February 15, 1977 (Letter from Grayce)

Odd you should mention winning $10,000/yr for life in a lottery.  Brook & I were discussing that very subject a week or so ago.  Wouldn't it be great?!  I would very much like to experience a different job or may be just something like a job every 2 weeks.  I've come to the conclusion that I'll never find a "job" that will utilize my "talents" (if they can be called that).  Maybe I should just call them interests -- probably because they are so widely-space; varied.  I "blame" it on my father.  He told me I could do anything & taught me to believe it at a very early age.  He also encouraged me never to do things the way they were usually done.  He would never let me have coloring books, because he believed that they restricted the imagination.  It was a wonderful beginning to have and whatever differences we have ever had, I always did admire his independent thinking (& hope some of it rubbed off on me!)  I guess I'm still in love with him!

Brook is happier at this place then he was at Bettis in Pgh, but I know that he feels the way I do (& you do) -- severely limited in the creative capacities.  It's a symptom of our times.  He became an engineer because he had a vague idea of innovating.  But you're not really allowed to anymore.  If the red tape doesn't wear you out, the other obstacles certainly will.  There was a time when inventive people could be freer to invent.  Now that time is over.  Our technology is strangling us & the very people who created it are also being strangled.  Maybe I'm too pessimistic?  I always have been!  We came to the conclusion (about the lottery) that we'd take the lump sum if we ever got the offer!  Brook brought up the point that if you took it year by year, there's be a reason for the people with the money to want you dead & with all the stuff that is surely going on -- I mean, assassinations, kidnappings, etc. -- why should a small fry like he, or you or me matter?  Of course, they might not do it right away, but they might fix your car in a few years, or something. Does it sound so unrealistic in light of the other truths that have come to light?  (Let alone the ones we'll never hear about?)

Remember the story I told you about the guy on the bus I met in Pgh before I left & he said he could leave his physical body & travel anywhere he wanted to?  You never commented.  I do want you to -- was he crazy -- or maybe certain people really can?  He said he's see me again & he seemed so positive.  It just scared the hell out of me, but not enough for me not to wonder if he possessed some secret & maybe if I had been more open, I would have found something out about ti?  He probably was just strange, but he seemed so straight.  (Also he said when his physical body got old, he'd just inhabit another.  But what happens to the spirit already in the other body?)

My big news this time is that we're getting a new car.  The VW is still ok, but it needs a lot fo work & neither of us feel it would be good for all the travelling we'd like to do this summer.  Also, Brook started working shifts in April & if I get a job, there won't be any way for me to get there, because the hours he'll be working certainly will not coincide with any I'll be working.

We looked around a little & finally decided on a Fiat 131.  We got a very good price on it because it was a 76 demo model.   Nothing fancy, just a nice sturdy little car that gets good mileage & hopefully won't eat holes in our pockets for repairs.   (One nice things about the VW - Brook did any work that needed to be done on it.)  The Fiat will probably need parts later that aren't available in a K-mart!  The VW right now (I'm very sentimental about that car, I suppose because we've been so many places in it!) is losing brake fluid, so I guess there's a leak which means Brook will have to take a lot apart to get to it.  It can't be done in 1 or 2 days either, so I guess we're getting this new one just in time.  But it's been a good little car -- been allover New England, 2x, to Delaware, to Jersey I(about 50 times), to Virginia several times & also update N.Y.  Not to mention all the way out here without any trouble & countless trips back & forth from Pgh to Phila!   We really can't complain!  And hopefully there are a few more good years in it.  (Snif, snif -- I'd never have believed I'd get all mush over a car!)

My consistency (right word? heh heh, it sounds like it belongs in a recipe) in performing the yoga is a source of constant amazement to me.  Ordinarily, I hate any kind of routine.  Just the thought of doing something every day for the rest of my life makes me ill!  That's how I felt when I started, too, of course.  I just thought, "well, I'll try it & it won't last!"  (I'm not a very athletic person.  I wish I were, but I never had an opportunity to do anything like that.  I never even had a gym class in school!)  But now I feel like I can't really function unless I do the yoga!  My posture has certainly improved, too.  I used to slouch almost constantly!  (I still slouch, but not so often & when I do it feels uncomfortable.)

