August 20, 1977 (Letter from Cheryl)

Sittin' here spacing out, & was writin' letters to everyone so here I am writing to you.  It's been almost a month since I heard from you, longer since I wrote you.  Hope this finds you in good health, and stayin' loaded and not working to hard.

We're all doin great here.  Shorts still works in the mine, and still likes it; the kids are getting' ready to go back to school the 29th, and I'm looking forward to alot of time on my hands, come then.  Don't really know if I'm gonna like it or not tho.  Guess I have no choice tho.  I'll figure something out.

We went to Billings about oa month ago, then last wk.end we went to Missoula.  Had a really great time & saw "Star Wars" which is really a good movie, bought some albums & went to the "top Hat" & heard a really good country band.  Saw my aunt & uncle & one of my cousins which I hadn't seen in over a year.  She'd gotten married since I saw her last.  Marriage seems to change people for some reason.

My brother popped in about 3 wks ago and it sure was good to see him.  He's gonna try and get on in the mine, which he'll probably do, cuz he's worked there before and all the college kids are quitting next wk.  Summer is always a good time for me.  People come to see us or we go to see them.  Too bad it's so short.

We're going to Banff National Park over Labor Day and I can hardly wait.  None of us have been to this part of Canada, and from what I here it's really beautiful up there.  A lot of mountains and big trees.  Should be a good trip.  I'll let you know how it goes.

Our pot crop is really bad.  I've had it planted since May and it isn't even 3 foot high yet.  We've had a really hot summer, too, but from all the other plants & fruit trees up here on the hill; it seems like they only grow & produce every other year.  So, if that's the case, next year we'll have one hell of a good crop.  At least I Hope so.  Not that I'd wanta live in the big city but from what you say, your crop is doin' really good.  Wish I had some of your green thumb on pot.  The dope situation out here is really good the past 2 weeks as far as speed.  There's been a lot of it around, and for a good price, but we try and stay away from it any more.  Well, as much as we can.  Mostly just on the wk.days.  The weekends get pretty wild.  It's one hell of a party and a lot of fun.

Haven't heard from George in a long time, but I know from his ma, he's still in the joint & not doin so well.  Guess the warden sent his ma a letter with a bunch of questions, so she wrote back and they sent the answers to the shrink there.  They think he's crazy.  He is, but it's not good for any one to know it but his family.  Oh well, such is life.

Was glad to hear you had such a good time with all your people & friends.  Too bad you couldn't take a long vacation & come out here to visit.  It isn't nothing like the big city, but it's nice & mellow & the people are great.  I'd like to see you again, one of these days.

Well, we're goin' to visit somne friends so I'm gonna go for now.  Take care of yourself and write soon.

Just out of curisoity's sake, how much does pot go for?  An ounze (the spelling's not right) it's goin for $60 here for Columbian.

August 18, 1977

Thought I'd write to you on my "Harrod's" paper this time!  One of my friends has been in London this summer and has sent me goodies, this being among them.

Your bike sounds really nice!  I'm glad you got a chance to buy it.

Please rest assured --  I've read some of Boorstin's The Americans -- but only the 1st book about the Colonial Experience.  I wish I had more time to read right now, but after having lots of free time before I started work, I now have lots less -- especially since I've been getting into so much print-making.  I feel like I have a new career -- or at least a part-time one -- and a fairly lucrative one!  So far, I've sold 2 of my weavings, 2 water colors and about 7 of my prints.  And I have a few more orders now that I'll have to work on.  I'm especially happy that all this business has just come by word of mouth.  I keep meaning to get a bunch of stuff together & take it to a gallery here or maybe in Jackson & letting them sell for me but (and I'm not complaining) I keep selling things & I never seem to have enough left to bring to the gallery!  I showed one (my first) print to a guy at work that I'm friends with & he bought it & then several of his friends wanted them & then other people at Sears asked to see my other stuff, too.  So....it's been quite a 2 weeks!  I feel as though at least I won't starve if I need to support myself.  I've been looking at library ads lately & honestly, there are3n't too many who'd want me, I'm sure!!!  That scares me a little 'cause I don't think I'd enjoy selling pencils with a "thought for the day" printed on them on some street corner (as I had planned to do after grad from V.U. with my philosophy degree.)

