I've been gone from Montana since October and am not sure what's brewing out there. I knew that Fred Perry has been shipped down the road to Idaho, but as to Gil's parole I don't know a thing. And I don't know much about what's going on with the new prison. I will be writing Gil this week and will pass on whatever word I get from him. As soon as I get my head above water down here I am going to attempt to start a writing program at the prison here in Columbia. There are several excellent ones going, especially the one at Arizona Pen. Three of the men have books coming out and one has just gotten a sizable grant. Even though they are still "within." There's an excellent project brewing in N.C. called the prison-ashram project -- which attempts to convert all that spare time into spiritual pursuits -- so that, in effect, the only people behind bars become the guards. Bout all I can pass on at this point but will keep in touch.
[Teaching experience on Ken's resume: Creative Writing Workshop, Montana State Penitentiary, Deer Lodge, Montana, 1972-75.]
Are you absolutely sure that you'd like to do something as rash as having me promise not t0 worry about boring you in my letters? I mean, are you positive? Maybe you'd like time to reconsider? (heh, heh)
Actually, I'm not bored by your letters because I'm very interested in you & what you are doing. I don't suppose we'll ever know each other so completely that we'll be bored...(because I believe that every single person is so complex as never to be fully known by another.) It's probably much better that way - -I'm not sure that delving into another person's depths is such a good idea -- especially since I'll never get to the bottom of my own. (Doris Lessing seems to have done this -- or so it seems in her Children of Violence series where the main character, Martha Quest, is herself.) While I'm on the subject of Doris Lessing -- does she interest you at all? I've recommended her to a friend of mine, an actress, & she says that she's gotten a lot from her. I would like to have a masculine viewpoint. We have been exposed to so few GOOD women writers, you know? & Lessing is one of the most insightful (maybe the most insightful) that I've come across. I'd just like to know if I like her because she' good & insightful, or because I identify with that she puts forth. Would you mind very much if I asked you to read some of her? The Children of Violence is a 5-book series -- maybe you don't want to start with that? The Golden Notebook is not her best in terms of style, but is very interesting & gives an idea of what she thinks.
This would mean a lot to me -- I mean, you're letting me know your opinion. If you don't want to, though, don't worry. (This is the last letter you will be receiving...) (only kidding) (chuckle, chuckle)
I told Sister M. Ronald that we were probably going to be going to Idaho for the fall. She took it pretty well. She probably can't wait -- so that she can get someone sufficiently dedicated to Seton Hill's futile causes of educating the thick wits who seem to be there in such abundance! You wouldn't believe the no. of students there that don't even know what a card catalog is? It would be funny if I still had a sense of the comic about the place -- now it just seems so sorry to me. At any rate, my last day will be either June 25th or 30th -- whichever day it is will be a day for great celebration & joy! I'm not going to even ask her for a letter, because even when she likes a person, she still puts in something negative "just to be honest", you know! She really is a character. I can say one thing about the place though. I've learned a lot (through seeing what NOT to do.) Also, being in the position I was in, I had to do almost everything -- except catalog. I was in charge of reference, circulation, reserves, inter-library loan & innumerable other smaller things, such as the pamphlet file (which I started myself & it now has about 500 items to it). Say, this sounds pretty good -- wanna hire me? Enough on this.
I have enclosed a copy (rough, I admit) of a new Phila logo which I found rather amusing. It's done by the Girard Bank in Phila & they have t-shirts with this printed on. I have told Diane that if she does not get me one it will be curtains for her!! It's red, white & blue, but I didn't have a blue flair so I had to make do.
We still don't know about Idaho -- I'm on the edge of my seat about it. I really wish they'd tell us soon. It's not as if it will take me 3 days to pack -- also it takes time to sell a house! This is just typical of the way Westinghouse does things -- so I shouldn't be surprized.
One reason for not wanting to leave the library has just occurred to me. My supply of amusing pictures will be cut off! (I usually get them fro advertisements for new child. lit stuff.) I try to find Ionesco things, or Sendak or Wildsmith because I think they are really fine artists. Ionesco's are also so sur-real. I have one which I just can't part with -- a family looking over their couch at a languid mermaid & another which is good -- a cow family with the mother serving a dressed human head at her table. In the background in the kitchen is a chart showing parts of human anatomy such as you often see in butcher shops (of beef). We never had such striking illustrations that I can remember. Did we?