The man we bought our water softener from just called me & asked me if I had gotten a job yet.  I told him no & I hadn't really looked as much as I could have but I'd go to an  employment agency soon.  Then he said he needed someone to answer the phone from 1-5 every day & would I be interested?  ( kind of squirmed my way out of this by saying I'd like something full-time.  I hope I didn't hurt his feelings.  He did say there's not much to do there & it sounds really boring.  Oh, anyway, I guess I might go to an agency next week, but I don't feel like being a clerk, you know?  I think I'd rather do something where I don't have to sit all day!  Oh well....

January 13, 1977 (Letter from Barb N)

Hello.  How are you?  I'm fine.  Not exactly feeling comfort inside but I am pleased with my progress since I have been back to Naples.

My flight back wasn't too bad but I found it uncomfortable sitting up and trying to sleep.  None the less I managed to get some sleep. Nobody mete me at the airport but I guess it was expected.  I never wrote to tell them that I was coming back the same flight as I had originally planned.

I went out & partied the first few nights that I got back but I found myself to be sliding back into the same rut as when I left.  Darrell was the one who make me think that I better change now before I find it too hard.  He only played his game on me too soon.

I set up my bedroom so I will be able to get at my sewing, knitting, cloths, etc easier and leave the room in order.  I bought a card table and I have my sewing machine all set to be used.  I also plan to have my macrame work handy.  So now is the time to be creative.

I am doing yoga 2-3 times a day.  I do the three exercises you showed me in the morning.  After work I do leg stretching and in the evening back stretching.  My middle back hurts and I found it difficult to sit in one position and type for more than five minutes.  Tonight I will soak in the bathtub.

I'm making my dinner which consists of carrots, onions, green peppers, rice, spinach, and tomatoes sauteed in olive oil.  After my dinner or during I have a glass of wine to aid in digestion.

I'm glad to be back but I'm not all that happy.  I'm going to find a new direction.  I hope to meet some different people who offer a little more in life.  I'm not counting on it tho.  I will just let it be.
I might go skiing this weekend with some girls at work.  I have to do errands so I'm not sure if I'll go.  I think we'd have a lot of fun tho.  I'll see how it goes tomorrow.

It was great being home with the family at Xmas.  It really warmed my spirits.  Now I know in my mind that my life is lacking a part to make me more at peace but I can't say what it is.  I will just have to keep my feet on the ground trying to keep a direction that is my own path.  I'm set to leave to start out to better roads but the time is not right for now.  (But we both feel the same I'm sure.)

Take care brother Paul.

I hope to see you soon.

I didn't go skiing this weekend.  I didn't make it up in time to go.  But I had a good day with somewhat.  Richard came over (he is a guy I've know by face but not personally) to look for hash with me.  First off he hit a car almost the same time that I just missed clamming into his car.  A few seconds later I was trying to get around a double parked car & I hit it.  Fortunately, I did not do any damage but the driver wanted my name etc.  While we were exchanging autographs I caused a traffic jam.  By this time my friend finally came back to see what I was doing.  His car wouldn't start so we had to tell his roommate.  After leaving his house I was turning my car around when my car fell into a ditch.  (Only my front right wheel.)  This was no ordinary ditch.  It was about 20 inches deep.  Our day was pretty much that way but I had a good day.  I managed to buy my hash.  The first smoke I've botten since I've been over here.  In fact I'm going to smoke a bowl now.

I had a good time with Rich yesterday.  So I hope that I will meet some of his friends.  We had some homemade vino that his landlord gave to him.

I might go to Munchen to see Pink Floyd in concert next month.  It should be interesting.

That's all from me.

November 1, 1976 (Letter from Harriet)

It's been a while and I haven't heard from you.  What has happened?  Our last rendezvous was certainly strange, and I don't know what to make of it.  It's frustrating, because I really wanted to talk about the whole thing, and I know that you didn't.  I can't decide whether to think that you didn't think (still following me?) that talking about it was worth it, or that you just had a hard time relating your feelings to me.  Maybe it will be easier to sort your feelings out in a letter.

