Michael Joe Armijo's Blog, page 11
November 12, 2023
Wined and Dined
“Life is still a constant surprise to me. We never know what will happen next, what we will see, and what important person will come into our life, or what important person we will lose. Life is change, constant change, and unless we are lucky enough to find comedy in it, change is nearly always a drama, if not a tragedy. If we are lucky enough to be alive, we must give thanks for the miracle of every moment of every day, no matter how flawed.” --Mark T Sullivan, BENEATH A SCARLET SKY
Judy Elena Mumford-Simpson (another cousin) wrote to me. Her paternal grandmother (Pina Leyba) and my grandmother (Mary G Leyba) were sisters.
11-13-1997 Dear Cousin Michael,
Thanks for your letter. I would be happy to provide you with any information that would be helpful and with any such photos as I have. Although I do not have much in the way of historical photos, etc. I mostly have childhood photos of Granpa Pina who helped care for us when my mother was ill with tuberculosis. I have fond memories of her.
I can tell you much more in a nice, neat fashion if you have email. I’m assuming you do. Here is ours. We moved to Georgia due to a job situation, leaving our just grown children in California. Jeremey will be 23 in December and Joy is 20. Both are in school and have jobs, so they will stay there.
My sister, Susan, was estranged from our dad for reasons I won’t say at this time. So, Gene (my brother) is correct to say she wouldn’t be interested in family ancestry. She lives in Colorado, is divorced and has two grown children and four grandchildren. We keep in touch though.
I will send photos later. In the meantime, I hope to hear from you over the internet.
Sincerely,
Cousin Judy
Alan and I decided to do something different. We signed up for a wine tasting dinner at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
Who knows? We thought we could meet some interesting people, too.
And so, we wined and dined.
Well, the people were nothing to write home about, but the meal was nicely prepared by Chef Andreas Nieto. The wine pairings worked out nicely as well.
Cousin Marie Antoinette sent a sweet Thanksgiving Day card. Wow! Who sends Thanksgiving Day cards? Only Marie Antoinette...
Dearest Michael,
I’ve got to tell you that I only send cards and correspondence to near and dear ones and you’re at the top of my list!
I wish you lived near enough. I’d adopt you myself and have you here for all occasions.
God Bless you always, Michael.
I can’t tell you how proud I am to have such a sweet second cousin like you.
Have a “wonderful” Thanksgiving!
Cousin Sandy Donald in prison wrote again this week. She always seems to have a religious slant in her letters. I sometimes wonder if the powers that be at the prison read her mail and look to see that she is mentioning God. Who knows? She did answer my question about John Vigil (my cousin and her half-brother: same mother/different father). Sadly, John died in 1976 in Oakland, CA at only 27 years old. He was in a tragic motorcycle accident. He was riding the motorcycle and slid and flew onto the wall of the Martin Luther King Library at 6833 E. 14th Street (now known as 6833 International Blvd.) in Oakland, CA.
Monday, November 17th, Pearl, Mississippi
Dear Cousin,
How are you today?
I finally received your package and letter after it went back and forth to the post office. I am housed in “C” Building as of today. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?
Thank you kindly for the black shoes and socks. How did you know that’s the style I wear? I was surprised and thankful for them. Thre was frost on the ground this morning as I walked outside to our dining hall for breakfast. It was cold but beautiful. GOD makes such beautiful things...and good people like you.
About John Vigil. Yes, I met him. He was very special to me. We wined and dined one evening. He took the time to spend with me that will always be treasured in my heart. I guess he knew it was his turn to go. Lord, Jesus, I now lift John up to you in prayer. For GOD is Love. And in my heart, I know John did what you want us all to do. Love each other and help those in need and in prison such as I. You too are like John in my heart! I need a dictionary so I can check my spelling. I loaned mine out, but it was never returned. Oh well, excuse my spelling and grammar cousin.
Harmon, my son, visited me yesterday. Lori had committed herself to work at the church, so she and Black did not come. I enjoyed all his attention. It is hard to compete with another woman for his attention. Harmon enjoys hunting and he has been playing golf also.
Now comes the bad news. I was fired from the “Clinic” by a black prejudice, ignorant, mor morals officer. She is pregnant and not married. She claims I refused to do what she asked me to. Veterans Day the clinic was closed but I was asked to come in to clean. Anyway, I have written letters to the proper chain of command and will give it to GOD and whatever happens will be GOD’s will. I do miss going to work but I also need a break.
I have written to my attorney to visit with me, so I am waiting to hear from him also.
Well, cousin, give my love to all. I love and appreciate you. I can’t wait to get a Christmas Card. Send my card to: SANDRA DONALD #27084, “C” Building, Pearl, MS 39288
Thanks for the stamps. Take Care,
Sandy
“...to quit dreaming means that life stays the same.” --Ali Al-Muqri, THE HANDSOME JEW
November 5, 2023
An Old Pain
“My gran always said, “A good cup of tea will cure all ills, and if it doesn’t, have another.”-Nita Prose, THE MAID Alan and I are really enjoying our movie outings. I met a client, Linda Rubin, who introduced me to LAFTA-Los Angeles Film Teachers Association. I joined and we are invited to all these premieres. They want young people to attend the screenings, so luckily, we are not over 65 yet. This week we saw BENT, starring Clive Owen. There was an after party at a department store and Alan and I attended. I met Clive and told him, “You’re going to get an Oscar nomination for that!”
Surprisingly, Clive kind of blushed and said, “You’re too kind.”
He was so real and so nice. It was hard for me to fathom he was the guy I had just seen on the screen. He’s an excellent actor. It was nice to meet the regular, normal day side of him even if it was only briefly. Now I’m his biggest fan—at least for this month. Ha-ha.
I hadn’t heard from Dorothy Rua in a while, but I did this week. I adored her card depicting one of John William Waterhouse’s most well-known, popular paintings: HYLAS AND THE NYMPHS (1896):
Dear Michael,
What a ride this year has been. I don’t know when I last updated you, so here goes...
I finally closed escrow on the home in late September and I’ve moved into an apartment. The complex is the one I pointed out to you and Alan, across from the Sonoma Bagels shopping center.
Originally, Nicole was going to live with me and my son, Jean-Paul, would live with my ex-husband, Peter; however, Nicole decided it was time to be off on her own, so we agreed she could rent an apt. With a couple other college students. It worked out great for her. She’s in a nice place in Pleasant Hill and she really likes her roommates.
Peter and Jean-Paul live together—not too far from me. Nicole and Jean-Paul visit as often as their busy schedules will allow. Sometimes I wonder how they find time to fit in some fun. We have a really good time when we get together, especially since they both have a great sense of humor.
All in all, Nicole and Jean-Paul seem to be handling the situation well.
Just when I thought I could relax after a very stressful 12-month period, I found out VALENT is laying off 20% of its workforce this week. They’re doing it each day this week, so no one knows who will get “picked” as each day approaches. Life can be challenging.
On the fun side: Yeah, lots of fun missing from this picture, so I’ll have to work on that part of my life soon.
As always, I thoroughly enjoyed your two last cards. GETTING SERVICED was something and SIMPLY LOVE was absolutely great! I could see myself lying on that bed but where the heck did my guy go when I woke up?
Thanks for all the movie updates. Sounds like LAFTA is the perfect membership for you. You’ll never get bored.
Almost glad you didn’t make it to Italy. I was concerned about you guys over there with all those aftershocks. What a great trip you two ended up having in New England (Vermont, Boston, Maine, New Hampshire). It must have been beautiful in the fall.
So, not everyone at your Class reunion was ready for modeling jobs in NYC. Wonder what they’ll look like in 20 MORE years.
Now sure how full your schedule will be when you’re up for the holidays. Maybe we can fit in a lunch or dinner, let me know.
Hugs for Alan and Gloria...sure do like those two. Of course, I think you’re extra special and so glad you remain a part of my life. As always, thinking of you.
With Love,
Dorothy
Cousin Edward M Espinosa in Albuquerque sent a unique Hot Air Balloon card to me:
Dear Michael,
Moi? Pumpkin? OK—I sent it. It was designed to make all your coworkers insanely jealous and pathologically curious. Did it do it?
It’s too bad about Italy, but do you still get to go sometime? A friend of mine and I are planning to go to Europe next June or July. Maybe we could coordinate plans. I’m getting excited about this even though it’s still in the planning stages. I’d like to combine a visit to Greece and Egypt on this trip.
Clif’s Christmas plans are still not firm. We’re having difficulty communicating with our friends in France. I think I wrote to you about this. I’m holding one of my rental units empty to house them. It’s been vacant for a couple of months.
We’ve been having an extended “Indian Summer” with very little moisture. If this keeps up, I may not be able to ski for Thanksgiving which I traditionally do. Instead, we’ll probably do a couple of rounds of golf or play Bocce Ball, and, of course, EAT!
We are going to be closed for (the florist store) Christmas from December 25 to January 2. First time we’ve done this, but I have a houseful of guests and John’s family is coming to stay with them for a Winter Holiday. They may be disappointed. Then it’ll work out great. Those days are virtually dead in the flower business anyway.
Thanks for the Marilyn Monroe card. Now I have at least 500 pictures. Write or call when you can.
