Paint A Picture with Words
In 1965 when I was nineteen, I did a kind of breakthrough painting. It was called THREE SECRETS. This very simple canvas shows three pieces of fabric-one red, one green and one white-drawn over three objects. It made the viewer a participant in the artistic experience. It demanded that imagination take place. It allowed for uncertainty and mystery. --Marina Abramovic, in her memoir WALK THROUGH WALLS
Another letter arrived this week. This time from Arabella Bonilla in Littleton, Colorado with a long list of names from the Charles Tafoya clan. Charles Tafoya born 1911, died 1999 was the son of Jesusita Garcia (my grandmother Mathilde’s eldest sister). Arabella wrote:
Photo: Charles Tafoya, around 1933
November 29, 1996
Dear Michael,
How wonderful to hear from you! Sorry about the delay in getting back—much going on here. We had the death of a two-year-old girl on the other side of the family, and I was just released from the hospital on Wednesday.
Here is some basic information. My sister’s oldest daughter, Cristina Montoya-Keller, lives in Los Angeles. Her married name is Cristina Keller (husband Kurt Keller).
When my father (Charles Tafoya) read your letter he said, “You look like the Garcia’s.” You do! You look like a couple of my uncles and some cousins. I hope this information helps some.
Please stay in contact. If you hear from Floyd Garcia and Gloria Apodaca-Garcia, tell them I send my love and regards. They are wonderful people (two of my favorites).
Sincerely,
Bella
Alan’s mom, Gloria, had a group get-together at her place. It was a sort of post-Thanksgiving party. It was festive and fun to see everyone. The best part is hearing Alan and Gloria talking about everyone after they left. Ha-ha
Reed Campbell wrote a postcard from Arizona. I like how he just writes a tidbit, but he likes to inform me of his mini-escapes. I really love that.
11-30-96
Hi Michael,
In Phoenix, Tubac and Nogales (Arizona) for this week of Thanksgiving. Weather good here but lousy in Minneapolis. Back to the cold on Saturday, the 30th. Keep warm and have fun.
Best Always,
Reed.
My niece, Ashley, wrote with more substance. I like the scoop from her.
11-30-96
Dear Uncle Mike,
Hey! Sup? Well, it is Saturday morning at 11:00am and Grandma’s mowing the lawn, and I am staying indoors and watching Ally and Dylan.
Thanksgiving was good. Especially the food but Grandma got a free turkey, so she’s going to cook it for you on the 20th of December.
Reggie, my grandpa’s dog, looks like a pillow. Ally thought it looked like a table and Grandma thought it was a pig, but the dog is sick or something.
There are so many Xmas shows lately. Yesterday, they had two specials! It’s more Thanksgiving!
We still haven’t spent a night in our house. Well, at least I haven’t. Mom has to pull out the carpet for the carpet people. Our house has improved though. Guess what? The people behind us have a huge backyard. They have a huge pool. It has a really big slide, too. We have to make friends with their kids!
I had a week off of school. It was so great! I needed a break. I have to walk to school. I walk with Shawn. Grandma thought the last name Zimmerman was familiar, so she wanted me to ask you because I have a friend named Laura Zimmerman. I can’t wait till you visit. I LOVE YOU!
Always,
Ashley Armijo
P.S. Write back. Sorry so short.
I snapped a pic of Alan at home, browsing at a magazine.
PHOTO: Alan Freiman, Dec. 1, 1996
Ashley obviously had more time on her hands because she wrote me a second letter. I like how she can paint a picture with words. I can tell she uses her imagination during her Drama class, too. Fantastic!
12-2-96
Dear Uncle Michael,
Hello! What’s up? Well, I just got done talking on the phone with you. No one can figure out that problem. You are meeting new relatives every day! Have you actually MET any of them?
Oh, guess what my GPA was? A 3.857. Usually, I get a 4.0 but this year Mr. Reynolds, my P.E. teacher gave me a B+. I mean it’s good and all but a B in P.E., the easiest subject!