As for me, I was only questioning the nature of our relationships.  I think that the first time that we slept together I told you that I was shy and didn't usually do things like that so quickly.  Well it was the truth.  Usually, I take things pretty slow and feel a strong affection and closeness with a man before I let him get physically close to me.  That weekend, I couldn't figure out why the closeness wasn't coming, and I was feeling shy and uncomfortable sleeping with you.  I felt that I wanted to get to know you better before I really opened up my soul.  Do you understand what I mean?  I hope so.

Maybe we were meant to be friends so that we might explore each other's minds, and if the hearts follows, so be it.

I hope that our friendship isn't over -- I have the feeling that you are purposelyo not writing to me. Tell me what you are thinking.

P.S.  I am helping some friends out with yoga & could use the help of my book.  Are you doe with it?

October 2, 1976 (Letter from Barb N)

Edgar Cayce

I am writing you a letter now to find out some information concerning health education.

I just overheard a conversation where an officer's son has a bone disease and the hospital does not know what he has.  T hey have been shooting him up with medication to help solve the swelling and they have been feeding him intravenously.  I am very against that sort of "natural" healing.  But then again what else does society know about our bodies that today's educators have forgot to inform us about?

I was reading a lot of Edgar Cayce and he spoke of natural medicines taken from plants, herbs, etc.  He also spoke of osteopathic treatment.  I am interested in learning more concerning this sort of treatment but I'm not too sure of just where to look.  Do you have any idea?  Should I just look into a nursing school and expand from that direction?

I feel the need to learn about our body and how to heal in a natural way.  We are so ignorant of ourselves and what we consist of.  If we could explore the vast channels that lay at the ends of our senses each human would only gain true contentment in living.  Look at the gains of yoga.  It is a truly relaxing art with years of added life.

I find it hard to reach people concerning diet, attitudes; what is beneficial generally, concerning our own being.  It's like teaching religion to an atheist who shuts his mind to every word spoken concerning God.  So I feel that in order to reach people I need to set a better example through finding my path.  Also I need more knowledge to stand on firm ground in my beliefs.

I would appreciate any help from you.

September 25, 1976 (Letter from Barb N.)

Hello.  I thought I would only write to Larry, but I enjoyed your letter (which I just finished reading) so much I had to reply while your thoughts are still fresh in my mind.

I got back from the Oktoberfest this morning & I am happy to be home for now.  I am going to try and tell you of my highlights of my journey to Munchen.

Doobie, Dean, and Frank, and I left Naples last Friday and caught our train to Rome which left at 2330.  We slept in a couchette which is a compartment with six pull down-or-up beds.  We met Nola and Eric on the train who seemed to have their problems with finding a bed.  They were all "fucked up" both verbally and otherwise.  Finally they got a bed and Eric had a bowl before he went to sleep. That was the beginning of our party.

In the morning we were abruptly awoken and told to get off the train.  Nola found out that there was a strike at Trento.  So we loaded up our belonging into a bus and headed for the Austrian border.  It was well worth the bus trip and two hour delay from our schedule just to see the scenery. Southern Italy is so old and rugged looking while northern Italy through Austria and Germany is filled with green pastures and soaring mountains.  I really got off on the view and fresh, chilly air.

The first nite at the fest we took it easy and only had two beers.  (each beer is a liter mug.)  We were feeling fine by the end of the nite.

The second nite we went to see Graham Nash and David Crosby in concert.  I will never regret going to that concert in all my life!  They plays all their goodies including songs from CSNY.  But the end of the concert put me on a cloud for a good 15 minutes.  They left before their encore and the crowed went wild for them.  They came back to sing "Chicago" and "Teach Your Children". When you get to the part "Don't you ever ask them why if they told you you would cry so just look at them and sign and know they love you"  the band stopped singing and the audience took over and did an outstanding job.  I was singing my heart out.  I know my soul was tingling.  God -- it was great!

The next two nites at the "O" fest were really wild.  We liked the Haufbrau tent the best since most of the people were our age.  All the happy drunks were singing and tasting while the band played polkas, etc.  I managed to drink four liters of good German beer.  Beer like you'll never taste in the states.  I enjoyed myself so much.

The last nite Doobie and I went to Innsbruck Austria for the day.  Basically we went shopping through the town.  I took slides of Germany and Austria so I will show them up at the lake next summer.