Oh well -- will you mind my using regular paper usually? Unless I come up with a new source.
We may be going rafting on May 23rd . (Brook's birthday.) Bill Grush, a friend of Brook's at work says he knows all about whitewater. Frankly, I'm scared!!! Bill will work the raft, Brook will help, Bill's wife will be calm (because she is always so calm) & I will probably be dashed on the rocks. I can't be chicken now, though, 'cause I already agreed to go. Myeer!! Ange & John ant to go too -- in June, & we'll probably go -- if I survive this time. We'll be on the Youghiogheny River.
Hey! I miss you! When are you going to visit us? I know you can't I just thought I might ask anyhow!!
Send me a picture of you in your new glasses?
Don't you want to see how our house looks now? (I never actually do give up -- it's the Taurus in me!) Is you sister a pest like I am?
Speaking of your sister -- I am not exactly sure about this miracle business, but it seems as though I've heard it before somewhere. I will see my grandmother on June 6 & I will definitely ask her if you'd like. She was born in Naples, but she left when she was very small. I'm sure she would know about this though, if it's valid.
In the meantime, I wouldn't worry too much, ok? It's probably not as scary as it sounds.
Well, I guess I'll try & get this in the mail now. I don't want to you to be disappointed in me for not writing right away. I will try to be good from now on!
P.S. Do you get Mary Hartman there. Louise Lasser is one of my favorites.
I'm trying to get a few letters off to friends and family. I feel I should have a ditto machine.
I was told the legend of Saint Gemano (?) when I first got here. On the way to work I pass by the spot where he was beheaded. It goes that he was beheaded on a hill on where his head stopped rolling they built a church. I don't know when he lived but they must have kept his blood and somehow the legend of the blood liquefying got started. I was told the last time his blood didn't liquefy was three years ago they had a cholera epidemic. The time before was World War II. The blood is taken from a vault twice a y ear for a week and within that time if the blood liquefies Naples is safe. Supposedly the worst tragedy happens when the blood does not liquefy in May. Now for my opinion of this legend It's hard to say yes or no to the tale. I do believe there is a great possibility of bad tragedy for Naples judging from the bad times in Italy. It seems in order to awaken people and get them back on their feet a shattering experience revives people to their senses. I pray for good because I don't want to see a tragedy while I'm here. But the course of the world isn't leading mankind through a period of joy at this moment. Man has abused nature to the max and she is fighting back now. I have to blame all of mankind for the sate of the world. It's not just the leaders who have lead us stray. What about the individuals who let it happen? Anyone who believes we have easy times ahead is living with their head in the ground. I don't want to look ahead with a pessimistic attitude but I've read too many signs that have come about now. I'd like to deny it and say what I know is wrong but I don't think so. It could be another cycle in history but mankind is spread out to all corners of the earth. Mankind has to live in harmony with nature! He cannot control nature's forces.
Now someone predicted that Naples will be destroyed 29 May. I don't know who this person is but it seems to me it would have to be some great prophet in order to predict this fate. I will be in France that weekend but I had plans to go three for a month. I have fears about living here now but I can't live in fear of living.
I am buying an Opel Rekord for 950.00 from a Chief. I think I'm getting a good deal, too. It's a 1970. The tires are good and it purrs like a cat. He's a good person and I've known him for awhile now. He knocked off $45.00 for me so I can check it over. I don't' feel that I'm being ripped off.
I don't regret my smoking especially when I started. I too was ready to handle it and I don't feel that it harmed me. I feel it opened many doors in my mind. But now I don't need that kind of high. It's been over a month now since I've partied. I feel so good, too.
I've been keeping to the guitar. My fingers are starting to get raw now. I enjoy playing teh guitar so much.
I have decided against taking anymore courses after evaluating my last class. I feel I'm trying to do steps just to look good when it may not be my direction. I don't like the way the educational system is set up by learning through your ass. Maybe it's because my interest lies with the arts and children. But sometimes I am too foolish. I'm trying to get on a steady path. I'm having a little trouble now.
The New Alchemists Institute does not open until May 1, so I decided not to go to Massachusetts that weekend anyway. Things in Binghamton are pretty good, considering my present situation. I've been in the hospital this week for tests on my bladder and kidneys. The doctor has found the cause for my ailments and I expect to be going home in a few days. I've read so many stupid ladies magazines this week while laying here-- I can tell you about one million ways to bake a shortcake or to redecorate a bathroom!! At least I have a reason to get some rest and relaxation at home. So many things have been going on at once.
