June 30, 1976 (Letter from Diane)

Photo credit:  Production Cars

Finally some rest and some time to myself!  I've been doing a great imitation of the headless chicken for about a month now and am paying the price -- literally & figuratively.  But things are getting back to normal.

This merry-go-round started Memorial Day weekend with a trip home.  My sister returned with me for a change of scene and to help me prepare for an influx of relatives the next weekend. I decided to finally buy a dining room set so everyone could eat.  Did you ever try to have furniture delivered within three days of purchase?  Not easy.  But we did it and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

The next weekend I went to the shore for the first time this season & it was miserable.  The wind was very strong and it stuck to the suntan lotion on everyone's skin.  We did see the flower show there so the trip wasn't a total loss.

Then came the big excitement.  My father called to tell me that the car dealership he works for got in a slightly used car in great shape with the equipment I wanted and was I interested?  I was, so I went home, looked it over & bought it.  It's gorgeous.  It's a 1975 Matador coupe with a red body & a cream vinyl roof.  The interior is black with white bucket seats and it's air conditioned!  The thought of all those car payments is scary but the price was extremely reasonable.  Unforgettably, it doesn't get the gas mileage the Ford did and it has a smaller tank.  Not realizing this, I nearly ran out of gas on the Schuykill Expressway.  Total panic!  But I managed to get to a gas station in time, thank God!

On Mon., my roommate from Penn State and her husband came for a few days.  He's going to Fordham in the fall and they're apartment-hunting.  They left Wed  and Fri., more houseguests arrived -- five, in fact.  A friend of mine from Altoona Public Library, two of her children and two of their friends stopped in route to NYC and on Sat., we left for the Big Apple.  The purpose of all this activity was to attend the ballet starring Margot Forteyn.  The whole trip, particularly the ballet, was great!  I came back feeling like I had two weeks vacation under my belt.  Over the 4th, I'll be home again, my sister will be down for the Elton John concert next week, it's Baltimore after that and then -- Pittsburgh!  Bev and I are planning to go the weekend of the 17th (if Brook doesn't have to go househunting in Idaho then.)  I really hope that you can join us there.  Bev wants to go to Poli's.  Remember when you, Bill Louden, Grayce & I went there and the waitress was so horrified when we asked for separate checks?   Maybe Woman's Lib has made more of an impression by now.  So, please try to wrangle some time off.

I'm happy that you're finding your job likeable.  (likable?)  Incidentally, I'm sorry to have let my ignorance of dictionary-making show.  But then, it's difficult to know everything -- not to mention boring.  It would be terrible to live without learning.

Enough philosophy.  I'm going to wash the dishes & soak my feet.  That's the kind of thrilling evening I'm having between weekends -- repairing the damage and resting up.

See you in Pittsburgh?

September 4, 1975 (Letter from Diane)

Hi there!  Remember me?  The social whirl I mentioned turned  into a whirlwind but by next Feb. I should be OK.

Honestly, I don't remember ever going through a time like this.  My birthday celebration lasted a week during which I had six houseguests one night -- four sleeping places.  My parents and sister were visiting for a week right after that.  It was very enjoyable -- and tiring!  Mom & Mary Ann had their first swim in the ocean and we even talked Dad into getting wet.  You heard of the tidal wave that hit England?  I know, that's not nice but did you ever go shopping for extra large swmming trunks at the end of the season?  Frustrating!

Grayce tells me that you've coming East soon.  I am really sorry that I'm not going to be able to go to Pgh.  The trip to Dallas with all its additional expenses is soon.  Even more important, my uncle (who is one of my favorite people) underwent open heart surgery last week.  The day after the operation, his mother fell -- broke her hip & is in critical condition.   My aunt is a wreck.  So I'm spending my weekends there in Baltimore.  But if you don't call sometime during you trip, I'll never forgive you!

The job is becoming both more frustrating and rewarding.  What do you do with a supervisor that panics at the first thought of making waves?  And the executive offices are becoming distressingly militarism to the Nixon White House.  Nobody gets to see "The Man " without seeing "the man" first.  And the brown-nosing is enough to sicken anyone.  .  Oh yes, we have been receiving bomb threats quite frequently.  Luckily -- or deliberately -- the caller has been choosing beautiful days.  Since it takes an hour to "search" the 14-story bldg., it's free time to go shopping, walking or visiting at the historical sites.  Today we saw the slide show at the new visitor's center next door.