I Love You,
Edward
Barbara Reynolds sent a card that made me feel like I left my heart in San Francisco. I do have good memories of working in that city for those past years. Barbara wrote:
8 Nov 1997
Dear Mike,
End of Year...almost. I played in S.F. today w/friends. Such a great place and one of my coworkers will begin working in SF next week. I think about doing it again. My lazy side says keep it simple, at least awhile more...maybe another year. Perhaps I will get myself back on the school track next year. Next week the end of my painting help and then I can think about renting that extra bedroom. Perhaps on a temporary basis. I really do like walls of color, mixed with white. I’m getting back to the YWCA. I feel like a foreigner there. More Later. Love,
Barbara
I wrote to mom on November 9, using one of my bike cards that I know Birda would love. I think I sent her one, too. I wanted to send mom pics that I took of the kids during my last visit to Alameda. I also wrote to Paloma using four of my collected postcards and sent her a couple of mini-movie magazines that I picked up at local movie theaters. One of them has Bruce Willis on the cover, so she will like that given that she keeps raving about that FIFTH ELEMENT movie he did this year. I’m not in a hurry to see it as I’m not too thrilled by him as an actor.
11-9-97
Dear Mom,
Here are a few doubles of some photos I had developed that I thought you’d like to have.
I’m looking forward to your next visit here. The time will fly by because I’ll have some special things planned for us to do.
I’m going to miss NOT being there for Thanksgiving this year, but you know I’m always there ‘in spirit’ and I will call you.
Love Forever,
Michael J Armijo
11-9-97
Dear Paloma,
Postcard 1: IZOD
“Long Time No Hear From”. So, how are you doing? How’s Jonathan and Alex?
I learned that I have relatives from my mom’s side living at 26 Rue Floreal, 49770, Le Plessis-Mace. Do you know where that area is? It’s been a busy year and I can’t believe Thanksgiving and Christmas are already right around the corner again. In July 97, I was in Santa Fe, NM and Albuquerque, NM for three separate family reunions. It was quite fun, especially meeting some of them for the first time ever. My mom accompanied me.
Alan is doing well, keeping busy. We are both contemplating a 3-month vacation leave to explore Spain, France, Italy and the Greek Islands and/or South America. Time will tell.
Postcard 2: WHO’S ON THIRD?
During October we went to New York and rented a car from there on to Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Boston, Massachusetts. It was beautiful to see all the Autumn leaves turning.
I’ve enclosed a couple of small magazines about some new feature films that are coming out. I recently joined a club here in L.A. called the L.A. Film Teachers Association (also known as LAFTA). I pay $150 for a year, and they call me weekly about going to pre-screenings to all of these movies for free. It’s so cool. Since the end of October, I’ve seen I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER, THE ASSIGNMENT (which has several scenes in Paris). THE ASSIGNMENT was EXCELLENT!
Postcard 3: Sequentially Yours...
I’ve also seen the movies MAD CITY, STARSHIP TROOPERS, THE RIANMAKER and RED CORNER. Anyway, it’s already worth the membership fee, so I have a lot of invitations lately. It’s fun and I can take a guest or two with me, too.
I’ve had some people visit here and mom is coming in a few weeks.
I often THINK about you despite me NOT being the best writer lately. Please write and tell me how you are, ok?
I may ask for a leave of absence from work for 3 months. If I go to France, I will surely drop by.
How’s your dad and Mom? When is your next vacation escape?
Postcard 4: Marilyn Monroe
Any plans to come to the USA?
Here’s a photo of my mom, brothers and their wives and my nieces and only nephew. I will send you a photo of me by months end. It is getting developed. It was taken while I was in Vermont.
Alan’s daughter, Lauren, is a senior in high school, already applying to colleges. Yikes...but we’re not getting old are we, Paloma? Ha-ha
Always,
Love,
Michael J Armijo
And, of course, the week wouldn’t be complete without a long, sometimes dreary letter from Cousin MaryAnn Montoya-Gehling. She can get trippy...but it was rather intense to read her views about me (and her) and her visions while talking to her brother, Dave, who died in Vietnam in 1966. She just had her birthday (Nov. 8, 1943), turning age 54. November 11, 1997, 1:30am
Talk with Dave.
“MaryAnn, I want to talk to you. I want you to write this conversation to Michael. Get out the picture of him. The one he just sent you of him in Vermont.”
“I’m tired Dave. I want to go to bed.”
“Please do it now. I want you to see something.”
“Ok...alright, I have it in front of me.”
“Look at it and tell me what you see.”
“I see a man.”
“What else, MaryAnn?”
“A man I’m related to.”
“Tell me more. Describe him.”
“Why?”
“MaryAnn, please do it.” “You can see the photo. I don’t need to describe it.”
“MaryAnn, describe him as if I were a blind person. Tell me the details. Look deep into his heart and soul. Tell me what you see, not what you already know about him. Tell me what the photo tells you.”
“Ok. He looks like a nice guy. It’s a color photo. He has dark hair. I wish he didn’t. It makes me uncomfortable. It’s too dark. It reminds me of the molester. I don’t like it. I hate it. I want him to have blond hair. I don’t like it. I don’t want to look at it.”
MaryAnn, he isn’t the molester. It’s all right for him to have black hair. He won’t hurt you.”
“I don’t trust him. I hate him. I want to hit him. I want him out of my life. I want him gone. Get him out. OUT. NOW DAVE. NOW. I don’t' want to talk to him again. I don’t want to see him again. I don’t want to hear from him again. I hate him. I hate HIM. Tell him to leave me alone, Dave. Why won’t he go away?
“Because he loves you.”
“NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. I WANT HIM GONE. PLEASE TELL HIM TO LEAVE ME ALONE DAVE!”
“I can’t do that. You must tell him yourself.”
“He doesn’t listen to me. I've told him before. He’s still around. He doesn’t go away.”
“Why do you think he stays?”
“Because he’s mean and cruel. He doesn’t care how I feel. He wants to hurt me.”
“You’re wrong. He stays because he loves you. He does care how you feel. He doesn’t want to hurt you. He will be surprised that the molester still bothers you so much and that he reminds you of him.”
A few minutes later...
“I had to leave, Dave. I had to get away from that photo. I can’t believe I reacted like I did. Michael couldn’t see me, but I was crying so hard I was shaking. I had my arms crossed across my chest to keep the pain away. It wasn’t a physical pain. It was AN OLD PAIN. An emotional wound that the molester caused. I don’t understand. I thought I dealt with the molester. I thought I was ok.”
“You are ok. You are doing great. You have dealt with the molester, but you haven’t dealt with the fact that Michael does remind you of him. You must admit to yourself and to Michael that he does look like the molester in some of his photos. You weren’t even aware of it. You kept denying that the resemblance is there. I had to get you to look at the photo so you would admit it to yourself. What is it about Michael that looks like the molester, MaryAnn?
“It’s his hair. It’s thick and it’s parted on the same side as the molester. There is something about his hair and his eyes, the color of them. The molester had the same kind of combination of dark features from his hair to his eyes. It’s the shape of his eyebrows. It scares me, Dave. It gives me chills. I can’t ever see Michael again. I can’t. I won’t. I knew it was the reunion, too. But I wouldn't admit it to myself or to Dottie. She kept asking me if Michael looked like him. I told her he didn’t. I believed he didn’t.”
“You remember the molester well if you remember what side his hair was parted on. You were only 4 years old.”
“Yes, I remember. I can’t forget it. I wish I could.”
“MaryAnn, you can’t walk on the white path with Michael until you get rid of the molester. You must tell Michael something that you remembered recently about the incident.”
“NO, it’s personal. It’s awful. I feel ashamed. I feel sick.”
“Just tell him one thing that you didn’t tell him before. You told Dottie what you remembered. Tell Michael. You must so you can walk on the white path with him. You keep lashing out at Michael and you don’t even know that you are. It’s because you see the molester in Michael. You must get rid of the molester. Michael must know that you feel this way. Tell him. He will still love you. He’ll understand. he won’t hurt you.”
“I remember that.... I can’t, Dave. I can’t.”
“Tell him. You have to.”
“I remember he had a knife and he threatened me with it because I kept trying to get away from him and I think I hit him or tried to hurt him.”
“What did he do after that?”
“He grabbed me so I couldn’t move. He put me on his lap and stuck the knife to my throat and threatened to cut my throat if I tried to get away again. Then he, oh Dave, I don’t want to think about it.”
“It’s okay. Tell Michael.”
“He cut my clothes because I wouldn’t let him take them off. So, he cut them with the knife, but he didn’t take them off. They were still partly on me, but they were in strips, my pants were in strips. I think he was angry, and he just started cutting. There were people walking by, so he couldn’t take them off completely. He tried to, but I think he got scared that Papa was going to come back to the car, so he didn’t finish. Some things I don’t understand. I don’t know why he cut them. I just remember him doing it. And I remember when Papa brought me home and Mom started screaming when she saw my clothes. I didn’t understand. I thought she was screaming because I did something wrong. I thought I was a bad little girl. I thought I was misbehaving, and I felt guilty. I still do to this day but I tried to fight him. I didn’t do anything wrong, but I knew what he was doing to me was wrong. It hurt. And I was confused because my dad wouldn’t do anything like that, and I thought the molester was daddy. I was only 4. I thought every man was a daddy. He didn’t like me, and I didn’t understand why because my dad did. So, if Michael acts like he doesn’t like me in any way I can’t stand it. I don’t know what I would do if I ever saw Michael with a knife. What makes me sick is that I was so tiny for my age. I was the size of a 2-year-old when I was 5. So, the molester thought he was doing that to a 2-year-old, a baby. How could he do that to a baby?” “He was sick, MaryAnn. I love you for thinking about this. I know how hard it is for you. I was always proud of you. I still am. You have guts.”
