June 13, 1977 (Letter from Cheryl)

Sittin here waitin for the old man to come home from work so I thought I'd drop ya a few lines. Haven't wrote in a long time, so I hope your still at the same place.

So how have you been doin?  Good I hope.  Have you gotten any time off from your work since I last heard from you?  It's the time of year for it.  I wish I could go hitching some place, but the urge will pass.

What's ya do over Memorial Day wk. end?  We went to this place called Camp Tuffet in Mont.  It's on Lake Mary Ronan. Sure was pretty up there.  Caught alot of salmon & they sure were good. Then on the way back we went threw the buffalo range.  Saw alot of em & got alot of good pictures.  Kids sure got a big kick out of it all.

Last wk. end was the annual "Lead Creek Derby Days" carnival & it was wild.  For 3 days there's a carnival, fireworks & a lot of drunk crazy partying people.  It really brings the people out of the walls.  We spent about $60 on rides, games & food but had one hell of a time.  Was drunk the hole time.  Not stumbling drunk, just fun drunk.  But I'm glad it only comes once a year.

Well I finally heard from George last month.  He got busted for 1st degree burglary in Portland. Guess they dropped the charges & just charged him with parole violation.  Got a questionnaire from him today -- he said that everyone thinks hell only get a yr. to 18 mo. but I bet he's there alot longer.  They've got the new prison all finished now too.  He had a lady in Portland & had been with her for a year almost.  He said he don't think she'll wait for him.  I don't either, not being that far away.  Unless you live right in Deer Lodge it's hard to wait a long period of time for someone, no matter how long you've been with em.  At least me & George are still friends.  I just wish he'd of kept his shit tog. & out of the joint.

Have you got any pot plants this year?  I've got about 60 up & they're all doin pretty good.  Have had alot of rain & hot humid weather & they really like that.  Just hope they don't get ripped off this year.  They have a habit of disappearing the past 2 yrs.  Is there alot of speed back there?  Boy I wish I had some.  For awhile it was pretty heavy but now no one has got any. I didn't say that cuz I wanted you to send some -- that'd be stupid.  I was just curious.  I really don't need it anyway, cuz we're trying to have a baby.  Been tryin for a couple months but nothing so far.  Maybe this month.

Some people we use to live with are back in Conn.  Jeannie hadn't seen her people for 5 yrs & when she left it was just a little town.  Now I guess it's really big.  She don't like it too well either, but they don't have gas money to come back.  I'd sure hat to be stuck back there.

Well, Paul, I've gotta go.  Don't think I'm gonna make it up till he gets here.  He's on nite shift for 2 wks & stayin' up from 8:00 A.M. til 1:00 or 2:00 p.m. ya get a little tired.  So take care & write soon & let me know how your doin.  Bye for now.

February 28, 1977 (Letter from Dave and Lyn)

 From the "Stone Age".  Seen at the Amherst Cinema.


Well we have had an extremely mild winter, so mild that it looks like a drought in the upcoming summer due to lack of snow.  We had a week of 50 weather just two weeks ago.

The new prison is ready except the facility is now too small  It was built to accommodate (imprison) 300 inmates, but the current population is over 400.  The sate is not sure what to do with the lever overs, parole?  Shades of Gary Gilmore, Montana has sentenced one to do soon.

This winter Lyn and I have been learning cross-country skiing.  We spent four days outside of Glacier Park during Christmas vacation gliding along the North Forks or bombing down hills.  The west side of the Park has some wondrous mountains that I could look upon all day.  Skiing in this manner is easy to learn.  This is my first time ever on skis.

We haven't been to a movie in ages, the last one I saw was Taxi Driver.  The film was intense, suspenseful, but violent.  I guess it was an accurate portrayal of a psychotic as well as an interesting study of life in the city of New York.  The film did have novel camera angles and interesting fade in and out shots.  I'm not sure why Americans enjoy violence but after seeing this film the most realistic ever I'm sure I will be cured for a time.

Rocky is playing in Butte, but I'm skeptical of a film that everyone likes, still I will probably go see the flick.