My job has taken a slightly different, but wonderful turn. From now til the end of June, I will be in charge of a beautiful nature preserve that my school district owns. The preserve has a small path, hayfields, pine & broadleafed forests pastures, and a nature museum. Inside the museum is a fascinating collection of stuffed birds and mammals, pressed plant collections and conservation booklets. The best part is that it's mine -- all mine -- to do what I want with (I'm so possessive!)!!! It's really exciting -- I'm going to take kids out there and teach them lessons on wildflowers, animals, insects, pond life, etc. The children will also do math and language arts lessons which are geared to the environment. A "total experience". I'm really happy that I won't have to be inside the school all day during the warm months.
I'm still unsure of where I'll be and what I'll be doing this summer. I've narrowed my schools to Rhode Island, Cornell & North Carolina (not bad, eh?) and will have to take summer courses to get ready for them. I don't know where I'll take these courses, I have to find a school that gives what I need. It will be nice to be a student again. I feel as if I am socially in limbo. It's hard to relate to the people I work with, I feel as if we are on totally different planets. It is also hard, though, to relate to students who are experiencing things that I went through years ago (I sound like an old bag!) I hope I find my niche among the ecologists I will be working with. That is one reason why I want to see the New Alchemists. They are a group of "freaks" who have their doctorates but want to do something constructive with them. They left the strict scientific mold of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute to form an organization with more practical purposes.
Very sadly, our home is breaking up. Sheryl is graduating and moving to Woodstock, N.Y. with her boyfriend. Tony is going to Buffalo to take a bar review course & take the bar exam. I am going to finish my teaching year here and will be living with some friends on a farm nearby until June 30. Tony has spoken with his (and your) friends in Boston and says that he is going to go there before the end of June. He doesn't really want to see the new Al. though, they are in Falmouth & out of the way. I have met someone who lives in Falmouth and has invited me to come & stay at her house, so there is a possibility (once again) that I will stop by next weekend either alone or with Tony. In any case, if I come I'll give you a call.
I'm really glad to hear that you are happy in your new home -- hope you've made amends with Ma Bell.
I'm finally gettin around to ans. letters. Usually I'll ans. the next day, but lately I haven't been doin much writing. I only owe about 7 letters. I enjoyed your last letter -- it sounds like your happy and doin great -- and I'm happy for you. Myself I don't think I could live in a big city any more. Too many people, cars and cops.
I've been doin alot of stuff outside lately, the weather is just beautiful. The mountain behind us is just full of flowers and it's really pretty. I've planted all my flowers and my garden and their all doin really good. We've kind of got 2 pet blue jays who hang around here, and I had trouble with em at first with the seeds I planted. Mostly the corn & pot seeds. But they've kinda mellowed out now. But it's really neat to be able to have a pet like that.
For some reason the welfare lady has been hasseling us the past wk. She keeps insisting me & Shorts are married and I have a strange feeling she's gonna kick me off. She even called my Aunt and wanted to know if I beat or abused my kids. She's really a bitch. I don't care if she kicks me off but I'll sure miss the food stamps -- oh well, maybe things will work themselves out.
We took some people to Columbia Falls, Mont. last wk. end and really had a good trip. We stopped off in Missoula Friday nite and just got loose. Then Sat. we went cruising around Msla, bought alot of albums and a bunch of junk (that ya can't get here, including downers -- yellows). Sat. nite we did the downers by Flathead Lake. Was really fun. Me & George caught some fish and cooked em up. They were pretty good to. The country up there is really pretty; I took alot of pictures. We're goin back to Missoula over Memorial Day wk.end for my cousin's graduation. It should be a good party.
George wants to go see his dad that wk. end but I don't know if we are. He wrote & asked his dad if he could come see him, but so far he hasn't ans. back. If he doesn't ans. back then we aren't goin, but I hope he does. It would really hurt Georgie's feelings. I suppose I wouldn't mind seeing him either but I don't like to think about that very hard. His mom wrote me yesterday & said he goes to board the last wk of May & that he has a job & a place to live promised him, so he's pretty sure he'll get out. He also said it'll seem strange not to be with me and the kids. It's really going to be a hard trip to go threw, esp. if he comes here. I still love him very much but.....
