August 31, 1976 (Letter from Grayce)

N.B.  Prevention magazine says a few beers every once in a while are good for you.  Because they contain elements of nutrition that are no longer in modern man's food -- even most "health foods".

I am presently taking a break from the exciting job of UNPACKING!  (Oh, if only my fellow phil. majors could see me now!)  I was going to make a pun from "unpacking" which is the logical positivistic term for "getting down to basics" about a word's true meaning -- which might interest an old dictionary buff like yourself?  Actually, I have no idea of what I'm trying to convey here, myself, my surroundings are a total scramble & my mind is jarred b y them. Maybe I should start over.

You new stationary gave me quite a start -- it's the exact paper I used to get from Brook when we first met.  As you can tell, the stationary business hasn't come up with any brilliant ideas in 5 years!  What a farce, actually, Brook thought little of the paper, too (not me, I like it, but them, I have strange taste) so he went to his friend B.V.D. (Bill Venables, for short) who just happened to run a printing press at the time, and made some papers up 'specially for me -- quite romantic.  Our mailman used to geet quite a kick out of those letters.  Anyway, there were yellow & had a pretty sunset delicately printed on top (just in black) but I really liked them.  What reminded me of this is that for two days, Brook & I sorted our letters (writing every day for 2 years by 2 people equals quite a heap of letters!)  We got rid of some.  I was upset because so many of the ones I wrote said the same things -- what drivel!  Anyway, it was a nostalgic way to spend 2 days -- I do like your stationary, though -- very forceful!  (he-Tweet?)  Should I start again?

Our trip across was (thanks God!) uneventful in the car trouble sense, which we both were a bit worried about.)

Ohio to Indiana - very nice, too flat.

Iowa -- I never want to see corn again.

Nebraska -- ditto, but we stopped at a few Pioneer museums, and they were pretty interesting.

Wyoming -- I liked this place, unfortunately, we drove a lot of it in the dark and I didn't get many pictures.

Utah was my favorite.  I can't imagine this place being the way it is.  It's scary, in a way.  If we have another ice age, maybe the whole earth will look like Utah and when man (or whoever will evolve next; I hope somebody who deserves the earth more) appears, he'll never know about exotic flowers or hardwood trees?  It could change the furniture business!    (I'm sorry, I'm in such a giddy mood!)

We spent a week at Pocatello's finest -- Holiday Inn, which wasn't too bad.  We swam every possible minute & that nice.  Unfortunately, Brook got hut one day by scraping his nose on the bottom of the pool, also his forehead.  I still don't' understand how he did it -- the water he dived into was 10' deep -- but I think he scraped his nose in the 4' part, which appeared a bit too abruptly -- anyway, he's ok.  He was just shaken up a little.  I was afraid, though, when he came up, his face was full of blood.  After that, we were less energetic in the water.

It's so quiet here -- hardly ever a car goes by our house.  The population in this town is rising quickly though.  They expect 80,000 in 5-7 years (it's 48,000 now).  I am now gazing out our back door at 2 workers putting up a house across from us.  They're putting up the skeleton of the roof right now.  I'm surprised at how quickly it's being finished.

Brook is at his first day of classes.  I hope he's having a nice day.  One of the guys he knows who's already out here said the program is very tough.  (Brooks thinks he's very intelligent & didn't think he'd have any problems at all!)  I suppose my main function right now is to be here for Brook so he'll have all the support he needs.  I hope I don't take up too much of his time.  For now, I don't have to worry, because I'm up to my ears in things that need a place to stay, but after the house is settled, I will have to keep myself busty.  Maybe I can be a waitress at  the Mall?  There's an ice cream place -- I definitely have enough experience in that.

Is this letter boring?  I'm sorry -- it's awfully incoherent, too.  Brook has to catch a 6:00 AM bus out to the site each day, and I don't see him again til 6:00 PM.  He's been taking the car down & leaving it at the bus stop (2 1/2 miles away).  Later on, I'll drive him down & ave the car during the day.  I'm not sure I'm ready yet, though.  Brook's taken me out several times, but he's never let me go out alone.  It's pretty crowded here on the roads, it's surprisingly like Monroeville!  Eventually, though, I suppose I'll be driving all by myself!  (Frankly, I'm scared, but I suppose I'll survive!)

