(Undated letter)
Dear Mr. Hunt,
Hello. I am a freshman at Lanier High. My name is Kathy and I live in Lanier on Perry Street, right across from where the old Elite Club used to be except it's not there anymore. It burned some years ago. Now it's a Health Center for the Blackstone Valley.
Well, I really do not know what else to tell you about Lanier. Well, I hope you have a great day.
Sincerely,
Kathy
(Undated Letter)
Dear Kathy,
I don't remember the Elite Club or Perry Street, so cannot picture where in Lanier it is located. You do say that it is now the health center for Blackstone Valley. If it's near the Blackstone River, I would say it's down toward the Pawtucket end of town, correct?
I know it's difficult to write to someone you don't know, so you weren't able to tell me too much, but by the same token, I cannot get to know you either. Maybe by the time you become a little more familiar with my story, you will be more comfortable in writing to me. With that in mind, let's go off on another tangent.
Before we left Lanier for Pawtuxent River, Maryland, in 1953, we visited our relatives in Sabatus, Maine. My aunt and uncle gave me a set of skis for Christmas and as a going-away present. I got to use them exactly once in Maryland when we had a half-inch snowfall that lasted all of five hours. I fell quite a lot and gave up trying to be a Jean Claude Killy, downhill racer.
My forte then became exploring the woods around the housing area on post. I led many an expedition, a la Lewis and Clark, into the surrounding vegetation and discovered many good streams and places of solitude where a boy my age (thirteen/fourteen) could lose himself from the cares of urban living. My constant companion at that time was my collie, Scotty. We had him since 1951 in Cuba, and he was very faithful and smart. Sometimes when I left him at home and meal time came, my mother would tie a note to his collar and let him out of the house and he would invariably find me no matter where I was.
Those streams I mentioned were very tempting places on hot days at school. A character I may have mentioned in another letter, named Butch, was a playmate of mine and we began sneaking cigarettes and playing hooky from school together. One day we had gone to one of these streams in the woods and decided to go swimming. We went in au natural after folding our clothes on the bank.
The swimming was great for about forty minutes, but unfortunately, we weren't the only ones who passed through those woods. We heard some men coming, so we scrambled out and grabbed as much of our clothes as we could and ran to hide and dress. We had been seen, however, and recognized. Our parents did find out about it, and mine forbade me to play with Butch again. Of course, that dictum couldn't be enforced forever, so it wasn't long before we were playing together again. My parents didn't like Butch because they thought he was leading me astray. Truth to tell, I couldn't tell you to this day who was leading whom astray.
The elementary school I went to was just outside of the gate of the post in College Park, Maryland. I used to brown-bag it to school in those days. That is, I'd carry my lunch. Schools didn't have cafeterias and lunchrooms in those days, so one brought one's lunch in a bag and perhaps traded with another if he/she had what looked like a better lunch. We did bring some change for sodas or milk or candy bars, though. I seldom used the money for what it was intended. At first I was into commemorative stamps, which I bought or traded from other students; then I got into foreign coins and bills. A lot of the students were from military families and had done a lot of traveling with their fathers to different lands and had some good-looking currency. The temptations were all around.
Later I found out that the pinball machines in the various stores in the park had payoffs in cash if you won games. That became a big thing for Butch and me. Naturally, the machines did most of the winning.
My parents were happy when we moved off post to Tall Timbers, to a house in the pines, on the shore of the Potomac River. I was starting at a new school, and I think they thought the move would break up the friendship between Butch and me, and I would no longer get into trouble. Though Butch stayed on post, he, too, was bussed to the same school as I. It was a stalemate.
I also made another new friend named Jimmy Calisanto whom I had some adventures with, about which you shall hear anon.
