Splendid

Lisa (daughter of Apple Founder, Steve Jobs): “Why don't you wear a watch?” 

Steve Jobs: “I don’t want to be bound by time.” --Lisa Brennan, in her book SMALL FRY 

The DOW closed above 10,000 for the first time on April 2nd (the day after Alan’s 47th Birthday—more of a reason to celebrate), so that was reason enough to celebrate.  It is Springtime 1999 and Alan, me, Gloria and Jack had a splendid dinner at IL FORNAIO in Beverly Hills for Alan’s April Fool’s Day Birthday. We had all the time in the world, chattering away. The waiter was kind enough to snap a photo of all of us.  

Cousin Edna Garica-Maestas gave me an update letter: 

March 31, 1999 

Dear Michael, 

I really enjoy your long letters.  I’m sitting i my car writing for Rickie to get out of school.  I try to get here early so I can get a good parking spot that faces Rickie’s school.  This way I can see Rickie as his teacher walks his class out and I don’t have to get Consuelo out of the car in the nasty weather.  Consuelo’s in the back seat having a great tie making sounds and faces.  I just showed her one of my funny faces and she actually did a great job imitating it. 

Politics...are you kidding?  Ha-ha...I was secretary/treasurer for the Santa Fe Young Democrats a few moons ago and Vice President for the IBEW local union and that was an experience.  

Starting my own business sounds and feels more like what I want to do. Congratulations to you!  May God grant you success with your new business.  Al of the Garcia’s--children of Augustin and Margarita have owned businesses at one time or another (except Beatrice). I guess it’s time for me to add on to my life.  I’ve been thinking about it for quite some time.   

Well Michael, I haven't been too successful writing this letter.  I’ve stopped and started several times.  Today is a busy day for me.  I am going to Rickie’s school again this morning to observe four 1st grade classrooms or the teachers rather.  I want to make a recommendation for aa 1st grade teacher for Rickie for the next school year.  I’m taking pizza for his snack this afternoon.  I’m also planning his birthday party for April 11th at Quiggy’s.  It’s a place where they have indoor climbing equipment, laser tag, video games, redemption games, food, etc.  It’s all for kids.  It’s a little expensive but it relieves me of a lot of the preparation.  I cut my hair about two months ago.  It’s really short.  I’m happy I did at least I don’t have to spend time that I don’t have, fiddling with it. 

Talking about parties...any planning taking place for the Garcia reunion this year?    

Mike took off a week from work and we went and spent the night in Ledoux, NM.  It was great! We woke up to about 8 inches of snow.  We have one of those $15 devices that keeps mice away and it works!  One room, the most valuable one has a good-sized wood burning stove with oven and a water warming partition.  We have a queen-sized futon, an antique kitchen trastero, a table, chest of doors, bed stand and a 5-gallon water igloo for drinking water.  Every time I go, I have to take my vacuum cleaner so that I can sweep up cobwebs and dead flies.  Ha-ha.  Oh yeah, we have a port-a-potty for nighttime use and an outhouse that’s still functional!  Now that I’m not working, I don’t have high hopes of fixing it up until we pay our primary house off in a year or so.  By the way, my Michael is now working at the Santa Fe Community College as the Director of Counseling/Admissions.  It wasn’t a promotion money-wise but it sure was environment-wise.  Government employment is so political at the higher level.  Anyway, he’s happy and as the saying goes if he’s happy, I’m happy! 

Michael, so that this letter doesn't reflect a diary with daily entries I am going to close it and send it off because Easter was actually named and celebrated after the Goddess of Fertility, so I’m not wishing you a Happy Easter (it’s too pagan and bunnies doesn't lay eggs anyway), but I am thankful for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and I do thank him for such a great cousin like you.   

Once again, thanks for caring enough to get the family together. 

Love,  Edna 

The horrid event this week took place on April 4th in Littleton, Colorado at a place called Columbine High school.  There was a gun down massacre, resulting in the loss of thirteen lives.  I hate when hate crimes happen or any crimes for that matter.  

He was known as the Pack Rat because he accumulated contacts and intelligence like others acquired artifacts. --Eric Van Lustbader, in his book WHITE NINJA