Speaking of which, I'm toying with the idea of developing some kind of AV presentation on special library services.  How do so many people get degrees without knowing what a card catalog is?  Anyway, if you have any ideas, I'll appreciate hearing them.

For the fall, I'm thinking of taking a course in -- don't laugh -- quilting.  I've always loved quilts.  My grandmother gave me some squares she had embroidered that have to be assembled & I want very much to do it myself.

Did I tell you I was nearly evicted?  I put the rent in escrow until they got rid of my bugs.  Oh, the howls of protests!  They finally fogged the place.  I had to clean out all the closets & wash all the dishes -- and things seem to be OK so far.

Last Sat., some friends & I went to the Penn State-Temple football game.  We missed the whole first quarter & each team's first touchdown because we were sitting on the expressway stuck in traffic.  After we got there, PSU nearly lost the game & won by only one point.  Whew!  It was terrific to be in the old college atmosphere again.  Brought back beaucoup memories   Sometimes I'd do anything to go back to the other-worldliness of Happy Valley.  But I'd never go through all that hassle!

I forgot to tell you the rewards of working for the C of E.  The greatest one -- the annual raise - is in danger, thanks to Ford.  We're still hoping, though.  Otherwise, it's very gratifying to see a collection of told, dusty books gradually evolve into a working library where people can actually find things!

Do you think you'll make it until May?  Hope the Montana winter's not bad.

Paul, I am very disappointed that I won't get to Pgh.  Call!  (Collect!)  And if you can drag yourself East during the Bicen, you'll always be welcome here!

July 15, 1975 (Letter from Diane)

I don't know whether I should be aggravated with you for not disclosing what the warden has against you or sympathizing with you over your cold.  Since you're probably over the cold, that leaves aggravation,  But I'm too droopy.  Maybe later.  (What is it, anyway/)

Everyone here is droopy.  It's been raining for almost two weeks with floods, lightening (I know) -- the works.  Montana weather seems great after 80-90 weather with 90-100% humidity. And they tell me August is worse.

Because we couldn't go to the shore, one of my friends from Penn State and I went to Longwood Gardens.  It was formerly the DuPont summer estate and now is 100 acres of the most beautiful gardens and conservatory I've ever seen.  Especially now that the waterfall is turned on.  After all that walking we were starved so we went to Chadd's Ford with the niave (?) thought of finding a pizza parlor.  What we did find was Chadd's Ford Inn which looked like a dump.  Actually it was a camouflaged Top of the Triangle.  Can you imagine cut-offs and a patched-up shirt?  It's a good thing it was early Sat night or we'd have been very uncomfortable   Expensive it already was.  We should have guessed - -it was right across the street from the Brandywine River Museum.

Do you have any idea when you'll be coming East?  Grayce told me early fall, maybe Sept.  I may be going to Dallas for a workshop on Sept 27th.  If not Dallas, maybe Colorado Springs.  So I hope you don't choose that weekend.  Please let us know when you decide.

Grayce was in town for the weekend.  Although we couldn't meet, we did get to talk, long distance, for almost an hour.  Sometimes I think that me and my friends (my friends and I) keep Ma Bell going.

Nothing much has been happening.  I'm longing to go to the shore again but everything is working against it.  If it isn't raining, something else, e.g., baby showers (I'm getting to hate showers), people visiting, etc.  Of course, I've just stopped peeling from the last trip 3 weeks ago.

Maybe there will be something exciting to report in the next letter, if we don't get flooded down the Delaware.  Meantime (nobody would ever believe I was an English major), keep in touch.

May 29, 1975 (Letter from Diane)

Actually, I haven't decided to take up residence at ol' Webster Hall.  But the thought did cross my mind.  I didn't realize how much I miss Pgh until we went back.  Anyway, for the rates Bev and I paid, the least I could do was swipe the stationery.