We have seen some dandy's on PBS television.  The original King Kong had some excellent animated footage of prehistoric animals.  Last week we watched a silent film about Ivan the Terrible made by a Russian in the early 1900s.  I'm sure you know who I am talking about.

This winter I have read Jane Eyre, This Hallowed Ground, and Even Cowgirls Get the Blues quite variety of subject matter there.

Levin is three now and is becoming more enjoyable due to his ability to communicate.  He presently enjoys learning nursery rhymes and simple songs.

We have been busy remodeling our house, especially the kitchen and bathroom.  New paint, sinks, counters, flooring, tile, tables, and work carts.

See you later.

September 23, 1976 (Letter from Debbie)

I just got your letter so I thought I'd sit down and write to you while I have a few spare minutes.  I did promise no more several month delays.

The weather here has been beautiful, for Michigan.  But I do miss Montana.  I think if I had lived my whole life there I would still miss it.  I loved Montana.  Someday, I'm dreaming again, I'll go back.

You asked "how special" my relationship is.  Well, that's hard to say.  I care for Hank an awful lot, too much for a gal who doesn't want to get "involved".  It's really a funny (strange) situation.  First of all, let me tell you about how I met him & the circumstances leading up to now.  I met him at a Parents Without Partners (PWP) Bi-Centennial carnival.  He was working on the kissing booth & I was working in the booth next to him.  He kept teasing me until I came over and bought a kiss. Wow!  Did he kiss! He was perfect for the job.  Anyway, I met him again that night at the dance. He took me out to breakfast afterwards.  We've been seeing each other since. Now comes the "cute" part.  When I met him he was living with another girl.  He had been trying to get her to leave for several weeks then.  Anyway, he gave her 2 weeks to move out.  So on her deadline she moved back home with her parents. Then one night during a PWP meeting Hank got a phone call from Marlene.  She said she got into a big fight with her parents and wanted to stay the night at his house.  He, being the kind of person he is, said ok.  Well here it is 6 weeks later and she's still there.  She told him the next day that her folks had kicked her out & it was because of him.  He told me last night he feels guilty because it was his fault she got kicked out.  So here I am in the triangle, Hank, Marlene, & me.  I don't know what to do or think.  He's a fantastic guy.  He's super with my kids, but I feel like I'm going with a married man.  I know he cares about me, but he is like you, "no commitments".  Sometimes I'd just like to say go away & leave me alone, but I can't.  I care too much.  So, I ask you, how special?  He gives me alot of good times & alot of heartache. Is that love?

I didn't mean to spend my whole time talking about Hank & me, sorry.  Well anyway let me know what you think.  Write soon & take care.

August 14, 1975 (Letter from Barb L)

Yes, it's been a while -- now that I have a few things settled my mind is free enough to write.  The last week just about did me in -- a pregnancy scare of the first magnitude.  I was really getting anxious -- 12 days late & good reason to worry.  But, never fear -- I got my period Monday nite -- have been celebrating for 2 days & nites.  Whew!  Did I ever write to you about Jeff? -- the guy I work with at the workshop, he's from California -- did a thing w/ him this spring & we had a little reunion last month but I've learned my lesson with him -- no more involvement.

I've come to the conclusion that I've been acting irrationally for some time -- don't know exactly what to do about it.  If I was that kind of a person I'd to go a psychiatrist & say "Fix me up", but that's not my trip.  I can't really explain what's been happening in my head -- kind of a subject/object conflict -- I can see two opposite points of view on every single issue in my life & experience a desire or need for each solution -- both of which are opposite!  Simple example -- I feel a strong urge for warmth, fellowship, sharing & settling down at the same time that an equally strong urge for travel, exploration & danger manifests itself.  My old method of going on instead cannot solve the dilemma.  I can't even find the true instinct!  Rationality doesn't help -- a rational solution never satisfies the emotional side.  It's very perplexing & extends to all areas, not just the one narrow one I've shown you.  It must be middle 20's menopause so famous in friends & acquaintances.  As a highlight to this slate, I am going up to Boston next week & am staying at Rick's.  That relationship endures despite everything -- don't know why at this point.  Going to see him pregnant would have been better melodrama but bad living.

