Save The Best For Last

To their delight, they discovered that it was true---that once you learned to ride a bicycle, you never forgot.  Biking had been better than walking.--Charles Belfoure, THE PARIS ARCHITECT
I found that I wasn’t enjoying IDS-American Express as a Financial Planner.  I don’t even know what is going on in the business world because I’m supposed to be ‘cold calling’ all day long.   I decided to interview elsewhere with other brokerage firms, starting with FIDELITY.   I interviewed with them and it seemed to go quite well but I never heard back.  I am hoping I will hear back from CHARLES SCHWAB & CO.   They have an opening near UCLA, at the Westwood Branch office.
Photo:  Lauren I am staying at Alan’s pad in SEA COLONY more than I am at my place in West Hollywood lately.  I love the beach and the commute from Santa Monica to West LA seems to be easier.  I don’t need to get on a freeway.  I love the easy access to the beach and the ability to hop on my bike without a moment of hesitation.
I liked when Alan's daughters (Lauren and Carrie) came over.  They didn't really like going from one home (their mom's) to another (their dad's) as they'd often forget one thing or another.  I hope it improves their thinking caps.
My niece, Ashley, wrote me another letter in that cool BIKE stationery.  I read it while listening to that cool new song by Vanessa Williams called SAVE THE BEST FOR LAST. 
February 26, 1992Dear Uncle Mike,
Did you get my letter?  I got my labels finally!   I miss you.  I love you most.I got the one label that you put on.Kisses and Hugs,Ashley
And I loved the new Black and White card that Dorothy Rua sent me with her latest words of concern:
2-27-92Dear Michael,The hunk on your latest card is “whoever I want it to be”…pretty clever!   Let’s see:  dark hair, nice body, hmmm…have to give this one some thought.  Maybe if I keep looking at him it’ll come to me!  I liked the red heart…nice added touch.  I hope your VALENTINE’S DAY was eventful!
LIFE seems to go along pretty much the same from one day to another.  I’ve decided to limit the extra time I spend at work---getting home at 7PM gets old so fast and is much too draining.  I’m limiting my long hours to two days a week, hoping that will allow for some outdoor time as the daylight stays longer.  After so much rain it’s nice to see sunshine and blue skies this week.  Speaking of rain, your area sure received more than I’s share this month and prior.  How’d you fare?
Glad to hear you ace’d your script!  How do you feel about your new career/business so far?  Is it too soon to tell?  I know it takes a lot of time and energy but then the rewards can be great, too!   How did things go at FIDELITY INVESTMENTS?  Are the pastures any greener?
Did I tell you I saw FRIED GREEN TOMATOES?  I loved it.  The movie was so well done.  I’ll never look at BBQ sauce the same again (nor the BBQ meat that I bite into!   I saw MEDICINE MAN, too.  It had a good message but felt I could have waited for the video.  I always enjoy Sean Connery and he played his part well (as expected), but thought more could have been done with the scenery and the natives.
Rosemarie and I plan to get together tomorrow evening.  We are going to go out somewhere but now think we’ll just open a bottle of champagne at her place, munch on some goodies and talk about everything under the moon.  She’ll ask if I’ve heard from you---have to tell her I’m late responding to your last card! 
Sunday I’m supposed to meet my friend, Kathy—maybe I’ll meet her in Alameda.   I feel like walking on the beach even if the sand isn’t bright white and palm trees won’t be swaying.  God, I miss the ocean, the crashing waves…I feel like talking to you.  I’ll call when I get a chance.  How are things with ALAN?  More later…Love, DorothyP.S.  I just bought a new tube of lipstick, ROSA ROSA! Photo:  Carrie …and a day later another surprise rainbow rose card from Ashley:

Dear Uncle Mike,Carrie finally wrote to me.   She asked me what color my hair and eyes are and how old I am.  She gave me candy.  I gave her some stickers that you gave me.I miss you.  I got the labels.  Carrie asked me what grad I’m in.   She spelled “SISTERS” and “TURNING” wrong.  She spelled “SISTERS” like this:  SISSTER.  She spelled “TURNING” like this:  TRUNING.I miss you.  I love you.Ashley
And a humorous postcard from Dorothy arrived the following day.  It was clearly an ASHLEY and DOROTHY mailbox week:
2-28-92Hi Michael!I mailed you a card yesterday but couldn’t help thinking of you today, too.  It’s a hot summer day in the middle of winter and everyone but me is riding around in convertibles with the tops down!  Right now I wish I was cruising down the coastline in your Black Mustang, hanging on to my wig with a big ROSA ROSA lipstick smile on my face!  
Tell me you’re out there with the wind on your face and the sound of the surf beating to the rhythm of your music and it will make me feel better.  At least one of us is enjoying the outdoors!   If you are caged in a cubicle these days I don’t want to hear it. Ha-ha!
Apparently these guys on this postcard can’t find a beach, so they’ve settled for a cold drink.  I hope you’re smiling. Love, Dorothy
Dorothy may have a stale marriage but she’s over forty…so she has found a level of independence somewhere along the line.  She’s on her own.
“A woman under thirty is a girl; a woman over thirty is a woman, and a woman over forty is on her own.” --Joan Juliet Buck, THE ONLY PLACE TO BE