February 3, 1975 (Letter from Renee)

Wow!  I can't believe you answered my letter so quickly.  Things must be pretty quiet out there in Montana.  Needless to say, I was very pleased to hear from you so soon.  I did promise you a "second installment" on my last letter, and, for a change (a big change) I'm sticking to my promises!

Last week I stayed home for 3 days with a really bad cold and practically drove myself crazy.  I read three books and a million magazines and I refused to turn on the TV cause I hate most of what is on during the daytime anyhow.  I read Plain Speaking, the oral biography of Harry Truman, which was interesting, informative, and fast reading.  I never really knew much about him and decided it was about time, so I picked up the book at the local book store, where I usually spend a fortune every week.  I also read Across Five Aprils which is an adolescent novel about the Civil War.  The only reason I read it is that I am currently teaching Huck Finn and thought that the background of Across Five Aprils might provide some interesting insights -- which it didn't cause I really thought the book was kind of dull.  My head might also have been somewhat clogged at the time -- so I really can't say for sure.  I started a third book which was a weird autobiography about the life of Lillian Hellman who is a famous author and playwright.  It was a bore -- so I kind of struck out.  Well, Mr. LIBRARIAN, now that I've wasted my money on all sorts of junky books, can you suggest anything that might be of interest to me in the literary line.  I respect your taste and judgement when it comes to books -- so in your next letter to me how about firing away a couple of your personal book reviews for me please?

I was supposed to go to my piano lesson tonight but half of Columbus must be down with the flu and my instructor cancelled -- thank God!  Instead, I did some much neglected housework, and am working on a huge stack of dirty laundry that is crying for attention.  This flu business is really at its peak around here and half our staff and students are out with it.  The weather is simply frustrating cause one day it's 60 and the next day it is 20.  They cut down the heat in our school building this week -- which really makes it kind of crisp in the classroom for all of us.  I'd rather have a cool classroom than a hot and drowsy one.

Morrey and I had a most enjoyable weekend this last weekend.  We didn't do anything we didn't want to do and we definitely didn't have any company -- which is really a pleasure for a change.  I guess we go in spurts where we're always entertaining, and then I kind of get tired of people and want to be left entirely alone for long periods of time.  Frankly, sometimes I get kind of tired of the same old people all the time, and I"m trying very hard to break away from the mold that Morrey and I have fallen into socially for the last 2 years.  We had an absolutely crazy fondue party last weekend and it took me 1 day to put everything together and 3 days to clean it up afterward.  For our evening's entertainment Morry and I borrowed a projector from school and showed old silent funny films.  We also showed a film on "Why Man Creates" which I've seen several times, and each time I get more and more out of it.  It was an interesting evening for us and our guests (I hope) but I'm done entertaining for at least another week (?) ha ha!

Last night Morrey and I had a super evening.  We went to a concert given by the pianist (humorist) Victor Borge and we laughed until the tears came!  It really was a fun type of evening for us, the only drawback what that we got home at 12 and I had to get up at 6am.  During the working week I'm usually in bed by 9 or 10, so that was really LATE for me.

I told Morrey tonight that come June 11th when school is out I am willing to hop in the car and head West with no pre-planning and no reservations.  I am really in the mood these days to break out of the routine of every day life.  I guess school is really getting to be a hassle for me lately cause there is very little change in the routine.  I really wish that for once in my life I could be a completely free spirit and do anything I want cause I'm so tired of responsibilities and routines and schedules, and always have to "plan" for things and to do "things".  I guess I'm just going through a stage these days, but I do feel kind of restless and tired of the "mold".  I know it is not unusual for people to feel the way I do -- but I'm getting itchy to do something new and different.  I guess I want my cake and ice cream too.  I really enjoy the security of a comfortable home, a happy marriage, and all the social trappings, but I kind of yearn to break out and do all the crazy things I've never done before.  Yuk -- none of what I said makes much sense now that I read it over-- but I guess I'm just thinking on paper.

Your last letter was the most unusual I have received to date.  You seemed to be in a most reflective mood -- and I must say in all honesty you didn't seem to be too chipper.  Are you happy Paul?

Do you get any kind of vacation this year?  If so, what are your plans?  If you decide to come East would you please seriously consider stopping here in Columbus for a visit with us?

Well, it happened again -- I just got all pooped out and tired and I've got to get back to my laundry duty.  I'll try to write again soon if you do too.  Be well and take care Paul.

June 29, 1971 (Letter from Renee)

I must sincerely apologize for not responding to your letter much sooner, but with the onset of graduation and about a million other things I had to put off writing until I had time to really give it my full concentration and take all the time I needed.  So much has happened over the last few months that I really don't know where to begin to tell you about "The Days of our Lives' (ha, ha!)