“No, I don’t, Dave, because I can’t send this to Michael. I don’t want him to know. I’m ashamed. And I know this is awful to read. I don’t want him to have to read about the molester. It will upset him.”
“Michael has to know. It upsets you more than it could ever upset him. You had to remember it and write about it.”
“Why Dave? Why? I can remember and keep it to myself. I don’t have to share it with Michael. I don’t want to. It’s private.”
“You have to share it with him because he reminds you of the molester. He needs to be aware of it. He needs to know that you are still trying to get the molester out of your life.”
“Ok, Dave, but if Michaël tells me to see Dottie I will never speak to him again.”
“Did you talk to Dottie about this?”
“Yes, I told her everything that the molester did, but I won’t tell Michael everything. Dottie said it is my choice whether I want to or not. And I don’t want to. She said I am doing well.”
“Dottie is right, MaryAnn. Will you look at Michael’s picture again and tell me what you see?”
“I see a man who is two different men to me. He is my cousin and he’s the molester, but he wants to be one person to me...Michael.”
“Look deep into his hear and tell me what you see.”
“I can’t Dave. I can’t see anything.”
“Look again.”
“I can’t see anything except a man who looks like the molester. I think another man is there, but I can’t see him.”
“That’s why you had to go through this again, MaryAnn. You can’t see the real Michael because the molester is there blocking your view. You had to realize that.”
“It’s frustrating, Dave. What am I doing to do? I can’t correspond with Michael now that I know this.”
“Yes, you can. You will get rid of the molester again. This will help you so you can walk on the with path with Michael.”
“I can’t argue with you, Dave. It’s 3:30AM now. I’m too tired. I don’t feel anything now.”
“Send this to Michael, MaryAnn.”
“I will send it to him but only because I want to go to bed.”
“It will be all right, MaryAnn. Michael will understand.”
“Ok, Goodnight, Dave.”
I’m sorry I have to send this to you. Don’t want to. I love you. M.A.
I hate to send this. MaryAnn
Then far beyond me in the snow they hailed a lone taxi, got in together, and the sickening automobile veered away, red taillights fainting into the void. --James Lord, MY QUEER WAR
October 29, 2023
A Future Society
He smiled. It was the sort of smile that a child who has done mischief gives his parent when he has nearly been found out. It seemed as if the wrinkles at the tip of his nose and the slack muscles at the corners of his eyes were deciding whether or not to burst into laughter. --Ryunosuke Akutagawa, RASHOMON and OTHER STORIES: this line was from the YAM GRUEL short-story Alan and I went to see the new Brad Pitt movie called SEVEN YEARS IN TIBET. It was quite slow moving and I joked with Alan, “Wasn’t it like watching a movie for seven years?” Ha-ha
I heard from three cousins this week: MaryAnn Montoya-Gehling, Marie Antoinette Lucero-Anaya and Yolanda M Romero-Barela.
MaryAnn sent a Halloween card:
HAPPY HAUNTING To You Brother
Michael,
To a brother who’s very special. Who’s funny and friendly, too (also conceited, spoiled and controlling).
May the friendly ghost of Halloween bring a special wish to you!
Love,
M.A.
Can you believe it? I can’t think of anything to write. AAAHHH...I must be sick.
After you look at Honey’s tree sketch, you’ll appreciate ours. I can guarantee it.
This card is kind of juvenile, isn’t it? That means it’s perfect for you, Michael.
Hi Michael,
Just thought I would drop you a few lines to Thank your mother and you for the lovely flowers and card you sent to my mother, Nea. It really brought joy to her heart to know you guys are so beautiful. My mother is doing a little bit better. She just needs to take it easy for a while (which is hard for her). My other also spoke to her Aunt Gee (your grandma) and she was happy to hear from her. I haven't received any more family tree information for you but if I do, I will send it to you. Again, thanks for everything and thanks for the postcard you sent me. Hope to see you soon. Love,
Your Cousin,
Yoland M. Romero-Barela
November 1, 1997
Dearest Michael,
As always, I’m praying that this letter finds you and all the family in excellent health and enjoying life to the fullest. Again, I’m writing to you amid another storm but thank goodness this wasn’t as bad as the last one. I, too, enjoy hearing from you. All the compliments you give me help inflate my ego. My family is forever singing me praises but I always thought of them being prejudiced.
Anyway, I’m glad you enjoy all the articles I send and hopefully I’ll have a lot more soon.
For years I have made it a point to cook for Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays, etc. Ever since Joe and Bernadette started kindergarten back in the early to mid-70s I have made birthday cakes for all the family and cooked for special occasions. Now, with just Ruben, mom, Joe Pat and myself we usually go out to eat and I make an occasional cake.
I hate to say this but ever since Mom came to live with us, I was forced to cook healthy...having to do away with sodium and fat. I mean, it was hard for us to give up that artery clogging food. ‘chuckle-chuckle’.
Mom surely was a Godsend. We’ve really improved quite a bit! I really do hope you come to visit next year sometime because it’s hard for me to put down exactly what I want to say on paper. I’ve been trying to convince Ruben to go down to California for Christmas to see Joe and that way we could probably get to see you, too! You sound like a workaholic, so maybe we could convince you to go out to eat with us or whatever. Rueben has been wanting to take a train (AMTRAK), so we might. He doesn’t trust the airlines anymore, so we’ll let you know.
We'll probably leave from Lamy, NM, so that will give me a chance to go to Cerrillos and look for my diaries. Either way, I’ll come back with some kind of info on our family tree. I also plan to see my brother, David Lucero, and ask him a few more questions.
I know you’re very busy with work, family and friends and I don’t expect you to answer my letters as you get them. I love hearing from you but just keep me in mind and write whenever you can. As always, you’re in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Marie-Antoinette
Alan and I saw a few more movies this month and I especially liked these. I especially love films that give hints of a future society. I often wonder what the future will hold and yet, none of us will be around long enough to know it all, but we can imagine. I like to imagine the good things and try to experience them now.
GATTACA with Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman about a future society in the era of indefinite eugenics. Humans are sent on a life course, depending on their DNA.
DEVILS ADVOCATE with Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino was about an aspiring defense lawyer who accepts a job with a New Yor law firm. As the stakes of each case get higher, Keanu comes to realize that Al Pacino has something far more evil planned.
LA CONFIDENTIAL with Kim Basinger. She was gorgeous in the film. It takes place in 1950s Los Angeles with three corrupt detectives dealing with a crime at an all-night diner. I loved that going back in time feeling. Once again, it made me imagine. I wonder if I lived another life back then. Who was I? It's confidential. 
THE GAME with Michael Douglas as a San Francisco banker who receives a sinister birthday gift from his younger brother that develops into a charade that is unclear as to where reality begins and ends.
Real life presented problems Hollywood scriptwriters never seemed to address. --Eric Van Lustbader, MIKO
October 22, 2023
The Vermont Leaf Fell
“Why are you always happy?” She answered, “I never act against the wishes of my soul and mind.” --Ali Al-Muqri, THE HANDSOME JEW
The visit to Alameda was wonderful this past weekend. I spent a lot of time with the kids. I was always around for Ashley, Holly and Lauren and Leigh when they were little---but not enough for when Ally and Dylan were little, so I had some time with them. They are quite the tree climbers.
I loved how fast Dylan can be on the bike. I had a vision of us bike riding together when he is older. I wonder if that will ever happen.
Mom’s lawn was as green as ever. She does a spot-on job with that!
I’ve decided to use that photo of me in Vermont amidst the Autumn colors as my Christmas Card this year. I did one card with me solo and another with Alan and I on a park bench in Santa Monica.
Ashley is busy with her homework, but I love how she watches TV at the same time. I seem to recall doing the same thing. It must be an Armijo trait. Or would one call it a trait? Maybe it’s simply an Armijo reflex action.
Holly was having fun on vending machine rides and reading, too. I loved that she was reading. She looks great in a Bat-Mobile.
Once I returned to Los Angeles, I had a couple of cards waiting from me from Cousin MaryAnn Montoya-Gehling from Colorado Springs. MaryAnn wrote:
This is a special card. It’s rare because it was printed when the artist/photographer was still alive. His phone number is listed on the back. Rich Buzzelli was a gorgeous man. He was a friend of Honey and me. We were going to write a book with him about the Garden of the Gods, but it didn’t work out. He wrote it with his photographs on every page. They are beautiful photos. I have such fond memories of him. He was 37 when he was struck by lightning while hiking on Pikes Peak two years ago (1995). We have this photo in our living room. Rich framed it himself. When you come, you’ll see it. I bought this card when he was alive. I’ve saved it to send to someone special. I hope you treasure it.