Are you familiar with the Strathmore Paper Co. in West Springfield?  If not don't even read this next paragraph.  If so -- & if you ever go by there -- could you ask the prices of their rice paper?  I used to get it from Yasutomo in S. F. but they've gone wholesale & don't deal with individuals now.  I'd like to buy i bulk since indiv. sheets range from 57 cents to 95 cents here at the art store.  Maybe you could ask if they have a catalogue and/or samples?

If this is too much trouble, could you just send me the address?  I can't seem to find it!  I'm sorry I'm such a pest -- but of course, you already know that, by now, huh?  What a masochist you must be!  (heh, heh)

This guy at work, Ron Shaw, is really neat.  (I mentioned above that he'd bought one of my prints -- but that's not Why I think he's neat.)  Anyway -- he's really interested in words & I mentioned your job to him (he's an interior decorator) & he thinks it just sounds like heaven.  He said he saw a word once -- he's not exactly sure if he remembers how it was spelled, but it was probably Gallianacious (after some king Gallian, he thinks, who was an arrogant man.)  So -- anyway -- do you know what it means -- or if that's the correct spelling?  Of course, I know you love to do these little things, since you don't have anything else to do, huh?  Paul says, "*-/#....."

Paul, have you been keeping up with your piano practicing?

I'm really up in the air about where we will be after our trip to Calif.  Half of me (the stable half) wants to stay here & grow roots & build up an art business and develop friendships which I've started just recently, and the other, crazy half, wants to go -- just for the sake of going, somewhere, just to experience, you know what I mean!  I'm sure, also, this half wants to see people I can't see out here.  Of course, this crazy half will just hide when it's time to pack & move again.  That's one of my least favorite thing about going anywhere.  That, and finding another place to live -- which I don't enjoy, especially in a strange city.

Oh well, none of this ranting will accomplish anything.  We could stay here, I suppose, but Brook's 4 hours on the bus/day is starting to wear on us both.  If it weren't for that plus all the overtime, plus all the crazy hours, we'd like it here fine.  Right now, I'm awfully glad that we got the chance to come out there, but I want Brook to have more free time, which is very important to him.

So, time will tell, I guess.  My letters haven't exactly been profound lately, either.

Sunday, August 7, 1977

                                  Photo from the Dick Dziadzio collection

I decided it was my turn to initiate a letter for a change instead of waiting for you to write.  I can't begin to tell you how great it was to be with you over the 4th of July.  I was also delighted that you finally got to know Morrey better and vice-versa.  At any rate, if was a most pleasant weekend for us and I hope we can all get together soon.

This summer has been full of ups & downs for me.  More downs than ups -- but I'm finally adjusting.  I have gone the gamut from boredom to depression to frustration & back in my quest for a new job.  I haven't had any luck in finding one.  Each time I was hopeful -- I needed up being told that they really like me but they had someone from within the company!  I have resigned myself to go back to teaching and to continue looking for a job.  Nothing would stop me from leaving teaching anyway during the school year so I guess it's not the end of the world.  There will be 2 new teachers on my team this year so things might change for the better -- hopefully.

The good news is Morrey & I are negotiating to buy a house.  Our landlady has been bitching about our dog and it wouldn't be too long before she would tell us to get rid of Lady & we decided to take the plunge & look for a house.  We found one that we fell in love with that is in our price range & in a lovely neighborhood.  It has everything we want in a house:  1) lovely stone fireplace, 2) nice size kitchen & family room, 3) 2 bathrooms, 4) huge & well kept yard, 5) divided basement w/ 1/2 of it paneled & finished off.  We made a bid on it today and we'll know tomorrow night if it is accepted.  I am optimistic at this point that we'll get it and greatly look forward to the possibility of owning our own home.

My parents and my aunt & uncle are coming out for a visit. this week & then Morrey & I are going back to Warren to attend my class reunion and then we'll take our vacation at the cottage for 1 week which we need desperately.  We have been doing a lot of running around, looking for houses & the mental fatigue of the decisions we're now making is most tiring.

I hope that by the next time I write we'll have purchased a house.  I promise to write w/ more details & news then.  I just wanted to keep up the letter writing & let you know what we're up to these days.  Please write soon when you have a chance.