Munchen's transportation system was very impressive.  I can say they have their shit together.  It's all so new and immaculate.

Munchen is my favorite city for many reasons.  I love the German people there.  The city is very flat and good for a bike.  In the squares with the shops you see a lot of one-two-three man acts trying to get money.  One guy was playing bagpipes and had his quit-sneaker outfit.  I also saw some good guitar acts.  One guy was playing the bongos.  But the German people took a delight in watching these people.  It was all so refreshing.

I want to get involved in yoga.  I have been doing it on and off for a year now not accomplishing too much for myself.  I find breathing properly is very relaxing.  But I'm still an upright person with too many worries.  (I worry over what people think of me and that is the worst way to be but I find myself thinking of the other persons nasty remarks and I get scared -- stupid!)   Now I am going to try and calm myself for my own well being.

I'm going to bed so I'll finish this letter in the morning.

Good morning.

Continuing with yoga, I am going to sign up for a class next month.  It might help me more to speak with people who know yoga better than myself.

Now that I am back I am going to be better to myself.  I hope to relax and take in my surroundings at a restful pace.  Yoga should be the key to my well-being.  I hope it will stimulate me in all aspects.  So I hope to be on the right path now.

I would like a good camera also.  I might buy a friend's camera.  It's a Canon but I don't know the model.  Mike is into photography and he prefers another model where he can do more of his own setting with the camera.

I plan to sell my guitar and buy another model.  I am getting pretty involved in playing.  I enjoy it so much.  Hopefully next summer I will be able to play a few times at the lake.

Paul I want to put in for an early out for school.  I'd like to go to school for one or two semesters then go to Sweden with Larry.  But I'm not sure what direction is best for me.  I feel I need some education because I want to learn but I would like to go to a vocational for a skill.  I am still considering nursing.  If I can go for two years I would have some training that I could use if I didn't go all the way.  I could always work at a head start program.  Do you have an opinion or suggestions of schools?

I'm glad Dale is finally going to school.  I'm sure he will do well.  This is the beginning of Dale's own life.  Another steps towards his own being.

I had a good talk with Laura, my roommate, last nite.  We both look toward living as bounded by God's glory.  I am trying to understand the philosophy of his love but when I reach him I will find my peace.  Laura was predicting part of the future she sees for me.  I felt clouded as if in a vision when she spoke.  But today I must remain myself striving to live life with feelings that change like the wind.

I will end here for now.

September 18, 1976 (Letter from Grayce)

I have the sagebrush blues -- have been pulling the stuff for 1 week and although I'm almost finished I really needed this little respite.  I have a rash (of course) from the stuff & it's beginning to get unbearably itchy -- so I'm stopping (the rash goes away in a few hours if I remove myself from the irritating weed.)

Brook (that lucky wretch) hasn't been able to help because he has 3 exams this week.  He has 2 hrs. each of Math, Physics, & Radiation each day & about 1 hr. of homework in each also -- so he's been pretty busy -- I've been pretty busy making popcorn for him to study with, also!) but his exams are over today & tomorrow we really have to start getting the soil ready for the grass seed. We don't have too many weeks left before the snows (according to the weatherman.)  By the way he (the weatherman) certainly has an easy job of it out here -- it's only rained once in the time we've been here & people said that that was unusual!  It should be great fun trying to grow grass. Oh well, there are always wood chips & bushes.

Something neat this week -- A STEREO!  We're both actually excited about it.  Brook didn't think he'd finish his amp before Xmas & we really didn't want to wait, so we bought one.  Got a good deal on a Kenwood (1/2 price) at the Sound World here in the "mall".  Brook intends to sell it when he finishes his (who knows when?).  He's not going to have much spare time for quite awhile.

I'm just having such a good time listening to all my favorites!  Steely Dan, Bonnie Raitt, Michael Franks, and David Bromberg are the currently most enjoyable.  I don't know how I was able to do without them for so long.

It's so quiet here-- when the records are not on, all I hear is the ticking of the clock.  But just recently, they've started construction on a house near us and I am awakened in the morning by this funny construction worker who sings "Good Morning America" at the top of his lungs --a real comedian!  Actually, I get awakened twice, once at 5:20 AM to get Brook up (a Herculean task!) Just last week I had to take custody of the alarm clock & put it on my side.  It seems that Brook's subconscious didn't want his conscious self to hear the alarm.  He'd shut it & go back to sleep & claim he never heard it.  One day of this trick was enough -- so now I get to be the bad guy!