The Garden of the Gods is unique. Honey and I wrote our book about its history. Someday I’ll give you a tour of it. Honey and I will show you the Indian petroglyphs that very few people have seen. I’ll explain about the historic names. Honey and I found them in the Garden. Our discovery of them is a fantastic story.
Someday I’ll show the cemetery here. It’s historic. Honey and I marked on the books the city published about the people buried there. I can tell you about Debbie Feraud, a child who died in Louisiana. She’s buried here and then there’s Mary Sintou and her daughter, Jessie. It’s a ghost story, a love story, a heartwarming story. She is my favorite. I know her well. I studied Mary’s diary at Colorado College. I wrote a speech about her and her diaries. I love her but I’ve never met her. My connections to her are unbelievable. When I tell you her story, you’ll be unable to move. It’s fantastic.
This is my city. I love it here. It’s me. It’s a flurry but when I first moved here, I cried every night because I was so homesick for Denver. Now, Denver is just the place where I grew up. Colorado Springs is where I live. I met Honey here. We raised our children here. My heart is here.
I know you have a lot of stories to tell me, too, about L.A. I’ll hear them someday. I promise you. I love the business cards you sent me of restaurants you want to take me to. I laughed. You are so sophisticated, Michael. And I’m not. Don’t you know I love McDonalds? How did we ever become close? We are so different...so different. When I visit you, I will take Alan to K-MART and watch him try to catch his breath. It’s a must for me. When I wrote to Alan about his numbers, etc., I meant it as a joke that he would be unable to breathe and need oxygen. I didn’t think he would really react this way. I love the postcard you sent about that.
I’d love to see the video of you getting bitten by the horse. I love that story. Can you make a copy for me?
Love,
M.A.
A few days later, Alan and I got together with his mom and Alan’s nephews, Larry and Michael. Alan still has ‘getting along’ issues with his brother, Richard. It’s not very often that he sees his nephews. It’s a shame because he cannot really build a good relationship with them as Richard seems to create a boundary against it.
I took a funny photo of Alan chatting with the Statue of Liberty on the streets of Santa Monica. I wonder what they discussed. Let’s imagine the conversation, shall we?
And then, Cousin MaryAnn surprised me with another card and a few postcards. She sent me an Associated Press article with the headline: LOVE GAY KIDS, U.S. Bishops urge parents. MaryAnn’s brother-in-law is gay and owns a gay bar in Colorado Springs. That was a surprise. She also sent an article from THE GAZETTE (a Colorado newspaper?) with the headline: A PASSAGE FOR THE STAGE: Gay and Lesbian Theater Festival is a labor of love for the actors. MaryAnn wrote:
October 23/24, Thursday/Friday Michael,
I thought you might be interested in the Gay issues here in Colorado Springs. I’ve had these on my desk for a while. Eventually, I got around to sending them.
Butterflies have a special meaning in my life. There is a story behind them. I will tell you about them IN PERSON. Someday.
I can write to you about a lot, but some things must be said in person.
Linda sent me a video of our meeting in Santa Fe and our first visit to Idaho. I can’t wait to watch it. She also sent me a light switch for my bathroom. It’s a cloth switch with a white background with MY LEAVES as the print. Yes, my bathroom is decorated in leaves with a sprinkle of pink roses here and there. Someday you'll see it.
M.A.
THE SNOW QUEEN by ANNE AVERY (a postcard I loved—so romantic looking):
Michael,
I know this author. The setting of her book is in the GARDEN OF THE GODS. This is my kind of postcard. Romance.
Michael, I am ashamed of you. How could you let your mom make your bed? How could you? Robert has made his own bed since he was 5 years old. SPOILED MICHAEL, SPOILED, SPOILED, SPOILED, SPOILED, SPOILED, SPOILED (Yes, she wrote spoiled seven times).
I’m glad it went well with you and your mom, that she accepts that you’re gay. It must be a relief to have the talk over with. I’m proud of you. I know it wasn’t easy. I think your relationship will be even better now. Thank you for letting me know how it went. Thanks for all the postcards. I loved them. I love your letters. Love, M.A.
2:40PM, Monday
I’m on the swing in my yard. The golden leaves falling on my shoulders...
Dear Michael,
You never fail to surprise me. I was shocked to find letters from you. I thought of waiting to answer them, but I knew if I did the heart moved the last. The heart is when two hands touch. When a letter is read, the writer sits next to the reader and their hearts touch. And so, it was with you and I when I read your postcards. I sat where I am sitting now...in the swing, in my yard.
Thank you for writing to me. Your heart is still with me. I feel your presence. I see your words. For the moment, we are side by side.
I loved the VERMONT leaf. I'm sending a leaf from Mathilde’s tree for you. She asked me to. I can't help but wonder what pain was shed when the Vermont leaf fell. Everything we go through in life is felt by the earth. For every struggle, a leaf is shed to communicate its passing.
The card took my breath away, but you knew it would. Yes, it’s worth a thousand words. I loved it. I’ll treasure it, like the Vermont leaf.
I screamed, “Ahhh”, when you wrote you had a picture of you hugging a tree trunk. It meant you listen to me. I’ve made you aware of tree trunks. I’ve succeeded. Thank you. I can’t wait to see the photo.
Sometimes it’s hard to believe I know you. Last October, I didn’t know you existed. I’m not the same person I was then. My life has changed since I met you and I think I’ve changed yours too. and I’m about to change it even more.
I enjoyed my trip to Idaho. I love Linda’s family. Idaho Falls is beautiful, like her. I came back with one thought in mind: You must call Linda and talk to her about being gay. It must be done. You were going to call her the day you found out she couldn’t accept it. I talked you out of it. I was right in doing so. It would have been a disaster then but now you’ve both calmed down. You correspond but you don’t relate. You can’t. She needs to tell you how she feels about you being gay. And you, Michael, must listen to her. You have to. I know how you feel. I know how she feels but it doesn’t do either one of you any good. You need to tell Each Other. Yes, you need to listen to the bad stuff as well as the good. She won’t argue with you. She will be considerate of your feelings. She’ll respect you, but she'll be honest, and you need to be honest with her. You need to tell her it hurts you that she doesn’t accept you. Trust me, Michael. I tell you this because it must be done. It’s time for more leaves to be shed.
Love, M.A.
I guess the leaves will never be shed. I never did have this talk with Linda.
And the black sheep cousin in prison wrote to me again this week:
Monday, October 27, Pearl, Mississippi
45 degrees, ‘Black Monday’
Dear Cousin,
How are you today?
Thanks for taking me on an imaginary trip through the New England states. I know how beautiful Autumn colors can be. It is my favorite time of the year.
Harmon, Lori and Blake visited me on our last visitation day. We have visits twice a month on the first and third Sunday from 8:30AM until 12:30PM. I’m on a psychological high for a couple of days after seeing my loved ones. Harmon will be offshore for three weeks. I pray for his safety.
My sister, Gina, lives in her own little bubble. I wish her well but no I don’t hear from her.
Yes, cousin, let’s put our faith in Our Dear Lord that he will make a way for me one day soon. He has a day picked out for my release. Meanwhile, I wait patiently.
I enjoy watching professional football. Do you like sports? I find it an escape from reality. No, just kidding, I have always enjoyed football and baseball.
Are you inviting me to a cup of tea? Herbal or cinnamon apple? I am referring to the picture on the card you sent me. Thank you so much for your time in writing to me. You will be in my daily prayers.
Love you, too,
Sandy
The yawn is the body’s sudden need for a large infusion of oxygen, especially on awakening, when one is physically exhausted, and in the early stages of strenuous exercise. --PANATI’s Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things
October 15, 2023
ONE DETOUR IN LIFE
‘WE all want what we’re used to. Those BEST things in life that are free: Breathing; Sleeping; Enjoying your newly regularized bowels; Eating your own bad cooking; Listening to jokes; Time at the library.’--Barbara Kingsolver, DEMON COPPERHEAD, a novel Alan took this pic of me on October 15, 1997 in and around Perkins Cove, MAINE. I love the edge of the seaside and the fog there. It's cool and perfect for a cup of coffee or hot chocolate with melting marshmallows.
Dear Michael,
I Love coming home after a few days and finding mail. Hope you do, too! I imagine you had a great time I Italy. I’ll be looking for some pictures.
I love all the postcards you sent me. I guess besides my Marilyn Monroe collection, my ginger jar collection and my tropical plants collection—now I’ll have MICHAEL’s cards collection! You've already promised to make it grow! I’m not sure where I’ll display them, but I will. Thanks!
I’m including some pictures of Clif, Mario and Alejandro’s visit for the Balloon Fiesta. I've made some notes on the back:
Me and Zeppy, Haley and friend
Alex (Alejandro) and I, assisting initial inflating of a balloon, done with a fan. We were un-stringing the balloon envelope for the inflation start. PHOTO: Clifton Snider and Mario
Our sister balloon...UP IN THE AIR, getting ready to skim the Rio Grande. I hope they got just as good a picture of us. We haven’t heard from them.
Gloria sent my mom a beautifully looking Tiffany Lamp card dated October 16th:
Just had film developed, and I am sending you the photos I feel you would want. If you have any of Jack and me, I would appreciate it if you sent them.
