Memories and a Kiln Loading

Talked to my cousin Lili tonight. (Pic: Lili, myself and Juana). She is one of my 6 cousins in Bolivia and she is the first of my family there to visit here. She'll be with my parents for about a month but due to work and distance it looks like I won't be able to see her. Immigration rules have made it difficult for any of my family from Bolivia to visit, plus it's so expensive! Don't get me started at how privileged we are here in the U.S. We can visit 90 or so countries easily and yet we make it so hard and sometimes impossible for others to enter ours? I think we need to be better neighbors.
With all that said, I have fond memories of the short amount of time I've spent with Lili. I vividly remember playing with her and her sister Juana during my trips there as a child. We always found joy in the smallest things. I wish we could see each other more often. Amazing women!

Onto a kiln loading.... here was the beginning. Two of those tumblers and the jar in the back are all mine. These are in the back right of the kiln. Loading was last night. I took a few pictures while two others loaded the kiln. My camera is fading on me.. and now the shutter isn't working.

Once again, the back right of the kiln.

Camera fading... the kiln is getting more full.

Who is that loading the kiln? It was amazing to witness how many pieces were fit into it. One of my teacups is next to that teapot with the long handle on the left side.

Who are these two? Hint: teachers at clayworks and experienced kiln loaders...

One shot before the door was closed. Those two tumblers on the right in the middle are mine. :)

These two are Julie and Greg! Last check before the door was shut. Clyde, the new bird who has decided to recently live at clayworks, saw all of this too. Will make a post about him and the halloween barrel firing soon....