August 18, 1977

Thought I'd write to you on my "Harrod's" paper this time!  One of my friends has been in London this summer and has sent me goodies, this being among them.

Your bike sounds really nice!  I'm glad you got a chance to buy it.

Please rest assured --  I've read some of Boorstin's The Americans -- but only the 1st book about the Colonial Experience.  I wish I had more time to read right now, but after having lots of free time before I started work, I now have lots less -- especially since I've been getting into so much print-making.  I feel like I have a new career -- or at least a part-time one -- and a fairly lucrative one!  So far, I've sold 2 of my weavings, 2 water colors and about 7 of my prints.  And I have a few more orders now that I'll have to work on.  I'm especially happy that all this business has just come by word of mouth.  I keep meaning to get a bunch of stuff together & take it to a gallery here or maybe in Jackson & letting them sell for me but (and I'm not complaining) I keep selling things & I never seem to have enough left to bring to the gallery!  I showed one (my first) print to a guy at work that I'm friends with & he bought it & then several of his friends wanted them & then other people at Sears asked to see my other stuff, too.  So....it's been quite a 2 weeks!  I feel as though at least I won't starve if I need to support myself.  I've been looking at library ads lately & honestly, there are3n't too many who'd want me, I'm sure!!!  That scares me a little 'cause I don't think I'd enjoy selling pencils with a "thought for the day" printed on them on some street corner (as I had planned to do after grad from V.U. with my philosophy degree.)

Are you familiar with the Strathmore Paper Co. in West Springfield?  If not don't even read this next paragraph.  If so -- & if you ever go by there -- could you ask the prices of their rice paper?  I used to get it from Yasutomo in S. F. but they've gone wholesale & don't deal with individuals now.  I'd like to buy i bulk since indiv. sheets range from 57 cents to 95 cents here at the art store.  Maybe you could ask if they have a catalogue and/or samples?

If this is too much trouble, could you just send me the address?  I can't seem to find it!  I'm sorry I'm such a pest -- but of course, you already know that, by now, huh?  What a masochist you must be!  (heh, heh)

This guy at work, Ron Shaw, is really neat.  (I mentioned above that he'd bought one of my prints -- but that's not Why I think he's neat.)  Anyway -- he's really interested in words & I mentioned your job to him (he's an interior decorator) & he thinks it just sounds like heaven.  He said he saw a word once -- he's not exactly sure if he remembers how it was spelled, but it was probably Gallianacious (after some king Gallian, he thinks, who was an arrogant man.)  So -- anyway -- do you know what it means -- or if that's the correct spelling?  Of course, I know you love to do these little things, since you don't have anything else to do, huh?  Paul says, "*-/#....."

Paul, have you been keeping up with your piano practicing?

I'm really up in the air about where we will be after our trip to Calif.  Half of me (the stable half) wants to stay here & grow roots & build up an art business and develop friendships which I've started just recently, and the other, crazy half, wants to go -- just for the sake of going, somewhere, just to experience, you know what I mean!  I'm sure, also, this half wants to see people I can't see out here.  Of course, this crazy half will just hide when it's time to pack & move again.  That's one of my least favorite thing about going anywhere.  That, and finding another place to live -- which I don't enjoy, especially in a strange city.

Oh well, none of this ranting will accomplish anything.  We could stay here, I suppose, but Brook's 4 hours on the bus/day is starting to wear on us both.  If it weren't for that plus all the overtime, plus all the crazy hours, we'd like it here fine.  Right now, I'm awfully glad that we got the chance to come out there, but I want Brook to have more free time, which is very important to him.

So, time will tell, I guess.  My letters haven't exactly been profound lately, either.

May 15, 1975 (Letter from Barb)

Montana 1975

Hello.  I got back from my vacation to Atlanta.  Carla and I had a good time.  We took an eleven hour side trip down to Venice, Fla.  I got a little bit of sun.

My next trip will be home for the summer.  I plan to make it home the last part of July and the beginning of August.  I don't want to go home when Dad will be gone.  I'd like to make it to Warren sometime before, but I can't afford going home for such a short period of time.

Mom and Dad were talking of what we were to do.  They mentioned driving to New England.  So I hope to have an enjoyable time with the folks.

I bought a 10-speed bicycle today at the Marine Exchange for $76.  It is an AMF and it looks like a decent bike.  M.D. and Melody paid $150 for their bikes.  I can't see spending that much money on a bike.  Now I hope to get my rebate check so I'll be able to eat.

I got $6.00 more this paycheck.  I guess the govt is feeling quite guilty.  I will start getting my two year pay on the 11th of July.  I didn't even consider that money in my budget.  My goal is to save $1800  by September 30.

When do you plan to sell your car or purchase a new car?  What sort of condition is your car in?  If you want to buy a newer car and your car is still in some sort of condition would you consider selling it to me?  I don't want a car at the moment.  My bike will do fine, but I would like something in the fall.  I don't want to get anything fantastic.  Just something that will run.  I plan to live off base within next spring.  I'd like to get transferred somewhere away from Norfolk.

I want to start to get into a routine where I will be able to get involved in working with the land. (gardening, etc.)  At the moment I am at a standstill living in the barracks.  I would like to start feeling like I have a home of my own.  It's nice to save money for the future, but I don't want to by-pass my life now.

I heard your comment about the North Pole.  I guess we all get frustrated in some ways, but it's nice to be able to get made and really enjoy what we have with all that is going on in this crazy world now.  I'm just glad to be me.

I finally got to see Carla and I hope to see Max in the fall.  There isn't too many others I care to see.  But when is the last time I saw you?  It's been so long.  I'll have to visit you sometime, but I don't think I'll be able for awhile.  Are you going to take a vacation this summer?