There's Always Much To Do and Accomplish

"Life is to be lived, not analyzed."-as read in the novel, THE ONLY PLACE TO BE by Joan Juliet Buck

Mom finally received the card I mailed her earlier this week.
"There must be a glut in the postal delivery," I said to mom.
She laughed, "You know it's Christmas."
I sent her a colorful card of an original watercolor done in 1991 by Elizabeth Ranelagh.  The title of the card is 'A GIFT'.  I wrote:

December 11, 1991
Dear Mom,
Here are the pictures you did not take with you.  I have copies so you can have these for your own album.  Here is a first;  one of the photographs is of all five of your granddaughters.  I think ALLY took the best picture.
About this card...well, Alan's mother, Gloria, knows I like cards and she handed it to me the other day.  You have to admit that it's quite colorful:
'A GIFT', Watercolor, 1991 by Elizabeth Ranelagh

I finally sent out all of my Holiday Cards today.  I sent a total of ninety card!  I didn't even know I knew that many people.  Five of the people I have not been in touch with for so long that their addresses may not be good any longer.

It's the 11th of December already, so I will see you for Christmas in about twelve to fourteen days I suppose.  I was just there, wasn't I?  Ha-ha.
Take Care---
Love You, Michael
After Dorothy Rua’s last Card I decided to create a cassette of songs for her that included favorite songs of mine.  I have only done this for very few (namely Alan and Paloma)…but I knew she’d appreciate it.  I included the specific tunes that I love and a few that I thought would spring some eyebrow rising for her.  I guess it worked from the words of her recent letter:
December 18, 1991Dear Michael,The much unexpected surprise arrived Saturday and I listened to the tape the first opportunity I had, which was Monday morning on the way to work.  It was my first day back and I was not wearing make-up because the laser treated area on my face was still too tender.  I mention this because as I was listening to the music, the songs, the words…tears slowly fell down my cheeks.   When I turned the tape recorder on I had no idea what to expect.  
Perhaps I felt your voice telling a story or sharing a few words of wisdom?  Or maybe it was just some of the latest popular tunes?  I know I wasn’t expecting to hear the songs you chose to send and the theme they shared. I can’t help wondering if the songs are some of y our favorites or you were hoping they’d be some of mind.  I don’t know if you sent the same selection to others OR if they were taped only for me.  I say this because many of the songs I hadn’t heard before but they are ME.   It is my taste, some of my feelings and if you know this, how do you know?   Whatever your reasons for sending this wonderful surprise I want you to know it means more than I can tell you and will be treasured always. I’ve listened to the songs quite often since Monday morning and several still bring tears to my eyes.  In particular, THE LAST NIGHT OF THE WORLD, PROMISE ME YOU’LL REMEMBER and JOY.   BLUE SAVANNAH and THAT SUMMER FEELING definitely offer important messages—not lost on me. When I found this card I couldn’t help thinking of you…the beach, etc.  It looks like a scene you might paint (perhaps different colors).  I can still visualize your painting of ANOTHER DOOR OPENS and how good it is.I saw CAPE FEAR recently and found the acting to be good, especially Robert DeNiro.  He played his part extremely well.   The movie itself, though, I found myself wanting.  I wanted to be sitting on the edge of my seat with FEAR…but I wasn’t.  I seemed to expect the sense as they approaches (except when DeNiro was dressed as the maid).   Who knows?  Maybe I went with expectations, which is never going to be satisfying.In-laws are headed this way for Christmas for a few days and then we’ll probably spend time in TAHOE after they leave.  I don’t know if this body is in-shape for the snowy slopes.  I guess it’s a little late to worry about it.  I won’t have a lot of time to exercise before then!Do you plan to visit your family for the holidays?  Have a truly wonderful CHRISTMAS wherever you decide to spend it.   And you know I want 1992 to be wonderful for you, too!Thank you again for surprising me with your wonderful gift.  