Saturday, August 6, 1977 (Letter from Connie)

Well, well.  Thought I'd take a little break from packing to drop you a line.  Maybe my last from Cheyenne Wyoming, magic city of the plains.  Boo hoo.  Actually I'm just in the clearing-out stage, going through papers and junk.  I have this spare bureau, and I've been tossing letters and cancelled checks and papers and all kinds of assorted folderol in there for a year.  Good think I have to sort through it.  From 4 drawers, I have it narrowed to one fat box and one overstuffed garbage sack.  Can't bear to throw away letters of Christmas cards.  They're kind of nice to trip across -- cheesy letters, sorry-to-hear-you-re-down letters, newsy letters.  It's nice!

Really torn about leaving, and am in a quandary about what route to take home.  I really love the job, and I could hardly be lucky enough to find something as good again.  But I picked a date out of the air, and I'm going to stick to it.  Some cousins from Nebraska came through on their way home from California.  Had a nice visit.  They kept saying they really really wanted to come visit them on my way home.  Problem is it's 1000 miles and at least 4 days out of my way.  And I'll probably be so anxious to get home I may make the whole trip in 24 hours!  (I don't have your easy-going ability to just take my time.)  Or then I could go up through Yellowstone to Helena for a day or so.  Have to stay here until 5 pm Aug. 31.  Knowing me, I may leave at 5:05!

Oh -- I disagree totally with you about Star Wars.  Don't know when I've enjoyed a film more -- it's just pure fun.  A whole cult has grown up around it -- and we who've seen it have deep intellectual discussions about Artoo, Threep.o., and light sabers. It's terrific!

Got an easy book of classical stuff.  Been valiantly working on them with minor success.  I'm really going to miss my piano when I go back.  Some friends have pianos, so I may be able to mooch off them for awhile.

I've been so busy the last couple of weeks -- a radical change from the total boredom here:  two sets of company on both weekends, three going away parties, a barbecue, and visiting cousins. Monday I run to Denver for a two-day conference -- even get a state car and per dium!

Oh -- it was so neat!  Was talking to one of my 5 bosses (there are truly more chiefs than Indians here).  He's leaving, transferring to Chicago (!) Friday.  But he offered to call the state planning office in Olympia to try to get me a job there!  What a nice thing to do . The job market is so tight there -- and it's awkward for me to walk up to these people and say -- You really need a librarian -- and here I am -- and you only have to pay me 15 thou.  Good ol' Shermie!

Well -- should go back to packing.  Ah gee.

Oh -- my Seattle address.  For the moment probably have to route through my mom --- (have no idea whree I'll really be)

             316 Richmond Beach Road #5

Seattle (yeah!) 98177

July 30, 1977 (Letter from Barb N.)

Hello.  So how goes it back in New England?  Are you enjoying your summer?

Leroy and I broke up for good.  He told me that because I hurt him so bad when I kicked him out of the apartment that he would never go back to me.  He built up a wall that is not going to come down for a long time.  I didn't think that he would react that way to the break up.  I took our split up as a temporary lapse in our relationship but obviously he took it as an insult.  He could not even listen to the way I saw our relationship and he did not even consider to rectify our love in any way. I was very hurt for the first week.  It was a very deep wound that left me very desolate inside.  I had to think over our entire relationship and all the people involved indirectly.  This included talks with friends and with Leroy's mother.  I had come to an understanding of why it ended as it did.  After accepting the fate of our love affair I have decided that it is for the best.  Leroy and I were doomed from the beginning.  We would have destroyed each other eventually.  He was good for me for the few months that we had lived together.  I needed to experience a deeper relationship which I had avoided for 22 years of my life.  Now I am able to make a fresh start in my life in a better direction. I feel free inside again.  I was getting to the point in our relationship where I felt that I was leaning too heavy on Leroy.  I don't want to doubt myself in a relationship with a man.  Lesson learned, chapter 1.

After I knew that it was over I needed a change in my life so I cut my hair short.  I dont' feel that I was doing it for any other reason than I wanted it short.  I don't particularly like the haircut.  It is a bit shaggy, but I will wait until ti stats growing out and find a style that I like that will be easy to take care of.  My hair is as short as it was in 72.  I like it very much even it if is a bit short now.