There's really alot of old furniture and antiques around here, which I really like. In the mountains behind us, you ca take a shovel and just dig any where and find old bottles. I've gotten so many in just the yr we've been here I don't have any room left to put any more. But if we find more I won't threw em away. George was in the mountains last wk with his friends just messin around & they saw a bear. It really freaked me out cuz I'm really afraid of bears, but they thought it was neat. Just so they stay up there & don't come down here.
Well it's almost time to get George up for school, so I'd better go for now. This is the best time of the day. I get up at 6:00 to get Shorts off to work and it's so quiet and peaceful. I really enjoy our life here. Anyway, take care, don't work too hard & write soon! Bye for now.
Nice to hear from you. We have been changing in many ways since you left.
First off we sold the trailer and bought a house. It is a 1900 model with a lot of work and a big green yard. The place also came with an old log barn. The location is nice also, we are just a block and a half from J. C. Park. Lyn has worked diligently restoring a long unkempt flower garden, we have tulips and poppys in bloom right now.
After eight years without we finally bought a car. Wow! More and more middle class each day. We still do not use it in town, just for trips to Missoula and neighboring communities.
Thoroughly enjoyed "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest". Although it had been six years since I read the book, the story and film seemed to appear the same.
The name Raymond Chandler stuck in my mind, I recalled that you had a couple of his books when you left. I picked up "Farewell My Lovely" and the "Big Sleep". I like Marlowe's sarcasm and ideals, he never sells out even to the broads. Ha! it must be fiction.
Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, or Gerald Ford. I guess I'd better start becoming familiar with their positions, although I'm sure that will be difficult.
I ran in the seven mile race in Missoula in May 1. I ran well and had a pleasant time, the day was beautiful. I covered the 7 miles in 46:13 seconds. Played some tennis today, and started to get the kinks out of my game. I'm looking forward towards this summer's play.
Levin is 2 1/2 years old now and keeping Lyn and I real busy. He is forming sentences, trying to count, working at toilet training and imitating all his parents do. I have to watch what I say. For one week he was going around saying Oh God! after every mishap.
Home our cat ran away, guess he just tired of us. Anyhow we now have two 8 week old male kittens. One is yellow and white, the other is yellow and striped. Sonja is doing fine at the new house, she is always ready for a walk or bike ride.
The Bretz and Clive trial started last week, it's too early to tell anything. Since cons are the major witnesses, I can't imagine the trial lasting long or a guilty verdict.
If you head west for a breather, drop in for a stay.
I hope that you didn't faint or pass out from shock seeing the return address on the envelope. Yes, we're still very much alive and thriving here in Cleveland, and we couldn't have been more pleased to have received your letter two weeks ago. I'm so glad that you wrote and that we have your new address -- from Montana to Massachusetts! Well, life certainly hasn't been dull for you lately!! You pack more excitement into two years than I have in the last 26...I'm very pleased that you're now "back East", and I hope that your position at Merriam & Co. is going well -- it sounds ideal for your background in addition to offering you editorial opportunities. I can imagine that finding a job in the field of publication, etc., is extremely difficult, so I'm glad that you were able to secure your current job. Hope, to, that you're enjoying Springfield and the area and meeting interesting people. I'm not familiar with that area of Mass, although my sister and her husband live in Groton which I have visited (about an hour northwest of Boston). That doesn't do me much good either as Karin and Bob are moving to South Bend, Indiana, where Bob is joining the South Bend Clinic in June. Back to Montana -- I'm glad that you were able to see Gary and Kathy before leaving and that they're both doing well. I'm sitting here shaking my head wondering why they haven't come back east, but maybe it's the clean air and the 'wide-open spaces' and perhaps a completely different life that such an area offers which makes them stay. I never really knew either of that THAT well, although Kathy always struck me as being very independent and extremely self-confident. Frankly the fact that they even were married surprised me! I've become accustomed to 'city life' and enjoy the Cleveland area much more -- I doubt that small-town living would ever appeal to me again.
