October 10, 1971 (Letter from Mardi)

Thanks for the hour of sweeping I had to do in order to get the sand out of the carpet due to the fact that I didn't have a vacuum cleaner handy when I spilt your letter.

Everything is back to normal with Anderson now.  A-C-T-I-O-N weekend though -- Bill and I moaning and groaning with stomach flu.  It could have had something to do with how bombed we got Friday night.  You'd never believe our old drinking bar -- Al's!  Super ritzy now!  It really blew my mind.  I guess Bill left Boston and went to New York and then to Philly.  Barb was upset because everything was such a mess when they were there.  She sounds like she's in "good" shape -- no job, except for typing -- Doreen has moved out and Nancy her new roommate never had any money an does not work.  The eternal hassle...

Things here on the home front are quite stable -- thank god!  When winter sets in it's good to be "secure"?  I'm expecting to be snowed in any day now!

Anyway -- I'm going to close for you -- Comedy for Big Kids in on with Buster Keaton, no 3 Stooges tonight.

Good morning greetings!  (10/12/71)

I can only say that because I am well rested, since I did not have to go to work yesterday!  I must have a phobia about getting up for work every seventh or eighth Monday.  After that amount of time I just can't seem to face another Monday.  Just call me "Abigail Fortitude Abbott!"  Good heavens, what made me think of that name?!  I just had a neato keen day though.  I went and got Cindy's dog (she lives on 31st and Colfax) a St. Bernard, and then went to the park and around Lake Harriet and Lake Calhoun.  The leaves were falling, the sun was out -- wow, I dig that stuff to no end.  It was a truly inspiring day -- inspiring though to quit work and take off or something!   I then set a foot to the drugstore to pick up Bill's pictures of the trip!  My second most favorite things -- PICTURES!  Where the dog knocked over the newspaper stand and caused a big of confusion.  Then upon passing the local ice-cream parlor I had to stop and get a double-dipped chocolate bon bon ice cream cone, which the dog and I both ate.  Now, that's a neat day!

I must go.  CUSTOMER!  Take care!

Do you know when you are coming?  You can stay at our place til Dec. and then fly home w/ me if you want.  I don't know what you plans are!!! I enclosed an October calendar for keeping track of time!

P.S.  You would have #27!!!! That is funny!  Yuk! Yuk!

March 22, 1971 (Letter from Mardi)

Hi kid!  Your really on a writing spree aren't you?  Two letters in a row!  March really improved your spirits.  I admit January and February are shitty but I wouldn't go as far to say March has cured your ills!  But I'm glad to hear you're over your ills.  How did March actually prove to be?  I guess it was ok.  January, Feb. and Mar this year certainly have gone fast.

Anderson and I have found an apartment.  As a matter of fact, this was the apartment we had seen for rent exactly a year ago but were too late to get.  The place is a great deal.  It's furnished (completely) (except for TV and stereo, etc), it's right on the bus line, Lake Calhoun is six short blocks away, a "shopping" center is around the corner -- small stores.  The area is residential and the apartment is in a 4-plex so it's not huge.  It's so much more convenient.  The place is pretty big, a log bigger than Lake Street.  It's long like Renee's parents place.  (Oh, my mother was talking to Mrs. Shulman and I guess Renee is losing weight.  She's lost 20 lbs so far.  Of course she'll have to lose about 120 more for it to do any good.)  Did you get all that?  I write such spontaneous letters!  Anderson and I are trying to get ahead here.  So we figure the apt. will be a lot better all around.  Home sweet home.  NO ONE is staying with us this summer -- the understatement of the year probably.  I don't think I'll give my address to anyone like Barney or Mohney!!  But you know if you ever are passing by you can stop in.  You'll have to take out the garbage and cook dinner and clean and iron and wash etc.  OK?  Just kidding!  SURE!

Nothing fantastic happening here.  Enough though.  Last night was our usual Sunday night w/ Comedy for Big Kids w/ a W. C. Fields movie followed by the Marx Brothers.  Unfortunately, no 3 Stooges!  YICK.  I will never forget your awful laughing at those 3 Stooges!!!

I'm sitting here completely bored.  I always get all my work done by 4:30 on Monday nights and I still have 2 1/2 hours to go!  I should be studying for my class tomorrow, but I'm not in the mood!  I can't wait till I'm done w/ classes -- I'm getting spring fever and it's impossible for me to concentrate on "Financial Lending".  YICK  It was a great course in Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, and Feb but I'm getting ants in my drawers now!  Plus I'm just dying to get out in the sun.  I definitely have to go up and see Barb in May or June for a couple of days then I want to go South w/ my mother, Mr. S. and Bill some time.  I'm really contemplating moving to Florida in about 1 yr for good.  If I can line up a job at a bank I'll be fine.  Only Anderson would have to find a job too because I would feel guilty about leaving him here to freeze to death.

I must close before someone sets me to work!

Take care and write soon?  When are you through with school for the year?  "Have you any idea where you'll go?"  Just don't listen to anyone else's plans!  You know how that goes?!!!!

I guess my mother was talking to Mike and Dody -- they are both home for vacation!  I haven't heard from either one since Xmas.

Hope I can see ya soon?

October 13, 1970 (Letter from Mardi)

Hey I'm good at writing letters -- I can't even get around to mailing them.  The only time I remember about mailing your letter is when I'm at work and when I'm at work I forget to get your address while I'm at home so I can mail it from work.  Understand?, not really.

Can you believe how time is just WHIPPING by?  The temp around here this morning was a big 30.  I'm waiting for it to snow any day now.

I talked to Barb last week (guess I told you that), she was sick with a bad cold.  She's still working for that temporary help place which must be a pain-in-the-ass!  It's bad enough getting up for a job you already have.  She has to be at a new place just about every day!  I wouldn't know where half the places were!  I guess they even have a TV now so she can watch "Comedy for Big Kids".  I hope she finds some job (permanent) that she likes soon.

We're going out on the town Friday for old man Anderson's birthday.  We ordered a birthday cake for him so they can bring it out and sing happy birthday!  He told us if we did that he'd leave.  He'll kill us.  We're going with Coleen and Joe.  Ding-a-ling is getting a stereo tape player for his car.  NOT SPOILED!  No wonder we never have any money!  But since he lives in a car longer than anyone I know, he and his hardy crew of paper boys only deserve the best.

Are you coming along with the financial problems?  The last time I saw you you didn't encourage me that you were in the best position concerning money matters.  Just WHERE is Tonawanda anyway?  WHERE are you? Do you take the bus to classes?  Your first class is no where before eleven!  If and when you do become a teacher how in the hall will you get up at 6:30 AM every morning?  Of course, knowing you you'll get a part-time teaching job on M.W.&F.'s from noon till four or something.

Try and write soon.  Have you heard from anyone?

Take care.

We're going to see John Mayall -- Grateful Dead are at the Guthrie Sunday  -- Pray for the repose of the souls of Janis and Jimi.  CLEAN!  May you and Skippy live happily everafter.