sorry it's been so long

/Users/patriciawheeler/Desktop/fred,bill, bobby.JPG/Users/patriciawheeler/Desktop/fred&sarah.JPG
Hi everyone, sorry we haven't posted in so long. it's been busy and i forgot how to use the blog. anyway, Fred has resumed teaching, here he is with Sarah Doremus in his studio during a casting class. He also has started driving again, at least for short distances. he continues PT twice a week and is recovering at a rapid clip. We have begun scheduling classes. We both teach at OCAC in Portland, OR in the spring and then go out to the coast to the Sitka Center for Art & Ecology for more classes. We will both be in Door County WI next summer at the Peninsula Art School and will particpate in the haystack mentor program here on the island.

the other photo is a recent hilarious visit with Bill Daley and Bobby Hanson( playing his tin can instrument.) You can imagine this combination of artist/characters! Bill and Bobby were up for the Haystack week for faculty. Other visitors also from the Haystack faculty week included Hiro Morimoto, Marcia McDonald, Patti Daunis, Arlene Fish etc. lots of good conversation!

We've scheduled a month on Lopez Island in the San Juan's, Washington , for March to get away from the cold Maine winter.

i'll have him write something soon
love to all

Pat

back at the bench today

at the harbor

settling into home

It's been a little over a week since Fred came home. the first week was hard with many alterations needed on the house to make it safe. we are settling into a routine now and it's working. Fred's progress is steady. tonight we went to the harbor for him to walk on the dock using only the handrail and me to assist. he loved it and breathed in the salt air deeply and loved being there and the walking. the swim therapy has some big glitches to be worked out at the facility in Bangor. it's just NOT equiped for disabled people even though they have a program. odd I thought. I called the director and complained. we shall try again when I return from Oregon but it means Fred needs to be dressed and showered at home (one hour away) so it is less than perfect but the therapists agreed to give Fred a full hour in the pool. this first time we drove an hour and he was in the pool 15 min. we were pretty unhappy with that! but the ramps are in, the hand rails, installed, handles everywhere and we are managing. I leave for Oregon to teach and for my show on sunday, returnig on June 8. 12 or 13 or 14 people who we know and love have volunteered to care for Fred, morning, noon and night for those two weeks . we are eternally grateful. they have been coming over to get trained all week. isn't that amazing. community is everything at these moments. remember that all of you. loving community.

ok for now I'll post a photo from tonight's drive to the water (every night we always do that together. Fred had his camera)
love to all

Pat

home for a day

A MOMENT AWAY FROM THE HOSPITAL

I HAD TO INSERT THIS. FRED WAS SO PROUD AND I TOOK 2 DAYS AWAY FROM THE HOSPITAL TO GO TO COURT. OUR LAWYERS AND THE SIX DEFENDENTS WERE AMAZING. SEE GERRY'S COMMENTS BELOW. MORE FROM FRED LATER. WE GET A HOME VISIT ON TUES. TO EVALUATE THE HOUSE AND TO MAKE PLANS TO COME HOME YEA!!!!!!!!
PAT

bangor 12...not guilty

message from Fred

Dear friends,


I am overwhelmed by the number of postcards , handmade cards, gifts and good wishes coming my way since my stroke. My ability to type on the computer has been effected for now but I can still write well. Please know that you are in my thoughts. My appreciation runs deep. When I am feeling recovered I will attempt to send a more lucid message of thanks. Pat and I are so blessed to have people like you show concern for our well being and my fast recovery. please use my blog and also the new link to the justifying art blog( right hand side of home page) to add your voice to a discussion I’ve been wanting to have for years about just what makes the arts so critical for our health as a people and how do we present that to the public and wake them up to it’s importance. I look forward to reading your comments. A friend is typing my thoughts into the blog (justifying art) for me and that will be ready soon.

I send my love and gratitude your way.