First of all,  let me say that I have never been happier in my whole life than I am right now.  Our marriage is really a beautiful thing and each passing day it becomes more meaningful and more enjoyable.  I finally got that old diploma into my hot little hands on June 11 and we really celebrated for about a week.  My parents came down for graduation, Morrey's family came, all of our friends partied with us and we just had one hell of a hopping good time.  I still can't believe that I don't have to go to school any more and every day now I expect to see fee cards in the mail for another quarter.  It is absolutely wonderful not to have anything on my mind and not to have to worry about grades, papers, and tests any longer.  By the same token it is still quite an eerie feeling to know that the good old college days are gone and that I am supposed to be a responsible adult out in that great big ugly word right now.  I graduated with a solid 3.0 accum but it hasn't done me a hell of a lot of good in finding a job.  I keep fluctuating between a desire to give teaching at least a try and a repulsion against all the hogwash and stupidity of the way the schools are run in the first place.  I too, Paul, am searching for the answer to "what's it all about and what am I all about" -- but thank God I have a very devoted and loving husband who gives me the security and confidence I need to cope with the situation.   It seems unreal that 4 y ears ago everyone was saying "Go to college and they'll be knocking at your door to offer you a job."  BULLSHIT!  In Columbus the situation is pretty bad job-wise and one can pound his fists on lots of doors and still not come up with a decent job.  For the mean time, I am enjoying just being plan Mrs. Prayzer, housewife and fun-lover and I'm having the time of my life -- but this kind of heaven can't possibly last forever and for financial reasons as well as the fact that I'll soon be bored here by myself all day -- I must find a job.  One of the reasons I don't want to teach is that I am very selfish about my evenings and I don't think I could stand having to do schoolwork at night any longer -- 4 years of it was enough and I want to enjoy my evenings with my husband without a guilty conscience.  I guess I'm looking for a straight 9 to 5 job in an office doing some sort of personnel work.  I am not in any big rush yet so I can take my time in finding a job that I like.

Morrey and I just got back from a week's vacation.  Spent 4 days in Chicago at my brother's and 2 days in Wisconsin.  Had a lot of fun in Chicago -- big brother took us to a lot of neat pubs and drinking places -- as well as other fun sights.  Then Morrey and I drove to Madison, Wisc. and stayed overnight there.  The campus of the U. of Wisconsin is unbelievably and absolutely gorgeous.  The campus is right on a lake and all the frats and sororities houses are like resorts on a lake.  Then we went to Wisconsin Dells which is a very scenic and pleasant place to visit.  Bought lots of cheese in Wisc and lots of booze in Chicago since it is very inexpensive there-- and since we've been doing a lot of socializing and drinking here at home.

We have really been lucky and made a lot of really great friends here in our apartment complex.  They are mostly young couples our age or older and our social life has really picked up in the last 3 months.  Last winter I was crying my eyes out because we had very few friends and not much to do socially or otherwise -- but now the situation has changed entirely and Morrey and I are hardly ever without company or friends around to do things with.  I never could stand being anti-social in my "Warren" days so I guess this is a carry-over from that.  We love our apartment because of the facilities her -- the pool, clubhouse, basketball courts and tennis -- never a dull moment.  The partyhouse is really beautiful with a wood burning fireplace and we intend to use it often this summer for parties.  Had one big party this spring -- a fondue party -- took out all of the furniture from our living room and everyone sat on cushions on the floor around a big platform we made with all kinds of various fondues and junk to eat and drink.  Went through a case of wine and I've never been so inebriated in my life.  Everybody finally conked out on our floor and Morrey put me to bed, but we had a lively time of it!!

I was surprised to hear the news about Joan -- but it all adds up to knowing her. I hope she is happy being married yet I have my serious doubts as to whether she was ready for it and if she can or could cope with it.  Haven't kept in touch with the rest of the gang besides you at all.  My mother told me that Mark had a nervous breakdown -- but I don't think her courses were reliable. I do know that he is spending the summer in Warren as a lifeguard at the pool.

As for Mardi and Barb I have to honestly say I could care less -- and I don't mean to sound stuck up or conceited about it at all.  I never was "with it" in their circle and I don't much give a damn anyhow.  I hope Barb is making something out of herself besides a bum -- cause she sure was headed in that direction when I last saw her.  I wish Mardi the best yet I have my doubts about her too.  I guess they just aren't my kind of people anymore cause I just can't see much substance to them.  They were fun to hang around with but those days are long gone and almost forgotten.  My opinion of Mike isn't much and I grow rather sick of "being impressed" each time I talk to him.  To me, Mike lacks any knowledge of reality and what this world is all about anyway -- besides fraternities and his "good school chums".  I don't' mean to sound anything but honest and if I have offended you I sincerely apologize.  Let's suffice it to say that our friendship Paul, I hope, will always exist and perhaps grow stronger as we grow older and mature.  If it sounds freaky to say "I like your mind and the way you think" let it sound freaky but I sincerely mean it.  I thoroughly enjoy your letters and your style of writing is really something else.  You are one of the most sincere and truly honest poeple I know of have known -- and there is a certain charm about you -- whether it be just plain intelligence plus personality or what -- I really do admire and respect you -- what's more I really like you!!  END sermon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I do hope you can find time to come out and visit us sometime this summer.  As I've said before we have an extra bedroom -- lots of food and booze and I (we) really would enjoy having you as our guest.  Now that Morrey and I are settled down we've really found a lot of fun things to do here in Columbus -- and for the most part they are relatively inexpensive.  We're certainly not ready for our rocking chairs yet -- and just because we're settled down doesn't mean we're party poopers who retire on the dot at 11!!!  So --- please come out and stay with us for awhile if you can.  Just let me know when you are coming and I'll dust off the red carpet.  Bring a friend (either sex) if you'd like -- we've got lots of room!

Well, I started to write a letter and I've written a chapter and I have many more yet to write so I"ll close for now.  Please excuse the miserable typing and unforgivable spelling and punctuation errors -- I'm just not in the mood to be very formal in my writings just yet.

Well Paul, be good and take care -- WRITE AGAIN SOON.