On The Move

“That’s science for you.  You cannot predict in advance what will or will not prove useful.  You must keep an open mind.”--Christopher Bram, HOLD TIGHT On Friday (June 18th) Alan and I went to see the new BATMAN RETURNS movie.  It was cool to see Michelle Pfeiffer as the new Catwoman.  She was incredible.   Danny Devito was pretty creepy as the Penguin character.  It was a typical plot about a corrupt businessman and the grotesque Penguin who plot to take control of Gotham City.  Only Batman (played by Michael Keaton) can stop them.  The Catwoman had her own agenda which included a bit of romance and flirtation with Batman, of course. 
My adorable niece, Ashley, sent me a new postcard.  She’s so excited about having her very own bedroom: 
6-18-1992Dear Uncle Mike,I miss you so much!   Did you know on the 10thme and Mrs. Harlan’s class are having a picnic?  My room is almost finished.  I am going to get my own room!Love, Ashley
Dorothy Rua also sent a new, delightful card of a cool SUMMER DAY ON THE SKAGEN SOUTHERN BEACH painting from 1884 by Danish artist, P.S. Kroyer: 6-18-92Hi Michael, The ELVIS card was very appropriate.   The media had quite a time with the ELVIS stamp.  I didn’t give much thought to choices but guess I would have favored the younger Elvis photo.  Your card was representative of a typical memory of “THE KING”…always with a pretty girl!
Sounds like you’re enjoying your new home in Marina Del Rey…must be a great place and great location!  How’s your tan this summer?  I imagine it’s easy enough to work on since you’re so close to the beach…lucky you!
Glad to hear you’re still very much ‘on the move’…not just one, but two more trips planned to New York!  That free mileage you’ve accumulated must be endless.   Do your trips include business for Alan or are you guys just going for fun?   How wonderful to share the experience of New York with someone who really knows the city.  I’ll be thinking of you while you’re there—let me know which plays you see and what new Art Exhibits capture your interest.  
It seems like a while since I last wrote (your Birthday, I think).  Not much in the way of excitement has gone on around here this past month.  School is out for Nicole and Jean-Paul.  They worked hard all year, earning good grades and remained active in sports.  Now they’re ready for summer! 
Nicole begins her first real job next week as a counselor for the Walnut Creek Summer Day Camp Program.  Jean-Paul’s only regret is that he won’t be getting a paycheck and Nicole will.  Oh well, another lesson in life.
I would have written last week but was much too miserable recuperation from yet another laser treatment.  The doctor can’t say how many more I’ll need before the “blips” disappear, just have to wait and see every three months when he checks me out.  I just remind myself that many other people have more to complain about than I do!
Anyway, guess who I saw driving alongside me on Ygnacio Valley Boulevard yesterday!  Tonee Owens!   We hadn’t seen each other in ages, so we spoke on the phone later.  We talked and laughed for over an hour!  She’s still at the SRC-SMART Resource Center and had all kinds of “dirt” to share.  I’ll have to call you one day for a good chuckle!  Tonee told me to say “hi” to you.  So “HI” from Tonee!
Say, how is your job going?  Are you still with the same company (Charles Schwab)?   I hope you’re making lots of money!   I’ll let you know when I win the lottery!  As always…later…Love, Dorothy On June 20th, Alan and I celebrated our anniversary (the 20th of each month).   This time we went to see that classic South Korean film called THE LOVER.  It was so very well directed.  We absolutely loved it.
Alan also wrote out an Anniversary card from me, using an image of Cambria, California (a place we have escaped for a weekend more than a couple of times): 
June 20, 1992Michael,Happy Anniversary!  I Love You!  Remember this road, the road you would not loosen up on!  After thirty-seven months…I want one more thing!  Please love me on this road, on any road and everywhere.  It’s time to let loose and how your love everywhere.  Please!  I can’t resist you anymore and I hope you feel the same.  Please BE HAPPY, smiling and ready for more time with your boyfriend.
Love, Alan
A day later I found a postcard in my mailbox from Barbara Reynolds.  It was a strange postcard of the Onyx Chamber at the Mammoth Cave National Park (Kentucky).  Leave it to Barbara to find the unusual postcards:
21 June 92Happy Summer Solstice!
It’s my last night here in Bowling Green, Kentucky.  I really enjoyed being with my friends here.   We went to the museum today and this cave on Friday. 
Staying home with kids was fun.  I made cinnamon muffins yesterday with Jennifer (9 years old).  I’m going to miss them while flying home tomorrow.  I think Kentucky has a postcard shortage.Love, Barbara
I have thought of how much my parents planted in my mind in the short time we had together.  They made sure that I learned how to cultivate a field.  As a young child, I was just as quick and capable as an adult when it came time to seed.  I knew how to dig with my right heel in the soil, drop seeds in the little hole, cover up the hole with my toes of my foot, move on a step and do it again.  I knew how to pull weeds, and I understood that you hoed thee soil so that the rain, when it came, would kiss the soil and marry it—not kiss it and run away.  Yes, I knew how to cultivate a field, and I had been shown that the mind had to be grown.--Lawrence Hill, SOMEONE KNOWS MY NAME