I went on a shopping spree today and I spent $65.00 on clothes.  Now that I am single again and I have only me to support, I have a big more money in my pocket.  I also got a raise for going over four years in the service.  (I took my first oath for the Navy in July of 73,)  I want to get Christmas presents.  Do you have any idea of what you want?  I am going to buy Dad a painting and Lar a tea set.  I do not know what I will buy Mom, Dale, and you.  So if you have any suggestions please offer them.  I will give you my guitar.  It is not a good guitar but it will be adequate for starting you off.

I am looking for a new guitar.  I am not sure what to buy.  So I am going to get the advice of an expert.  I plan to take some guitar lessons form someone who will teach me what I want to know.  I don't want to get stuck with some old fogey who goes strictly by a lesson plan.  I am also going to buy a halfway decent receiver amp since prices are really cheap over here for members in the service.  I don't want to buy the largest model and have so much power I could blast the neighbors. I am going to see if Dale will make some speakers and later I'll find a turntable later on in the States.

I sent away to a company that deals in kits for down goose feather jackets, sleeping bags, etc.  I ordered a down jacket for $28.00 and a sleeping bag for $45.00.  The bag is not down feathers.  I will have to sew the jacket and the bag together but I feel that is worth the trouble for the price.  I put your name down for a catalog so you should be getting the catalog in the mail shortly.  Doobie made a jacket which is the same one I ordered and I feel it would be ideal for backpacking this winter.  It should keep me very warm.

I have been going to Carney Park pool every chance I can get.  I have been swimming widths of the pool and today I was up to 18 widths nonstop.  I plan to go every chance that I get throughout all of August.  I need to get into shape before I put a backpack on for 30 days.  I am doing yoga sporadically but I attribute my lack of success to the watch hours I stand.  I want to get into a routine when I get back to the States.  I also have cut down on my alcohol consumption 95% and the same with smoking.  I am trying to abstain from any dope until I get back to the States.  I want to clean myself out for a four month period then when I get back to the States I will most likely take a few hits or so.

That's all that has been going on in my life at the moment.  I am fine, trying to stay cool, and looking to the calendar date of 25 October.

I am going to get a European discharge from the Navy instead of going back to Philly and getting discharged there. So I won't be going on leave until the 25th of October.  But once I leave here in Naples I will never have to go back to a military station for duty.  What a relief!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See you at Christmas.

July 24, 1977 (Letter from Grayce)

The sun is relentless -- this paper is helping a bit -- to remind me that there are such things as trees, shade & bodies of water.

I forgot if  I mentioned to you that Brook's parents flew out here for a week to visit.  Of course, I was a nervous wreck for a whole week before -- and as a result I broke out in a rash.  On my hands -- fortunately.  It wasn't one you could notice.  It just itched!  I seem to insist on punishing myself.  I really think sometimes that I would have been a good cloistered nun!  (Except that I'd never be able to keep still & silent as long as they do!)  Anyway, all the worrying was for nothing, because it was a pleasant week.  I cooked "American" -- so there wasn't any problem with anyone not liking anything & Brook's mom made one of her scrumptious apple pies & I made a Boston creme pie, so we had plenty of sweets around (for which I feel guilty now, but .....)  I think they had a good time, but I don't think they liked the area much.  Brook's father thinks there's nothing better than Pgh. (just like me abt. Philly!!!), but after a year here, I've come to appreciate this place very much. I love seeing nothing but mountains & clouds & sky.  I think living in a city after this will fell awfully claustrophobic!

We did get to show them a reactor out in the desert.  (Not the one where Brook is, cause you can't get in there) but it was interesting to me because I learned a lot.  Our tour guide was a man  who does research in nuclear physics (and gives these tours for 1 month each summer) & he really had a lot of information & insight to share with us.  We were going to take them to Yellowstone, too, but it was so hot, none of us felt like riding 8 hours (4 each way) and then going down to Salt Lake the next day, which we did do.  We stayed there 2 days -- 3 nights, and got to see some things we didn't see the last visit.

