April 24, 1976 (Letter from Barb N)

Hello.

This letter should offset the last letter I sent to you in the states.  It was rather bleak and hardly worth anything but a quick disposal in a garbage can.

Mom has been conveying the good news about your homecoming to Springfield.  It seems that the months of waiting has been worthwhile and "Lady Luck" has finally come your way.  There is no bright future in Warren for your direction in life as your stile is a little bit more progressive than what Warren offers.  No matter how good it would be to ave money I would much prefer to "save my soul."  It seems that you have so much at your hands.  The ocean, Boston, the mountains -- skiing, Canada, and all the cultural history of New England.

How do you feel towards your job?  Are you cramped to one facet or are there other realms to get involved in?  I'm interested to hear what you exactly do and how well you have adapted to your job.

Mom said that you are eating with Edna quite a bit.  It sounds like the relatives have been good to you and I real asset for you well being.  I did enjoy the brief visit to Springfield last summer and I found the area itself quite comforting.

I will say I'm quite anxious to leave this navy life all behind and get out into the world.  I feel so sheltered at times by the Navy's programs that leave so much to be desired.  I understand it's basic goals only they do restrict any individual who wants to expand himself through means of his/her own. But I guess it holds for the outside.  At least you have a choice whereas I am virtually helpless at times.  I'm not complaining, tho.

I'm still very uncertain of my future.  I have not formulated any plans of what to do once I leave.  I was considering nursing school, but I am put down by the process of learning through my "rear" (buttocks).  My anthropology course has disillusioned me to an extend in that the knowledge I thought I needed from an instructor I can gain just as well from a book.  I'm not defeated from returning to school.  It is not a priority for me at this moment.

I am sending you a catalog of cameras that you can dream through.  You should be able to judge the prices overseas and in the states.  I don't know that much of cameras but leafing through the booklet I'm sure it will satisfy your fancy.

I bought a guitar and I have been playing or trying to practice every day.  I hope to be writing some music next year or sooner if I progress at a rapid rate.  I met this one guy who plays the guitar beautifully.  I was surprised when he played from Shawn Phillips' "Second Contribution" album, "The Ballad of Casey Jones (?)  Not too many people know of him unless they are farther into rock.  I'm hoping Don will give me lessons.

Have you an album by Dan Fogelberg?  At the moment he is my favorite!  I want to find his first album only I don't know the name.  I have his second and third ("Souvenirs" and "Captured Angel").  I'm sure these last two albums are making him "big".

I heard from Julie in Sweden.  She will make arrangements for my journey to Sweden.  Also was told I would have a warm reception by the relatives.  I still haven't set a date.  I want to wait to travel after the fall when tourist season has faded.

Dale finally has done or served his time.  I'm sure he learned a lesson from the time spent in confinement.  I hope he will use his time to make his life not so haphazard.  It's quite sad that he had to spend a part of his life locked up.  My only apprehension is he will stay stagnant but I am being foolish.  I have a tendency to be overbearing with my feelings towards Dale, especially when it takes so much to reach him.  Did you get a chance to talk with him when you were at home?

I bought Dale a tapestry for his birthday.  It is of two arabs on horses escaping from a palace with a kidnapped female on their horse.  Charlie Brown gave me the same tapestry to me on my birthday only it was in a smaller size than Dale's.

I want to go off someplace over Memorial weekend.  I will have to get some people together and take off.  I went to Sorrento a few weekends ago and up the Almalfi Drive with Doobie (he's 6'8"j). We had a crowd of Italians around us trying to find out about us.  The Italians do quite a bit of staring.  They are very liberal in their love making also.  They are very unique people.

I will end here and add comments tomorrow.

It's a beautiful day and I have a clear view of the Med.  I can look out my front porch and to the right there is a harbor.  It is interesting to watch the ships pass by.  I lie a block from the Med and I get the most glorious feeling looking at the see.

I will end here for now.

Hello again.

You should see the Med today.  Gorgeous.  In fact I should be sitting outside.  (I will after I finish this letter to you.)