At least I've been sleeping ok (not great, just ok).  I try not to do the yoga too close to bedtime, though because I find that it gives me too much energy and then I really can't sleep.  I usually do some about an hour after I've been up (not as soon as I wake up -- it doesn't seem to be a good time for me) and then later in the day, about 3-4 in the afternoon.

I've just added the Sun Goddess Salutation to my daily list and I usually do it 2x -- I doubt I'll ever get up to 12!  I didn't think I'd like this one, since it's so long, but I find that I really enjoy it & it's an excellent warm-up (which is its purpose).  I may cut out some of the beginner's warm-ups which this takes the place of.  I find as I go on that I enjoy the positions so much more than the warm-ups (but I'm afraid to drop any arm-ups since they feel so beneficial -- and the fact that I don't like them as much must mean that they're good for me.)  I don't know when I'll ever get to a headstand (one of the pinnacles).  Some people never do.  My "guru" (the woman who encouraged my interest) said it took her 3 years to even attempt a headstand -- let alone to get it right!  So I suppose I won't worry about it.  One thing yoga teaches is Patience, just to wait til it's time for certain things to come -- not only in the physical & mental progress of the discipline, but also in the process of living.

I am also coming to value detachment more & more in receiving your letter about the hopeless situation the world is in.  I can hardly disagree.  I used to feel so disillusioned about man.  You see, at one time I believed that man could progress -- but now I see that that was such a fool's paradise.  (Revolution just reverses itself in every instance.)  Now I feel that the postponement of Armageddon is not a good.  Man really needs something to shake him up.  He doesn't deserve the good things he has & won't until he realizes that he has them. Unfortunately, he won't realize he had them til they're gone -- or at least mildly threatened.  I know this seems rash -- but what else has ever affected man but his own misfortune and pain?  Biblically speaking, this is sound also, no?

I really have a feeling for the Old Testament and its solidness -- the New Testament seems pale by comparison, to me.  In the O.T. the emotions were more "real" it seems, while in the N.T. (& that includes NOW) the emotions are petty -- even the sins seem petty in a way -- this sounds very incoherent -- but I can't seem to express what I feel -- maybe you understand with only the suggestion?

Well, enough of this -- I'll get off the pulpit, now.

I feel very right being here.  I am happy.  I haven't missed yet having a job, because I've been pretty busy.  Actually, I felt that I was stagnating in Pittsburgh (that includes double the year we spent at GSLIS).  I was very disappointed in myself, my lovely job at Seton Hill -- the only thing I was pleased about was being with Brook.  He really held me together during those year.

Here I feel as though I can hold myself together (not always, of course), but that I can explore things that are new & that I can grow a lot.  Brook feels the same way.  (I hope he gets more time later on.)  I think living here is going to have a profound effect on me.  I hope it will be good, but of course there will be some negative thing s-- just not too many would please me.

I have lots of ideas for doing things right now.  I probably will never implement all of them.  Before I left Phila, I found an old quilt that my mother had sewn by hand while my father was going to night school.  It was the only thing she's ever sewn by hand like that.  She used to use it on my bed when I was little.  She wanted to throw it away!  (I'll probably put it in the "guest room".)  I'd also like to make one of my own, but that won't be able to be even thought about for some time, I guess.

Ok, Paul, I know this letter is boring.  I'm sorry.  Maybe my next letter will be better.  I'll try.

You didn't say much about your trip to Philly.  Did you like Winston's?  The Art Museum?  (You really can't see it all very well in 1 day.)  Bev wrote me that she enjoyed seeing you.  I wish I could have been there.  Oh well...

I guess I'll be going -- back to the weeds!

August 31, 1976 (Letter from Grayce)

N.B.  Prevention magazine says a few beers every once in a while are good for you.  Because they contain elements of nutrition that are no longer in modern man's food -- even most "health foods".