I am racking my brain still on how to come out there, & how to get out of my job long enough to do it.  My current wish (?) is to go back with you in September & then to fly back.  What do you think of that one?  I can't do it this month because I can't get any time off more than 2 or 3 days.  Every summer I seem to find myself indispensable in some job or other working every day while the sun shines.  Of course you know the feeling by now, but it's not that bad of late.

Your recent letters have been well-written and interesting but there seems to be a distance there -- maybe it's the objectivity of your point of view.  I can't find any expression of feelings in your writings of late, but maybe that's what your aiming for.  Your commentary on Michael came as no surprise -- I have no unconquerable urge to go & tell anyone about it. I hope he's calm now & happier. I know it's a hard thing to accept for him, as it would be for anyone, but especially someone as sensitive as Mike.  My only concern would be the callousness you find in that life, as I've seen affect Tonie & others I've known.  I sure hope Mike doesn't have to go through that aspect.

Your idea of collating and editing your letters sounds like a familiar fantasy.  I don't know now if I could force myself to go through the past that closely, but finding the patterns would be good, really good.  Our correspondence has been somewhat erratic -- it seems to come in spurts, but maybe it 's my letter-writing habits of the last couple years -- my letters are few & far between now, but I've kept up the journal I started 2 1/2 years ago.  Even in that I find that it's the same pattern -- spurts of writing with a time lapse in-between.  Seems like when the feelings are in movement then the writing begins, but when things are calm & ordinary there's no need for it.  With discipline the writing would take place constantly but I admit I don't exert it.

Would you cre to hear some Warren news?  There's not much!  Mardi & Mardi are in Maine for their vacation.  Haven't seen Mardi much this summer due to social plans, etc. (of hers), plus I'm not living in town.  Did I ever tell you I moved?  I got a trailer on Jackson Ave. Ext. at the end of June -- it's up near Scandia Road (Fifth Ave. Ext.) - -it's the last dwelling on this road & from here on it's farms & woods.  It's small but not bad.  I have a garden & a yard & Harry & Sanchez like it! The only drawback is always driving anywhere, so I don't know what will happen when winter comes.  I like the privacy most of the time but miss the easy access to people and places.   I have been going more to Scandia area lately than Warren, except to go to work.  I go up to Timmy's farm to swim or to Well's Ferry on Roper Hollow.  I'd be much more content to stay home if there was water around here.  I miss the ocean!  I've never gone though a summer without it in 6 years!  I feel landlocked.  But I get to be near it next week, even if only for a day.

Here's my address now:
1034 Jackson Ave Ext
Warren
726-2538

Back to local news -- Joan is leaving Meadville next month.  She still doesn't have her divorce due to Freddie's blocking of it but is leaving anyway.  Latest I heard was Atlanta & she has a job offer there.  She really needs to relax & let go & I think a city will do it for her.

I don't know what's happening w/ your brother, Dale.  Every once in a while I see something in the paper about it.  I guess it will go to court & I wish him luck with Judge Wolfe.

Can't think of any more news!  You probably know more of what's going on in Warren than I do -- I'm oblivious to it all usually -- I live in my own little world no matter where I am.  Right now it's a trailer on Jackson Ave!

I'm running a bath & about ready to go to bed -- haven't had much sleep lately -- (5 or 6 days).   Now it's relax time, or crash time, whatever you call it.

Thanks for your letters, even though you got no answers --

I will be seeing you in about a month -- the last time was sitting on your porch on the 4th of July a year ago -- seems like 5 at least.  I'm looking forward to th is one!

P.S.  Write & encourage or discourage the idea of going back with you to Montana in Sept.  I don't want to infringe on your free movement.

P.S. again!

Am re-reading Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig.  Absolutely intriguing book.  I'm searching for some good reading -- you know there's nowhere to go & look for some around here  Any recommendations?

February 19, 1975 (Letter from Gordon)

I'm mailing today another package of newspapers.  I no longer get the Guardian or the Militant  so all there is are Berkeley Barb and Panther.  Also one more poster.

Did you get the last package?  Would appreciate a card of acknowledgement each time so I know you got them and can still use them.

If for some reason you don't take them to the MSP guys, I know university places would like them, once you're through with them, like Freddy's Feed and Read in Missoula.

