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Reality is stronger and more robust than any dreams. --Stefan Zweig, THE STAR ABOVE THE FOREST, a short story I received a sweet couple of ‘Thank you so much’ cards from my niece, Ashley, this week. Ashley turned twelve years old on May 8th so she is much more inquisitive. She loves to discover, investigate and get answers. I love that.
Dear Uncle Mike,
Do you recognize this card? It may or may not have been yours because it was in Uncle Tony’s can but I found your wallet and postcard in there, so...
I never knew you went to CA State University, Sacramento.
I read your postcard: The Women’s Room? You have or I hope HAD a dirty mind! What did you mean when you wrote: “Tell John to be good to the next-door neighbor. He’ll understand.” You spelt neighbor wrong. I still remember that letter that you sent to me and corrected my spelling! Please tell me!
By the way, I hope you read the letter first and not explored everything else! Also, there is an invitation to your (I think) Graduation (I think). And there are 3 graduation cards in your wallet. There are also pictures in your wallet. Even a prom picture. Didn’t any boys give you pictures? You sure knew a lot of KATHY’s. Who is the little brown-haired girl on the toy pony?
What is the picture for? The one that you drew? It is so good! I like it! What does pd. stand for? Period? I do my periods like this: 2.
You got an A! Congrats!!! I Love You Uncle Mike!
Love your niece,
Ashley Armijo
And funny how my former co-worker wrote recently that he’d been in Moscow, Russia (and hated it). Today, I received a postcard from Barbara Reynolds who was also in Russia. I think her experience was better because Reed was a tourist with a tour guide, offering limited reign. Barbara had David who was living there and could speak Russian and she must’ve explored like locals do---yet I honestly don’t think it would be very appealing.
Left Novgorod (a medieval Russian state from the 12th to 15th centuries, stretching from the Gulf of Finland in the west to the norther Ural Mountains in the east) last night, now in our last hotel in Moscow (took the night train). Guess if Saint Petersburg is like San Francisco, Moscow is like L.A. (?). Lots of METRO stations here, having a good time walking, seeing fascinating similarities and differences.
Novgorod reminded me of home. It is where the first KREMLIN was (Behind the Wall) before Moscow.
Went to lots of music: TOSCA Barber of Seville—such a treat. Good theaters and great people watching today. Will try and contact woman related to Alice’s neighbor who is working here. I’m on cultural overload and have written very little. Just want to absorb all this time with David (who speaks Russian).
What a great world this is. Later.
Love,
Barbara
There’s a movie coming out next week called TWISTER about a tornado. It reminds me of when I was 13-years old, traveling with my Uncle Richard and Aunt Pat and cousin, Mandy to Oklahoma, Arizona, Texas, and Arkansas. While in Arkansas there was a tornado warning and we had to go underground to a shelter. Creepy! Why would someone live there? I’m curious about the movie now. Maybe mom and I will see it while in the Yosemite area next week.
There is such popularity over this X-FILES TV show and I have never seen it. Actually, I watched a portion of one episode and I think it has something to do with mysterious aliens. It's been on the air for a while now (since 1993) and I guess it's ending soon. Funny...ever since I moved to Los Angeles in November 1989, I rarely watch TV. I only go to movies. There could be a TV star seated next to me in a café or restaurant and I wouldn’t have a clue. I’d have to talk and get answers.
‘He had been granted insights that do not reflect images seen only in the mind’s eye, but can recognize in every living thing, however humble or indifferent, the ray of light to illuminate a work of art. For that reason, he always liked places where life was at its most colorful, offering a confusing abundance of different delights.’ --Stefan Zweig, THE MIRACLES OF LIFE, a short story