Miss you much and I am waiting for you to come visit Santa Monica. I have lots of walks planned!
Best Regards to all.
Affectionately,
Gloria
Meanwhile, Alan and I were winding down on our trip to Boston-New England. I loved the signage I saw in Boston: ROME WASN’T BUILT IN A DAY IF IT WERE, WE WOULD’VE HIRED THEIR CONTRACTOR.
Grandparents
Ancestors
Rely on their
Children as
Individuals, yet
Altogether.
They wrote: TO KEEP THE GARCIA TREE GROWING and each wrote me a separate, loving note:
How do you like this for the GARCIA motto? Maybe to put it on the cover of a newsletter? You are the artist/editor. You can make the lettering appropriate.
The tree was created as a possible emblem for the newsletter. It’s too large and not professional as I’m sure you can make it.
MaryAnn
Howdy Michael,
These are suggestions only. You don’t have to use them. We were trying to use the GARCIA name and yet make the motto meaningful. Clever and witty. We need “your” input too, but you weren’t here.
Later, Linda
I captured a cute picture of my niece, HOLLY, and her brother (my nephew), DYLAN. I have more photos, but I'll post them next week to keep my curious readers wondering.
Upon my return to L.A. my former coworker and Operations Manager, Natalie Littrell, at Charles Schwab & Co. wrote to me from Denver. I miss her presence. She was the one who hired me along with the Branch Manager, Joe McGinley. I sent her a gift for her newborn son, Ryan:
10/21/1997
Dear Michael,
Thank you so much for the Baby Einstein video for Ryan. It’s his first video! He does seem to like it, too. The images flash across the screen. I like the different languages he gets to hear.
I hope your trip to Italy went well. Please let me know all about it.! When we went to Italy, it was our favorite country to visit in Europe.
Be sure to call me when you visit here in Denver! I go back to work on January 2nd, but until then, I’m home. We’ve got a few visitors out this fall which makes being off work nice.
SO, I’ve just been enjoying being a mommy. I took an infant massage class with Ryan, and we have a baby play class coming up. We run errands or just hand at home. It’s nice to do just as we please, when we want. Our weather has been nice enough, too, so it makes it even more enjoyable.
Are you on the internet at work? My home email address is enclosed. Try emailing me sometime. Say hello to Julia and anyone else I may still know. Do you hear much from Kym Dykstra or Scott Gray these days? Thanks!
Natalie, Mark and Ryan
4:35PM
Dear Alan:
I am so bored here at INTER/MEDIA. I need to escape...”and soon”.
Jealousy is in the air because my desk is ‘spic and span’ and my workload appears light. It is light. I plan ahead and get things done early. People even tend to interfere with my efficient work ethics. I requested some cover letters of work processing a week ago and Barbara interjecting, advising the work processing group that my work could hold off until tomorrow. Of course, her work takes priority. It can be frustrating sometimes. Peter left a note on my desk today for me to set aside time this Friday to review my accounts. I really don’t want any more accounts. I want to get out of this job. While we were in Newport Beach last weekend, I told you how I felt. On February 1, 1991, I am giving my two-week notice and my last day at INTER/MDIA will be 2-15-91. I refuse to spend 1991 hob-knobbing with Psychiatric Hospitals throughout the nation here in Encino, the heart of LA’s valley!
MJA
And as it turned out, I stayed until December 31, 1991, after I was politely laid off (or fired). Alan persuaded me to ‘hang tight’ and I did. It was their loss and my gain. I was a nobody there and perhaps it was a lesson learned. My new, forthcoming job at Charles Schwab & Co. Improved my life. Sometimes all it takes is one detour in life that makes things work out beautifully (and when it doesn't one must fix it).
‘There are times and places where not to be anyone is more honorable than to be someone.’--Carlos Ruiz Zafon, THE PRISONER OF HEAVEN
October 8, 2023
Blue Skies Ahead
‘Some little nut cracks open inside you and a tree starts to grow.’--Barbara Kingsolver, DEMON COPPERHEAD I’m in New York City this week with Alan. Alan took a pic of me during our side trip to Vermont amidst that Autumn Feeling. We love the place we found near Bennington, VT called THE INN AT THE SAWMILL FARM. The morning pancakes with the homemade VERMONT maple syrup was worth the visit in and of itself.
While at the Westbury Hotel in NYC I was discussing the film, MRS BROWN, with Alan. I wanted my mom to see it. It’s only playing at one of the independent theaters in San Francisco, so I’ll probably take her there as time permits. I found a cute BARBIE postcard and had to send it to mom. The reverse side of the card has imprinted these words: Self-esteem is truly the route to revolution. Know your mind. Love your body.
10-13-1997
Hi Mom,
I saw this freebie card at THE BODY SHOP in NYC and can you imagine how I chuckled?
I miss you—but then I’ll probably be there by the time you receive this postcard.
We must see MRS BROWN in San Francisco. Don’t forget!
Love,
Michael Armijo
Once home in L.A. I had several postcards from Cousin MaryAnn Montoya-Gehling (or were they from her Little Girl personality). She had taken a road trip with Honey (that’s what she calls her husband) to Idaho.
Pocatello, Idaho Postcard
Oct. 11, 1997 Michael,
This postcard has everything I love: sunsets, mountains, rivers and most of all trees. TREES! Look at them. Their trunks are almost hidden. Always look for the trunks. The leaves are just decorations and remember the moon is your guiding light. I am still the middle tree between you and Dave. Remember, sometimes there are cliffs and mountains to climb, but the moon will show you how.
Love, M.A.
Oct. 11, 1997, 11AM, Montpelier, Idaho
Michael,
You said a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, I’m not an artist but this picture has been in my head for a long time, trying to tell you.
The hands are ours. They represent our close hands. The two letters I wrote to you were from my heart. When I didn’t get a response from you, I felt like I was broken in two.
Please don’t misunderstand me. I’m not trying to make you feel bad. I only want you to understand why I was hurt. I promise I’ll never bring it up again.
Love,
M.A.
Postcard of IDAHO AT NIGHT
Oct. 11, 1997,
Michael,
I’m afraid this is about as lively as Idaho gets. Honey and I ate at the fanciest restaurant in Montpelier. When I picked up my chicken, blood dripped off it. It was half cooked. The salad bar had ten items. I f you tell Linda this I’ll never forgive you. We arrive in Idaho Falls tomorrow at about noon. I’m thinking of you. I hope all is well in New England. Are you tired of looking at leaves yet?
Michael, I’ll be thinking of you when you are in Alameda. Everything will go well. Please tell me about it when you get home, ok?
Love,
M.A.
Oct. 11, 1997 Montpelier
THE KISS
There are kisses and then there are kisses. Wow. Tonight, Honey and I were in our motel room in Montpelier. I was sitting on his lap while we read a book together. He put his arms around me, started kissing me. I dropped the book and responded, as the kiss deepened an alarm went off in my head. It grew louder and louder.
Then, suddenly Honey pulled away and said, “MaryAnn, this kiss is so hot you set off the fire alarm.”
I started laughing but Honey pushed me off his lap and told me to get out of the room. We both ran out in the hall and people were running frantically.
The receptionist calmed everyone down and said, “It’s a false alarm.”
Something had mysteriously set off the alarm.
Honey leaned down and whispered to me, “Remind me to stay away from you in motel rooms. We know what set it off.”
This is the truth. It really happened tonight.
M.A.
The IDAHO IS BIG POTATO COUNTRY postcard
Michael, You wanted a postcard that showed what Idaho was like. This says it all. There aren't any cars in Idaho. Just trucks and they all carry potatoes.
I love you.
M.A.
Are you having a good time picking up the leaves? By the time you get this you’ll be home, so forget the question.
A LAST POSTCARD FROM UTAH
So, I goofed and picked out a UTAH postcard. We started our trip in beautiful weather, sunny and warm, blue skies. After a few hours we hit rain, then snow. It let up then and started pouring again. At one time it got so bad we considered stopping but we kept on. Sometimes we almost slid off the road. Then the storm let up and it was blue skies for a while. It didn’t last. The wind and snow started again. Finally, we reached our destination, SAFE! I told Honey the trip was like the road of life you start as a child...full of promise and sunny days, but then comes the rain and the storm. Everyone has them. They don’t last but they can make you stop and think whether you want to or not. Sometimes you almost slide off the road, but you get back on. There are always blue skies ahead. We all struggle through life until we reach our destination, SAFE!
I Love You.
M.A.
Research suggests that the more frequently we make fun of ourselves, the happier we tend to be. --Adam Grant, THINK AGAIN
October 1, 2023
Love From Somewhere
“When was the last time you read a book? The truth now. And picture books don’t count—I mean something with print in it.” --William Goldman, THE PRINCESS BRIDE More cards from Gloria and Jack’s Euro-escape are arriving and I can’t believe her perseverance in doing all that she has done. Doesn’t she ever take a nap? (Answer: Absolutely NOT).
10/1 Postcard from Gloria in LONDON
Hi,
Another day, another walk. This time it is called LEGAL LONDON WALK. I learned all about Barristers and Solicitors. England's legal system is a bit much.