My Northwest history job here is fairly dominating.  If I were out of debt I'd prefer to haul my trip out to the mountains on the coast and bum around for the summer.  Who knows, I may be enabled to do that, since federal funds for my present position end May 30th and I am not sure if they'll be able to refund me beyond that.  (The probability is high, but not guaranteed.)

Are you still funded by money transferred from the Dept of Institutions?  Let me know if you get involved with the Deer Lodge Library.  Visit it sometime and ask to see their basement.  I made an inventory of their gov docs.

P.S.  We will be subscribing to the Great Fall Tribune, finally, starting in mid-April.

It is depressing working in an institution (city library) that you know is completely ignored by native people...however, we strive constantly to staff and supply it as if they were to descend on us any minute.  I'm really quite alienated from the whole Euroamerican thing (mentally and mind-set).

Greetings to all at MSP.  With the weather shortly to improve, you will find a love affair starting between yourself and Montana!

My memories of MSP men are sharp, as if graven in metal.  To tell the truth, I was really an "inmate" in disguise!

Wrote a letter to the Missoulian, which probably wasn't printed.

February 7, 1975 (Letter from Grayce)

This is the closest I could get to Sweden.  I just don't like to see such nice pictures go to waste and we get so many of them at the library.  Be prepared!  You just never know what may turn up next....

I think I have reached (although I never thought it possible) a new level of boredom.  I am sick, again!  I don't understand it, at all.  I usually get sick once a year, right before Xmas and I've already done that this year.

Brook was very sick at New Year's and I was rather pleased with myself that I never got what he had -- until now, anyway.  I have exactly the same symptoms and they have appeared in exactly the same sequence.  We figure that this bug must have a month of more incubation time.

On Wednesday, I got up early and went to the bank and all of a sudden when I got home I felt terrible but I was still going to work.  But by 2:30 when I started to get ready, I knew I would never make it up the hill.  So I called in sick and I've been in bed ever since.  On Wednesday night I had a very high fever (102) and had terrible dreams.  I can't remember them but I remember that they were frightening.  Now the fever is gone, but my throat is really raw and I have a cough.

I've read 2 books (long ones) and I'm being subjected to daytime TV (yech!)  Pgh doesn't show old movies in the afternoons the way Philly does.  So I watched "Rolling for Dollars", "Hollywood Squares" and the 12 o'clock news (a little bit of reality, you understand).

Now "Split Second" is on -- it's not so bad because the questions are pretty interesting.  Of course, the commercial are great.  I've just been told how to cope with "The Naked Hamburger". Actually, all of this would not be so bad, if only I felt like doing something.  I just have no energy or strength.

I think on the news last night that it was -11 in Montana.  A warm spell, huh?

9 February 1975 - Well, here I am, again!  I feel much better today.  Yesterday I thought I would go mad.  It was Saturday and the first day I didn't feel like death warmed over and Brook was home to keep me company and things were starting to look up.  (For awhile, anyway!)  Brook and I decided to play Scrabble.  (This is one of the few games I am really competitive about.)  Now, Brook doesn't like "words" in the same way that I don't like "numbers" so it involves considerable sacrifice for him to play Scrabble.  But he's very good at it (he plays "strategically" if you can believe that!) and I really have to think hard to keep up with him.  Anyway, w hen Brook got a 64! point word yesterday!!!I got so excited I tried to jump up and being in a semi-lotus pose I pulled a muscle in my side.  I really saw stars.  I couldn't stand up straight for almost an hour.  Actually,l this wasn't very funny,  but it seemed so hysterical at the time.  I seem to be ok now (knock wood).  I've just never had so many things wrong with me at one time.  I'm such a klutz!  Brook said I have to be the only person on earth to hurt herself playing Scrabble.

10 February - I guess this is another bits and pieces effort.  It's really cold (for here).  I don't know firsthand since I can't go out, but on the news they said that parts of western Pa had -20 weather last night.  It was only -3 in Pgh -- but that's not too common here, either.

I haven't been to GSLIS since before Christmas.  I hope Kate isn't really bad.  I'll call her today. She's awfully hard to reach by phone, though.