Your idea for Spread Eagle sounds great & thank you for thinking of us.  We certainly will think about it.  Actually, we don't realty know where we'll be next year at this time, or maybe earlier. There's always the chance of a transfer for Brook -- or even of a new job offer.  Th is field is very open right now.  Brook has been approached by Rochester Gas & Elec. Co & they've asked him to come out for an interview, but he's not sure if he wants to or not.  It may not be [scrawl] (I do speak English) the type of job he wants to get into right now.  If he does take this job, though, we may get to see each other more often!  Everything feels very up in the air to me right now and I'm not sure I'm going to look forward to moving again after just 1 year.  I feel like a gypsy sometimes and I did want to be here for at least another year, to get to see some more of the area although we've done a lot on the little time off that Brook has.

Your American History project sounds like it's really interesting.  You must be so full of information.  Do you feel that the books, on the whole, present a truthful or distorted picture?  I mean -- even in this time, when so much is being supposedly "exposed" -- I don't believe the ordinary person, or even the historian gets anything like the whole truth.  So I'm just wondering about the earlier times & whether they've hidden much, which I'm sure they have.  But, I guess, my real question is, can you discern little gaps of information where you are puzzled by things that are left out?

I've heard a few things about the Revolutionary era, which puzzled me -- although I suppose if I did some extensive reading, most of them could be cleared up.  One of them has to do with a supposed murder at Jumonville (sp) which Washington was thought to have committed.  Have you reach much concerning this?  If so, maybe you could give me a concise explanation, lazy wretch that I am!!!  If you ever need Prevention info, don't hesitate to ask, and if I've covered your subject, I'll be glad to send any information along.  I was considering just buying Prevention Press' Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, but maybe I'll do that later.  I have less & less faith in doctors lately, not that I ever thought they were great, but I just feel that they do so much unnecessary surgery, and so many don't even want to hear about any drugless therapy.  Even pharmacists aren't open to natural healing -- which is understandable, I suppose, since it could put a few of them right out of business!!

I really like Am Heritage.  I've read quite a few of those -- mostly while I was at Seton Hill.

Well, this month I'm going to look forward to getting ready to exhibit my work in the Eastern Idaho Fesstival in Blackfoot.  So far I have a weaving and a watercolor, which both need some preparation before they're entered.  Also, I've completed my first lino cut, but haven't made any prints from it yet.  It's going to be called "Harmony", I think.  It's a picture of the moon & the sun, opposites, which reconcile themselves in the life force, which is depicted by a tree.  I'm awfully pleased with the cut itself -- especially since it's my first one.  I hope you can see it.  My next one is going to be a town scene, I think, but I haven't sketched it yet.  It's still in the vague stage & probably will be for awhile yet.  I don't like to "solidify" an  idea too soon, because once it's definite I find it difficult to picture changes in my mind anymore.  Unfortunately, I may not be here for the Festival itself.  (I'd like to be, to see how my things are received) but we may be going to California for 2 weeks beginning Sept. 1st.  (Not that I'm not anxious to do that, too.)  It just would have been nice to do both.  As it stands right now, Linda, my boss, may be able to take my stuff up to Blackfoot for me, so I guess I shouldn't complain!!

I hope we can see enough in 2 weeks to satisfy me.  So far, we're going to Reno first, then S.F. & some wineries, & a day at least to visit my friend Olga in Los Gatos & then down to L.A. & of course to Disneyland (Brook's main reason for wanting to do is to have my picture taken beside Mickey, I think!!)  On the way home, we'd like to stop at Yosemite Nat'l Park, if we have time. Sounds like a hectic 2 weeks to me, but that's all the vacation Brook gets, so...  Can you think of anything we really should see?  I think we're going to drive down the coast on the way to L.A.  I can't wait to see an ocean again!  (& to get in!)

Well, that's about all for now.

P.S.  I don't think I mentioned that my mom is working in my father's office now.  I think it's greate & it seems to be working out really well.  I think they're even closer now than ever & also it's given my mother some much-needed confidence in her own abilities.

July 19, 1977 (Letter from Barb N)

I don't really know who to write to now.  I have to write to someone about the way I feel now.

It concerns Leroy and I.  After living together for four months, I decided in order to solve problems for our future it would be best for him to move out now.  I really feel the hurt now.  He is moving out of the apartment today and I know we both don't want to be separated.

But now I feel a release inside.  It's not that I'm losing him because I feel there is no need to doubt our love.  I feel that we both need to be separated in order to evaluate our relationship.

