John Hardly, that was beautiful, and made me think. I fire glass in an electric kiln. Glass painting needs flash firing at 1050 to 1300 F, so success or disaster happens in usually twenty minutes, during which time you sit close to the (usually electric)kiln and gasp at every little cracking sound. The cooling process is just as fraught, and takes about four hours. Your relationship with your kiln sounds much better. I've known many potters over the years, and am always amazed at the expressiveness of clay and glaze. Some of the pottery I own are pieces that came from the hands of friends passed on. I hold them and it is as if they are still here.