I had a fab lunch at HARROD's.
The service was excellent. Tonight, there is the Bloomsbury Literary Pub Walk. Bobby and Marilyn went on the Pub Walk and had fun. They went for a boat ride on the river Thames.
Going to Paris on Saturday for the day.
Love Always,
Gloria
10/1 Postcard from Gloria in LONDON
Hello,
We visited the TATE GALLERY yesterday. What magnificent paintings! Many English artists. I especially liked William Hogarth & Augustus Leopold Egg. We went to the Royal Ballet last night and saw ROMEO and JULIET. What can I say. It's “FAB”, “PUFF-PUFF”.
How are you doing?
All My Love,
Gloria
10/3, Friday Postcard from Gloria in South London
Just finished visiting the London Museum and it’s brilliant. It depicts the beginning of London from 4500BC to the 21st Century. Very informative and interesting Jack wants to retire to London. He finds it very historic. I listened to a lecture on Royal Costumes.
Love Always,
Mommy
10/4 Postcard from Gloria of the Bacchus and Ariadne Painting from The National Gallery in LONDON
Leaving today for a day trip to PARIS. We couldn’t get a hotel because of Fashion week, so it's only a full one day. I don’t know if you got the card before you leave but I wanted you to have this painting. It’s brilliant. Spent the day in Brighton, England. It’s a great seaside town and the Royal Pavilion is just too much.
Best Regards,
Love Always,
Gloria
A cool reply card from former coworker Laverne Butler. The cover of the card was imprinted ‘I finally found a minute to write’ and the inside was imprinted ‘This’ll really curl your hair!’ What she wrote really curled my hair, learning the latest about some of the people we have worked with and where they’re going.
10-5-1997
Mike,
Your postcard came at the perfect time. I really needed that.
Guess what? Steve (Goober) Irvin got married and is expecting a baby soon. Rhoad finally got temporarily promoted. Paul Margolis from CSO and Rich from CSO are here in the Oakland Telephone Yellow Page Sales office as sales reps now. I sold a full-page advertisement. It’s the first full-page sale in Telephone sales statewide.
I talked to Helen Armijo and Connie Green to get credit approval for my big full-page sale.
Lily took the sales test and did not pass. Dale Orlando put in an application for Directory Sales Northern California and Los Angeles Offices.
I spoke to Janice Hayes and she’s ok. Joanne Early and Vivian Adams are still in the ACO-Account Collections Office. I saw Kathleen from ACO in the city on Saturday.
I really envy you and your travel: “WAY TO GO”.
I know the weather is great in L.A. and you’re probably browner than me.
How’s your mom doing? Did you or are you still going for that little Mazda sports car?
Write soon and keep in touch.
Hey, how about a trip to the Bahamas? I’ll sneak away. Maybe for Thanksgiving!
L.B.
My sweet pal since middle school, Sheree Chord, wrote me, also. I had to look twice when I noticed she wrote me at two o’clock in the morning!
10-6-97, 2:00AM Michael,
It was great seeing you also. Boy, I cannot believe it's been 20 years since I saw you last!
I thought about you from time to time. No, don’t get excited. I just wondered what happened to my buddy and pal.
It must be fun going to movie premieres. I wish I could say my life was so night life. So, how was it? I’m lucky if I get to go to a movie once a month. Oh well, too many kids...too little time.
Working nights, I find it hard to go to sleep when I have a day off. Lucky for you because you got this letter today instead of sometime next week.
Last Sunday I went and saw HUEY LEWIS AND THE NEWS. It was a really good show. My girlfriend had an extra ticket, so I got to go. Well, I guess I have a nightlife after all!
Is doing the AIDS WALK the way you stay so thin? Maybe I will have to give it a try.
Well, got to go—I will be waiting for your next letter.
Love Always,
Sheree
And my old-time pal, John Tuzziano, who I casually met at a gay bar (THE RAGE) in Los Angeles way back when wrote me. He had the guts to come up to me when I was wearing bike shorts at this bar. What can I say? I was brave in the early 1980s. He was with a small group of his Orange County friends. Here’s what he had to say. I had to laugh out loud at some of it:
10-2-1997 Dear Michael,
Thank God that summer is over! I love Autumn! How wonderful it is that you are going to explore the last de Romantico...ITALY. You ask me what I’d like from Italy? I would love a shirt from the House of Versace! Or a fine Italian man, aged twenty-seven years, six-feet tall and 165 pounds with jet black hair and a smooth swimmers build body! Bellissimo!
I’ve been thinking of you lately, also. I miss you very much! We must see each other very, very soon. Call me so we can make arrangements: H-714-551-1549 or P.V.-714-651-4891
I love you. John
XOXOXO
P.S. Hope Alan and your mom and Alan’s mom and Alan’s daughters are all well.
And a cool letter from a second cousin, Gene Mumford, in the Loire Valley of FRANCE. He was born in Alameda, California in 1939. His paternal grandmother, Agripina Leyba, and my grandmother, Mary Genevieve Leyba, were sisters. The latter part of his letter reminded me of his affiliation with the Baptist World Mission (which is how he ended up in France with this family). Gene wrote:
October 6, 1997
Dear Michael,
I just recently found your 1996 Christmas card and “Family Group Sheet” under a pile of papers in my office. Apparently, they were there for some time but since we moved last year and have not always been home, I just have forgotten your correspondence. Please accept my apology for this oversight.
Listed below are our birthdates of our children, etc.:
Gene (me): b. Dec. 15, 1939
Peggy: b. April 2, 1941
David Jan. 22, 1967, wife, Cyndie b. Oct. 9, 1969,
daughters: Marissa June 27, 1993, Morghan b. Oct 13, 1996
Marcy: b. Jan 23, 1969, husband, Douglas
Michael: b. May 10, 1970
Martine: b. Nov. 25, 1972
Melody: b. June 8, 1975
You might want to write to my sister, Judy Mumford-Simpson, who now lives in Georgia, concerning the birthdates of her two children. Her address is 150 Rocky Creet Ct. Fayetteville, GA, 30214. I don’t think my other sister, Susan, would be interested in this research.
My mother’s dates are b. Jan 26, 1909, d. Jan 26, 1970.
Several years ago, and before coming to France I worked part-time in a chemical factory in Newark, CA. One of the foremen was named Richard Lucero who told me that he was related to me. He was the son of Genevieve Lucero, your grandmother. I saw both at my dad’s funeral in July 1993. You have his year of death as 1994; however, it was 1993.
I also believe that the year of birth of my grandmother was 1891, not 1871. If she was born in 1871 and died in 1984, she would have been 113 years old. I recall that my dad had told me that she was 93 at the time of her death, which would mean that she was born in 1891.
WE live in Western France, near ANGERS and about 90 miles from the coast. I know where Balaruc-Les-Bains is—but we have never been there.
I’ve enclosed, as you will see, in the envelope a brochure concerning a family that we met over two years ago while in the USA. They went through an extremely traumatic experience on election day in 1994. I hope their witness will encourage you regarding God and his offer of salvation.
I’ll try to keep in touch.
Sincerely,
Gene Mumford
And then, the continuing correspondence of the cousin I found who is in prison (Rita Sandra Cordova-Donald). There’s always a black sheep in the family—who still needs love from somewhere, right?
October 7, 1997
Friday, 2:30 afternoon
Pearl, Mississippi
Dear Cousin,
How are you today? I just don’t know what to think about you! Slow down cousin, you are moving too fast! Yes, I did receive your postcard. Thanks.
How exciting to hear about your travels. I, too, love to travel and have been to most of our United States but never abroad or should I say overseas?
I was very disappointed that you did not send me a telephone number but do call my precious son, Harmon, and do make plans to visit him. We have a beautiful home on a lake. Although after eight years of not living in it I am sure it needs “redressing”, but you must visit. You certainly are welcome.
I am saddened to hear about Cecelia’s husband. We all have crosses to carry. I would rather be where I am than to live with a drunk. I hate cigarettes, too.
I Love Jesus for saving me from my sinful ways. I never planned to do drugs again. I want to live a Godly life for the rest of my life.
Do you know my Jesus? He loves you and I do, too.
Whatever you do for those in prison it is like doing for Him (Jesus) and I thank you from the bottom of my sincere heart for writing me and sending me stamps. You wouldn’t believe what isolation is until you’ve been in a place like this, but I know that God meant it for my good. I thank Jesus for YOU.
I’m taking a class on “Experiencing God” that is how I have paper to write, and the pen came from our clinic where I work Monday through Friday as a clerk. I have worked at our clinic for four years. We process the men and women coming into the prison throughout the State of Mississippi. I mainly fill out paperwork, HIV forms, X-Ray, Dental and lab forms. I make coffee for my doctors and nursing staff, about thirty in all. So, I keep busy.
My reading consists of Chirstian books only. The last books I read were by John Grisham, our Mississippi author. Which reminds me that Grisham is a graduate of Old Miss at Oxford where my Harmon attended. He lacks 19 hours to get his degree.
My brother, Oscar, sent me a family tree chart.
I need a pair of black leather (designer) tennis shoes (size 6 ½). And anything your heart would like to surprise me with on my Birthday. NO GLASS please. Nothing in glass bottles, plastic only.