The transition from everythingness (maybe just somethingness) by which I mean the possibility of seeing certain people & doing certain things to nothingness (not in the sense really of NOTHING, but in the relative sense of less stimuli of certain types) is certain to be a major difference in my life.  I feel it may be for the best.  I need solitude right now.  I think maybe I'll be able to be alone more readily, also.  That is one thing that's very hard to me and which I must overcome.

I do hope you can make it out here.  You know, I'd love to have you.  Actually since you have such a short time, have you considered flying?  It's really not that expensive & if you consider that "time is money" it's cheap!  (I can always rationalize spending!)  Anyway, think about it?  (It's a natural for a Tweet, anyway!)

I'm so pleased about the yoga.  Actually, I didn't mention it "off the cuff".  I didn't want to seem like I wanted to "force" you to try it, but I did want to consciously make an effort.  I knew you'd be open to that suggestion.  That's one aspect of your personality I am very impressed with -- your openness to new ideas -- (maybe because I'm not always as open as I'd like myself to be?)  I've always felt that I could tell you any thing and it would be taken without undercurrents of "she's crazy" even if I was crazy.  I hope  I get to see you more often at some point in my life.  Oh well -- I guess I'd better get back to UNPACKING!  Take care

August 17, 1976 (Note from Diane)

Sorry for the delay, but after 2 sets of visitors, 2 birthdays, one hurricane, and two power failures (not to mention a clogged garbage disposal), my mental processes aren't so hot.  I even forgot to pay teh rent.

Anyhow, I do hope you can visit the weekend before Labor Day.  The wkend after is "The King and I" wkend -- and the old gang form Penn State is going to see "our" musical.  I called Bev and she is making arrangements to come up the weekend you're here, so  you two can see each other. Let me know which road you'll be and I'll send directions promptly.

The mystery disease is still a mystery although the Bellevue-Stratford seems to be connected with most of the sick people.  Naturally, the tourist business in Philly is suffering.

Looking forward to seeing you!

August 13, 1976 (Letter from Cheryl)

I finally got around to writing you again.  George got out and he came by here for 4 days.  He left & we kept in touch; then me & my old man had it out so I up & split & went to see George.  Had a really good wk's vacation.  George is here now  -- just got in today.  Don't really know what he's gonna do.  Matter of fact I don't know what I'm gonna do.  Guess things will work themselves out, they always do.

George, my son, went to Montana (Seely Lake) with some good friends of mine & is havin himself a ball.  Riding horses and fishing, camping & hiking.  I really miss him tho.  So does his sister, but school starts the 1st of Sept. so he should have a good time till then.  When they all get back, we're planning on goin to Yakima, Washington to pick apples.  That in itself should be a trip, seeings how none of us has ever done it before.  It's pretty country down there tho, and most likely will be a lot of fun. Cuz the people I'm goin with are crazy -- a lot of fun to be with.

I haven't been doin too much lately -- mostly stayin home and enjoying the last of summer. There's a lot of wild fruit here; huckleberries, raspberries, strawberries  cherries & apples -- a lot others too, but I don't know the names of em.  Anyway I went eating them & cookin with em. There's mushrooms up on the hill too, but I'm afraid to eat em or cook with em cuz I don't know about em.  But it's still far-out to take your kids up there in your back yard & let em see & eat all the wild stuff.

Our house goes up for auction the 30th.  As of now the landlady & lord have no say so over anything because they both went to Missouri.  So I guess I'll just stay here & wait & see what the new landlord says.  If he's smart he'll let me stay her e-- this place isn't worth moving into -- no one would want it except me & the mice.  (Except for the land; that's what I'm afraid of.)  Someone will want the land.  I'm really gonna hate to move from here.

George just said to tell you high -- and said to remind you "it's August and he's broke & wants to know when you & him are going truckin"!!  That was just off the wall talk -- but he remembers and wanted to know if you do --

Well I gotta go -- we're goin' to bed!!  Fun time!!  Write soon and keep in touch.  So will I.

August 11, 1976 (Letter from Mardi)

Well, I don't know where to begin with this letter!  I can't believe you've been out there five months already!  Hope your job is doing you good things.  I imagine you're fairly settled in your apt. by now!  Being a permanent apt. dweller, you will find yourself doing a little of the "happy Homemaker" scene.