You dream sounds pretty scary.  My grandmother says when you have a dream about death it means good luck!  And if you dream about a baby then death is involved.  I don't know. My grandmother definitely is psychic.  This is just one instance.  When I was in a car accident, she was at this resort at the shore she goes to for a month each year.  There is no phone and no one called her because she didn't know and they didn't want her to worry.  The next morning she was at Bryn Mawr hospital to see me!  (Bryn Mawr is near Villanova and at least 15 miles from where my parents live and even if she knew I was in a hospital, she would never know which one. When I told my parents she had come, they were astounded!  When I asked her how she knew, she just smiled her queer little smile and said "I knew">  Whew!  My father said she almost always knew everything when they were little, too.  Remind me sometime to tell you about her silverware set.

I think your philosophy of work is great.  I mean, why should a fight increase someone's sentence when if they had a scuffle on the street someone would just break it up and everyone would go home and no trouble  right?  Don't worry -- who would I tell?

How is Sue?  What's she doing? Wasn't Forsman's contract dropped?  That's the only thing I heard.  I never really cared anyway.  I think Forsman has more problems than someone who is trying to "change things" should have.

Well -- another letter.  By the way, I get home around 11:00 on Wednesday nighits.

P.S.  I finally broke down and bought a loom!  I'm so excited I can hardly see straight!  It's small (20") and it's primitive but it was dirt cheap ($20).  Spendo the magnificent lives!

October 25, 1974 (Letter from Barb Nelson)

Central Avenue, Great Falls Montana

Photo taken September 1974

Hello.  How have you been?  What's the weather like in Montana?

I did write you a letter a few weeks ago, but I never mailed it to you for some reason   Sorry about that Paul.  Then I went home and didn't have too much time to do anything but relax.

Now that you have been in Montana for a month or so what are you impressions?  What have you been doing in your spare time.   Sightseeing?  Mom and Larry told me you planned to do some writing in the near future.  What particular type of writing do you plan to do?  They said short stories but in what form?  It should be interesting to read some of your stories. I hope you have enough patience to be able to accomplish what you start to write.  I work under a second class photographer who just got booted out of the photo lab because of his behavior.  They said his work was excellent but his attitude was very immature for a 22 year old man.  He gets all excited over an incident and acts irrationally before he has a chance to think matters through.  He could try to understand why he is in the situation he's in.  It's hi own fault.

I had a nice visit at home.  It took me 11 hours to get home and by the time I got there my head was all in knots.  I did decide to move back on base and stay there, after I had a talk with the family.  Larry and I got to talking about saving our money and then going in on some land together. I will sell my car in the near future and pay off my college loan.  Then I will put away more money for the future.  With a goal in mind I'll be able to withstand the Navy for three more years.  Then Larry and I talked about going to Sweden, after I get out of the Navy, if we weren't married by that time.

So I'm doing fine at Norfolk.  I work in cleaning, but it is my choice.  I scrub the stairs every morning and usually run officers around base.  It's not too bad of a job for the moment.  I'll have to see what opportunity arises in the future.

I will start handywork.  I have three orders for sweaters already.  I want to learn to crochet because I have found some cute patterns.

I already know what I'm making for you, Larry, and Dale for Xmas.  I will have to find the right material.

Well, that's about it for now.  Take care and have a happy birthday.

August 27, 1974 (Letter from Leslie)

Am sitting here listening to WRPI and the music they are playing is wiping me out.  "Countdown to Ecstasy" continues to fascinate me with Joni Mitchell's "Court and Spark"  carrying on at a parallel level.  Good musicianship is soothing to my ear.  I think you are one of the possible few who have the same feelings about music that I do and I really miss listening to it with you.  I missed having your presence in touch with me and I am glad to begin again.

Today classes started again, strange to be in school again and yet the feel of fall approaching and classes starting is quite ingrained especially scenes from Buffalo.  At fall old memories are recalled with clarity and passion.

By the end of the month I had to have my car inspected so I called yesterday and made arrangements to have it don today.  I got to the garage at twenty of nine and left it about 12:10.  The man said I needed 3 new tires and he went to price some tire for me.   I was not surprised -- I had noticed thin spots and had hoped they would go away.  Also the power steering was beginning to leak very bad so I had them repair that and I bought 5 new tires for the Dart.  Had changed the oil on Sunday so now I feel like I have a new car.  Of course, I paid for it cheerfully with my Amoco charge card.

