful. Looking forward to the finished product. "Happy Easter". Deb

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  10. Fortunately, it doesn't happen too often.

    And Happy Easter to you too Deb!

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  11. Nice progress on the chess board. I'm very sorry Jack is having so much trouble. Poor kitty. Hope things get sorted out for him soon. Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving such a nice comment. Happy Easter to you.

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  12. Sorry to hear about Jack, Rian and I do hope he doesn't have another episode for a long time. Your chess set is gorgeous and I look forward to seeing it when you;'ve added all the finishing touches.

    happy Easter!

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