We have had an exceptionally shitty summer this year!  My summer consisted of two weeks in Minneapolis & Barb went out to the Cape.  I'm sorry I didn't get a postcard off to you but I never had a free moment.  Seeing everybody was great.  The weather was clear & sunny & my first full day was spent at Lake Harriet biking & just enjoying the whole place.  Bill is doing really well & he's extremely "mellow" now!  Visited TCF which now encompasses an entire city block.  Visited w/ Alma & had lunch w/ the kids at work.  Went to see Dutch & JoAnn, they are typical suburban people now, beautiful home w/ co-ordinated L.R., D.R., etc.  He's a good man, though. Just had a very relaxing time.  Everyone is so much more relaxed there.

My mother is no longer working at Cowdrick's!!!  Shall wonders never cease?  She quit after they took away a week's vacation form her.  She is now at NPC!!!  She had been thinking about it for some time.  She had no benefits at the drug store.

Marti also started a new job at Betts in the west end in their Purchasing Dept.  We're both happy he's there.  He's familiar w/ his new position because of his former employment there.  He works 8-5 with no week-ends -- VACATION.  He's been working w/ Jan Priest doing contracting work in the evenings!  Levinson Bros. was taking its toll on him!!!

Joan -- remember Joan? -- is now here in Warren.  Don't know if I can even begin to explain to you what she's doing because she doesn't know what she's doing!  Let's go back to when she left for Atlanta.  First of all, the daycare or camp for the children fell through & she's been struggling to make ends meet.  While there she & the guy who was to organize this camp became very close. She received her divorce from Freddie about 3 wks ago & got married to Mr. Bill Schwartz.  They came back here to Warren right after they were married because her parents were freaking out & didn't know what was going on!  Now they are happy -- Joan is married to a white man.  Anyway, everyone was surprised, especially Barb & I.  So they were here Sat, Sun & we all got together Mon. night @ my mother's to meet Bill, etc.  We visited & they were going back Tues.  We all said good-by & that was that!  Three days later my mother calls & says Joan is still here!  She stayed & Bill flew to Atlanta where he'll work till he gets "the truck"?  fixed & can get their clothes, etc. Meantime Joan is looking for a job here!  She hates Atlanta, & they want to settle up here.   She's really got me confused this time.  Common sense does not enter into Joan's mind at any time. She has really blown everyone's mind this time!  First of all, I never thought she'd get married again for awhile.  They both could have stayed here & gotten jobs -- why would one stay here & one go to Atlanta?  It's a waste of money & there is nothing that could be so important that they couldn't stay together!  Anyway I've not done any advice giving -- just listen.  Whatever they ant to do they will do!

Marti's parents were just here for two weeks -- actually good old Rachel has quited down some & she was quite bearable!  His sister & husband were here also but stayed in a motel.  Her new husband is not too outgoing & doesn't seem to fit in with regular folks --- his Maine upbringing has not helped him to socialize!!  Marti won't get any vacation time now so I doubt if we'll be making our annual trip to Maine.

Everyone is fine here.  Matthew will have his 2nd birthday next month -- amazing!  He is talking away now, he doesn't quite make sense though.  I'll have to start looking for an extra special gift for the big guy.  I'm behind in baby gifts!  Matt & Candi Voigt had a baby girl. Mike & Laurie Curren had a baby girl, Veryl & Betsy Brinkley had a little boy & Bill & Jodee Andrews are expecting & Jim & Linda Blackman!  It has been nothing but babies!!  I feel like an old pro at it!!

So how is the job going now?  Have you been working in various depts. yet?  Barb is presently unemployed & looking.  If I were her I'd go back to Boston soon.  She's been pretty tied up with this Rick West guy.  She apparently really likes him.  I've never met him but he's about 5-6 years younger.  Between her life & Patsy's it's a regular Peyton Place.  I doubt if I'd last more than one summer in Warren if I were single.  The guys are either too young & immature or too old, divorced w 3 kids & screwed up.  There is a definite scarcity of intellectual males 25-29.  Barb may be working a couple of days @ the Hoffman home on Conewango & waitress @ Paces a couple of nights.  She is suppose to be in Cambridge for a wedding the 22nd & thinks she has a ride.