That's about it for now, Kathy. I hope you found something of interest in this little bit of narrative, and perhaps you can relate it to some experience of your own and tell me about it in your next letter. Until then,
Your friend,
John E. Hunt
January 18, 1989
Dear Mr. Hunt,
Hello! How are you doing? I'm fine. Did you enjoy your Christmas holiday? Well, we all received our letters from you yesterday in English. You wrote that you don't remember the Elite Club on Perry Street so I'll try to give you an idea of where it is. You were wrong in guessing that it is toward the Pawtucket end of town near the Blackstone River. The building where the Elite Club was is called the Blackstone Valley Health Center, though. Okay, do you remember where Lanier High School is located? It's on the corner of Summer Street and Illinois Street. Well, as you walk out the front door of the school, the street parallel to Illinois is Perry Street. It runs from Summer Street all the way down to Hunt Street. Does that make it any cleared for you? I hope it does.
Since you told me about your adventures in your letter, I guess that I should tell you some of mine. About four years ago my family and my father's best friend's family got together and we went camping at Buck Hill Campground in Burriville, Rhode Island. Part of it is a Boy Scout Camp, but the other part is for families. Well, the week we went it was practically deserted. There were only three other families besides ours and there were no scouts. So naturally it was very quiet especially since the camp sites were spaced quite a good distance from the rest. We really rough it when we go camping. We even had to pitch our own tents. I've been camping ever since I was born so the outdoors is like a second home to me. Anyway, one day while we were all out on the lake (except my mom and her friend who stayed on shore), a huge wild goose swooped right down over the boat we were in. Actually it wasn't a boat it was a canoe. Then it landed on the shore where the rest of the flock were landing and there were twelve of them and they were huge and they started going over to where my mom and friend were sitting so they got up and stood behind their chairs until the geese went away because they didn't know what else to do. The next day we went for a hike through the woods and we saw a fox. It was beautiful. Then you wouldn't believe what happened that night while we were sitting around the fire. See, there was this stray cat that kept going through our camp and my father saw a stripe of white and heard rustling in the bushes and he thought it was the cat again. So he leaned back and closed his eyes. When he opened them a few minutes later, guess what was standing near his feet? A skunk! That's what he had seen, not a cat! So everybody got up and moved away and the skunk lifted his tail. We thought we were going to get sprayed but when the skunk saw we weren't going to do anything, he put down his tail and walked away!
Well, for the past two years we've been renting a Beach House down in Sandhill Cove Beach. It's right next to Galilee State Beach. My mom and I saw a jelly fish on the beach which was about the size… well about six inches long and three inches thick. It was a clear colored one. To this day my brothers and father doesn’t believe us because they didn't see it. Then my cousin Joyce and I found a huge horseshoe crab swimming in the water. I think I drove Joyce crazy that week because at low tide, I love hunting for periwinkles, hermit crabs, crabs and starfish. I pick them up, hunt under rocks and seaweed. Joyce doesn't like me doing stuff like that! Well, I enjoy studying the ocean and its inhabitants and I hope to become either a marine biologist or a biological oceanographer when I'm older. That's why I'm going to go to the University of Rhode Island. U.R.I. is supposed to have the best program for oceanography around. The next best is in Florida. Well, I think that's all I have to say for now. I hope you found something of interest in my letter.
Sincerely,
Kathy
12 February 1989
Dear Kathy,
Your letter of 18 January arrived yesterday along with two other letters from your classmates. You state that you had just got the letter the day before while in English class. Mr. Powers has had those letters since the 3rd of January. Why he has waited so long to pass them out is beyond my comprehension. I wrote to him and asked but have not received an answer as yet.
You write a very interesting letter and one which gives me pleasure to answer. Yes, my holidays were pleasant and uneventful. I trust you had a good time over the holidays also before returning to the daily grind at school.
Your interest in Oceanography or Marine Biology is commendable and should be very rewarding if you do go into that field. That is a frontier which still has some mysteries for mankind. While we may be reaching for the stars now, we still have a vast area of this earth which remains unexplored to this day. Why, it was thought that the Colycanthe, a prehistoric fish, was extinct until the 1950's, when Greek fisherman caught one. Several others have been caught since then but nobody has been able to keep them alive very long. They are a deep sea fish and I guess the difference in the pressure gradient when they are brought to the surface must kill them.
