April 4, 1977 (Letter from Renee)

Again, I find myself apologizing for my inconsistency in returning letters -- but better late than never.  I wanted to write to you after my return from Las Vegas, which was a super vacation only it didn't last long enough cause I'm right into the thick of things once again, and it seems as though I never had a vacation to begin with. My mother had the time of her life in Vegas and so did my mother-in-law.  It was a real thrill for me to show my mother the sights and highlights of Vegas and she had a trip she'll never forget.  I "lost my ass" gambling -- but I didn't go over my budget so I can't complain.  We saw some really super shows, in fact, they were the best shows I have ever seen in my life.  We laughed until we cried from laughter and ate and drank to our hearts delight.  Now, I am paying the penalty cause I gained about 5 lbs. which I am going to lose right away.

Things are still really shitty at school, in fact, they're even worse than before cause one of the guys on the team I work with is cracking up and it makes life at school very trying for those of us on the team who are trying to hold things together.  I am definitely planing on writing a resume and looking for a new job this summer.  Our problems are compounded by the fact that business is downright awful for Morrey right now and we're uncertain what the future holds in store.

Today is our 7th wedding anniversary.  7 good, wonderful, happy and healthy years together.  We might not have a lot of material things to show for it, but we can proudly say that we have really lived well, done what we wanted, and had a good time whatever we've done.  I hope that you will be able to enjoy a happy and fulfilling life with someone someday Paul that is a warm and secure relationship like ours.  (I hope that doesn't sound conceited cause it isn't meant to.)

I received a letter from Mardi shortly before I left for Vegas telling me about her twins.  You were right all along Paul when you said she looked big enough to be expecting twins.  What a surprise and what a wonderful one at that.

I am greatly looking forward to the coming of Spring.  This winter's weather will make us doubly appreciative of nice weather whenever it gets here.  Morrey and I have pants to really do some things around the house that need to be done (clean out basement and garage) and we also hope to do some entertaining which we haven't done for quite a long time.  There are so many couples that we know who would like to get together but we just haven't had a chance, so I think I'm going to throw a couple of intimate "fondue" dinners for 4 or 6 to start the spring season.

This letter is really kind of dumb.  I'm not really in the letter writing mood, but I feel guilty cause I owe you a letter.  My typing is absolutely absurd.  Will you forgive me if I close for now and write at a more opportune moment?  I just wanted you to know that we are alive and well in Columbus, Ohio and that I'm thinking of you and wondering what you're up to these days.  I promise to write sooner next time and to write a better kind of letter.  I guess cause it is our anniversary that I'm kind of horny anyway.  Nature calls.

February 14, 1977 (Letter from Renee)

Part of a Truffaut double-bill in Amherst

SURPRISE!  I am actually returning a letter to you the very same day I received one.  To tell the truth, I'm not in the mood to do school work and typing a letter is a good excuse to postpone the agony of school work.  I was super glad to hear that you are well and that things are going well with you.  Looks like the year '77 will be a good one for you and I'm thrilled that you are happy.  I wish I could say that I'm equally as happy, but I'm not.  I have much to be thankful for.  Morrey and I are very happy together, we love our dog and have a good life style.  My unhappiness stems from inside myself -- it is not due to something anyone else has created.  To be frank -- I hate my job -- I'm bored to tears with it, and I am really sick and tired of the hassles with administrative garbage and some of the people I work with.  What makes me even more unhappy is the knowledge that there are so few jobs available in the "outside" world and I am a bit afraid and apprehensive about giving mine up to go look for "the rainbow".  I have pretty much decided that this will be my last year of teaching -- but what the future holds in store is so uncertain that I am afraid to think of it.  The whole question is, Paul, do I keep the job I have because it pays $10,960 a year and I can easily do the work but be unhappy, or do I look for something else which will pay less but be more of a challenge?  Added to that, I desperately want to buy a house to have a home to settle in -- but I can't have my cake and eat it too -- as the saying goes.  I will admit that I am willing to put off the buying of a house until next year, and I really wonder if we'll be able to swing it anyhow.  Shit!   My mind is really messed up right now and I don't know what to do.  Morrey says it's okay with him if I quit, but in a way I feel that I'm being selfish and unfair to him in doing do.  With his business right now the future doesn't look too rosey cause a lot of businesses are closed due to the fuel shortage.  If they are close d-- nobody buys electrical goods.  Things might really turn around in the spring but right now it looks kind of grim.  To be honest, Paul, I think my problem is that I'm not a very good "waiter".  I want things now instead of later.  I look at the friends around us who have been married about as long as we and they are in their own homes and have started families, and I wonder why they can do it and we can't.  I guess, to put it nicely, I'm downright frustrated and can't make up my mind what to do.  For now until June I'll put in my time and make it through, but when June comes I'm going to have my resume ready and peddle my butt around town to see if I can come up with a job that is a challenge and a real change from the life of a schoolteacher.  So there, my friend, in a nutshell, (more or less) is my predicament!  I'm sorry if I've burdened you -- I just needed to get it off my chest by putting it down on paper.  Thanks for letting me!