At times I felt that Leroy has a lack of inner strength.  His will is too free.  He is a strong partier, too, too strong for my needs.  Even tho he is almost 3 years younger he is more mature.  He left home at 14 and lived by his own means.  So in some respects he has a good hold on his life and in others he still needs time to find his path in life.  I told him that I want him to come to a choice on his own accord.  If he is happy with his free life style then by all means he should live it free.  I hope our separation will mean a lot to him and it will help him to come to a conclusion about his present life style.

I very much want to be with him.  He really has a lot to offer.  He can help me overcome my shyness in my personality and I can help to motivate him in a positive direction, but not yet.  My senses feel very alert today and it is only the first day of our separation.  Maybe this period will help me also.

I guess I am playing a game of risk, but it is the results of the game I am after.  If I can get these problems resolved now then hopefully we will be able to live a happy life together.  I hope so.

Other than that I don't have much to say.  I am looking towards the calendar for the pages to turn to October 15.  I heard from Larry & he is almost set to come to Europe.

Mom & Dad should be at the lake.  I wish I was there, too.  Maybe next year.

I am doing fine knowing I"ll be back in good company soon.

July 14, 1977 (Letter from Barb N)

Ciao, come eta?  Bene?  That is the extent of my Neapolitan?  Life is going well for me and the thought of 30 days left leaves me with a good feeling.  I am ever looking forward to leaving here.

Leroy and I are getting along fine.  He wants to go back to the States in August so he can get involved in a tech school.  He says it's about time he starts making plans for the future for training in his field.  He is employed by the Texas Bell Telephone Company and he usually works on lines. I would like him to stay here through October because once he leaves it will be almost unbearable here.  Most of the people know are transferring now.  But we have to sit down and decide what will be best.

We are on a somewhat decent watchbill.  We work eight hour watches with double backs. Between watches we get 80 hours off.  I like the 7 hour watches and the time off.  We only have two 8 hours double-backs so It' snot too bad of a deal.

I should add that if Leroy goes home in August he will definitely up to to Pa at Xmas.  In a way I would like him to be in Warren at Xmas time.

I was sick a few weeks ago.  My stomach was full of gas and I couldn't keep any food down.  It could be because I have changed back to eating a lot of meat plus I have probably had my share of vino.  So I am settling down and I have started to do my yoga again.  I have a lot more time now. But we are going to be short people the end of the month so we might get "screwed" again real soon unless we get new people in real soon.

Leroy has helped me a lot in the past few months.  I feel that I have made a lot of progress and I am opening up with people.  I also feel I am able to relax when I could not before.  I think you'll find Leroy an interesting person even if he is still pretty rambunctious.  But Leroy is a few years younger than me but he looks older.  I find that age does not make that much of a difference.  I am sure that I will enjoy spending my life with Leroy.

It sounds good getting a ride with you back to Mass.  I hope to spend a month with you.  I don't know where I will go afterwards.  I will have to wait and see.

Not much else is going on.

Take care of yourself.

July 10, 1977 (Letter from Grayce)

I'm having a great time tonight.  Just got a package of new records from Brook's dad -- so I'm going thru them to see which ones meet with my "approval".  Right now I'm hearing the new  Brian Auger (Happiness Heartaches) & actually, while its better than most of the junk that's out right now -- I'm slightly disappointed.  It just doesn't have the magic of some of the others, at least, not for me. Next comes Michael Franks, one of my all-time favorites -- (are you familiar with him?)  His lyrics are what interest me most, I guess, although I like the music, too.  I'm saving that one for the "wee hours'.

Brook has been at the site much of this week.  He has a big test tomorrow.  What a grinder they put these people through -- 1/2 of his class has quit already -- and the other half aren't too pleased with things, either.  Hopefully, after August, when he qualifies, he'll be spared these long hours.  I feel so sorry for him.  He has no time to do any of his little putterings.  I'm sure I've harped on this before, though, so I'll fermez ma bouche!