We had a great time except the trip was too short.  Grayce, Bev and I went to Scaife Gallery (I know I spelled it wrong last letter) which is pretty decent, the Lutheran Center which was having a book/plant sale for the Socialists, the Top of the Triangle which has yummy food particularly dessert, GSLIS which is completely remodeled and, of course, Boots and Saddle.  Unfortunately but true, Dr. Kolish, Mr., Lee, et. al., weren't there.  Maybe next time.

So the weekend after that being Memorial Day weekend, I went home.  What a trip!  Right off, I nearly got stuck at the Ben Franklin bridge (lights wouldn't change after I paid toll), made a wrong turn off the Schuylkill Expressway and, in a burst of sheer stupidity, but my turnpike ticket behind my sun visor from whence it blew out the window when I put the visor down. I had to pay the whole toll from Jersey and send to Harrisburg for a refund.  Then when I got home, I found out that the bride-to-be had scheduled fitting for the bridesmaids (one I am) at the same time we had invited 30 people to her surprise shower.  Panic!  Since I and another bridesmaid wouldn't be home again until the wedding, we had to contact the dressmaker (not easy) and switch times without arousing the suspicions of the bride (impossible).  We might have made it if the other bridesmaids hadn't decided to use the same lie for changing times that I had.  Well, we finally muddled thru both the shower and the fitting.  Then I had the trip back.  Everything was fine until I decided to stop for a pistachio ice cream cone.  No pistachio.  When I got back to the car, water was dripping out. Thank goodness it was only on overflow but it did scare me.  Then it was back at the B.F. Bridge where again I put my money in and again the red light refused to turn green.  This time I went through and consequently set off alarms and buzzers.  Luckily no police chased me -- my only lucky break of the weekend.  This weekend I'm going to my aunt's in Baltimore. Wonder what will happen.

If you have put up with this drivel so far, here's something that you might know about already.;  I read in the Pgh Wkly that Chilton is putting out a book in Oct called Sugar Blues (by Wm Duffy). They're publicizing it by distributing "How sweet it isn't" buttons.  Of course, sugar still isn't so bad as saccharin is for your health.

Speaking of health (mental), mine is going to be gone if I have to go through this historic mania for another year.  Today, I barely made it to the post office two blocks away.  At least, two schools with kids and teachers were touring and taking up all the sidewalk space.  And it's a year until the Bicen.  Going abroad sounds great-- can I come?

But mania didn't completely describe the city yesterday.  Totally berserk night.  2.3 million people went to see the Flyers on parade.  Horn honked, people streaked, and everyone acted like goofballs (which really isn't hard for Philadelphians!)  When I described the chaos to the librarian who lives across the street, she remarked, "I didn't realize that people got so worked up over a tennis game."  Sigh.

I must admit that I was concerned about you, Paul.  Your letters weren't sounding like you.  But the last one was much better.  Of course, spring is the greatest time of the year (hay fever notwithstanding) and from what Margaret has aid, Montana should be beautiful.  Incidentally, I'm impressed by the Deer Lodge envelope.  It seems like the kind of place my dad would like -- hunting and fishing territory.

Well, the maintenance people have fixed the bldg sewer backup (my tub was the first to back up, naturally, but they came to fix it right after I called at nine tonight) so I'm going to get ready to rest my weary, weary bones.  Keep me posted (and let us know when you're coming East -- maybe we can all get together.)

May 28, 1975 (Letter from Bev)

Montana 1975

By now you probably know that Diane and I were in Pittsburgh May 16-18 and stayed at Webster Hall.  We were planing to write you a joint letter while we were there, but never got around to it.  It was good to be in Pittsburgh again and to see Grayce and Brook.  We stopped in GSLIS on Friday afternoon but no one was around, naturally.  The building has undergone so many changes with the biggest improvement being the relocation of the library to the 3rd floor.  I also stopped at WPIC. Ellen is acting head librarian and teaching at GSLIS.  There have also been two additions to the WPIC library staff -- 2 full-time librarians.

I've applied with 2 agencies for a new job.  The VA hospital in Wilmington will have an opening shortly for medical librarian and I would really like to fill it.  New Castle county also has 4 openings for librarians.  Both employers pay more than my present job and the positions would probably be more active.  I get so disgusted with my job somedays because the library is underutilized.