I am presently taking a break from the exciting job of UNPACKING!  (Oh, if only my fellow phil. majors could see me now!)  I was going to make a pun from "unpacking" which is the logical positivistic term for "getting down to basics" about a word's true meaning -- which might interest an old dictionary buff like yourself?  Actually, I have no idea of what I'm trying to convey here, myself, my surroundings are a total scramble & my mind is jarred b y them. Maybe I should start over.

You new stationary gave me quite a start -- it's the exact paper I used to get from Brook when we first met.  As you can tell, the stationary business hasn't come up with any brilliant ideas in 5 years!  What a farce, actually, Brook thought little of the paper, too (not me, I like it, but them, I have strange taste) so he went to his friend B.V.D. (Bill Venables, for short) who just happened to run a printing press at the time, and made some papers up 'specially for me -- quite romantic.  Our mailman used to geet quite a kick out of those letters.  Anyway, there were yellow & had a pretty sunset delicately printed on top (just in black) but I really liked them.  What reminded me of this is that for two days, Brook & I sorted our letters (writing every day for 2 years by 2 people equals quite a heap of letters!)  We got rid of some.  I was upset because so many of the ones I wrote said the same things -- what drivel!  Anyway, it was a nostalgic way to spend 2 days -- I do like your stationary, though -- very forceful!  (he-Tweet?)  Should I start again?

Our trip across was (thanks God!) uneventful in the car trouble sense, which we both were a bit worried about.)

Ohio to Indiana - very nice, too flat.

Iowa -- I never want to see corn again.

Nebraska -- ditto, but we stopped at a few Pioneer museums, and they were pretty interesting.

Wyoming -- I liked this place, unfortunately, we drove a lot of it in the dark and I didn't get many pictures.

Utah was my favorite.  I can't imagine this place being the way it is.  It's scary, in a way.  If we have another ice age, maybe the whole earth will look like Utah and when man (or whoever will evolve next; I hope somebody who deserves the earth more) appears, he'll never know about exotic flowers or hardwood trees?  It could change the furniture business!    (I'm sorry, I'm in such a giddy mood!)

We spent a week at Pocatello's finest -- Holiday Inn, which wasn't too bad.  We swam every possible minute & that nice.  Unfortunately, Brook got hut one day by scraping his nose on the bottom of the pool, also his forehead.  I still don't' understand how he did it -- the water he dived into was 10' deep -- but I think he scraped his nose in the 4' part, which appeared a bit too abruptly -- anyway, he's ok.  He was just shaken up a little.  I was afraid, though, when he came up, his face was full of blood.  After that, we were less energetic in the water.

It's so quiet here -- hardly ever a car goes by our house.  The population in this town is rising quickly though.  They expect 80,000 in 5-7 years (it's 48,000 now).  I am now gazing out our back door at 2 workers putting up a house across from us.  They're putting up the skeleton of the roof right now.  I'm surprised at how quickly it's being finished.

Brook is at his first day of classes.  I hope he's having a nice day.  One of the guys he knows who's already out here said the program is very tough.  (Brooks thinks he's very intelligent & didn't think he'd have any problems at all!)  I suppose my main function right now is to be here for Brook so he'll have all the support he needs.  I hope I don't take up too much of his time.  For now, I don't have to worry, because I'm up to my ears in things that need a place to stay, but after the house is settled, I will have to keep myself busty.  Maybe I can be a waitress at  the Mall?  There's an ice cream place -- I definitely have enough experience in that.

Is this letter boring?  I'm sorry -- it's awfully incoherent, too.  Brook has to catch a 6:00 AM bus out to the site each day, and I don't see him again til 6:00 PM.  He's been taking the car down & leaving it at the bus stop (2 1/2 miles away).  Later on, I'll drive him down & ave the car during the day.  I'm not sure I'm ready yet, though.  Brook's taken me out several times, but he's never let me go out alone.  It's pretty crowded here on the roads, it's surprisingly like Monroeville!  Eventually, though, I suppose I'll be driving all by myself!  (Frankly, I'm scared, but I suppose I'll survive!)

The transition from everythingness (maybe just somethingness) by which I mean the possibility of seeing certain people & doing certain things to nothingness (not in the sense really of NOTHING, but in the relative sense of less stimuli of certain types) is certain to be a major difference in my life.  I feel it may be for the best.  I need solitude right now.  I think maybe I'll be able to be alone more readily, also.  That is one thing that's very hard to me and which I must overcome.