Well, I'd better close & get some othings done -- it's off to the "Warren County Fair" tonight -- hve to let Matthew see the cows & horses etc. -- it should hold his attention for 1/2 an houro or so!

Take care, sorry about not writing sooner!

August 20, 1976 (Letter from Grayce)

Nonsense!  (My not taking the time to read your letter thoroughly!)  Naturally, I got it the day after I mailed yours -- which gave me no time whatsoever to delete the offending (heehee) Kierkegaard, Hegel, etc. passages . . . did you suffer very much from them, dear?  Just be quite thankful you have some thing to make you sleep (ah, zzzzzzz!)  That commodity has been rather scarce around her lately.  I've had about 3 white nights this past week & expect at least a few more before we leave on Monday.

Yesterday, we played volleyball at a picnic for 4  -- count 'em -- 4 hours (with several beer breaks, of course) & even t his exercise did not tire me out sufficiently to receive a full, uninterrupted night's sleep.  Oh, well . . .

How did Parent's Weekend go?  I hope well.  Was everyone impressed with your new nest?

I haven't started Rhys' book yet -- I'm saving it for Nebraska (or Iowa, if I absolutely cannot wait!) I've been trying to read as much Simone de Beauvoir as possible lately.  I just realized a few weeks ago that I've started reading all these feminist writers, so I' like to do a thorough job.  I've read some Colette, too, & enjoyed her very much.  Haven't decided who should be next yet.

I'm not sure if I gave you our new address, but I don't think I did.  (Thought you'd get away without it, didn't you?)

2050 Steven Lane

Pocatello, Idaho 83201

Numerologically, it's a pretty good address for me -- 5 & 7 are my lucky numbers.  (The zip code can be played with also, to arrive at both 2 + 3 = 5 & 8 - 1 = 7.)

I'm happy that you've embraced yoga.  Now we can discuss effects.  Do you know your body better yet?

August 5, 1976 (Letter from Grayce)

Just sitting here, catching my breath -- it's only 9 AM and already I'm tired -- I think I'll probably be able to sleep tonight.  I've been trying to organize some of my accumulated things (of which there are far too many!) It certainly is work!

I meant to write soon after you left, but for some reason (besides being busy showing the house, etc.) I just couldn't seem to.  I'm not sure exactly why, but when I've seen you for a few days & then you leave, I don't seem to be able to write very soon.  It's almost as if I have to let you recede a bit, so I can see you at a distance (reminiscent of the idea that one sees one's friends more clearly from a distance as a mountain climber see that which he had climbed?)

I think it's because I'm so happy when I do get to see you that I don't fully believe that you are here, when you are here, & when you leave, it's like I have to sort out a dream of oms kind . . . does this make any sense at all?  I'm sure I'm not getting the emotion on this piece of paper!

Regarding our house -- we have had quite a few inquiries (especially from the Sunday ad) but Westinghouse offered us an amount which almost was what we asked, so allowing for closing costs (which they pay), legal fees (ditto) & trouble of transferring deeds & other general time-consuming & boring details (which we will be ecstatic for them to take care of ) -- we feel it is all around better to sell to them. (We only had a certain amt of time to accept their offer &^ were afraid if we sold it privately, there might be a delay with the buyers getting a loan right away & we can't wait 'cause we have to pay for the new house.

This week we are planning to take the beveled glass out of the front door & also the stained glass window on the third floor (which you never saw -- it's plain, but has some nice colors).  It's going to be quite a task -- since neither of us has done it, but I have faith in Brook's skill.  (Myself -- I would do best to keep myself scarce   I'm so clumsy!)  I just will be very upset if the windows break.  I plan to learn how to make stained glass, but only God knows when, (or where) -- certainly not in Pocatello (although one never knows.)  Actually, I know the rudiments, I'd just need some good equipment & some (much) practice.  Maybe I should get more competent at weaving first, though. It's not too good to have too many interests at once.  Between Brook &^ myself, we're bound to cover everything before long -- I'll be jaded by the time I'm 28!  (Like Kierkegaard.)

