Just Close Your Eyes And Puff

“The devil is in the details.”--as heard while watching the 2009 film GI JOE, THE RISE OF THE COBRA
Alan and I were enjoying Puerto Rico.  I persuaded him to go horseback riding along the beach (a wish I had always wanted to experience).  Alan seemed a bit awkward and worried to be on horseback.  I simply patted the nape of my horses’ neck and whispered, “My Friend” and he seemed to like me just fine.  I loved the ride…a beautiful experience that everyone ought to experience at least once.
We continued our journey to the Caribbean Island of St. Kitts, staying at the GOLDEN LEMON INN AND VILLAS, a resort that was run by a guy who retired from being an executive with a major magazine.  What a beautiful island.  I loved our villa (Yes, Alan made sure we had our very own villa).  The villa had its own private swimming pool.  We took a local bus into town and we were mesmerized by a song called SALTFISH (SOLFISH) by the Mighty Sparrow.  To hear it on a bus on this Caribbean Island was like a dreamy, relaxing, new cultural experience.  The song meant a lot to me also because there was a young local boy near our hotel at the shoreline with a collection of fish that he had caught.   Each of the fish was more colorful and beautiful than the other.  That was amazing and unforgettable to see.
Our Valentine week escape ended too soon but I was happy to find the mail that had built up in my mailbox (including some more cool Valentine’s) from Barbara Reynolds, my Aunt Lela, Dorothy Rua, my niece Lauren Armijo and Alan.   Barbara’s letter made me laugh because she thought I was an insurance salesman.  I merely had to have a license to sell insurance but I’m a Financial Planner (big difference than one who lives and breathes with the chore of simply selling insurance). 
12 Feb 1992Dear Michael,It is Valentine’s so I thought you might enjoy this card from my collection.  I don’t feel too bad that I’m not sharing that day with a special one…but leap year is here.  Hmmmm….I can’t seem to lose this weight I’ve been lugging about for a year.  So perhaps my two weeks in Hawaii will help.Thank you for your letter of a few weeks past.  I was lucky to have been called and picked for jury duty on January 14th.  It was a criminal case in Berkeley Municipal Court.  It was a fascinating experience.  Of course it was an unusual case.   The female defendant (close to my age) was accused of Battery against five city council members, including the Mayor of Berkeley.  She doused them with “skunk oil” last November 5, 1991.  My council rep was one of the witnesses.   And it turned out that our Judge (a woman and also about my age) goes to the same YWCA as me.  It was a great way to begin the year, an opportunity to meet other community members.
So how is the insurance business?  Is it something you enjoy?  I was a bit surprised to think of you in insurance. 
I am on the bus homebound, so apologies but it is a shaky ride.
I don’t go to Hawaii until March 17th but it is mostly what I think about these days.  It is mostly what excites me.  I have been thinking (and been concerned) about the floods in Southern California.  I’m hoping you are well and not having “too bad” experiences.Be well, Love, Barbara
I was happy to find a letter from my Aunt Lela (she was married to my dad’s brother/my Godfather until he passed away of a sudden heart attack in 1981 at the young age of 43).  She wrote:
2/13/92Dear Nephew, Just a few lines to let you know I’m thinking of you and hope all is well with you.  Boy, all of the rain and the problems it is causing in your area…have you been affected?   I sure hope you’re okay and haven’t had any real problems because of it.
I was in Sacramento a month ago visiting with Pat Vigil.  Troy came by to introduce his two children to us.  He has a boy about four years old and a little girl who is about two and a half.  WE got to talking about how none of the Vigil grandchildren have ever met.  So he wants to get in touch with at least one member of each family to put together a reunion (Nothing fancy or too expensive…just the locals more or less).
You know Cynthia has divorced and lives with a really nice man and they are expecting their first child in March.  Todd has one little girl.The other Vigils:  Steve has two girls.  Paul has a son.  Edward has two girls and Christina still hasn’t any.
Aunt Nellie’s daughter, Becky, wants to be part of this too.  She has one girl who is about seven years old (Jessica Banks).
Joey and Michelle have three as you know.  I really feel bad that my grandchildren don’t even know they have ARMIJO cousins.  How sad, huh?
Let’s see what we can do about getting this together this summer, okay?  Get a hold of Troy at 916-723-2704.  I’m sure you remember how much fun all of you little boys had when we got together.  Let’s put this joy in your nieces’ lives.My love…Take Care,God Bless, Love Aunt Lela
And from Dorothy Rua:
Michael,WE VALENTINE’S DAY CELEBRATORS GET VERY EMOTIONAL!  HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!  …Just thinking of someone special on this special day.  I hope your day turns out interesting.  I may celebrate with a glass of wine or two.  If so, I’ll say a quiet toast to you….just because.
Do you think this package of HERSHEY KISSES will last until you get on the next plane?  I thought you might enjoy some sweets during the long trip.  I couldn’t fit the box of COCOA PUFFS in this envelope.Enjoy.  As Always, LOVE, Dorothy
Lauren Armijo created her very own VALENTINE CARD for me “in pencil”.  It could have used a bit of color but I guess she didn’t have access to her crayons.  I liked the detail of her heart and the loving words:  I LOVE YOU UNCLE MIKE
Alan sent me a card that had the following words imprinted inside:
I know it must be startling to realize how common your name must be for this greeting card to have been printed, but just think how much more disconcerting it would be if it also mentioned your brown hair and your concern about losing it, your great athlete potential, your subtle sense of humor, and your intense drive to succeed.  DON’T WORRY ABOUT IT!  HAVE A BEER!
In Alan’s own handwriting he wrote: 1992MIKE, I LOVE YOU.  Your Best Friend,Alan
He sent a separate postcard of three ALL AMERICAN MALES that was supposed to be anonymous but I recognized Alan’s handwriting: 
2//14/1992Dear Valentine,Which one of us do you want in 1992?   Just close your eyes and puff… 3 Good-Looking Guys
I had to laugh.  
I chose a postcard from my archives to mail to mom the day after Valentine’s Day.  I chose a postcard from BARCELONA:  
2-15-92Dear Mom,
I bought this card in SPAIN in July 1990.  Did you know that if you liquidated and sold all of your assets, etc. that you could be living in SPAIN?  I love this card and I LOVE YOU!I’m writing this while in Alan’s car, heading to Laguna Beach.Love, Michael
My eyes rested on his fine mouth, I reflected that there was something about it that aroused ideas of sweetness, of sleep, something secret and gentle and sad—and still youthful.  And I remembered the adage:  “A kissed mouth never grows old.”--THE PURE AND THE IMPURE by COLETTE