I have BLUE SAVANNAH playing right now!As always…with warm thoughts of you…Love DorothyP.S. I love the beach and palm tree picture.Oh Michael…Here is the list of songs should “the tape” ever self-destruct, etc.!  Place it in the vault for your safekeeping.  Ha!  DJRThe songs:JOY by The Lightning SeedsTHE LAST NIGHT OF THE WORLD from Miss SaigonPromise Me You’ll Remember by Harry Connick Jr.Unforgettable by Natalie Cole (with Nat King Cole)Love Letters by K. LesterSomebody by Depeche ModeBlue Velvet by Isabella RosselliniMy Funny Valentine by Michelle PfeifferSentimental Walk from the DIVA movie soundtrackSecret by Orchestral Maneuvers in the DarkMoonglow by The Benny Goodman QuartetTHE PROMISE by When In RomeIN BETWEEN DAYS by The CureRed Red Wine by UB40Blue Savannah by ErasureThat Summer Feeling by Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers A few days before (December 17th) I celebrated a night of Hanukkah with Alan and the girls (his daughters, Lauren and Carrie).   We opened presents and it was quite fun and festive for all of us.  
On December 20th Alan and I went to see the film FATHER OF THE BRIDE.  It was good for a few laughs.  We enjoyed it.  It’s a perfect Christmas film.  A father, played by actor STEVE MARTIN, finds himself reluctant to attend his eldest daughter’s wedding. 
The following day I received two Christmas Cards with letters that I didn’t expect.  One from the teacher in San Francisco, Pat Crowley, who I helped teach her 4thand 5th grader class one day a week while I participated in a THINK-WRITE program in combination with my company, Pacific Bell.  The other surprise card/letter was from ex-boyfriend flame, Chad.  Here they are:
December 23, 1991Dear Michael, To wish you all the happiness of the season and all the best in the New Year.
I want to THANK YOU for your card, note and greetings.  Yes, the faces are new in my classroom but they still are the greatest of students.  They are a real pleasure to be with.  It is hard to believe how two years have gone by.  It seems like only yesterday that you were teaching my students.I am glad you are still continuing to pursue your personal interests as a freelance graphic artist as well as with Financial Planning.I am still writing grants (team ones for five and six faculty members at a time, interpreting visual art into the core curriculum.  Our project was selected as an exemplary one this year.  I’m also giving workshops in the school district on Parliamentary Procedure in the classroom while developing a video.  I’m also taking piano lessons and golf…and dancing (which I LOVE).  There’s always much to do and accomplish…Fondly, Pat Crowley Now, Chad included a photo from his 32nd Birthday on December 16th of this year (1991).  He looked his usual preppy self.  He wrote:
December 23, 1991Michael,It was good to get your Xmas postcard.   Good luck on all of your upcoming exams.  Sorry I’ve been so remiss in my correspondence.I’d love to come and visit you.  It’s been too long.  
Hope you’re enjoying the holidays.It seems the only way we see each other is via pictures.  This one is suitable for darts.Have a terrific Holiday.  Always, Chad
I refrained from responding to his “I’d love to come and visit you” remark.  He hurt me too much and I don’t want to see him.  For now, I love the romantic energy I have with Alan now.  It is the very best.

Alan and I saw another film together this week.  It was JFK (obviously about John F Kennedy).  It starred Kevin Costner, Gary Oldman and Jack Lemmon.  Oliver Stone directed it.   It was about a New Orleans District Attorney named Jim Garrison who discovers that there is more to the Kennedy assassination than the official story.  Alan says, “It will be fifty or more years before we really know what happened.”I believe he is right.  The US government is known for keeping secrets until no one cares any longer.
That's the real question isn't it: WHY? The how and the who is just scenery for the public. Oswald, Ruby, Cuba, The Mafia, keeps 'em guessing like some kind of parlor game, prevents 'em from asking the most important question: WHY? WHY was Kennedy Killed? Who benefited? Who has the power to cover it up? Who? ---as heard during the 1991 motion picture, JFK