Knowing of your interest in this field, I would assume you are a great fan of Jacques Cousteau. He certainly has done a great deal to advance the knowledge of the sea and all that is in it for many years.
Your exploits at Buck Hill Campground and Sand Hill Cove Beach are undoubtedly what piqued your interest in the outdoors. Mind you, I've had my share of sleeping outdoors and on the ground while in the Army. There is a distinct pleasure in waking up at dawn and watching the sunrise over a lake or on the ocean. But I will leave that to all you young whipper snappers for now. My bones have become accustomed to a mattress of late.
The geese you mentioned were probably just looking for a handout from your mom and her friend. Discretion is the better part of valor when dealing with an unknown situation though, and they probably did the right thing by staying clear of the geese. A riled gander can nip you pretty badly if you're not careful. As for the skunk, I've heard that if they are not threatened, they are very docile and will not spray you. As a matter of fact, I've heard they make good house pets. It would have to be descented (if that is the right word) before I would have one as a pet.
Before my illness, my wife, daughter, and I used to make yearly trips (sometimes twice a year) to Beaufort, South Carolina and Fripp Island to pick clams and muscles and net crabs. We haven't done that for several years now. While walking the beaches there, I have found many horseshoe crab shells washed up on the shore and even once or twice, whole crabs. I don't know if they had been caught by fishermen and left to die or if it was a natural phenomenon of a breeding cycle. You know, like the salmon returning to their birthplace to spawn and then dying. I don't know enough about horseshoe crabs to form an opinion. I hope your interest in the oceans and its inhabitants stays vibrant and you do get your wish of becoming a marine biologist. Perhaps someday you can tell me the answer.
The Fort Gordon (U.S. Army) Recreation Center was offering classes on scuba diving at the indoor swimming pool this past summer with a final trip to Florida for sea trials to get a license for diving. The fee was only $120. I tried to interest my daughter in signing up but she was too tied up in her love life and didn't want to interrupt that. The course was only two weeks long but I guess the separation would have been unbearable for her. Such is young love!
It's been nice chewing the fat with you Kathy. I'll close for now though because I promised the wife that we would visit friends this afternoon and it's nearing that time now. Be good and write again soon. I like hearing from you.
Your friend,
John
18 February, 1989
Dear Mr. Hunt,
Your letter from February 12th arrived here two days ago. My friends Crystal and Susana both mentioned that they had also received letters from you on the same day. Crystal and Susana are two of my closest friends.
I'm glad to know that you found my last letter interesting. Your letters have been very interesting too. One of the things that interested me the most was what you told me about the prehistoric fish, the colycanthe. I've never heard of it before. Naturally, I was intrigued because of my interest in fish. I looked it up in my encyclopedia but I couldn't find anything about it. Is there anything you could tell me about that species of fish? I would really appreciate it if you could.
One of the mysteries of marine life that intrigues me the most is the songs of the whales. Each song is different from the others yet they are all beautiful. Maybe one day I'll understand just what those songs mean.
Yes, it is a distinct pleasure in waking up at dawn and watching the sunrise over the ocean. It is also a pleasure to watch the sun set. I've taken many pictures of both.
You were correct in assuming that I am a fan of Jaques Cousteau. He has done a lot to advance the knowledge of the marine environment. Someday I hope to make even bigger discoveries than he did. I love watching his shows. I enjoy watching Nova too (when it's about marine creatures). My two favorite T.V. shows are Danger Bay and Dolphin Cove. They both have things about the ocean. The shows are both interesting and yet entertaining.
I don't know if the horseshoe crabs were caught by fisherman and left to die or if it’s a phenomenon of their breeding cycle. It’s an interesting question. Maybe one day I'll be able to answer that question for you. The mammals I'm involved with are mainly whales and dolphins. I know more about them than any other marine specie.
