Diversifying

The Seventh DALAI LAMA wrote in the 18th Century:IF THERE IS A WAY TO FREE OURSELVES FROM SUFFERINGWE MUST USE EVERY MOMENT TO FIND IT.ONLY A FOOL WANTS TO GO ON SUFFERING,ISN’T IT SAD TO KNOWINGLY IMBIBE POISON?
I received a cool card from Dorothy Rua of a scene in Cromer, England (wherever that may be).   The photo was taken by Jim Colby.   I liked the sunset and the wild seafront.   Dorothy had more to say:
5-7-91Michael,You may not remember your first or last fishing experience but you’d never forget a scene this beautiful.  Aren’t those some of your favorite colors?  I grew up with gorgeous sunsets this brilliant (in Guam).  They’d literally take my breath away but I don’t recall one quite as romantic as this one.  Perhaps it’s the blues and purples.
No sooner did I get my card(s) in the mail to you when I found yours waiting for me the next day.  It was a welcome surprise.  We must have been on the same wave length.   Ad you remembered the picture…I love it!  MJA in NYC!  Very representative of your trip and the guy on the stone looks great too.  I just realized I have pictures of you in Cancun, Europe and now NYC.   The world traveler…  I wonder where the next trip will lead you.  Myself, I’d like to go on a cruise with a good friend (or friends).  It seems like the ultimate vacation for someone who doesn’t want to do anything but have fun and relax a little.
So you’re back on the job hunting trail.  It sounds like you’re diversifying.   Quite a range you’re looking at and I say “do it”.   Whatever it is you want, go after it!   Whatever you decide on I hope you’ll be able to use your creative talents.  You seem to have so much to share.   You might as well get paid for it.
I appreciate the fact that L.A. is not an inexpensive town, especially if you want to enjoy all it has to offer.   You still have that other option, you know.   The one you left here with:  the aging, but wealthy, Beverly Hills widow.  Ha-ha.   Who knows?   You may be able to find one that won’t require all of your services.  Then again, you may wish to experience all of Life’s varied activities.  Now I’m getting bad…really bad!  No apologies…I’ve been good for way too long.   I can feel it in my bones…time to break loose again. Ha-ha.Think of you often and always enjoy your cards.Love, DorothyP.S.  Love your card…you did send me one from NYC (which is still in my cubicle).  So you know I enjoy it.
A couple of days later I received a postcard from Tarpon Springs, Florida:May 9, 1991Hello Michael,Yesterday I went to SAINT MICHAEL’S SANCTUARY.  The DEAD MILMAN played at the University of Florida on April 21st.   It was just a little absurdity in Gainesville, FL for the day (where my friends will be moving in June).Tarpon Springs, FL (where they currently live) is mostly a GREEK community and they have these annual events.  My friends are strong environmentalists and this community won’t change quickly.More later, Love, Barbara Reynolds
May 10th…The L.A. at-the-movies choices included F/X 2 (an Action-Thriller) that I really liked starring Brian Dennehy.   The other was an unusual documentary about MADONNA, the singer, and an inside look at her life “in Black and White no less” called TRUTH OR DARE.   I wanted to see it.   Alan wasn’t too thrilled but I think was able to endure it to a certain extent.
On May 12th I found a collection of three unusual postcards to send to mom.   One was of a pic urinating; another was of Thorson’s Truck stop Diner in Beaumont, Texas and the last one was of Lautenberg Laboratories that showed clinical lab specialists sniffing the armpits of men for beta testing of personal hygiene.   I figured mom would frown (or laugh) at this unusual group of cards.
May 12, 1991Mom,I found a collection of wacky postcards in my closet that someone sent me a long time ago.  I saw these three and started laughing to myself.  I thought I would send them your way, hoping you’d get a pretty good laugh, too.It is MOTHER’S DAY.  I guess you are at the Banquet.  I know you go to Fruitvale with Helen, Tony, the girls and Helen’s parents at that Chinese Restaurant.  Let me know how it goes.I spent a lot of time writing today. I wrote a number of letters and then I decorated my bedroom by posting about two hundred cards and postcards to the walls of the bedroom.  I put about three pieces of scotch tape behind each card.  The cards covered most of the wall where my Silber Birds used to be.  Now there is nothing but cards on my bedroom walls.  I felt like a change of scenery.  It seems like something you would do. You know how you like to change the furniture around every once in a while.So, how is Grandma doing now?I think I am going to take a nap.  It’s 5:05pm and I feel a little drowsy.  I just heard a group of sirens a little while ago.  I’m glad I wasn’t involved. You and Ashly will be here in just a few weeks.  I can’t wait.  I hope I get a job with the government.  I feel a yearning for a secure job right now.  I think I wouldn’t mind serving ten years with them if it turns out to be an interesting position.  The money is decent.Alan has been talking about another side business other than his real estate.  He can’t seem to make up his mind as to what he wants to do.  I’m not so sure I would be involved or any part of it…anyway.I will keep you posted on the latest with me.  Kisses to the nieces (your granddaughters) from me.Love, Michael
“The life of a secret agent is dangerous enough, but the life of a double-agent is infinitely more precarious.  If anyone balances on a swinging tightrope it is he, and a single slip can send him crashing to destruction. “No one could balance forever, with so many hands tugging at the rope.
--Ben Macintyre, AGENT ZIGZAG