Now -- the fuel crisis in another nutshell -- it stinks!  We've been off and on school for the last several weeks.  We've been freezing our asses off at home and the temperatures in our classrooms vary from 40 to 60 degrees which make trying to teach a nerve wracking BITCH!  Columbus Public Schools are closed until March 7 and they are running a school program thru TV, radio and newspapers and it seems to be working half way decently.  We, in Upper Arlington, managed to purchase extra gas last week and will have it until another cold spell comes and they confiscate it to give it to residential users.  Our kids were off all last week -- but we as teachers had to work and make up really stupid learning packets for them to work on while at home.  The principal admitted to us that the reason we were doing the learning packets was for PR (public relations) to make the schools look good to the parents since we have a 2 mill renewable operating levy to be passed in June.  It's all a crock of shit cause the administration is trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the public.  This week we are back in school and I started a new unit on short stories.  I hope to hell I can finish it before we close down again (if we do) cause I'm getting tired of losing the continuity of my teaching and it is so very hard on the kids to remember and retain stuff we did 3 weeks ago.  My disposition gets rather nasty when I don't know how to dress for school since I never know whether my room will be 40 or 60 -- both of which are cold.  I wore my coat teaching the entire day today and it took me until 7pm tonight  at home to warm up.  My parents sent us an electric blanket, 4 pairs of long johns, and 6 pairs of thermal socks which have been real life-savers.  Thanks G-d for parents -- and especially mine cause they're just super to us.

This sounds really odd -- but my mother and I and my mother-in-law and sister-in-law are going to Las Vegas from March 21-25 which is my spring break if I ever get one.  My mother has gone thru a particularly rough year since there have been several deaths in her side of the family in the last few months and she is still recoupreating from her surgery.  She has always wanted to go to Vegas.  Morrey can't get away and he wants me to go with my mom and his mom and his sister so it appears as though we're in for a really great time.  I really feel guilty about spending the money to go and I feel even worse about Morrey choosing not to go -- but I would like to show my mother the time of her life -- and heaven knows I need a vacation in a place where I can forget entirely that the "real" world exists.  My father can't go either and doesn't really desire to go so it'll just be the ladies.  I could get in a lot of "trouble" in Vegas -- but with my mother and mother-in-law as chaperones I'm sure I'll be safe and secure and I won't break the bank -- mine or theirs!

To answer your question -- I did hear from Mark.  He called me from Dayton and tried to make connections to Cols. but couldn't.  He was supposed to come back the next week and was then going to stay with us but the weather got really bad and I guess he couldn't make it.  He did promise me that he would definitely come here the next trip he makes to Dayton and I believe Mark will keep his promise.  He told me that he sold his house in Rochester and I think he's going to look for a job in Washington.  I will keep you informed when I hear from him again.

I got a letter from Mardi and she told me about Mike being married to a guy.  I guess he wrote to Mrs. P. and told her about it.  I was stunned and shocked at first -- but the more I thought about it -- the pieces of the puzzle seemed to fit. Knowing Mike's background and the kind of adolescence he experienced, I can understand why he would become a homosexual.  I have no ill feelings about ti nor do I dislike him for it.  I accept it and I would accept him as a person if I had the opportunity to meet with him again.  I wondered if you knew about it at Xmas time when we were home cause you sort of hinted around and alluded to it when you and I discussed Mike.  Answer, please?

My parents are supposed to come here this weekend and I'm delighted cause we've spent every weekend at home since Jan. and it will be a pleasant change to entertain my folks.  They always look forward to coming here and going out to interesting and unusual places with us.  They are usually game for anything we plan.  We even took my dad out to see a belly dancer in a Greek nightclub one night and he thought that was neat.  Of course, when you consider what a night life Warren has to offer -- I guess a belly dancer does look and sound pretty appealing to "country" folk.  HA HA

I hope my letter hasn't sounded too dour and depressing.  Basically I am happy with life -- but unsettled and unhappy with myself until I find something which appeals to me in the world of work.