My favorite whales are the narwhals. They are amazing. They're also known as the "unicorn" of the sea because of the spiraled tusk of the males. (Only the males have them.) The tusk is actually the whales’ left tooth which protrudes through the gum. Scientists still argue to this day about what the tusk is used for.
If I were your daughter I would have left my boyfriend and gone for the two week course in scuba diving. I would jump at the chance to learn. Whether Kenny, (my boyfriend-to-be), liked it or not. Oh, I'd miss Kenny but, I'd still want to learn! Your daughter and her boyfriend could have taken lessons together even!
I'm sorry, I've gotten myself so wrapped up in my fish that that's all I've written about. I really hope you don't mind.
Do you remember Holy Trinity church? Well they are going to be tearing it down because they can't raise the money for all the repairs it needs. And even if they could raise the money, they'd never have enough money to keep it up.
Well it was nice hearing from you. I'm going to end my letter here because I still have two other letters to write. I'd like to hear from you again soon. Best wishes to you and your family!
All my best,
Kathy
P.S. How old is your daughter?
I'm 15. If she would like a pen
pal, ask her to write to me.
24 February 1989
Dear Kathy,
Obviously I misspelled Colycanthe, because I also am unable to find the fish listed under that spelling. I will have to go through my back issues of National Geographic and/or Reader's Digest to find that article and get the right spelling. The pronunciation is correct phonetically I'm sure, but my spelling must be wrong. I tried to contact some libraries yesterday to see if they could help me but they were closed.
I had just written a letter to Crystal commiserating with her on the cold weather you are having now and telling her that we would get the rain on the tail end of that storm you're having. Surprise, surprise! The rain turned to snow and we got 5 inches, plus the temperature dropped into the teens and the wind chill is expected to lower the temperature to below zero. I guess I spoke too soon huh?
We really aren't used to that much snow down here. The people do not know how to drive on snow and ice and invariably, a lot of accidents happen when we get this kind of weather. That is also the reason why the libraries were closed and I couldn't look up the correct spelling of that prehistoric fish. Be assured, however, that I will stay on top of it and I'll get the correct spelling to you and some more background on the fish as soon as I can.
You say you would have taken the scuba diving course even if it would have meant leaving your boyfriend to be, Kenny. I halfway believe you because you sound like you are dedicated to marine life. There are a couple of things you haven't considered though. One is that you are 15 and my daughter is 19. At 19, young love can be devastated by a separation of two or three days, whereas at 14, you have more resilience.
Which leads me to the question of what does boyfriend-to-be mean? Does Kenny not know that you have set your heart on him and are about to practice your wiles upon his unsuspecting self? Perhaps you ought to let the young man know how you feel about him. Maybe he's the bashful type like I was and needs some encouragement to begin a relationship.
I don't mind you talking about fish or whales or other sea life. We should talk about what interest us because that is probably what we are most knowledgeable about. It so happens that I too, like to read about the denizens of the deep, although I must confess to liking most nature/animal shows.
You mentioned that Holy Trinity church was going to be demolished. I don't remember where it was located but most churches in the Lanier area that I do remember were very beautiful. It seems a waste that a more useful purpose couldn't be found for the building. Last year, my daughter and her boyfriend attended the high school Senior Prom in a beautifully renovated Catholic Church here in Augusta. It had been renovated into a community activities building. Better that than tearing it down. Maybe you could start a writing campaign to the mayor and other government officials to do something like that. Crystal said that there were not many places for teens to congregate nowadays, so why not try that approach with the mayor? You would need to start a petition drive to get as many people behind you as possible. That would get the mayor's attention because elected officials are always looking to please their constituents so that they can get a vote.
As you should know if my letters were read aloud in class, your mayor is an old acquaintance of mine. Should you decide to try to save the church, and if you can get enough local support, I'll be glad to write to him on your behalf and intercede for you in this endeavor. Let me know.
