You Are Not Alone
“You know as well as I do that clarity and focus will come with sleep and food.” --Taylor Stevens, THE INFORMATIONIST Mom arrived. It’s great having her here and I know she likes the escape, too.
One of the top songs playing right now is by Michael Jackson called YOU ARE NOT ALONE. I kind of like the lyrics. I seem to be hearing less music lately—or maybe I just don’t like the music that’s playing lately. Much of the music right now is not appealing to me.
This weekend is the big move from the Pacific Palisades house to Marina Del Rey. The structural damage investigation of our Marina home (after the earthquake) turned up nothing to be concerned about, so we’ve got the A-OK to move back. Mom is being such a help packing boxes with Alan while I’m at work. Alan only has to be in the office periodically, so all is working out.
Dorothy Rua, of Walnut Creek, sent a cool COFFEE SCENE card to me. She got me thinking again about THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY. How we loved that book so much!
Guess what? I work with a guy named Dennis Donahue who grew up in Madison County, Iowa. As a matter of fact, he’s moved to the public park in Winterset. The bridge was used to sit on the Cutter/Donahue family property. Dennis brought in pictures and other paraphernalia of the bridges and the area. He told me he could tell me stories about all of the families in Winterset.
Then, listen to this: earlier this week the phone rings and it is old friends we met while in Spain in the 1970s! They’re calling from Iowa! Couple of them are living there and have been for the past 15-years (one of them grew up there). A call from out of the blue and from Iowa—what kick! I heard ‘calla lilies’ grow wild in the open fields over there. I wonder if Robert Kincaid ever gave any to Francesca?
Yes, Pismo Beach was great but there will be other opportunities to look forward to. And you're right there are a lot of Los Angeles people that would love to live up here. Personally, I prefer Northern California to Southern not just the terrain but especially the cooler weather and I know that happiness and contentment come from within and one's attitude has more to do with everything than any place does. But once in a while a change in scenery and routine is really appreciated and that's what the trip to Pismo Beach offered.
Thanks for the tip on THE BRICK HUT in Berkeley. I will let you know when I try it
Well, I found out your friend Chris Cordellos has his salon in Walnut Creek! I am a building behind SIZZLER which is across the street from TARGET. I may pop in one day just to meet him. Don't know if I want him working on my hair though. I don't want him to see how fast I'm losing it and how fast the remaining portion is turning gray. Maybe I should buy a wig and ask him to style it for me. Seriously, I will let you know if we meet
Love, Dorothy
It fascinates me how old friends can connect with new friends via one person. Do I ever have a hand in that in my own circle? Perhaps it happens and I don't realize it. Will Dorothy ever meet Chris? I suppose time will tell. I rarely hear from Chris. People tend to fade. They move on I suppose. It's fun how we can easily pick up where we left off. The memories hold the pieces together, creating laughter and more if we choose to allow it to happen. You are not alone.
In the last four days the words have refused to come to me when I call for them and I can only stare at the paper. When they do leak from my pen, I am unable to make sense of them. --Tan Twan Eng, THE GARDEN OF EVENING MISTS