I do hope you can make it out here.  You know, I'd love to have you.  Actually since you have such a short time, have you considered flying?  It's really not that expensive & if you consider that "time is money" it's cheap!  (I can always rationalize spending!)  Anyway, think about it?  (It's a natural for a Tweet, anyway!)

I'm so pleased about the yoga.  Actually, I didn't mention it "off the cuff".  I didn't want to seem like I wanted to "force" you to try it, but I did want to consciously make an effort.  I knew you'd be open to that suggestion.  That's one aspect of your personality I am very impressed with -- your openness to new ideas -- (maybe because I'm not always as open as I'd like myself to be?)  I've always felt that I could tell you any thing and it would be taken without undercurrents of "she's crazy" even if I was crazy.  I hope  I get to see you more often at some point in my life.  Oh well -- I guess I'd better get back to UNPACKING!  Take care

August 20, 1976 (Letter from Grayce)

Nonsense!  (My not taking the time to read your letter thoroughly!)  Naturally, I got it the day after I mailed yours -- which gave me no time whatsoever to delete the offending (heehee) Kierkegaard, Hegel, etc. passages . . . did you suffer very much from them, dear?  Just be quite thankful you have some thing to make you sleep (ah, zzzzzzz!)  That commodity has been rather scarce around her lately.  I've had about 3 white nights this past week & expect at least a few more before we leave on Monday.

Yesterday, we played volleyball at a picnic for 4  -- count 'em -- 4 hours (with several beer breaks, of course) & even t his exercise did not tire me out sufficiently to receive a full, uninterrupted night's sleep.  Oh, well . . .

How did Parent's Weekend go?  I hope well.  Was everyone impressed with your new nest?

I haven't started Rhys' book yet -- I'm saving it for Nebraska (or Iowa, if I absolutely cannot wait!) I've been trying to read as much Simone de Beauvoir as possible lately.  I just realized a few weeks ago that I've started reading all these feminist writers, so I' like to do a thorough job.  I've read some Colette, too, & enjoyed her very much.  Haven't decided who should be next yet.

I'm not sure if I gave you our new address, but I don't think I did.  (Thought you'd get away without it, didn't you?)

2050 Steven Lane

Pocatello, Idaho 83201

Numerologically, it's a pretty good address for me -- 5 & 7 are my lucky numbers.  (The zip code can be played with also, to arrive at both 2 + 3 = 5 & 8 - 1 = 7.)

I'm happy that you've embraced yoga.  Now we can discuss effects.  Do you know your body better yet?

August 5, 1976 (Letter from Grayce)

Just sitting here, catching my breath -- it's only 9 AM and already I'm tired -- I think I'll probably be able to sleep tonight.  I've been trying to organize some of my accumulated things (of which there are far too many!) It certainly is work!

I meant to write soon after you left, but for some reason (besides being busy showing the house, etc.) I just couldn't seem to.  I'm not sure exactly why, but when I've seen you for a few days & then you leave, I don't seem to be able to write very soon.  It's almost as if I have to let you recede a bit, so I can see you at a distance (reminiscent of the idea that one sees one's friends more clearly from a distance as a mountain climber see that which he had climbed?)

I think it's because I'm so happy when I do get to see you that I don't fully believe that you are here, when you are here, & when you leave, it's like I have to sort out a dream of oms kind . . . does this make any sense at all?  I'm sure I'm not getting the emotion on this piece of paper!

Regarding our house -- we have had quite a few inquiries (especially from the Sunday ad) but Westinghouse offered us an amount which almost was what we asked, so allowing for closing costs (which they pay), legal fees (ditto) & trouble of transferring deeds & other general time-consuming & boring details (which we will be ecstatic for them to take care of ) -- we feel it is all around better to sell to them. (We only had a certain amt of time to accept their offer &^ were afraid if we sold it privately, there might be a delay with the buyers getting a loan right away & we can't wait 'cause we have to pay for the new house.