Our puppy, Lady, is getting really big.  I bet she weight about 30 lbs. right now with another 50 to grow on in the next few months.  I want you to know that I am really serious about our 4th of July reunion at the cottage.  My folks said it was okay as long as everyone chipped in for the booze and supplies.  I wrote Mardi and told her to plan on it.  If you can get in touch with Dodi,k Joan, and some of the others from our "circle" please do so, okay?

Well, I've procrastinated long enough to start feeling guilty about the untouched school work so I'd best be closing for now.  Be well Paul and take care.  I'm so glad to have a friend like you!

June 11, 1976 (Letter from Renee)

I know that your letter to me must have been over a month ago, and I am quite tardy in responding. I have been super busy with the closing weeks of school, final exams and such.  Today was my last day and now I am off for the summer.  Already I've been home for 1/2 hour and I am wondering where to begin and what to do with myself.  When I came home and saw that there were no clean clothes for the weekend -- I knew that I had found my niche for the summer - HOUSEWIFE -- and I really don't mind that title a bit.

It has been a very long and strenuous and frustrating school year for me.  I have thoroughly enjoyed the kids -- and always will -- but the administration in our school is piss poor (you should excuse the expression) and it has made the morale on the faculty reach a new record of all time low!  If schools had no administrators I am convinced we would survive, much less improve.  Well, it's all over now and am I glad!  Morrey and I have come to the decision that next year will be my last year teaching at my school.  I do not intend to quit working (I'd go made if I didn't), but I would like to open other doors and other channels which I haven't yet discovered.  I am seriously thinking of starting my own tutoring "program" as an alternative to classroom teaching, and I'm pretty sure that I can get plenty of kids from the system where I teach -- so we'll wit and see what happens.  Morrey is forging ahead with his job as a salesman.  He just recently went on commission so we'll either starve or eat caviar!  He's really happy in what he's doing and I am pleased about that.  We are hoping to be able to save enough money by next spring to buy a house, but I am super particular and I think it'll take us awhile to find the right place.  I have champagne taste with a beer bottle income!  I am very happy with my lot in life and I certainly have no complaints.  Morrey and I have a strong marriage and we are our own best friends which I feel good about.

I started going to Weight Watchers in January and so far I've lost 43 lbs.  I have another 60 to go but I think I'll make it.  I hope to be 126 lbs or skinny -- whichever comes first!  I really am proud of myself for doing it since I didn't think I would have the willpower to make it -- but I love the diet and don't feel that I am depriving myself of anything by sticking to it, in fact, I'm gaining a lot of confidence in myself and I feel better about myself for doing it.  I always wonder why I didn't try and succeed in losing weight before -- but I guess I just wasn't ready for it.  Morrey is already saving up a bundle so I can buy a complete new wardrobe next year -- and I can hardly wait for the day when I can go to the store  try something on off the rack in a "regular" size, and take it home with me!

We haven't made a whole lot of plans for the summer.  I doubt we'll take any sore of "vacation" since the summer is Morrey's busiest sales time and we need to "make hay while the sun shines." We will definitely spend a number of weekends at the cottage in Warren cause 1: it's cheap, and 2) we both enjoy being there so much.  I particularly enjoy taking a fun vacation during the school year vacations.  We've been going to Las Vegas twice in the last 1 1/2 years, and given the chance we'll probably go out there again this winter.

We're planning on going to Chicago over the 4th of July weekend to see my brother.  Hopefully, my parents can get away for a little while and go with us. My grandfather's health is failing and he cannot be left alone for more than a couple hours at a time, so if my aunt comes to stay with him for a while then they can come here to see us.

How do you like your new job?  Are things going well with you?  What do you hear from the "old gang" of ours.  I can't believe that next year will be our 10th year high school reunion.  How times does indeed fly by!

Well Paul, my laundry needs attention so I'll close for now.  Please write back when you have a chance.  Your letters are always so enjoyable for me.  Take care and be well.

April 18, 1975 (Letter from Renee)

Frontier Hotel, Las Vegas 1975

I've owed you a letter for quite some time -- but "time" has been a problem since I've been super busy.  Right now I'm in school and have to watch a study hall.  All my work is caught up so I have time on my hands to write.

