I DREAM...

If you were going to spend a month on a desert island and you could only take one person, who would it be?--Colin Channer, WAITING IN VAIN, a novel
It’s very exciting when I receive a letter from Paloma that comes from another part of the planet.  The South of France seems so far away but when she writes me it makes me feel closer.   She included some cool magazine clippings of Anne Parillaud after she won the CESAR Award in Cannes for La Femme Nikita.  Gerard Depardieu won for Cyrano de Bergerac, of course.  Paloma wrote:
Hi Michael,As usual thanks for your cards…it always makes me happy to find one in the mail.   This might not be a very funny letter.   I’m pretty depressed today.  I’m sick of people.  How mean people can be!   
I DREAM I could live somewhere with no people around.  Oh well…it’s just that my job is very hard at summertime. Le 19/08/91See…I started this letter in July, I had to stop…until today.  I haven’t been able to write.  My excuse is I am very, very busy.  I just can’t concentrate.   Every time I start writing someone come to bother me.   The Residence is full.  Let me tell you that it makes for a lot of people.  And next year we will have fifty-six extra apartments!   That’s going to be hell!
Some news you were telling me in you last card…APPENDICITIS…SCARY!   Alexandre’s sister came to visit us for a couple of hours in July with her children.   She has a little girl (8 months younger than Jonathan) and she was crying and crying.   We had to take her to the hospital.  It was appendicitis!   I guess it’s the season.  That’s a very bad memory right after they removed her appendix.   They brought her back to her room.   She woke up and started crying and screaming.   She wanted to get out of her bed.  Her father and mother had to force her to stay quiet.  Little children don’t understand that it’s better not to move.   That really hurt me ‘for her’.
I’m really afraid it might happen to Jonathan or toe me.   Alexandre is strong.  He doesn’t mind (at least that’s what he says).   Anyway, his appendix has already been removed!
I’ve also been very busy because I’ve had lots of visits.   First, an American guy called BRIAN (one of Lise’s roommates).   Then my cousin with her husband and little boy (the one I told you we went to visit last winter in Madrid, SPAIN).   Now I am waiting for my brother, LUIS, who comes every year in September.   It’s the cheapest way he has found to rent and apartment closest to the sea (just kidding!).  It’s always a lot of fun to have LUIS around.  We play all kinds of games in the evening.
Here are some more pictures of Anne Parillaud when she won the CESAR.   This way you’ll practice your French.  I didn’t know she was starting an American career.
Can’t your friend find you a good job?   The one who came here with you?  Why are you going to New York?
I have to stop writing now otherwise all of this paper won’t fit in my envelope.   I’ll write again as soon as possible.  Miss you.  Love, Paloma
My first cousin, Donna, seems to have had a wonderful wedding in Anacortes, Washington.  She sent me a sweet THANK YOU card:Photo:  Donna Lynn Armijo
August 21, 1991Michael,Thank you so much for the gift.  We really appreciate it.  It’s too bad you couldn’t make it up to the wedding.  I would’ve loved to see you.I’m glad to hear from you.  You’re right.  It’s been too long.  It sure sounds like you’re enjoying life in Southern Cal.  The next time we go down there we’ll be sure to drop-in and say “HI”.I’ll be sure to keep in touch…but bye, for now.All My Love, DonnaOh yeah, you can call me at 206-293-8162.
Gratitude, swimming, breaking up your day with fun activities, and especially helping people…--Orange Frog Advice from
THE ORANGE FROG by Shawn Achor