It’s time to write a catch-up blog. Some of you will know that my husband Alan has spent the summer waiting in line for open heart surgery. Finally on October 14th he reached the top of the list and his quadruple bypass operation at St Paul’s hospital, in downtown Vancouver, was successful. He was in CSICU for four days and in a ward for another five, enduring a scary day of atrial fibrillation (resolved with digoxin) and came home to the tender care of me 9 days later. During that week I made my way in to town by skytrain or bus to avoid parking fees and to relax with a novel. Stressful time..
Now Al is comfortably settled in a room at ground level next to my basement studio and has quickly tackled one flight of stairs to the main floor, the dining room and his study so we can begin to get our lives back to a normal routine. But he is going to find recovery slow and frustrating. He’s enjoying home-cooked meals and we gently walk around a block or two when it’s not absolutely tipping rain.
So my studio work has been neglected, and my galleries have been totally understanding. It is normally a very busy time of year in a pottery studio but for this year I shall simply try to finish the jugbirds I had begun before Al’s surgery date and whatever else I can complete. The work made by my Texan guests awaits the next firings and the Raiders are, of course, hoping to have some more painting days soon. I’ve told them to give me a couple more weeks to catch up with some of my stuff and get some plates made and then I hope Al will feel strong enough to have guests here for a day. He can disappear into his study where there’s a comfortable chair!
While Al was at St Paul’s I was finally able to find Eric Metcalfe’s elegant mural in the Burrard Foundation’s building on Georgia street as I walked south on Burrard street from the Burrard skytrain station. You can find it by walking into the CIBC entrance on Georgia street. Here’s the link to info on that:
http://www.burrardarts.org/project/stellar/
On one evening it was a treat to have Linda Lebrun pick me up at St Paul’s at the end of a day and give me a lift down to Granville Island, and then a ride all the way home. We went to Emily Carr U for a NW Ceramic Foundation lecture by Sally Michener. It was so good to see her selection of slides, showing just how much sculpture she has created over a long career, including the most recent work in the show with Tam Irving at West Vancouver Museum. Many of her students and friends were in the audience that evening so it was a happy occasion. And no, I didn’t take any photos that night.
Al and I would like to thank all the super friends who’ve phoned, emailed and sent cards to cheer him along, plus casseroles and food treats! He’ll be able to have longer phone calls and visits very soon.
I realised from various comments on fB that Al had been unwell. That must have been such an anxious wait for you, but it sounds as if he is making a steady recovery thanks to your ministrations. I wish you both all the best for continued progress. Hope Al’s a good patient and does as he’s told!
I was wondering whether you had the same introduction to pottery making as I did – working in the nissen huts with only cold water. My pots always collapsed and I ended up with an ashtray! It gave me a life-long dislike of getting dirt under my nails and it would be interesting to know if your success had the same beginnings as my total failure! Lots of love, Liz
Missing you at meetings, Gillian. Big (and gentle) hugs to you and Al…..whew…what you have been through. Thanks for the update……a new chapter has opened. love, Susan
Comforting to read Gillian; sounds like Alan is in good hands. Best wishes, and hope to see you both soon.
Liz, thanks for your good wishes. Yes, I guess you’re right. We probably had our first taste of clay work at Croft House School. Shall we tell people that that was over sixty .. six oh .. years ago?!
Hi Gillian, I knew via Facebook that the operation was going to happen but didn’t realize it had progressed so quickly. I have two friends that have gone through similar surgery and they are both totally marvellous – both had to learn patience! I have recently broken my knee cap into 4 pieces so I can relate (On a much lower level) to Al;s frustration – being immobilized is no fun. But, thank goodness for great partners!!