My landlord gave me permission to plant a flower garden between the house and the neighbor's fence.  I put in zinnias, snapdragons, and marigolds.  I also planted a tomato plant and a green sweet pepper plant.  My zinnias are in bud already, but the other plants aren't showing any signs of flowering yet.  I can't wait to get my first tomato off the vine.  I noticed that my neighbor has two tomatoes on one of his plants.  My plant doesn't' even have a flower on it yet.

Now that the warm weather has come to Delaware, I plan on hitting the beaches every weekend.  If it doesn't rain, which the weatherman promises,  I'm planning on going to Dewey Beach on Saturday.  It's only a 2 hour drive so I don't think I'll spend the night.

The softball team that I play for isn't doing too great.  We won 1 and lost 2.  Tonight we play the team which we beat 2 weeks ago.  It's really a lot of fun and good exercise.  My tennis game is improving greatly since I started taking lessons.  In two more weeks I should be able to play a decent game, I hope.

Before I forget, Grayce's birthday was April 27th.

That's all that's new from me.  Keep in touch.

May 12, 1975 (Letter from Diane)

I seem to be breaking all records in neglecting to answer my mail.  But hopefully late is better than never although to be on the safe side, don't' hold your breath.

A lot has been happening  most of which I forgot when I began this letter.  This weekend there was some real excitement in Philly.  Yes, really!  They blocked off the Parkway for a kickoff celebration of the Bicen.  A million and a half people were there, including me.  There were all kinds of activities -- circus acts, theater, dance, music, flea markets, exhibits, a free Blood Sweat and Tears concert and a bubble machine.  And food.  It was a beautiful day and everyone seemed to have a good time.

Sat, one of my friends from PSU who lives in Norristown and I went to Valley Forge.  The dogwood was out and we had a great time wandering around taking pictures   Until we got back to the car and found that Diane had dropped the keys somewhere in the 20 acres of grass and dogwood.  Do you believe Marsha found then 5 mins later?  St. Anthony saved the day again!  Anyway, we saw a wedding couple getting their pictures taken against the dogwood.  With a slightly overcast sky and all those flowering trees, it was a fairy tale setting.

Grayce and I met and "did" the Art Museum right after Easter.  (The museum closed in April and reopens next Feb.)  Very enjoyable.  It really is above comparison, with Carnegie -- at least Carnegie minus Scaiffe Gallery (is that sp right?)  We talked about a bookstore then and later she wrote that you had been thinking of the same thing.  It's an intriguing idea!  Only one problem -- in the next several years, I'll b lucky to have enough money to buy furniture and gasoline,k not to mention capital for a store.  How about a little later?

If you do come East, we can all get together and discuss it.  I hope that you can come and that we can all get together!  Maybe a reunion at the Top of the Triangle.  Or maybe you can overcome your prejudice and visit the Bicen City.  After all, even the Pope will visit here next summer.  You know, your namesake.

Work is overwhelming!  There's so much to do and redo.  And as people learn what a librarian can do, they expect more.  And hopefully, they get it.  However, there's a problem of image.  I told one of the engineers that I disliked beer and he said that's what he'd expect from a librarian.  Grrr!  But seriously, my predecessor (my dict is on the bottom of the shelves and I'm too lazy to get it) was a clerk-aide and everyone assumes that I am, too.  But I will prove eventually -- that only the brilliant and talented can  make it in the library world.

Excuse me -- I'm not feeling well.  Don't do as I do -- do as I say -- Write!

April 6, 1975 (Letter from Bev)

I hope that spring has come to Deer Lodge and that your car is running again.  We had a very mild winter with the exception of one ice storm which made driving most treacherous. s The daffodils, forsythia, hyacinth, tulips, and magnolias are all in bloom here and a lot of neighbors are already planting their gardens.  I wish I could be outside working in the ground.  Instead I putter around with my house plants.  It's a small consolation.