I'm curious about what teenagers today think of the world situation. Is it hopeless? Is acid rain or depletion of the ozone layer or denuding the rain forest going to mean the end of mankind? What can we do to change these things? What do you think the future holds in store for us in the 21st Century? How will you fit into this picture? Will we have self contained habitats on our moon or other planets or space? How will you have contributed to this? What is your feeling on the possibilities of other sentient beings in our universe? Do any of the above thoughts ever cross your mind?
That should do for starters. If you answer only half of the questions I've posed for you, you will be writing a long time. Save the rest of the questions for later OK?
Waiting to hear from you.....
Your friend,
John
27 February, 1989
Dear Mr. Hunt,
I'd like to thank you for offering to stay on the colycanthe. I'd really like to learn more about it.
I'm glad that you don't mind me talking about sea life. I really enjoy it. You said that you like most nature/animal shows, so do I. They don't have to be just about sea life. The other day I was watching this show about Glacier Bay in Alaska. It was very interesting. Recently, I also saw a show about the outback of Australia.
what I meant about boyfriend-to-be is this. Kenny and I both like each other a lot. He knows that I like him and I know he likes me. We've had a long talk. Anyway I said boyfriend-to-be because that's what he is. See, I'm only 15 and so is he but I'm not allowed to date till I'm 16 and my mom says that if Kenny and I really care about each other then we'll wait till I'm 16. So we're going to wait. Does my explanation make it any clearer to you?
You were right in saying that maybe Kenny might be the shy type. He is really shy. Sometimes it’s hard because I'm a little shy when it comes to him.
Well, all your questions will take me a long while to answer so I'll answer some now and the rest in another letter.
You wanted to know what teenagers today think of the world situation. Speaking for myself I think it’s terrible but not hopeless. I believe that it’s up to my generation to change the world for the better.
I hate to end this letter short but it’s getting kinda late. I'll write again soon. I'll be watching for your next letter.
Best wishes,
Kathy
3 March 1989
Dear Kathy,
Please desist from calling me Mr. Hunt, it makes me feel older than I am. Besides, I don't address you as Dear Miss _______ , do I? A simple John will do nicely thank you.
I made two trips to the library Kathy. The first time I only had one quarter to make a copy of the page in the book relating to our Coelacanthe. I was going to send that copy with instructions for finding the book in the library. I later had to return to the library for something else, so made a good copy for you. I will send both because some information I wrote on the back of the first copy is important also. Having discharged that commitment, I will move on to other subjects.
Thanks for explaining about Kenny. That makes a lot of sense and I'm sure you will find the wait was worthwhile. Affection only grows stronger with the passage of time. If there is anything there between you, you'll both know it and it will only be strengthened by you having waited.
It is a truism that your generation will be the one to change the world (we hope, for the better), that's as should be. I envy you the chance to try. Very exciting times are ahead for you and I wish it were possible for me to see into the future. I expect we will be colonizing space and other planets within your lifetime. That should be something to see!
I hope you saved my last letter and re-read it. You left unanswered, some very important questions that I asked you. I wasn't asking just to make small talk; I really would like to know your views on those subjects. So write again soon huh? Till then, I remain,
Your friend,
John
13 March, 1989
Dear John,
First of all I would like to thank you for getting me the information on the coelacanthe. As soon as I can, I'll go to our library and see if there is anything else I can find out about it.
Second, I'd like to apologize for taking so long in writing back to you. It’s just that I've been really busy with cheerleading and chorus and everything else.
And last but not least I shall answer the remaining questions which I didn't have time to answer in my last letter.