Unfortunately I have no really earth-shaking news or hot gossip, other than the usual strange things going on with my side of the family. My parents are doing well, although my mother had a corneal transplant in Boston at Harvard Eye & Ear in December. The surgery was a complete success and, although she is nearly blind in her left eye as a result of the family eye disease, she is enjoying sight in right eye with her new cornea. She is even now able to read small print without glasses or a magnifier, and she is much more vital than before. Dad is well and still has a small shop now in North Warren where he is carving (mostly for New York State furniture plants) and where he has his machinery. Although he'll be 68 and is semi-retired, his work is his life line. In addition to carving he also is asked to submit designs for various furniture parts, and he takes great pride in his work. We see my parents often and are still very close to them. They're in Cleveland once a month for Mom's examinations with the corneal specialist at the Cleveland Clinic, so we don't get to Warren often. . . the last time was Christmas! Let's see -- I know that Laurie Walters & Mike Curren had a baby girl last month, that John Porter (remember him?? Class of '66 and hung around with Doug Smith, etc.) has recently been appointed an assistant D.A. here in Cleveland (!) and that's about all I know. Of course I could tell you that out of our five-member wedding party, there have been two divorces (Linda Rickert Pompilio and Rusty's best man, Scott); one marriage has been on the rocks for the last nine years (my sister's); and the other one isn't that hot, either. Rusty and I are doing just great, and we've worked hard at having a good marriage. We have a wonderful relationship and have yete to experience any kind of dissension or disillusionment. Rusty is a fantastic husband and person to share life with.
Our only news is that, as you've assumed from the enclosed listing sheet, we bought out first home in Bay Village, a western suburb of Cleveland. We moved in only last week (I took one week of my vacation); we got your letter about three days before moving -- thank heaven. Mom spent the week helping us get settled and was a constant incentive to me. We moved ourselves so I needed all the help I could get. Now that we own a home (for which we've been scrimping and saving for the last four years) we'll have to start buying furniture piecemeal. Everything we own either needs to be reupholstered, refinished or replaced, but it's been fun and rewarding for both of us. Rusty, as I think you know, is with a real estate firm in Cleveland selling residential real estate on the west side full-time. He had an excellent first year ('75) and is still on the seven-day week schedule. He's been one of three in the company chosen for a management training panel (meetings with one of the senior officers of the company during the month) and hopes to eventually go into a suburban office manager's position or begin as an assistant manager. It's impossible to tell when this will happen, although Rusty is keeping his eyes and ears open for other opportunities. He's strictly on a commission basis, and the winter months are VERY thin financially. He's considered an independent agent, and the company offers their employees NO benefits of any kind. There are no withholding taxes of any kind (federal, state, city) withheld from his commission checks, so we've had to set up our own method of prepayment, savings, etc. for Uncle Sam. I'm still here in the legal department of the bank and plan to work for another 12 to 18 months and leave to begin our family. Hopefully, Rusty will be in a more financially stable position and we'll have our feet firmly on the ground. As for our new house -- we couldn't be more thrilled with it -- it's really lovely and suits us perfectly. You know that you'll always be welcome in our home.
Are you ready for this one? Linda & Jim Pompilio were divorced early in July last summer, and Linda remained at the trailer with the two boys working three days a week, part-time, and taking 15 credits at Edinboro off-campus. Even before the divorce Linda began seeing a twice-divorced 40-ish professor (aren't I being catty!!) from the off-campus, and on a more frequent basis following the divorce. She'd leave the children with her mother and spend the weekends with him; meanwhile Jim was aware of what was happening and was spending as much time during the week and on the weekends with the children as he could. Linda was apparently getting more & more turned off to being a mother and turned on to being independent and identifying with the co-called intellectual, liberal atmosphere afforded her at the campus. She gave Jim custody of the children in November; he's with them at the trailer, and Linda is living with Bob in his trailer in Clarendon. I couldn't believe it. I do believe that the children are probably better off with Jim -- he's very devoted to them. So, as for Linda, that's the name of that tune!
I kept in touch with Mike Foster last fall and sent him a card & letter at Christmas. We received a card from him about a week later with a new address, so I don't know if he got any of my other correspondence. I haven't written him at the "new" address yet, nor have I heard from him. Do you correspond with him at all? I'd be interested to know how he's doing and if anything has developed regarding job opportunities in urban development, his major field. I do wish him well.
Again, Paul, thank you so much for your wonderful letter -- it means a great deal to me that you remember and have kept in touch.
Flash: Did your father tell you that he sat next to the King of Sweden at the recent festivities in (was it Chandlers Valley?) the small Swedish church there. My parents spent the day in the area for the festivities.
I'd best end this for now. We send you our best and wish you well. Please let us know if and when you'll be in this polluted neck of the woods!! We'll look forward to hearing from you when you can...