Work is going okay.  I was really peeved and highly incensed when I found out that my book budget was frozen before I had spent all of it.  I thought I had $2.000 to spend, but only got to spend $1,200.  If I wouldn't have gone to Budget to see why I hadn't received my copies of purchase orders, I probably still wouldn't know that my funds had been frozen.  I'm going to do my best to spend the $2,000 by January of next year.  I suppose that this is typical of all state funded institutions.  I now have some part-time help.  The area schools sponsor a program for their less-motivated students which allows the students to go to school in the morning and work from 1-3 in the afternoon.  The program is federally funded and the students, called co-ops, receive $2.00 per hour.  My boss' office has a co-op, but she is seldom needed there and then she comes to the library to help me.  I started her typing catalog cards, but I soon took her off that work.  She didn't proofread anything and I was spending n hour or more correcting her mistakes.  I now have her doing most of my xeroxing for interlibrary loans.

The Monday before Easter there was some excitement at the hospital when three men were committed to the criminally insane building, escaped.  They stole one of the aides' cars and tried to take one of the psychiatrists as a hostage, but he escaped.  One man turned himself in later that night.  The other two were shot, one killed, the other injured during a robbery in a Virgina store.  The newspaper has almost daily comment on how the hospital doesn't have the needed facilities to care for the criminally insane.  A new building on the state prison grounds has been proposed, but then a full-time psychiatrist and other mental health personnel would have to be employed by the prison.  What does the state of Montana do with its criminally insane?

I bought some more furniture for my apartment.  My most recent acquisitions are a bookcase, coffee table, and an antique caned sat and back rocking chair.  I saw this chair at a sale on a Saturday and fell in love with it, but at the time I couldn't spare the extra cash for it because my car insurance was due.  On the following Tuesday I saw an ad in the newspaper selling some antique furniture and included was a caned rocker.  Out of curiosity I called the people and they were the same one who had the sale the past Saturday.  The chair was then $15.00 cheaper and so I just couldn't let it go.  The arms need refinishing, but the caning is in perfect condition.  It has become my most prized possession.

My sense of security has been almost completely destroyed.  Last Monday apt #1 was broken into and the lady's color television was stolen -- that was all.  Apt #3 was also entered, whoever went in never even bothered to shut the door.  The police don't know yet if anything was taken because the woman is in Florida.  I don't know if anyone was in my apartment or not.  The door is all marked up around the latch.  But if anyone was in, nothing was taken.

I've still been scared all week and won't feel a bit safe again until a new lock is put on my door. Tomorrow he's to finally put them on.  So much for my false sense of security.

Next month Diane and I are going to Pittsburgh to see Grayce and Brook.  I'm really looking forward to the trip.  I also want to stop in Western Psych to see everyone.  I don't know if they've hired a replacement yet for Mr. O'Mara.  I would sure like to get a job in Pittsburgh, but I doubt that will ever happen.

The hospital has four softball teams, one of which I've joined.  Practice begins this week and the games start in May.  We'll play on Wednesday nights during May and June.  I'm also starting to take tennis lessons in May.  They are on Tuesday and Thursday nights and last 4 weeks.  I'm really anxious to get outside.  This job is too confining.

Are you planing a vacation this summer?  I doubt that I'll be taking any long vacation, no $$$.  But I do hope to spend my weekends at the beach.  The New Jersey beaches are closer to me than the Delaware beaches.  I just hope the weather cooperates with my plans.

Well, guess that's all that's new with me at the moment.  Keep in touch.

March 2, 1975 (Letter from Diane)

You disappointed me!  Here I was, expecting all kinds of sarcasm because I sent the Tweety stockings 3 weeks after Christmas.  Of course, being a former Scout  I was prepared to have the final word -- the Peanuts cartoon.  Since it's too good to miss, I'm sending it anyway  Incidentally, I was also late for Bev's birthday.  What do you expect from a person who was born 3 wks late and never caught up?

ALso enclosed is an offer from Aim toothpaste for a Tweety doll.  Unfortunately, I'm a longtime devotee of Colgate so I can't take them up on it.

I wish I could say that life has been wildly exciting but actually it's about the same.  This swinging singles stuff is for the TV and movies.  Bev and I did go to the Latin Casino this weekend.  I(It's similar to Pgh's Holiday House.)  The Fifth Dimension was performing -- they were excellent.  The food was awful; it reminded me of the Towers cafeteria.  And the parking attendant lost my car. Eventually they found it, thank goodness.  But I'm not sure we'll recover from the mad rush of 2.000 people all trying to get their coats from the clerks at the same time!  But as I said, the show was great and made up for the rest.