I don't think that the world situation is hopeless. If everyone wants a better world then we should all work together for world peace and to improve our environment. I think that if everyone looks past our differences and tries to help one another and work together we can improve the world's situation. I only wish everyone felt that way. I mean it doesn't matter what country you are from or what nationality you are, we're all still humans and we all deserve a fair chance. A lot of people say we'll go to war someday with Russia or some other country. But I believe if people try hard enough to overcome their differences and work out their problems in another way besides war, then we could work towards world peace. I hope some day to have world peace.
About the rest of your questions, I honestly have to say that I can't answer them but they are questions to think about. If I ever get an answer to any of them you can be assured that I will tell you.
Well, that's all I have time to write for now. Please write soon. I look forward to your letters.
Best wishes,
Kathy
20 March 1089
Dear Kathy,
You are most welcome for the info on the coelacanthe. It gave me an opportunity to refresh my memory about that fish anyway and I got a chance to get out of the house and stretch my legs.
It sounds as if you have all the makings of a diplomat when it comes to working toward world peace. If we could get more people of all nations to think like that, peace would be assured. We are all in the same boat and must strive to work together to stay afloat or we will surely sink. More and more information about the damage we are doing to our environment becomes known almost daily. The high-tech world we live in today should allow us to find answers to the global problems that are besetting us such as world hunger, depletion of the ozone layer and of the rain forests, over population and homelessness. All these things are related (in my estimation) and can be overcome if mankind learns to work together with the tools we have.
A couple of interesting developments that have happened this year may have a direct bearing on solving some of the problems mentioned above. The almost flawless performance of the completed space shuttle flight of Discovery has put vigor back into the feasibility of building a permanent space platform to carry out experiments that may advance the colonizing of the moon or even other planets such as Mars.
Another experiment just completed involved a young lady who stayed for five days in a sealed environment which was supplied oxygen by the growing plants only and water was recycled. A more ambitious program of a two year stay is planned in the future for a larger number of people in a larger environment. This experiment could lead to permanently manned undersea habitats or habitats on the moon or planets. The thought is exhilarating!
We already have working habitats underwater but they are not large nor are they permanent. They are still in the experimental stage. I'll bet you would love to visit one of them huh? Who knows someday you might be working in one of them, or maybe even living beneath the waves.
I've transferred my correspondence with you to a separate diskette so that I don't have to hunt through umpteen files to review our conversations. During that process, I recalled that you mentioned that Crystal and Susana were your good friends. Crystal still writes regularly but I haven't heard from Susana in quite a while. I hope I haven't said anything to hurt her feelings. I suppose I'll write a letter to her also and see if I can coax a letter out of her.
My daughter, Jean, is on her Spring break from college for the next two weeks. She will probably be spending most of her time with her boyfriend, Lanny, when she is not at work. They both work for Nissan Auto, he as a delivery man (parts) and she as a greeter. They are both part-time, minimum wage jobs. Lanny will enter college with her this next semester. I hope it will help her bring her grades up. I believe Jean will be switching majors so that she can be in the same classes as Lanny. She will be dropping a biology major and picking up computer technology.
Have you had a chance to make it to the library and look up anymore goodies in that book I mentioned? What is your taste in reading matter? I subscribe to National Geographic, Reader's Digest, American History Illustrated and I get the weekend newspaper and the American Legion Magazine. I used to belong to several other book clubs but found I didn't have time to read most of them so quit the subscription. They were of the Science Fiction/Fact, Mystery or Adventure genre mostly, but I do enjoy History and some autobiographical works of famous people. I also like to work crossword puzzles and fiddle with my computer.
Well, for better or worse, that should give you some idea of my eclectic taste. Perhaps some of the above interest you also? I'd be interested in knowing so that I might be able to form a better mental picture of your personality.
Do write again and soon. Your letters are enjoyable and keep me busy and out of my wife's hair. Lord knows how that woman puts up with me being in the house all day long. She has the patience of a Saint.