Last Sunday was Women's Day celebration in Washington Park and it was an incredibly beautiful and satisfying day.  The sun was beaming and I just soaked it up for hours.  The first time I went with Carol and Rob and we walked around for a couple hours and then we went back for lunch and then Carol and I went bike riding (have some great houses to show you) and ended up watching a women's softball game in the park.  It was just one of those days that felt like there should be no work tomorrow only another day in the sun.  After that we rode back and the three of us had dinner together with Carol doing the cooking.

Yesterday I made banana bread using Carol's roommate's recipe.  I had forgotten that my mother had given me 7 bananas so they became very ripe, too ripe to eat as a banana.  I did not want to throw them out so thought about making banana bread.  Haven't baked in a long time and it felt good to be setting out my ingredients and pre-heating the oven.  It came out delicious and the batter made three good size loaves.  Put one in the freezer box -- excuse me a minute WRPI is playing this incredible song "Nixon's the one he is the only one we believe in Nixon N I X O N Nixon's the only one", all with a chorus and orchestration and a marching band at the end.  Whew can't believe that.  Back to the bread, one in the freezer one is being eaten and I'm giving the other one to Robin and Carol.  Next time I bake I will send you a sample as I will then have your address.

Soda is curled and purring in my lap.  I wish you were in my lap.

"Itchycoo Park" by Small Faces.  Have heard it before but didn't know who did it.  Also "I Can't Explains" by David Bowie -- didn't know he did that.  Well will pick up the pen later.

(9-30-74) -- I keep putting off writing to you -- there are a lot of things I want to say and I guess it doesn't matter what order they come in.  Obviously things have changed since I wrote the first part of the letter.

The day your letter arrived I knew it was coming, but I was not prepared for what you had to say.  I can't say if I was really surprised or not though I know I can't say I'm glad it's over.  I just feel very sad that we were never together when we should have been.  For over a year and a half we have seen each other very briefly and it's just made our relationship an impossibility.  Even before that I did not see you on a very regular basis so it is no wonder that you have not fallen in love with me. 

What the hell did you want with me?  Why was there so much ambiguity on your part?  When you did not write by the end of May I thought that it was over, but then you called and then later I saw you in New York City.  I really thought that you wanted to try again and now I get your letter.  I feel sad and I feel frustrated as hell.

I feel very upset -- seeing you again was like coming home.  I forgot how many of the same things we enjoyed and how nice it was to be held and to make love with you.  I would have come to you in Montana after I had graduated.   I'm glad you didn't wait until I came out to visit you in November to tell me this.  At the present time there is not much use in my coming to visit you.

I don't want to be friends and occasionally lovers.  I wanted to be lovers first and then friends.  I still do but if you have finally made up your mind, then you have made up your mind.  I'm not happy but I do not want to break off all contact with you yet, I am expecting you to write back and perhaps explain yourself a little better.

That's all I have to say right now -- I don't  feel like chatting about music.  Please note, I have moved -- maybe I will explain at a later day why.  My new address is:  14 Kent St. Albany, N.Y. 12206.  I'm not living with Robin and Nancy -- Carol lives downstairss.

September 26, 1974 (Letter from Mardi)

Just a quick note while I'm relaxing, baby is sleeping for the time being and I've already taken my "nappy poo".  All goes well here, Marti's mother arrive Sat and will be staying till Oct 10, so she's been spoiling me right along with Matthew!

Called Barb a couple of weeks ago and she's ready to leave Boston for good, unfortunately the money problem is bad.

Mike is working at some hospital in California, how he's doing is hard to say.

Right now Marti and Matt are waiting to hear about their settlement on the store.  We have blueprints made up and the ideas ready so soon we will be working day and night remodeling the new store -- last year it was the house -- will there be no end?!!!!  It's going to be very "trying" --- There can't be much more that can possibly happen this year.  73-74 has definitely been action packed!