Your discontent with your present home is shared with several of us.  Bev would like to go back to Pgh, Grayce wants to stay in Philly and I miss my mountains.  I'm sure the shore will be a delight this summer but for the rest of the yr., N.J. has little to its advantage except its proximity to N.Y. and Philly.  And when the weather is miserable, it's really miserable.  The wind is terrific and the rain pours.  Of course, with the job situation being so bad and getting worse, I shouldn't complain. However, Pa is looking better all the time.

Work is getting to be frantic!  The people are realizing that a librarian is there and, as they should, they're asking for all kinds of library service.  The problem is the LC conversion and the paperwork that also has to be done.  I won't see daylight for at least a year.  But it's tremendously rewarding to see these engineers become aware of the resources available to them.  Education is one of the biggest aspects of the job.  Lack of it among the higher echelons is causing problems as far as money and, particularly, space requirements are concerned.   If I can make the library an integral part of the district, most of the problems will be solved.

Let me know what's going on in Big Sky country.  Are you really going to Seattle?  Still writing? Keep in touch.

November 7, 1974 (Letter from Diane)

In case you're wondering, Lindenwold (where I live) is 15 m. east of Philadelphia (where I work).  At the Army Corps of Engineers, that is.  Naturally, Grayce had quite a bit to say when she heard that.  Actually, she knew before I did since my father thoughtfully called her 2 hrs. before the wedding to tell her to tell me (iIwas at Bev's) that I got the job.  Speaking of which (the wedding), it's too bad y ou couldn't come.  Everything was lovely, except South Philly.

How's big sky country.  Margaret (next door Towers) would envy you!

October 24, 1974 (Letter from Bev)

How do you like your job and what's it like in Montana?  Grayce told me that you were working in a prison library.  Speaking of Grayce -- Diane and I went to her wedding.  Bill Snyder was there, but had to leave.  He had an accident and both of his headlights were knocked out.  He leaves for the army in January.  I don't know if Bill Louden got a job yet.  Have you heard from anyone at GSLIS?  Diane has a job in the library at the Customs House in Philadelphia.  I don't think she has started working yet.

Since September 16th I've been working as the medical librarian at Delaware State Hospital (it's a mental hospital).  The library is small  but quite adequate for the staff.  I do everything in the library, including shelving books!  I'm kept busy everyday and often I don't get things done that I had planned to do.  Some of the doctors expect to be waited on when they come into the library.  I'm not too pleased with having to look call numbers up and then get the books off the shelves while some doctor is following me around.  But how do I put an end to something like that which is expected of me?

This past weekend I went to a Medical Library Association conference at Rutgers.  Janet Seltman, who is working at Medical College of Pa., w there.  I met many people, including the librarian from Eastern Psychiatric Institute.  She's nothing like the late J. O'Mara.

I'm living in the town of New Castle, which is small (pop about 4,000) and safe (I hope).  My apartment is in an old house which was built around 1800.  I have a bedroom, bath, small kitchen, and combination dining-living room area.  The apartment was unfurnished and still isn't exactly what one would call furnished.  So far, I only have the essentials -- bed, dresser, table, and two chairs.  Hopefully, by spring I'll have a sofa.

Are you employed by the Federal government or the state of Montana?  I'm working for the State of Delaware, which gives me a lot of Monday holidays.  The benefits are good, probably better than working for a public library.

I wish you the best on your birthday and I hope that you are happy with your job.  Keep in touch.

September 15, 1974 (Letter from Sue)

My dear Pole --

And I don't mean from Warsaw!  I am ever so sorry not to have written long 'ere this.  I was overjoyed to receive your long, long letter ('way back last July!) with its detailed and descriptive account of ALA.  Apparently "something" did happen to Phil there-- they way I herd it (from Grant, when I passed through Pittsburgh in August) was that Phil did "something unmentionable", though Grant doesn't know what.  I'm consumed with curiosity -- what could it be?

I was sorry to miss you, both in Pittsburgh and in Warren -- I guess your father told you that I called -- I just didn't know when we would get to Pgh -- we had a steaming radiator in Nevada and had to spend some time getting it fixed, etc.

