Illuminating Small Passing Clouds

“Life’s more often shades of gray than it is all black and white.” --Eric Van Lustbader 

This week Barbara sent me a card that depicted an original painting by Laura Nelson (love that her last name is my dad’s middle name) of STONINGTON CHURCH (wherever that is located?).  Apparently, I actually sent her the set of cards.  Barbara wrote: 

26 Dec 1995 

Dear Michael, 

Thank You so much for this lovely gift.  The scene is more than quaint and makes me think of long summer days as we are now on the increase of day length. 

I hope you had a very good Christmas.  I certainly did.  I began at some friends, then went to family (my sister, Helen, in Richmond and afterward went back to the friends in Berkeley’s North side.  While I drove home “finally”, the moon was close to setting and I noticed it was in the Cheshire Cat position, illuminating small passing clouds.  

My new place gets better every day.  I hope you can come by soon, anytime.  You know I love surprises. 

Have a wonderful 1996.  Love and Thanks, Barbara Reynolds 

My niece, Holly, also wrote to me a few lovely words, using her dolphin image stationery: 

12/30/1995 

Dear Uncle Mike! 

I just love your presents very, very much.  Thank you.  My brother and sisters love it too.  One of our favorite presents is the pinball machine.   

When are you coming back?  Are you coming back soon?  Because we miss you very, very, very much. We LOVE you very, very, very much. 

Your niece,  

Holly Alyssa Armijo 

Sometimes one can play a cool hand during poker—even though I know NOT how to play that card game.  And sometimes others play a cool hand by simply writing a handwritten letter to warm one’s heart. 

“Just remember, man.  Wherever you go and whatever you do. Always play a real cool hand.”  And from that night on he always answered to the name of Cool Hand Luke. --Donn Pearce, COOL HAND LUKE, a novel