I know you’re going to send me some pictures soon, right?
Please call my son, Harmon. He’ll tell you all you want to know about his work and my trafficking drugs. We are both honest and open about who we are. And no, Harmon is not in the Navy. He works for an offshore Oil Company. Myles, is 11 years old and Black is 3-months old. Lori, Harmon’s wife, is a nurse. We all love Jesus. WE all love you.
Write soon,
Sandy
P.S. I need a stockbroker in my life.
P.S. I was watching the National News where Central Italy is having earthquakes and they showed the St. Francis of Assisi Basilica in ruins.
P.S. And you light up my life and I thank you.
It’s amazing how much time you may find on your hands, once you’re freed up from tracking down your next fix. --Barbara Kingsolver, in her Pulitzer-Prize winning novel, DEMON COPPERHEAD
September 24, 2023
The Dancing Was Not Up to Par
‘A loon went insane in the middle of the lake.’--Leonard Cohen, in his novel, THE FAVORITE GAME I helped my niece, Ashley, out for her school. She was selling magazine subscriptions. I bought three: The Washington Post National-26 issues, GOURMET magazine-12 issues, and EQUITIES-12 issues. She sent a cute note dated Sept. 24, 1997:
Dear Uncle Mike,
Thanks for buying the magazines. Her are your receipts. I sold nine. I only need six more to go to WATERWORLD.
So, what’s new? Well, I hope you enjoy your magazines. It may take a while, but you’ll get them.
Ashley
And Gloria remains consistent with her postcards from England:
Dear Michael,
We took a sightseeing bus today. Virginia really enjoyed it. They served coffee and tea with biscuits.
We had lunch in Chinatown and now we are off to see a French Ballet: TROCADERO (14 male dancers with tutu’s).
Best Regards,
Gloria
Thurs 9/25
Virginia left this morning, and we miss her. She was a great houseguest. I really got to know her and loved her. Today, I did the Mayfair guided walking tour without Jack. He was pooped.
I saw a CHARLES SCHWAB office on South Audley Street in a building from the late 17th Century. It was Edwardian architecture. I found this flamenco dance studio and got the address of a Flamenco Restaurant for Jack.
Love Always,
Gloria & Jack
9/25
HI Guys,
This is how I spent my time when Gloris was busy sightseeing. I don’t “share”.
Best Regards,
Jack
(Of course, Gloria wrote the above words. It was funny to see this KINKY SPECIALIST postcard. Leave it to Gloria to amuse.)
9/26
Today we were in the Portsmouth home of Lord Nelson’s HMS Victory Ship and Henry VIII’s Mary Rose. We are on the train now and it’s shaking, so forgive my penmanship. We had a great day; the weather was magnificent and lunch at a pub.
I’m staring out of the window, and I see someone in a red and white balloon. Bye now.
Will soon be at Waterloo Station.
Love Always,
Gloria
Sat 9/27
Here I am again, and I am just back from a trip to Winchester. I went on a day trip (guided walking tour). Jack didn’t go—it would have been too much for him. I had a wonderful time and felt you would like a photo of King Arthur’s Table.
Best Regards.
Love Always,
Gloria
9/28
I woke up this morning and went off on a tour of Belgravia. I saw the homes of Margaret Thatcher, Andrew Lloyd Webber and the home where Judy Garland died.
I had lunch with a student named Kristina, a young student. Your mother and I picked her up at another walk. She also joined us on this walk. She comes from Sweden, is thirty-one years old and is studying to be an Environmentalist.
Tonight, we went to a Flamenco show at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on the South Bank of the Thames River. It was ‘a stiff’ and Jack was very disappointed. The dancing was not up to par.
Best Regards,
Love,
Gloria
Mon 9/29
Greetings,
I’m writing on the train from York to London. I spent a very fascinating day in York. The JORVIK MUSEUM traces the Viking period from 800AD, and they present it in a very interesting fashion. I’m getting very knowledgeable in English History.
Bobbi Shmaruk and Marilyn Epstein are arriving tonight.
Best Regards,
Gloria
Then, I received an odd transcript letter from my cousin, MaryAnn Gehling, which was a dialogue with her brother, Dave, who died in Vietnam back in 1966. She titled the letter ‘Talk with Dave on 9-29-97':
“MaryAnn you aren’t happy. Talk to me. Tell me why.”
“Dave, it seems useless to try to contact Michael anymore. He never checks his email. If I call him at work, we get interrupted. It doesn’t work to try to call him at home. He’s never there.”
“Is that what’s bothering you?”
“It’s just frustrating, but it doesn’t hurt me.”
“What hurts you?”
“I wanted to tell him what was bothering me when he called today but he didn’t want to listen. He thought it would be negative. He didn’t give me a chance to talk. Michael doesn’t want me to be myself. He doesn’t care how I feel. If he did, he would listen to me. I’m not trying to hurt him. I only want to communicate.”
“Is that why you’re hurt?”
“It’s one of the reasons, but it’s not the only reason. I’m hurt because I think if he really cared about me, he would have at least answered my mail. Michael never answered those letters when I talked to him about memories and told him how I felt about him as my brother. I wish I never would have sent them. You said, ‘Touch me and you’ll understand what happiness means’. I touched him and it’s been hell ever since.”
“MaryAnn, it will happen. You will understand what happiness means when you read his response.”
“I won’t get it, Dave. The letter he sent is lost in SEND LATER. It’s lost. And he’ll never write another one. I wish I never would have met Michael.”
“Who wishes this, the little girl inside you, or the real MaryAnn?”
“I don’t know. I want distance from him. I don’t want to talk to him again. I want him out of my life.”
“Little Girl wants him out of your life. Not the real you. Little Girl is really hurt.”
“She’s not the only one. I’m hurt too. The real me is hurt. But I can forgive him. I can overlook it. The Little Girl in me can’t. I’m hurt too, Dave. I really am.”
“Then you have to tell him, MaryAnn. You have to tell him your trunk is hurt, not just your leaves.”
“I don’t know whether I can do it. I’m too hurt. I’ll hurt him again even thought I don’t want to.”
“You can do it without hurting him if you do it with love. Try it, Schwest. Send him a letter and send it through the post-office.”
“I don’t think so, Dave. I’m tired. I really think I need a break from Michael.”
“No, MaryAnn. That isn’t the real you talking. It’s Little Girl. Tell me what YOU want. Tell me what the real MaryAnn wants.”
“I want my brother. I want the brother that I gave my hand to. the one that I can’t feel, or see, or hear. I want him. I want Michael, but he’s lost to me. I want to be the sister that I can’t be. She’s inside me, but she’s trapped. She wants to come out, but she has to dig through a wall of cement. She’s buried too deep inside of me. She keeps trying, but she can’t get out. She can’t be Michael’s sister until she finds a way out.”
“Tell him that.”
“NO, NO, NO.”
“MaryAnn, write him and tell him.”
“You don’t ask for anything easy, do you, Dave?”
“I ask you to do what will make you happy.”
“You asked me to tell him about the memories song. You asked me to tell him how I felt about him as ab rother. You said it would make me happy. It made me miserable.”
“Tell him that, too.”
“Dave, I can’t. Michael doesn’t want me to be honest. He doesn’t like me. I know he doesn’t because I’m honest. He doesn’t want me to be myself.”
“Tell him that.”
“What good will it do? I’m tried Dave. I’m ready to give up on this relationship. The real me is ready to give up.”
“Tell him that. Give him a chance to respond.”
“Ok. I’ll try one more time.”
This is how I feel Michael. I’m not trying to hurt you. I only want to communicate. If this doesn’t work, then I’m giving up. I love you, Michael.
Post-Office MaryAnn
How do I respond to that? As I read it, I was reminded by that true story book I read in high school called SYBIL by FLORA RHETA SCHREIBER. I loved that book but the main character, Sybil, was possessed by so many multiple personalities. At least, MaryAnn only has ‘Little Girl’...or are there others?
“Time heals all wounds as they say.” As time passes, the wound doesn’t hurt as much as it did at first, and that’s always a surprise. --Nita Prose, in her novel, THE MAID
September 17, 2023
FIRST CLASS
‘Live in such a way that the negative aspects are diminished, and the positive aspects are increased. To do this, you learn to pay attention to what’s important and ignore what’s not important.’--Mark Griffin, 108 DISCOURSES ON AWAKENING Gloria is on a continuous ‘postcard rampage’. I received eight cards from her this week during her European escape.
9/17/ Hello you all from TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD:
Love Always,
Mommie and Jack
Meanwhile, Alan’s cousin, Elliott, and his wife, Annemarie, are in Venice, Italy and they sent a postcard from the HOTEL DANIELI:
Sept 18, 1997 Dear Alan and Michael,
Today is our 4th Anniversary and we just took a great gondola ride at sunset! We’re having a great time, saw Rome, Capri, Positano and Amalfi Drive. Venice is a DREAM CITY. Thinking of you, we send our love to you and the entire family! Love & Kisses, Annemarie & Elliott
9/18/1997
Good morning,
It’s 7:25AM and Virginia and I are having coffee. We are having a jolly good time. Thought you would like this postcard of PRINESS DI. Sent out two faxes today, one to you and one to Alan. Virginia is seeing more of London than you guys did when you were here.