I feel such an affinity with him.  Maybe because his life was full of such pathos -- it just seems to affect me so much.  He was such an "indirect" person, but his philosophy really had a great effect -- (although he always refused to admit to being a philosopher! -- he detested Hegelian logic and didn't want to be associated with its consequences in any way) as for its consequence s-- Hegel personalizes history & let it roam wherever it liked.  Many feel that Hegel's ideas greatly affected Heidegger & that he in turn came up with the Aryan purity of race idea which in turn brought about the climate in which a Hitler could flourish.  (But he also brought about a climate in which Marx could write.)  It was such an open-ended philosophy -- that was its main problem.  As a matter of act -- Kierkegaard & Marx attended the very same Hegel course in Berlin (but never got acquainted) & came out with such totally diverse ideas -- it's something that's hard to believe.  Oh well, enough of this lecture.  (Wake up, Tweety!)

The yoga seems to be progressing.  My body often wants to balk at taking time to slow down & relax for the exercises, & that is supposed to mean progress.  (The book says your body wants to be lazy (mine certainly does) & to get old -- so any attempt to rouse it from its natural course, it will try to thwart).  I really feel that this helps me relax, though.  I am a tense person & now I feel much more relaxed than I did.  Part of this is because I don't have to be at Seton Hill anymore, but part must be due to the yoga, I feel.

I got something neat in the mail yesterday.  (A 2 carat diamond, hee hee)  Actually, it's one of those Wellington counterfeit diamonds, but it does look real & it's just in a very plain setting.  I rather like it (but it's so rock-like, I don't think I'll wear it very much.)  I forgot to mention that this was one of the third prizes in a mail-order catalog contest.  Occasionally, I enter these things, just for the fun of it, and occasionally I do win something.  This ring is worth about $50 (they say $75, but I don't think so) so I suppose it's nothing to sneeze at.  (Maybe next time, I'll win the car?)

Well, I suppose I'll try to get t his in the mail today.  We are going golfing tonight (neither of us has ever been) with the people upstairs.  I'm sure I'll be terrible (it's certain to be a lot harder than miniature golf!)

August 4, 1976 (Letter from Tony)

Here I sit in my Colden retreat, stretching time out to at least four times its normal length.  It's only been one week and 5 days since I finished the rather exhausting grind of the New York State Bar Exam.  and yet that experience has passed through the normal holding ponds of recent memory and is now firmly bedded in my long ago past..  I can't recall any other experience I've had which grew so old this quickly.

My position here is a familiar one, yet not one that I am completely comfortably with.  I guess mainly it's the rapid change from being a decision-maker leader in Binghamton to being a well-fed cared for son in Colden which I haven't quite accepted fully.   Not that it's bad, I do so enjoy being here.  But there is a touch of anxiety every now and then.  It's almost sinfully irresponsible to be here relaxing & reading & sleeping & playing & eating.

A portion of that anxiety can be attributed to the uncertainty of my future.  Do you see the incongruity, Paul, where here I am with all my immediate care provided for, being rather dependent & removed from the hustle & bustle "real" world while I sit & contemplate how I'm going to structure my immediate future. I could just go on relaxing here for some time unless that [illegible] propels me into action.  But a life decision made here would tend to be rosy-colored and may not look so fine in the bright light of coming reality.

But I carry on too much on this.  I expect to stay here at least another week, then I'll trek on to Boston by way of Springfield.  My stay will be more certain when I speak to the unemployment people on Tuesday next.  But now I expect I'll be in Springfield Aug 11, Wednesday.  I may stop in Binghamton first or I may do that on the way home.



My blueprint for the near future is this.  I want to get a seasonal job -- full time for 4-5 months. This, surprisingly to me, is not much accepted in the lawyer world.  Anyway, I then would want mid April til October free to do some vegetable growing.  In this period of 6-7 months I'd be working only about 20 hours a week in April-May & then about 10-12 hr/wk thereafter.  I should be able to grow enough vegetables for myself and several others -- and if I fully commit myself I would become a vegetarian & provide most of my food for myself.  Some of my inspiration from the book -- Living the Good Life -- by Helen & Scott Nearing, wherein they describe their 20-year experiment of living on a Vermont farm & providing their year's livelihood in only 6 months.

This would then leave me up to 2 months free time to do some legal work or travel.

The idea of part-time work has always appealed to me.  It remains to be seen if I have the courage and determination to carry it through.  Enough for now.