April 26, 1977 (Letter from Grayce)

I'm really happy to hear that you are beginning to appreciate Philly!  It's about time!  Actually, I guess it has to grow on you.  I did have 22 years, didn't I?

Today I got a new sewing machine.  I'm awfully in awe of it still.  It's a Viking 6000 -- with lots of fancy stitches.  Hearts & flowers & xxx's etc. etc.  My other machine cost me $85, 5 years ago & it was all I could possibly afford at the time.  This one costs $800, but it's on sale for $650 -- which is still a lot!  But I decided to really splurge, or rather, Brook decided that I could -- especially, since I do make all my clothes.  I'm sure in a year or 2, it will pay for itself.  It's guaranteed for 30 years, so I imagine I'll have it for at least that long.  (Or my heir will, at least.)  Brook paid the 1/3 for my birthday, and I'm going to pay for the rest with money I make at told old Sears!  When you think of it, you pay $5000 for a car (or less) & it lasts for a few years.  (10 at most.)  So that's my rationale for spending so much on a sewing machine.  Spendo the magnificent LIVES!!!

I've been so busy lately. I always seem to have a surge of energy in April but this is ridiculous -- I've been working at least 3 days/week, sometimes 5.  Next week we have an inspection of our displays by the "big boss" from Salt Lake City, so I've been told I'll work every day til then (except Sunday) from 8 AM to 6 PM & also til 11 or 12 the night before the inspection.  Yech!  I'm not really looking forward to this, but the overtime money won't hurt, I suppose!

Also, Linda (my "boss") is in an art show on May 15th & is going to hire me to do all her matting (which will take about 2 8-hr days).  And then she's talking about us both entering things in a craft fair this summer & I don't have anything prepared for that, at all.  So I guess I'd better start weaving, etc.  If only I could channel my interests into 1 thing right now & complete it.   I feel very scatterbrained about so much -- even about little everyday things.  I don't feel like doing anything routine -- like cleaning.  And as I look around me, this house certainly shows it!  If I were home more, it would bother me to see things out of place, but right now I seem to overlook them very well.  Actually, I can't sit in a place very long -- maybe it's the weather, which has been too gorgeous for words, but I'm ANTSY!!

Lately, even on my few days off, I feel that I have to go somewhere, so I've been walking from our house to the Holiday Inn (2 miles each way) when I feel this way & that calms me down a little. (Or rather, tires me out so I don't feel so crazy!)  I'm hoping to work my way to the 2 1/2-3 mile point each way -- maybe after the inspection this next week.

I'm sure this letter is completely incoherent & I do apologize, but I'll try not to make you read any more of this now, ok?  I promise to be better next time!  If only it would rain once or twice, then I'd feel more settled, I know.

March 15, 1977 (Letter from Grayce)

Part of a double bill, "Cornbread, Earl & Me" being the other feature, at a West Springfield second-run theater.


These pass 2 weeks have been incredibly good ones for me!  My horoscope (a very accurate one which I sent away for) said March would be very active & it certainly has been, so far!  It all started with a premonition 2 Sundays ago.  I have to call it a premonition, because I felt a positive PUSH to go out that day & buy a newspaper -- something I only very rarely do!  Brook was working & I went to get a paper & I opened it up & the first thing I saw was an ad for a display assistant at Seat her in the Mall.  It sounded like it was something I'd like.  So on Monday, I casually walked into Sears, asked about the job, was interviewed & an hour later, they called me & told me I had the job.  I was amazed, since there were so many applicants!  Actually, the girl who interviewed me is my boss & we just got along very well & seemed to have some things in common.  Anyway -- I started yesterday & it's going to be a d day per week thing (although I'll have t work a full week once in awhile, but my hours are very flexible, which is always nice.  I can start as early as I want, after I know what I'm doing more.  I do all signs for display & also help make up the displays & I'm also responsible for the printmaking for sales, ads, etc.   So far, I've just been making signs, which has been interesting & they really keep me busy -- which I like!  Part of my job will also be to make sure the different department keep their displays neat & their decorations in order, etc.  I'm not sure I'll like doing that, but I suppose after I know people better, I can adjust.  I'm just happy to have a job that is consuming, right -- now.  I'll still have time for crafts.  (Although no sewing 'cause a part on my machine coked out & the man says it'll take 6 months [no one hurries here] to get it replaced.  There goes my new summer wardrobe!)  I guess it doesn't matter too much.  I can wear anything I like here most of the time (& most of the time, that's jeans of course!) because I get so dirty.  Yesterday I came home looking like a person who might have been trapped in a coal mine!!!  It does feel good to get right into something with your hands, though, instead of sitting somewhere doing the same stuff all day -- every day.  And the atmosphere in the display room is great -- free & open & I feel at home there already.  (Odd, since It usually takes me longer than 2 days to get used to new physical surroundings.)  Well, enough about the job....

Brook bought me an aquarium & some fish to keep me company.  A dog would be a responsibility I'm not prepared to accept right now.  Maybe later on.

The fish are really beautiful & I just love watching then.  I can just sit there forever!!  I've even begun  to discern separate personalities among them.  Their traits are most noticeable when they are fed -- especially their aggressive & survival instincts.  I'd like to get some angelfish soon -- maybe in a month.  But, they may be difficult to care for.  I'll have to find out more about them.  They don't go for walks, but....

Last Saturday night, I had some of Brooks' chums over for dinner.  Most of them are single & eat dinner every night at the site cafeteria (where 2 have gotten ptomaine poisoning!), so they were really appreciative of a "home-cooked" meal.  We all had a good time.  I really liked all of them. (I've always been wary of engineers, for some reason -- some of the ones I know at V.U. were such zombies! & seemed to have no soul!)  They were all so different, and interesting.  Brook had told a few that I had Tarot cards & they all wanted their cards read (which was fine with me, since you can find out so much about a person that way.)  They weren't too skeptical, either, as I had suspected they would be.  Anyway, it was fun.  John Taggart told me he might be coming home with Brook a lot in the next few months.  I told him, in that case, I'd have to starting taking a few lessons from the "ptomaine kings" at the site.

Well, that's about all this time.

P.S.  I've got you beat.  I have $1.78 in my piggy bank.