Best Regards,
Love Always,
Gloria & Jack
My dear friend, Lottie, also sent a card from Sequoia National Park. I’ve never been there:
9-19-97 Dearest Michael,
I am indeed still alive and doing well, as are Reida and Michael. It has been a very settling summer for me, and I am trying to establish better contacts with my dear friends. I think of you often and hope all is well with you. Regards to Alan. Love, Lottie
9/19/1997
Hello!
Just finished visiting Edinburgh Castle in SCOTLAND. The castle is interesting, but it is freezing, cold and windy. Brrrr... It took us about four hours by train to get here.
Now we are off on a tour of the city, then shopping and back to the hotel for dinner.
Then, possibly a bagpipe show.
How would you like kilts?
Love Always,
Gloria & Jack
9/20/97
And a good morning to you.
Just had breakfast in the CARLETON HOTEL in Edinburgh and it was ‘eh eh’! Last night we had a great dinner. The carrot soup was yum-yum.
You know they didn’t have Scottish porridge for breakfast. The P.R. is wrong.
All having a great time. The weather is cold and windy...and we are now on to INVERNESS. Puff-Puff.
Love Always,
Mommy, Virginia & Jack
9/20/97
Hi,
WE are sitting at a table in the lounge of the hotel in INVERNESS. I’m convinced Scotland (while it may be a beautiful place) is not my cup of tea. We just finished our 2nd drink and ready for a 3rd. We bought you a kilt outfit on the other side. We didn’t know which clan you belonged to, so we guessed CLAN MACKINNON.
Love Always,
Gloria, Virginia & Jack
9/21
Greetings,
Another card for your collection.
We are now on the train to LONDON.
We are in FIRST CLASS and your mother is sitting right across from me. We had chicken and rice for lunch. It was spicy, but good.
The train has stopped because they had to fix the overhead wires, so we’ll be late getting back to LONDON.
Cheerio,
Gloria, Virginia & Jack
9/23
Greetings.
Still going strong! Last night, we took a walk along the THAMES RIVER, stopping off at four pubs. A drink at one and dinner at another. We had fun. Virginia is really enjoying. I don’t let her rest at all. Bye now...off to BATH, England.
Love Always,
Gloria, Virginia & Jack
P.S. Jack didn’t go with us. He was knocked out from the morning walk at the Place and the Changing of the Guard.
And a nice handwritten letter arrived from Cousin Edna Garcia-Maestas in Santa Fe, NM:
Dear Michael (O-La),
I have been incredibly busy! “No rest for the wicked.”
At work we opened “STARGATE”, our laser tag facility and there is no end to the extra work that is required.
At home, well, Mike, Rickie and I spent our first weekend at the cabin for Labor Day. We loved it and went the following weekend. Again, we enjoyed it so much we went this last weekend. Michael wall-papered the outhouse with comic strips. Literally funny, huh?
I saw Estolia (Esther) Garcia for fiestas. I want to call her soon (when I can). I’m not sure I know how she’s related but I’ll ask her or look her up on the family chart.
How have you been? New York sounds like an exciting place. Hopefully, I’ll go there one day. Bueno primo, espero tu respuesta!
Con Carino,
Edna
9/23/1997, Hello,
We are on the train to LONDON after spending the day in BATH, England. WE did a tour of the ROMAN BATHS, and it really is something. WE also did a City Tour. BATH is a lovely city, quaint English homes, both Georgian and Victorian architecture. Tonight, we are going to treat ourselves to a fancy dinner. Oh, we had soup and a Sally Lunn Bun which is very famous for lunch.
Love Always,
G V & J
‘Remember that in my story, as in yours, there was an angel who holds all the answers.’--Carlos Ruiz Zafon, THE PRISONER OF HEAVEN
September 10, 2023
The Guided Walks
“Who’re you gonna talk to if ain’t me?" she asked. "It’s not right for you to carry things around with you. Not if I’m here." --Christopher Stanton, THE UNDERACHIEVER Collected Stories 2000-2010, and this line is in his RABBITS short story Gloria continues to remember us while providing a play-by-play postcard pictorial of her escapades in England with Jack.
Wednesday, 9/10/1997 Hi Boys,
Another wonderful day. We took the train to Richmond upon the Thames River. It is spread along the banks. The homes and gardens are typical 1700s. Then, a boat ride along the Thames to Hampton Court. Henry VII’s Great Royal Palace is a sight not to be missed. We went on a guided tour with Richard. Do remind me to tell you about him!
We had a late bite at Pret-A-Manger and discovered one around the corner from us.
Love Always,
Mommie and Jack
Thursday, 9/11/1997
Hello,
And how are you today? Just home from a guided tour of the National Gallery, hence this postcard.
We had a brilliant guide that made this, and other paintings come alive for us. What a wonderful way to spend a day.
Love Always, Mommy & Jack
P.S. They have a Pret-A-Manger at the National Gallery, and it is tremendous. We had lunch there. They serve soup, sushi, etc. Excellent!
Friday, 9/12/1997
Greetings! I thought you might like to view this one. We’ll explain meeting when we come home. Ask e me for it.
Las night we saw PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. What a spectacular performance! Divine singing and acting. Bravo!
Love Always,
Mommy & Jack
And in-between, Cousin Edward in Albuquerque, NM sent me a card. I had forgotten that I sent him a cool pic of Marilyn Monroe after I learned that he collects Marilyn memorabilia.
TGIF-Sept. 12, 1997
Dear Michael,
We had dinner with Manuel and Fela last week and we were discussing our genealogy and he seemed very interested in doing some research himself. But then, he said something very interesting. He said, “If we go back far enough, then we’ll have to go into our Indian heritage.”
He confirmed that indeed Grandma Rosario’s mother was a Cochiti Native American and that, in fact, he had been, as a child, present at his Great-grandmother's death in the Cochiti Pueblo. I thought I’d share that with you as soon as possible. Also, Manuel has Fray Angelico Chavez’s anthology which he is going to lend me. I own one book myself, BLESS ME ULTIMA, which I plan to re-read.
I do not have a copy of the photo you sent of Marilyn Monroe, but I have one very familiar hanging in my kitchen. It was probably done at the same time. Thank you.
Say hi to Alan.
I Love You.
Edward
9/13/1997
Hi,
We went to Friday night services at the West End Synagogue. They have 5000 congregants. The Rabbi was disappointing. He didn’t have the charisma of Rabbi Allen Freehling. The Rabbi was from Kansas City, Missouri. So, everyone is so British and here the leader has an American accent. Quite ironic.
Love Always,
Mommy & Jack
9/14/1997
Hello,
We went to Canterbury yesterday, home of the archbishop and where Thomas Becket was murdered and buried. We met lovely people on this trip. We really met them before on other trips but became very friendly and exchanged phone numbers. Jack is doing fantastic! Knock on wood! Best Regards,
Love Always,
Mommy & Jack
And then, a letter from my cousin, MaryAnn Montoya-Gehling, to shake up the mail groove. She included some early special raspberry leaves in the envelope which made it seem a tad spooky:
9-14-97
Michael,
I hope the leaves arrived in reasonable condition. They are part of the raspberry branch that I presented to Dave at his grave today.
His spirit asked me to pull off two clusters of leaves and pull the center leaf off from each cluster. The leaves represent you and I joined them together by one stem.
I wanted the third leaf to stay on each cluster to represent him, but he said it was time to hand it with you alone. His spirit then asked me to keep one cluster and send the other to you. I lay the third leaf from each cluster on his grave.
Here’s your cluster, Michael. I’m sending it to you at Dave’s request.
Love,
M.A.
9/15/1997 Hey All,
We did the perfect walk according to the book you bought me. Hampstead Heath is delightful, full of woods, lakes and famous dead people in the cemetery including Joan Collins’ mother.
Last night we did a Soho Pub Walk to three different pubs for a drink all over Soho. You know what’s fun...meeting all these interesting people on all THE GUIDED WALKS.
Love to All,
Always,
Gloria & Jack
9/16/97
Hello Boys,
There is a great chain of Pizza places called PIZZA EXPRESS. Thin crust specialized pizza. There is very little else on the menu. There’s a big-time variety of Pizza. Find out if it’s a public company. It’s very popular in and around London.
We took a morning tour yesterday of the Westminster area and St. James Park, a great place. Later in the afternoon, I went to Victoria and Albert’s guided tour. Jack stayed home. He was tired. Having fun but it is exhausting.
Love Always,
Mommy & Jack
And Gloria’s last card of the week. My mom arrived, too. She flew all by herself to London to meet them. I bet she's asking herself, "How on earth did I get here?" I understand they’re going to Scotland. I’ve never been there.
9/16/97 Hi,
This is certainly not the NYNEX we are used to. You know by now your mom (Virginia) has arrived. We started her off with a walk, then we had two drinks at the BROWN HOTEL and picked up a ‘lady’. We had fun and then “high tea” at the BROWN HOTEL. We had a little nap and off to a guided walking tour called LONDON BY GASLIGHT.
Bye now...talk to you later,
Love Always,
Mommy & Jack
“How the fuck did I get here?” --Kevin Goetz, in his book, AUDIENCE-OLOGY