I've started a project this week which I've had in mind for some time.  I've been getting Prevention since early 1973 and the issues were really building up.  Also I never did bother to get the index, so I've decided that I'm going to make my own reference source oft of them.  I bought 2 blank bound record books (lined) and am using 1 for A-L and the other for M-Z (obviously).  Then I'm abstracting each article & other facts I consider important about indiv. subjects (vitamins & which part of body they benefit most, herb remedies, etc.) and entering them in the ledgers.  Then, I'm getting rid of the magazines themselves.  I know someone who'd like them, so I won't have a guilty conscience about it.  And when I need some kind of information on vitamin K, then I'll just use my handy (& compact) ledger of facts!  (Of course, it's not a perfect system -- but then, it keeps me out of trouble, right?)  For most of the time, anyway... (I'm on 1976 now.)

This week, 2 of Brook's friends from the Pgh Westinghouse came out here -- not for a visit, but to stay.  They're living up in Idaho Falls.  These are the same two who got us into that rafting trip last spring.  And this afternoon, Greg called me & tired to entice me to go with them tomorrow on the Snake River trip -- (although I'm sure he knew I wouldn't react favorably to this!)  Luckily, I had a splendid excuse not to go -- work!  Also, I know Brook doesn't want to again, so that settled that anyway.  It will be nice having some buddies out here.  The only thing is -- Greg is really crazy. He says he'll get us all to go hang gliding in a few months, but I'll have to be in another dimension before I ever do that!  I'm afraid to go on a ferris wheel!  Of course, this would probably be the perfect past-time for such a [drawing of little bird] as yourself?!

Don't worry -- if you do get a come out here next year, I'll be sure to have the guest room all ready. We do actually have a guest room here -- with a bed, even.  Or would you rather have a perch?) And -- a window that opens -- (not like our other place) -- haven't we progressed?

Speaking of guests -- Brook's parents are coming on Saturday (July 16th) for a visit.  I intend to spend at least the next 5 days cleaning.  (Maybe nights, too!)  It will be nice having company.  We haven't planned exactly what to do  yet, but we will go down to Salt Lake for 2 days (yeah, seafood!) and , of course, we'll show them all around beautiful Pocatello.  I'll probably have to work at least 2 days that week, so that will limit us a bit.

I do wish I could talk to you sometime - but not just talk, I mean -- see & talk.  It would be nice. But then, I probably wouldn't have anything comforting to say, anyway.

I know you are restless where you are, but maybe it will be good for you in some immense way that is not visible yet?  I thought my 2-year stint at Seton Hill had only a negative side, but of course, now that I can put it into perspective, I can see some good.  (Not a hell of a lot, but some!) And your situation, as you know, is not nearly as negative as Seton Hell was -- this must make you see !  (Nothing could be worse than Seton Hell!)   I know that when your debts are paid, Paul the Phoenix will emerge and that freedom alone will make all the difference.

I had a wonderful dream the other night.  I feel like I was under a spell, so I don't really want to analyze it or anything, but a general outline, maybe.

A unicorn was the main character and he was my friend and he told me all these things.  They were puzzles -- and of course I can't remember what was so great about them.  But I remember that I was completely immersed in them and they were freedom-giving, or some such thing.  I just remember the images of this animal and his face was kind.  I just woke up with a good feeling about everything.  It was a very idealistic dream, but I suppose idealism is more comforting than realism anyway?  (That does not sound like an existentialist, does it?  Maybe I'm not one, after all?)

July 4, 1977 (Letter from Bev)

Happy July 4th!  Did you go away for the holiday or spend it in the Springfield area?  I've been housesitting since June 24 and couldn't go anywhere because I also have a dog to take care of. My family came here yesterday and we had a picnic then went to Valley Forge for a few hours.  It was a beautiful day and I only hope that today shapes up so I can get some sun.  It's been a very warm summer so far and I'm not looking forward to the hot, humid days of August.  It's hard to imagine how cold it actually was in January!

Did you receive my postcard from Williamsburg?  I enjoyed my short stay so much that I'm planning on going back next Spring for 4 days.  Two days just do not give on enough time. Plus I want to see Busch Gardens which we didn't have the time to visit.  There's so much to see in that area -- Jamestown, Carter's Plantation and Richmond isn't far away.  The pace of life is much slower down there and I think it would be a nice place to live.  Maybe when I'm hunting a job again I'll concentrate my efforts on a certain location instead of type of job.