So how is the job going?  It sounds as if it goes well fo ryou.  Have becomes accustomed to the "faces" now?

(9-30-74) - Thought I'd better get this out before I get further behind in my letter-writing!  Matthew was baptized Sun and he was so funny!  Thank heavens he was good.

Time is going to fast I can't believe it.  It's going on a month!  I'll have to send a photo, he's getting so big, you'll never know what he looked like by the time you may see him!

Sorry this is so short but with Marti's mom here I seem to have more to do!  Ya know?

We've gotten started on the "new store" and it's really going to be a great improvement.  Any new ideas from out Montana way?  We're open for anything!

I must go and put the baked macaroni in the oven -- SLIM!  I only have 8 lbs to lose so I'm really doing the old exercises.  No more coke, pepsi, pizza!  FOR SHAME.  Had a corn roast Sat nite and ate about half a dozen ears!  Would you believe we went to Washington Park?  I thought it would be overgrown with scrubs but it was really nice and it was a warm nite, which we haven't had in awhile.  I think the last time I was at Washington Park was about 1969!?

I really gotta gotta go -- Take care!

When do you think you'll be getting back around here?  The only way to get home around the holidays in either have a month off or to fly -- CHEAP!

The poopies say hi.

Matthew says hi.

The poopies didn't know what to think of Matthew at first but we haven't had any problems -- I think they think he's a toy!

September 17, 1974 (Letter from Ken and Denise)

We received your letter on the 7th or 8th of September, and had read it both together.  We are both writing this letter to you, so we will introduce whom is writing to your at each new paragraph. There are a lot of things going on between the both of us, and DOLLAR DATE.

Last week we answered an ad for models.  So we called, and they told us to come down and apply.  We went down on a Monday, and scheduled to work the following day, which was Tuesday. I was (Denise) (better known as Neecy, my new name) modeling on Tuesday.  Oh yea, by the way, we're nude modeling.  Both of us.  It's really exciting.  I was so excited about it the first time. You should experience it once in your life.

Right now, we are smoking grass, and trying to get stoned, or at least high.  We bought a lid from Koerbers, and it is really shitty!  Is it easy to get grass in Montana?  Have you smoked any while you've been there?  Kenny's smoking mainly to feel better, cause he's got a terrible cold at the present time.

Oh, guess what happened today?  Well, when I was modeling today, I was sitting on a bike that was too big for me.  When I sat on the bike, my feet wouldn't even reach the floor.  Well, we took a break and I got back on the bike, but in the process of reaching the seat the bike tipped, fell next to me where I fell. I'm in the nude when all this is happening.  That was a day to experience. Because I got up at 6:00 to get down there and find out that I'm not scheduled for that day.  I got home, and got a call from the agency to find out that they want me back down because they can use me.  So I finally got to model.

DOLLAR DATE is coming along really good.  At the present time, we are in the process of opening up a branch office in Harrisburg, in Morgantown, W. Va., and one in Boston Mass.  We have two other people working for us, as far as getting memberships.  One of them is a male cab driver, and a female student  trying to earn a little money.  We've practically hired the one in W.Va.  We are almost to the point where we'll break even.  All we need is about a month.

Paul -- Hi.  This is Ken.  We have this letter in the typewriter and we each are taking turns when we feel in the mood to do some typing.  As you can see, there are a lot of mistakes, especially on my part, but we figured that you wouldn't mind and so as mistakes occur, I just keep typing.  I guess that Neecy must have told you in the prior pps. that we are doing some nude modeling.  We get work whenever and as often as we wish to exhibit our really neat bodies.  It is an experience that is really far far out.  I love it.  After the class is over, every girl in the room tries to get you to take her home and fuck her.

No letter would be complete if I were not to give you the latest on the invincible DOLLAR DATE. We now have a total of 102 paid members.  Some of the chicks coming into the program are really sharp little girls.  I should have opened this business when I was single.  My god, some of these chicks are really nice.  AHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhh.,.....Hope Denise doesn't read this part!

Next month we will be even with all investments which will be right on schedule.  We were now offered $7000 for the whole business.  International Date Match is now out of business.  Fuck them.....

