A Singular Sensation
Each color change reveals the inner you: Sapphire Blue: “You’re completely open. Feeling happy, concentrating on your strong inner feelings and passions. This is the highest state.” --The Fran Lebowitz Reader How exciting! Carrie is a young lady now as her BAT MITZVAH was a celebration event with family in combination with the University Synagogue on Sunset Blvd in Brentwood. Carrie's actual birthdate is February 18th but the family gathering was on February 26th at our house in Marina Del Rey. It was fun to schmooze and figure out the family-related connections.
Dear Michael,
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed each of the cards you sent in January. The male model with the draping sheet brings up several images. The rear view of the brunette and the look on her face says many things. And boy, oh boy, the girl with the handcuff (jeweled) speaks of bondage, if not more. Where DO YOU find these unique cards?
How boring life might be without you to spice it up for me!
Thought we didn’t get to speak to each other “live”, I was happy to ger your return message on Valentine’s Day. Maybe the message is better. I saved it and can play it back whenever I need to lift myself through the day. I know I’ve been terrible about writing. You are always I my heart, in my thoughts.
I will mention that the past year and especially the past few months my personal life has had me on a roller coaster ride emotionally. No need to go into detail at this time—maybe some time when we have an opportunity to visit.
Speaking of visit, it looks like I may be heading to Pismo Beach the night of 3/1, staying until 3/3. What are the chances of connecting there or perhaps on 3/2 in Santa Barbara for lunch? Share your thoughts. You may be resting or preparing for the LA MARATHON on the 3rd?
What a busy guy you are going to be! Plus, LONDON on 3/28. Wow! Then, PARIS...who could ask for anything more? Even have D.C. to look forward to. I love it. Think of me and of, of course, send you wonderful cards.
FORTIS FUNDS are doing fine and basically, I am, too. Always busy, but that’s life. We just have to make the time for fun, don’t we? Thank you for YOU.
Love Always, Dorothy
Alan has been ultra-busy with his new venture (EAST COAST BAGELS) and preparations for Carrie's Bat Mitzvah that he took the time to write this sweet note for me. He didn't need too. I understand that we all have things to do at times that overrule. We'll have our freelance, spontaneous times again.
Feb. 23, 1996: I want to apologize for neglecting you for ECBC (East Coast Bagel) and Carrie’s Bat Mitzvah. I miss you a lot and Love You Very Much. Love, Alan
And Dorothy Rua surprised me again with another cool card that she found in Emeryville. I loved it:
2-25-96
Dear Michael,
I just spent the past few hours with my friend, Kathy. We went to the Powell Street Market Place in Emeryville. Lots of good food and a great musk/music store. I picked this card up there.
So, you hope I’m being good. Why can’t I be bad? When I’m bad, I’m REALLY good. Ha-Ha!
How was Carrie’s Bat Mitzvah Party? Wish I could have been there, but we were celebrating Jean-Paul's 16th Birthday.
Loved Mr. Holland’s Opus movie. Did you see it?
See you in PISMO? Love, Dorothy
P.S. Someday I’ll tell you what she’s looking for (this postcard)
In my quest for FAMILY ANCESTRY information, I received a lovely letter from my dad’s half-sister (my Aunt) Esther (Estolia) Vigil-Garcia. While she misspelled a few words and had a few run-on sentences I found her way with words to be creative (especially the detail of the family names, birthdates, etc.):
Feb. 26, 1996, Santa Fe, NM Dear Michael,
Querido Sobrino. Sorry it took me so long to send you these names. I don’t know if you understand the way I put the names, but I did my best. I have been pretty sick lately (pains and aches). I am sick with arthritis. It bothers me so much.
Well, dear nephew. I hope you understand what I wrote here. If you have other questions write to me and ask for something else, you might like to know.
Oh, if you go to Patrick's wedding on April 13, 1996, I am planning on going to his wedding. It is after Easter. I hope to see you there if you go. I went to California for Christmas for my brother-in-law, Armando Casillas (my sister Julia’s husband). She was very depressed, so I stayed in California for a month. I came back to Santa Fe on January 5th, 1996. I didn’t get to see any of your family, but I talked to your mom. I went by plane, so I couldn’t hardily go anyplace. It’s awful to be without a car out there.
Well Dear, I hope you are OK. Sorry for not answering your letter sooner but time goes so fast and being sick like me doesn’t make me feel like writing anything. So, that’s awful. Excuse this bad handwriting, please.
Love Auntie Esther G.
The photos from Carrie’s Bat Mitzvah show it all. What a fantastic event. The photos I have are from the family party at our house in Marina Del Rey. The Bat Mitzvah party included a bunch of Carrie’s friends and I believe Alan has some of those photos hiding-out in one of his albums (too cumbersome a project to find them). However, it a few words—her party was "a singular sensation”.
Every person has a particular brand of creativity to offer...expressing that creativity in some way is essential to living a fulfilling life. --Pamela Seelig, THREADS OF YOGA