I got my new car on April 21 and it's running well after a few minor problems were taken care.  I'm very disappointed with the way the car came from the factory.  The trim around the vinyl roof had to be repainted because the chrome was showing through.  Also, there's a big crack in the headliner and a new one had to be ordered.  I just had the car back at the dealer's on Tuesday to have the headliner installed, but when they took the new one out of the package, it too had a crack in it. Cars are not coming off those assembly lines like they used to.  You spend $5,000 for a new car and then wonder if you're getting a decent automobile for that huge sum.  I'm very pleased with the gas mileage.  On the Williamsburg trip I got 24 mpg and am averaging 19 around town.  I know that you're probably laughing at these figures since you must get about twice that with your Datsun.  I am pleased with it and hope that it lasts for at least 4 years.

I'm planning on taking General Chemistry at West Chester State College this fall.  I register on July 18th and hope that the course isn't filled yet.  I'm thinking that by taking some chemistry I'll be able to understand some of the terminology which gets thrown at me from time to time.  I've picked up a lot just on my own, but this course certainly won't harm me.  It may be a shore to buckle down and start studying again, but this will give me an indication as to whether I'm ready to go back to graduate school for another Master's or to go on for a Ph.D.  Drexel offers a Ph.D in library administration which requires only half of the credits in library science and the other half is taken in the business department.  Since Wyeth offers the 75% tuition rebate, I'd be foolish not to take advantage and go back to school.  It all sounds great on paper, but will certainly be a lot of work with holding a full-time job.

My assistant is on vacation this week and I'm on my own for the entire 4 days.  I've done all the work before when she took a day off, but I never get everything accomplished.  That library really needs 2 people to run it efficiently.  It will be a hectic week.

Are you planning a vacation this summer?  I don't have any time to take off.  I hope I survive until Labor Day!

I'm going to resume my reading of A Place to Come To out in the sunshine.  It's a good book, after the first 20 pages!

Keep in touch.

June 23, 1977 (Letter from Renee)

So sorry it has taken me so long to respond to your last letter.  With the ending of school I got pretty tied up and I've been spending my time looking of jobs and trying to clean up around the house.   I was in Warren last weekend and saw Mardi and things are still on for the 4th of July weekend.  Joan is pregnant and expecting any day -- so count her out.  I am writing to Mark V.V. today -- he has moved to Washington and Emily gave me his address which is 1811 T Street NW Apt. B, Washington D.C. 20002.  We're not planning any big gala event -- just a quiet get together with a few friends like you had suggested.  My dad has beer and junk so what I think I'll do is just collect a couple of bucks from everyone to cover what we consume and call it even with my folks who don't mind a bit.

I have been looking for a new job but not much luck.  Seems as though no one interested in school teachers nor are there many jobs open since job mobility is at a real standstill these days.  I'll keep looking and trying but I signed my contact for next year just to be safe and sure.  I am absolutely bored out of my mind with nothing to do around here.  There are a million projects around the house I could conceivably do but I lack the motivation or interest to even get stated.  I am back on Weight Watchers faithfully after having messed myself up for the last couple of weeks before school ended.  I get very unhappy with myself and very much depressed when I'm not on the diet so I feel a little prouder this week for being a good girl.  I'm gonna be thin one of these days if it kills me!

I have been very depressed since getting out of school and frustrated because the future doesn't look terrifically hopeful but I'll still keep plugging away at things until something comes up.  I'm so oriented to working that when I am given free time I tend to waste it.  When I'm in school I long for days when I can get so many things done.  Now that I have the time -- I lack the interest.

I'm not going to make this a long letter cause I'm saving all the things to talk about till I see you over the 4th which is just a week away from this weekend.  Morrey and I will probably drive to Warren on Thurs. night June 30th and sty till Mon. or Tues. after the 4th which will make for a nice little vacation for us.  Our dog absolutely adores the cottage and loves to swim in the river. We have a lot of fun watching her enjoy herself and playing with her in the free and open area around the cottage.



I hope you'll forgive such a shitty letter from me this time.  I promise to improve over the next one! Please call us at the cottage when you get in to Warren.  I will anxiously be awaiting out get together on Sunday.   Let's pray for decent weather.  We were there over Memorial Day and I can't remember when the weather has ever been so gorgeous.

Take care and be well.  Drive carefully.  (Is Dodie going to be in town that weekend?  If so, please feel free to invite him and his wife out to the cottage for our gathering.)