I think the last time I wrote was before we went to Las Vegas.  We had an absolute RIOT in Vegas.  Morrey and I could easily become permanent fixtures in a place like that except for the fact that it costs mucho $.  It seemed as though the outside world was forgotten when we were there.  Morrey and I were like a couple of little kids w/ big eyes -- eating up all the sights and sounds w/ sheer delight.  We got seated right smack in front of Don Rickles in his show, and believe it or not we were chosen to sit there cause we were Jewish.  We sure got a ribbing from Rickles but it was fun and funny!  We saw 3 Vegas shows, which is the part of the vacation I enjoyed best.  Morrey enjoyed the gambling but I didn't go bananas over it, and after my initial tires I could have had a good time w/out the gambling.  People were sure friendly in Vegas, our hotel (The Frontier) was super, and Morrey and I are planning on going back for 1 week over Xmas vacation.  Really though Paul, it was our first big vacation in 5 years and we both felt it was well worth the money.

School is OK.  40 more school days or (DAZE) and we're done.  I'm really anxious for summer vacation when I can do all the things I've wanted to do and all the things I've put off doing.  I'm going to take private piano lessons this summer -- and hopefully I'll be able to play a piece all the way through using both hands.  I'm also going to tutor a few kids so I can pay for the piano lessons. Morrey and I are not taking a major vacation this summer.  Instead we'll take Fri-Mon weekends and to go the cottage in Pa.

It's amazing that my interests in the last few years have changed so much and are so varied. Morrey and I have had all our weekends planned ahead for months already.  Last weekend we called it quits w socializing and we stayed home together -- ALONE.  It was great.  We spent the whole day Sat in bed sleeping and watching TV.  Every once in a while you need time to yourselves to do absolutely 0.  We took the time and I'm glad.  I was refreshed when I came back to work on Mon. -- and Morrey and I both enjoyed the time together to think, talk and reflect on things.

Morrey is busy as a salesman and he likes it very very much.  We're both building a future right now and the challenge to do well is there.  I'm getting kind of "antsy" about living in an apartment. I'd love to buy a house.  But Morrey and money say NO right now.  My taste in houses is not cheap and we don't want to strap ourselves financially to a house just yet.  I've changed a lot Paul in the last few years.  I had to have things right away -- couldn't wait for anything.  Materials things really counted in a big way for me for the last 4 years.  But I guess I must feel more secure w/ myself and our future right now cause there isn't anything I really want and I'm willing to wait for the "big" things to come.  I guess that too many of our friends came up too fast.  They overspent and overbought and consequently have many worries and frustrations.  I guess I've just grown up a little Paul and growing means changing.

I hate to cut this letter short, but the period is almost over and I've got to go.  I didn't want you to think I'd forgotten about you.  Please write as soon as you can.

November 18, 1970 (Letter from Barb Lucia)

It's a bleak, windy and rainy November day and again I sit and wonder "What in the hell am I doing here???"  Have have you been?  I talked to Mardi Monday night -- get this -- she and Anderson are now in Las Vegas for a week, starting today.  Bill won the trip from the Star-Tribune, since he's such a lousy district manager.  But they'll get the last screw in the end because he has to work Christmas Day, so can't come home to Warren, Pa 16365!  Maybe he ca get out of it somehow, knowing Anderson.

I'm pretty sure I'm going home for Thanksgiving -- I'll be flying the nite of Wed, the 25th -- one week from today.  Will you be anywhere around Buffalo then?  I could really dig a ride home with you, since no telling where Timmy is and if he can come and my Dad doesn't know how to get there.  Will you call me and let me know?  You can call collect say, Sunday nite -- late.  I should be able to stay home Thurs-Fri-Sat and leave Sun. So I'll be sure to see you then -- we can go to Shorty's stoned for a real bummer.  I might bring a guy home -- he will freak at the sights and sounds of downtown Warren, Pa, "Hooterville" -- what can I say?  It's going to be ugly there now -- blah!  Sometimes I even wish we were back on Lake Street in 95 degrees bitching about who should take out the garbage -- where shall we live next summer?  California?!  There's nothing new to report from her e-- nothing is uglier than Boston in the winter except Buffalo in the winter.  Yech.

Take care, se you next week sometime -- will we be graced with Mike and Mark's presence this Thanksgiving, not to mention Joan -- old friends -- ???