Your friend,
John
25 March, 1989
Dear John,
I think that it’s great that people want to build a permanent space platform to carry out experiments to advance colonization, but I don't think I'd like to live on Mars or the moon. I'd miss the fresh air, green grass, trees, etc. If they ever found a planet just like earth, well then I'd consider living there. I think that I'd like to go up into space one day. Not to stay, just to see what it’s like. It would be scary, yet exciting.
Yes, I would like to visit an underwater habitat someday. I might even work in one if I become a marine biologist. I don't know if I'd want to live in one all my life but I wouldn't mind living there during research.
Speaking of research, when the 4th quarter of our school year comes, Mr. Powers will be assigning us a 40 page term paper. I'm trying to think of something interesting but something that not too many people would think of for my topic. I'd write about marine life, but I always use that topic and would like to discover new things. I thought maybe I'd pick a group of people like maybe the North American Indians. I'm not sure yet. Do you have any suggestions?
Yesterday, being Good Friday, my church (Notre Dame) had its annual 10 mile "Walk for Hunger" walk-a-thon to feed the hungry and shelter the homeless. I got some of my friends together from church (Lisa, Gina, John and Mike) and we all got sponsors and walked the 10 miles. It took us from 9 A.M. to 12 P.M. We went through Lanier, Pawtucket, and Lincoln.
I know that Tranh still corresponds with you, but I did not know that Susana hasn't been writing. I'm going to ask her about it on Monday.
Well, in answer to your question, my taste in reading matter varies. I love to read. I especially like to read mysteries and try to solve them before I'm done the book. I also like to read this group of books by various authors that are about teens who have various problems and how they cope with them. Some are about leukemia, divorce, death, and many other topics. I like to read books set in pioneer times, books about different people and animals (too name a few.).
I like to read National Geographic, Zoobook Magazine, YM (stands for young miss), Glamour, Seventeen and Teen Beat.
Well, it was great hearing from you and I'm sorry that I must end my letter here but I've got to get ready for the Easter Vigil Mass. It's a beautiful mass. Besides Christmas, it’s my favorite mass.
Please write soon.
Your friend,
Kathy
30 March 1989
Dear Kathy,
I received your 25 March letter yesterday. Thanks for writing so soon.
The Marine Habitat currently in existence would indeed be a cramped place to live. I was not suggesting that, but someday technology will allow us to build airtight environments which are self-contained and large enough to live in for extended periods of time; habitats encompassing many acres of ground with varied temperate conditions, from rain forest to dessert. These habitats could be submersible for living beneath the sea or could be constructed in space or on another planet. The beauty of it would be that everything would be recycled and it would be truly self-contained.
Enough said about that subject! Let's talk about your forthcoming term paper. It is interesting that you should ask me for an idea because I do have one in mind for you. I don't know how enthusiastic you will be about it but it is interesting to me and you might even be able to help the community of Lanier if you research this project well enough. For what its worth, here it is:
As you know, one of the outstanding features of the Lanier area is the Paisley Park Clock Tower (now not working). I came across this article (enclosed) in the Reader's Digest about a man in Vermont who winds clocks. Read it, and take note of the fact that the author, Garret Keizer, could be written to in care of the New England Monthly, Inc., 132 Main Street, Haydenville, Massachusetts 01039. You could obtain details from him about how to get in touch with the Mr. Bob Ross, a clock repairer, mentioned in the article.
The Librarian in your library might be able to assist you in finding out when the Tower and Clock in Paisley Park were built and by whom. If she cannot assist you, try the clerk of court at City Hall. They should have records of that information.
If you were able to gather all this information and contact Mr. Ross to determine if it would be feasible for him to come to Lanier to asses what repairs need be made and what he would charge, perhaps enough interest could be generated in the community to get the job done.
At any rate, the research into the actual building of the Tower and Clock should prove interesting and would show your interest in community affairs. Think about it!
The Walk-a-Thon you mentioned sounds like a very worthy cause and I can see that you are a civic-minded individual. A rugged one too, judging by the distance you walked. It's nice to hear of young people getting involved in something like that. You have some nice friends also. Tell me, how much did you all collect from the sponsors? You didn't say.
