Suitable for Framing

“As you get older, you realize life is best shared with others.” --Jacob Tomsky, from his 2012 book, HEADS IN BEDS 

While in Venice, Italy I sent the same card to mom and to Lauren (Alan’s eldest daughter) who is attending New York University.  It’s a beautiful seen of the View of the Grand Canal from the early 1730s.  It was painted by Giovanni Antonio Canal b. 1697 d.1768.  The title of the painting is CANALETTO and the original oil on canvas painting is at the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles.  How funny is that?   

10/98 

Mom, this is suitable for framing.  I’m not experiencing Rome, Florence and Venice.  I’m in total awe.  The Art, the Food, the Pasta, and Seafood are all GREAT!  Italy is SUPERB.  Just wait until we go in May 1999. 

Love Your Son, 

Michael J Armijo 

October 1998 

Lauren, 

Your dad and I are having a fantastic time.  I don’t have to tell you.  You were just in Italy.  Venice is superb though.  The Food!  Yum-Yum.  I love vacations.  We miss you.  

Love,  

Michael Armijo 

Lauren: “Memories” ...Like the corner of my mind...I found this in my leather jacket pocket while walking here in Italy.  Do you remember?  The Hollywood Bowl ticket to the GIPSY KINGS you attended with us on Saturday, June 6, 1998.  

Cousin Edward Michael Espinosa sent me three postcards by a German photographer named Michael Taubenheim.  I’ve never heard of him but the male model in the cards isn’t too impressive.  It made me wonder about the photographer’s other works.  I like that he seems to prefer monochrome B&W: 

Oct. 1998 

Dear Michael, 

I presume you have not yet gone to Europe as I haven’t received any cards.  How was the Denver reunion from your Garcia side of the family? 

We’ve had a busy summer here at the florist store and it’s a good thing because we had to purchase two new delivery vehicles.  We anticipate an equally busy Holiday season starting with Halloween.  The only holiday that might not be as profitable as other years is Valentine’s Day since it falls on a Saturday.  We will make up for it. 

Denise Padilla (my niece) has been interviewed all over the country: Albany, NY, Houston, TX, Salt Lake City, UT—but so far, the best offer is right here at Sandia Laboratories in NM.  I don’t think she relished the idea of moving too far from her parents: Margaret and John.  I’ll be in Abilene, TX on October 18th and in Hobbs, NM on the 27th.  I’ll send cards. 

I'll be having only one house guest this year for the Balloon Festival and that will be my friend, Alejandro, from Rochester, NY.  He was here last year and this year he wants to see more of New Mexico. 

Cliff (Clifton Mark Snider) is planning to go to France in December and would like me to go with him (Mario can’t go) but I won’t be able as that is a very busy month at the florist.  I really can’t get away between the months of October and May—but maybe next summer.  

Nephew Dean and wife, Renee, will betraveling to Ireland next month and I think they’re planning to get married there.  I'll keep you posted.  Hope you enjoy these cards. 

Love You, Edward 

I enjoy my solitude as always but it’s good to escape now and then. Alan and I went to see the new Spielberg Dreamworks animated film called ANTZ (even though Alan really hates ants, Ha-ha). It was a cute and enjoyable movie. The voices of Woody Allen, Anne Bancroft, Sylvester Stallone, Sharon Stone and others were used. 

“All I can add in my solitude, is, may heaven’s rich blessing come down on everyone, American, English or Turk, who will help to heal this open sore in the world.” --David Livingstone, Scottish physician/African explorer, as read in the book COBALT RED: “How the Blood of the Congo Powers Our Lives” by Siddharth Kara