Above, Sue’s students say hello and tell her she is missed. It will take more than surgery to slow or stop my indomitable friend and beloved teacher, Sue Silverstein, an Art Teacher at Bishop Gibbons High School in Schenectady, New York.

Sue asked me to let all of her many followers, friends, admirers, and students know she hit a bump in the road during her surgery last week and had a wild day or two. All is better; she is home recuperating, and I can tell. She is healthy because she is already starting to do things she is not supposed to do.

She said she would return to the classroom in a week, but I managed to talk her out of that. As sweet and beloved as she is, she is made of steel when it comes to being told what to do. I can say to you, in all honesty, that Sue is well and recovering and will be back to work in about two weeks if she behaves and rests (always in doubt.) Please encourage her to do that; she is stubborn as a mule when she wants to be, and her art classes and students are her life.

She also has great faith. She is my sister from another mother, a precious gift.

Sue wants you to know she can’t answer your messages right now or thank the angels for sending her art ideas, supplies, and vintage throwaways. Well wishes and cards are welcome, and she would be immensely grateful if her many fans and friends would continue to send old discarded items for her art classes to turn into art.

You can send old jewelry, clothes, paint supplies, etc., to Sue Silverstein, 2600 Albany Street, Schenectady, New York, 12304. Thank you. Get-well cards can go to the same place. Sue will want to hit the ground running when she returns so that any art ideas will be welcome. You know the drill: She loves everything she gets and finds a way to turn it into art. I plan to make an art supplies Wish List for her art supplies when she returns to school. She sends her love.

— Jon Katz