Have you found a place to live yet?  I hope so.  I bet that you are really enjoying your job at the prison.  It is a two fold experience for you.  I am really glad that you are working in a prison.  It may have a lot to do with your future.  You will learn from the cons as well as provide them an educational service.  Some of your ideas the goals I am sure will change.  It is good also that you are working in a minimum security joint as there is no fear of large scale riots.  Please do not judge all prisons on the basis of what you experience there and you must keep the same attitude and open mind about that various cons as individuals.  Never let someone convince you to do an outside favor.  Once you do, you are done for.  I am sure you are all aware of this anyway but I thought that I might mention it.  You are going to be up against minds that can talk the brass off a fucking knob!

I now turn the typer over to Neecy.   --------Hi Paul, how are you today?  I don't know if Kenny told you that today is Sunday, Sept. 22, 1974, but it is,.  We're going over to my aunt's house for dinner today.  Isn't that great!!!!  We have two main courses, spaghetti and roast, with mashed potatoes and gravy.  Well, we went, and it was great.  Th ere was stuffed cabbage, and it was really good.  We got some to bring home with us.

I am how informing you of latest news happening with the Walleys.  The Koerber has a home out in North Hills and wants Kenny to take care of it.  It's really great out there.  There is two acres of land out there, with a real lot to it.  At the present time, the house has no one living out there, and the house itself is a wreck!  We are going to fix it up and live there maybe.  Ike wants us to care for it cause he got a job offer in Washington, D.C.  The house is really fantastic, and there can be a lot done with it.

When we went over to my aunts place, I unpacked a hope chest, full of things for the home, and some of my other things.  My mother's wedding dress was in there, and Kenny couldn't understand why it would be very important to my aunt.  But when we got home, I tried the dress on, and it fits like it was made for me.  Kenny really likes it now, and he thinks that it is the best thing in there.

We really like the warm letter you sent us.  Be sure to answer this one.

August 21, 1974 (Letter from Grayce)

Reeves Memorial Library

Seton Hill College

"My home's in Montana, I wear a bandana, my spurs are of silver, my pony is gray."  Little joke (heh, heh).  After a whole 8 hours of smiling at "faculty workshop" and anticipating the same for another 8 tomorrow, it's the best I can do.

Seriously though, I am very happy that you got that job and one which (shall I be gutsy and say it?) you are well suited for (sorry about the dangling prep -- I guess I'd better clean up my act for an English major?!)

What have you been doing at home?  How are you going to get your stuff out -- 2 trips?  Dites-moi! -- obviously, you are going to have to write me in answer to these burning questions.

Now for what I've been doing (yawn, sigh, per usual).  I won't bore you (Paul says good!) with details, but suffice it to say that last week's hassles and tortures took on the manifestations of a terminal nervous disorder in combination with psychotic tendencies in my personality (my hand verily shakes as I write, just thinking of it).  I have decided that I'm either going : 1) to have a wedding which I like (a very small possibility); 2) to have a wedding which everyone else likes (at the beginning of which I will have Ange administer 10 Valium tablets and at the end of which I will say, "Is it over now?") Very likely!;  3) to have a nervous breakdown.  You must have gathered from the above that "keep your head when all about you are losing theirs" fits not me -- but maybe some negative G. Marazzo that exists elsewhere?  The possibility has occurred to me.

Actually, you would be wise to disregard this whole letter -- it being the product of a fevered mind. Living in 3 places in one (yer) (actually, I really do speak English) day, is not good for me.  I don't like change, unless I cause it, and the effect is unsettling.

The grounds here are beautiful and quiet (antithesis of Tower C), just what I need (a rest home?) to put a frew things in perspective.  My room is gorgeous -- has inside oak shutters -- I will try and send a picture if I can (aren't you thrilled?).  There are nice quiet little nooks where one can go alone and think -- which I haven't done lately very much.l  There is a little place outside where you would love the view -- just miles of it.  I will also try and capture it for you.  Maura Hall has lots of neat places.  (Maybe you've already seen it -- did you visit Barb here?)

Well, I'll be going.  I will get mail quicker if you mail it here c/o Reeves Memorial Library S.H.C. Greensburg 15601 ok?  Take care and write when you can.  I really envoy hearing form you.