This is not the entry I'm thrilled to write...but until I can find my feet again I'm going to park my butt whereever I can until I'm back in stride...thats Karoda speak for my workshop was dismantled today due to sewage back up caused by the storm we had last Tuesday...7-8 inches of rain fell in 1 hour and 15 minutes. The gunky water receded immediately after the rain stopped but there is damage (not as bad as most who where affected, but significant) that requires the bathroom to be removed as well as most of the panelling and my mother lost her dryer. Their insurance coverage will not be enough...so we went into plan B today...the DIY plan and calling somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody...for clean-up and repairs. I'm also hoping that my renter's insurance will cover my personal property that I definitely want replaced (about 7 or so of my new art quilt books)
Thanks to my oldest son, Adrian and his friend Al, for coming to the rescue on the clean-up part! The good news is most of my stuff survived...I had to grieve the lost of sketch journals created over the last 5-6 years and some fairly new art quilt books I had stacked in a basket next to my comfy chair...Fabric wise, I'm washing as I type, I'm okay...I think the fabrics helped absorb a lot quickly and prevented the water from spreading on my side of the basement. I might have lost my computer, but for me that is no big deal. My large rugs are lost and not worth the physical effort to clean them and I'm okay with that also. The pat on the back I gave myself is the wisdom to put the electrical outlets for my machines/iron half way up the wall!
On a much happier note, I had an absolute inspiring time in Elizabethtown last Thursday evening...sitting in a circle with about 20 woment artists from Central Kentucky and Louisville discussing our art and feminism, personal identities and experiences and social change! It was an extension of the wonderful time I had in Athens with my sister-friends 2 weeks ago!!!! I'm going to be leaning on the memories of these two events to get me through the down time.
My posts will be sporadic until I can celebrate the restoration of my workshop space. Hangeth in!
So glad you had some immediate help and the areas of damage were relatively contained. We had something similar happen here two day before Christmas. Husband lost some of his recording studio equipment, R & B vinyl collection, etc. If insurance won't help you replace the books maybe we, your faithful blog readers, can chip in to help with that ...
ReplyDeleteSee, I am not the only one who wants to help you. Just say the word!!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your damage but keep up the great spirit....I'm counting that double fold blessings come your way soon........
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear about your miserable experience. Thank God, you are experienced at hanging in there. Wrap yourself in a big hug while you get your space back in shape to work. Maybe this will spark a great idea for a project that will be therapeutic.
ReplyDeleteOh shoot! That is just too much Karoda, I'm so glad your son was able to pitch in and help get you moved. Hang in there. The women's art circle sounds amazing, hope you can go to another one soon.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry,that is just lousy. Consider yourself hugged, I'm
ReplyDeletehoping your insurance actually comes through for you. We will be hanging in with you!
I hope you know that your friends out here in cyberspace want to help you and are only waiting for the word. I know you will rise like the Phoenix and create an even better space to create your beautiful artwork. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteOUCH, hell and damn! My eye drifted off to the left and read "HIGHER GROUND" ..are there any plans to move and can anything be done to prevent this from happening again? Me, I'd be filling the room in with concrete and calling it lost. So sorry.
ReplyDeleteThe journals must have been a very painful loss, seems to me that's where our hearts lie sometimes. Gerrie seems to have the recovery plans in gear, so I will stay tuned to both of you. I'm so sorry this happened to you Karen
ReplyDeleteWell that sucks. Especially the journals. Glad you're trying to keep on the positive side, but yuck!
ReplyDeleteHere's to a speedy recovery from all of this!
omg, Karoda - heartbreaking about the journals but good that you are ok and most of your stash is salvageable. I'm here to help.
ReplyDeleteWTF.. I just saw on FB that the U of L library was flooded, which brought me looking for you. Wish I lived closer so I could physically help, but I am definitely on board in the helping to replace that which is replaceable (like the art quilting books!!) Post their titles so we can get a move on it. The loss of the journals sucks arse so hard I can't even comment. Like everyone else I continue to marvel at the way you construct the positives to keep feeding you. Sunlight will always shine in your backdoor - you will it. 10 years + and I love knowing you more every day.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about the damage to your studio. On teh amusing side, I've heard about fabric stashes providing good insulation, but never thought about their efficacy in flood control! On teh serious side, I'd be happy to contribute in any way to replacing your art books or rugs.
ReplyDeleteOhhhh Karen! Wish I could be there to help. I have lots of experience after Katrina! Give us a list of titles and we can at least get on replacing the books for you, and you can put that expense towards other supplies you need. You say the word and we'll be there.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm echoing all above: just say the word.
ReplyDeleteJudy, who is late but nevertheless present!
Let us know what books you need...for all I know, it's in my stash waiting to be sent to you :-)
ReplyDeleteGoodness gracious girl...what a mess!. Glad that most of your stuff is salvageable and that you area okay and didn't slip and fall.
ReplyDeleteSign me up for filling you up...anyway I can. We all are here for you. With my margarita held high...cheers to you getting back to "normal" real soon.