This week we are planning to take the beveled glass out of the front door & also the stained glass window on the third floor (which you never saw -- it's plain, but has some nice colors).  It's going to be quite a task -- since neither of us has done it, but I have faith in Brook's skill.  (Myself -- I would do best to keep myself scarce   I'm so clumsy!)  I just will be very upset if the windows break.  I plan to learn how to make stained glass, but only God knows when, (or where) -- certainly not in Pocatello (although one never knows.)  Actually, I know the rudiments, I'd just need some good equipment & some (much) practice.  Maybe I should get more competent at weaving first, though. It's not too good to have too many interests at once.  Between Brook &^ myself, we're bound to cover everything before long -- I'll be jaded by the time I'm 28!  (Like Kierkegaard.)

I feel such an affinity with him.  Maybe because his life was full of such pathos -- it just seems to affect me so much.  He was such an "indirect" person, but his philosophy really had a great effect -- (although he always refused to admit to being a philosopher! -- he detested Hegelian logic and didn't want to be associated with its consequences in any way) as for its consequence s-- Hegel personalizes history & let it roam wherever it liked.  Many feel that Hegel's ideas greatly affected Heidegger & that he in turn came up with the Aryan purity of race idea which in turn brought about the climate in which a Hitler could flourish.  (But he also brought about a climate in which Marx could write.)  It was such an open-ended philosophy -- that was its main problem.  As a matter of act -- Kierkegaard & Marx attended the very same Hegel course in Berlin (but never got acquainted) & came out with such totally diverse ideas -- it's something that's hard to believe.  Oh well, enough of this lecture.  (Wake up, Tweety!)

The yoga seems to be progressing.  My body often wants to balk at taking time to slow down & relax for the exercises, & that is supposed to mean progress.  (The book says your body wants to be lazy (mine certainly does) & to get old -- so any attempt to rouse it from its natural course, it will try to thwart).  I really feel that this helps me relax, though.  I am a tense person & now I feel much more relaxed than I did.  Part of this is because I don't have to be at Seton Hill anymore, but part must be due to the yoga, I feel.

I got something neat in the mail yesterday.  (A 2 carat diamond, hee hee)  Actually, it's one of those Wellington counterfeit diamonds, but it does look real & it's just in a very plain setting.  I rather like it (but it's so rock-like, I don't think I'll wear it very much.)  I forgot to mention that this was one of the third prizes in a mail-order catalog contest.  Occasionally, I enter these things, just for the fun of it, and occasionally I do win something.  This ring is worth about $50 (they say $75, but I don't think so) so I suppose it's nothing to sneeze at.  (Maybe next time, I'll win the car?)

Well, I suppose I'll try to get t his in the mail today.  We are going golfing tonight (neither of us has ever been) with the people upstairs.  I'm sure I'll be terrible (it's certain to be a lot harder than miniature golf!)

July 29, 1975 (Letter from Barb N)

Hello.  I am in Warren sitting in the living room and listening to George Harrison's "All Things Must Pass" album.    It's nice to be away from the Navy.

We had a real nice time in Mass.  Most of the time was spent in Johnny's pool or playing jarts and chess.  I finally found a chess set for only $3.69.  It was on sale.  It is magnetic board.  I'd say it's the size of a regular checker board.  We saw all Mom's close relative.  It was interesting.

Johnny is turning out pretty good in spite of his overbearing parents.  We got along with with him. Johnny's grandmother showed us a few pictures of Sweden.  She is a real fine lady.

I started doing my yoga exercises last week. I think it will benefit a lot.  I am trying to get my physically and mentally in good shape.  I want to change myself to a better person.

I was going to call my detailer today, but I misplaced his number.  I will have to call him when I get back from leave.  I hope to get overseas by October.

I am now in the process of giving my clothes to the Salvation Army.  I have so many needless clothes that are never worn.  I certainly won't be able to take a lot with me overseas.  I will have to be practical.

I bought some shoes in Mass and they are the most comfortable shoes I've worn in a long time.  I'm throwing away all the ridiculous shoes I've bought for pure style.  I see no need to follow fashion when my health is endangered.  I can't see how I could wear some of my shoes, after stepping in the pair I have now.

I bought 5 shirts from India.  They have them in the Penney's store at the Enfield Mall in Conn.  The rest of my new wardrobe will be hand made byt myself in the near future.  I have a few ideas in mind.

I am going bike riding this afternoon with Pam Bonace.  She got a teaching