Anyway, I heard that some prison library in Montana was trying to get in touch with you!  For all I know, you could be there now!  (I met a guy recently who graduated from SUNY Albany and who was the libn at Comstock.)  At any rate, I have a feeling that you're gainfully employed as of now (which is more than I can say for myself -- all in good time, I always say.)

Where are you and what are you doing?!  And what of the others -- I spoke to Michael on the phone in Aug -- and he agreed w/ me that U. Maryland is an elitist institution, but other than that, I haven't heard a breath of news (gossip?) since I heard from you and Janet in July.

I'm especially curious about Carmelle -- do you know what she's up to?  I wonder if she's still w/ Gregg -- do you know?

Also -- Paul, you sounded sort of forlorn w/ regard to your penchant for attached women -- (do you think it could be a defense? -- I don't mean to give you a lot of psychoanalytical nonsense, truly I don't -- but do you think it's a defense, a coincidence, that you tend to "fall for" women w/ prior commitments?).  I didn't know you felt so strongly about Grayce.  I always thought she felt that way about you -- though I confess to knowing nothing, except what you've told me, about her own state of independence or lack thereof -- I just had always had a feeling that she "had a crush" on you.  The old pitter-pat, pitter, pat.

For heaven's sake -- of course there's someone "out there" who is not already married, engaged, living w/ someone, a lesbian, or anything else in that category which seems to deny access, one individual to another (of course, some of us don't' believe in that category  but I admit, there are limitations).   Anyway, I think it's always hard to find that one mate -- a companion who can fulfill so many areas of one's life.  Some -- a lot -- of people spend their lives looking for the all-encompassing, multifaceted, soul-mate -- I don't' think any person can satisfy all of one's needs - do you?

I understand what you say about Leslie, though -- if it's not there, it's not there, though I'm sure it's not easy to break those old ties.

I've been reading a lot of Canadian fiction lately (a body of literature largely unknown up there, though it's lately come to surface).  There's a writer I think you'd particularly like -- Brian Moore -- his origins are Irish, and he now lives in sunny Calif -- but he's a naturalized Canadian citizen.  Just read An Answer from Limbo -- great book, dealing w one's art vs. one's personal life, ties, etc., but told in such a human/realism way that it's impossible to put down.  Manhattan locale, which you'd also like, I think.

I think you'd find Montreal intriguing -- which it is , if a somewhat tough nut to crack -- after a most trying week of looking for an apt, we finally found one -- situated in an old, formerly elegant (you know how I love faded grandeur, a la Atlantic City) residential area very centrally located.  Large, sunny, w/ 6 ft windows -- and totally unfurnished.   After a week of sleeping on hardwood floors, we finally got some furniture and are ready to commence Montreal living.  When we get the phone, I'll start job-hunting.  (I finally got my resume down to one page.)

Montreal is really divided between French and English -- even extends to the architecture -- part is London brick row-houses and part is Parisian stone and mansard roofs.  Unfortunately, much has been destroyed by the high-rise construction -- begun for the Expo and continued for the '76 Olympics -- I'm not finding the French (language) too easy, though it's coming, bit by difficult bit.

There are excellent restaurants here, as well as a good street scene.  The music scene I don't know yet -- but I maintain that the French -- even the North American French -- can't handle rock.  Everything comes out like Gilbert Becaud or Charles Aznavour.  I s'pose there's poetry in the lyrics -- but tune-wise -- well, there's nothing quite like the San Francisco sound!

Isn't it strange to think our year of academic endeavor is over -- all those hours gossiping in the library, writing last minute papers (in my case -- I know yours were finished months in advance , you show-off!)  Have you done anything further w/ pub of the R. S. index?  My friend the ex-Comstock libn (who is now a serials libn in an academic library) says he knows of no idea and thinks it's a good idea.

Well, my dear -- I hope this letter finds you in good spirits and financially solvent.  If you aren't working, and are w/in driving distance -- do come up to Montreal.  I'd love to see you again, soon -- (don't you think we should have a reunion?!) (you're the ex-class Pres, and as ex Social Chairwoman, who fell down in her duties toward the end, I can help you plan it!)  Seriously, do consider it.