Today, Angelina Thompson came to Grandma’s. We (well, actually she) called Shawn to ask her for the answer to 19 across and I was on the other line. While Angelina was talking, I was saying in a whisper, Shawn, so she knew it wasn’t Angelina. Shawn kept on saying, “Who is doing that? It’s creepy.” The rest of the time from 3:15 to 6:00 we were doing homework. We had so much!
On Sunday, me and Grandma went to MERVYN’s. We got clothes for everyone but Holly, so she could pick them out. I picked out most of Lauren and Leigh’s clothes since Grandma almost gave up on them. Since they want dressed because at their school, they have to wear dresses and in the winter pants. I picked out like dress pants with a white shirt and vest for both sisters in different patterns. For Ally I picked out these corduroy overalls with a top. For me I got these shorts with a Dalmation in the corner. Also, a matching top for me. Then we went to Jack-in-the-Box. Then, to Walgreens and to Michael’s. Michael’s is closing so they had a sale and the line we were in was the shortest and it took 45-minutes. Then we went to PAYLESS.
Earlier, me, Holly, Ally, Dylan and dad were playing The Movie Game. I did a hard one. The clues were:
They had a pair of twins.
They had special powers.
They’re orphans.
People want to use them for their powers.
One twin has star purse with a map to their family.
Can you guess it? It was ESCAPE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN.
Well, I’ve got to go now because it’s 9:36. See ya soon!
Always, Ashley Armijo
The Family Tree project is not ending as more letters keep trickling in. It’s a tad overwhelming at times but it’s also quite interesting to me. Sometimes I don’t have time for it, and I set it aside on the shelf, knowing I can always go back to it eventually. Yolanda Romero-Barela, my 2nd cousin, wrote to me from Santa Fe, NM:
December 2, 1996
Dear Michael,
Was sure happy to hear from you and I’m glad you and all of your family are doing well.
It sure is nice that you are doing a Family Tree and yes, I would like a copy of anything you have done.
How is my Aunt Gee? Hope she is doing well. Give her all my love and give her a hug and kiss for me. Also, you needed the following information. My husband is Richard E Barela. We were married on August 10, 1991 in Santa Fe, NM. I only have the one daughter (Sandra M Romero, adopted daughter, born March 31, 1978. I hope this is the information you needed. If you need more call or write to me.
Love Your Cousin,
Yolanda
My 2nd cousin, Marilyn Quintana-Sanchez, wrote to me from Albuquerque, NM:
Dec. 2, 1996
Dear Michael,
I am so glad to hear from you and what you are doing with our Family Tree. I have always thought about it but never got down to doing all of the research.
I will give you the information that I am sure about and if you want me to, I will get the rest from my siblings.
My husband, Steve Sanchez, was born Dec. 12, 1959. His real name is Stevan (not Steven). My two sons are Matthew b. 4-10-1986 and Daniel b. 6-12-1990. I had a stillborn child on July 4, 1989, named Joseph Samuel.
Steven is a supervisor at an analytical laboratory full-time and we own a retail store that we run on weekends. We sell swords and artifacts from SPAIN and cutler and security products. During the week I am a preschool instructor and bookkeeper for the company I work for (and also for our business). We’re pretty busy people. I volunteer when I can at my children’s classrooms.
Photo: Toledo, SPAIN
You were asking about my brother, Dale Quintana, and his address. It is the same as my mom's. He lives in a house behind hers.
I talk to Angie, Patricia, Roy and David often, so if you need something let me know. Angie’s birthday is wrong. She was born in 1940.
Jerry lives in Taos, NM and I don’t talk to him too often. His son, Jerome, has a daughter. Rick Romero is married with two stepchildren. Karen’s husband’s name is Pat. There is a lot of work and research involved in this. I think it is great and would really like the chart you have worked on. I will make copies for my family if that’s all right. Thank you for writing to me and for all you have done. Hope to hear from you soon.
Love,
Marilyn Quintana-Sanchez,
10416 Nogal Pl. NW,
Albuquerque, NM 87114
“The dreams of the past are never totally lost. They may get overlaid with other things, abandoned, or suppressed. But they’re always there. All you have to do is find them.” --Nicolas Barreau, in his novel, ONE EVENING IN PARIS