I am familiar with MS, YM, and Seventeen magazines. I subscribed to them for my daughter Jean also. Judging by your other taste in mystery and adventure tales, I would say you are a bit of a romantic. That is nothing to be ashamed of; I too, am a romantic and it would be a dull place if it were not for others who have preceded us and are currently keeping us amused.
I am saddened by the oil spill in Valdez, Alaska. It is a great natural disaster that will destroy much of the ecology at sea and on shore for many, many miles around. It is inexcusable that Exxon responded so tardily in containing the spill and no matter how much money they pay now for damages, it will not restore the area to its former pristine wilderness nor replace the lives of nature’s creatures. All of the U.S. will feel the after effects of this disaster.
One thing that does show a light at the end of the tunnel, is the experiment just completed which promises a new power source (instead of oil) using sea water. Two scientists say they have perfected small-scale experiments which produce nuclear fusion, which produces energy without explosions such as in fission. If this can be duplicated on a large scale, mankind will have benefited greatly.
My book has been put on the back burner for now. The contract the publisher sent me was not satisfactory and I am trying to renegotiate terms. If we can come to an amicable agreement, the project will be finished.
Gotta go for now Kathy, so until next time, stay loose and drop me a line and let me know what you think of my suggestion vis-à-vis the term paper.
Your friend,
John
9 April, 1989
Dear John,
I received your letter last week. I'm sorry I've taken longer than usual to answer but I've been real busy.
I don't know if I told you in my last letter, but I made my school's Junior Varsity Cheerleading Squad. I cheer for the soccer and wrestling teams. I hope to make Varsity next year. Varsity cheers for basketball and football. Right now both squads are having a car wash and a sub sandwich sale. If we can raise enough money, we'll be going to cheerleading camp this summer. I hope we'll get to go to the camp because it'll improve our skills and we want to be good for competitions which are held in January.
I'm also involved in the select chorus at my school. I love to sing. My voice is smack in the middle of soprano and alto. We are going up to New Hampshire on June 2nd to give a concert in the morning then in the afternoon we'll be at Canopy Park (I think that's the name). It’s an amusement park. We've already begun to work on the songs for the concert; so far, so good.
I'd like to thank you for your idea for my term paper. It was a good idea but I'm not going to use it. See people have already want to fix up Lanier Park and the clock is one of the things they'll be fixing. They should be starting soon. If I had known earlier that you'd be interested in the clock I would have saved the article that was in the paper a while ago about fixing it. The article you enclosed with your letter was interesting and I enjoyed reading it.
I too, am saddened by the oil spill in Alaska. I can't believe that the officials said that they can't do anything to prevent future oil spills. A lot of whales go up to Alaska during the summer months to feed on krill. And the oil spill is not only endangering them, but millions of other marine species. I honestly think somebody should do something about it. I've heard lots of people complain about the spill, but they're all talk, no action. It really is sad.
Well, I've got to go. I hope to hear from you soon.
Your friend,
Kathy
13 April 1989
Dear Kathy,
You hadn't told me about making the cheerleading squad, just that you were trying out for it. Congratulations, I'm happy for you. The Summer Camp for cheerleaders sounds like mixing work with pleasure. That's not bad, because the fun you have will just reinforce what you learn. I hope you will be able to raise enough money to attend.
It is also interesting to note that you sing in the Select Chorus. I too used to sing for the school, but only in the glee club. I don't think they are the same thing. If you sing midway between soprano and alto, you have invented a new scale. I know what the feeling is like though. I used to sing in the bass section but occasionally the teacher used to call on me to demonstrate the alto sections because my voice was changing and I could sing in that range using a falsetto that was pretty accurate. The guys used to think I was weird and the looks I got from the girls were just as upsetting. Tell me, do you still practice in the auditorium or have they a separate room to practice in?
Enjoy your trip to New Hampshire in June. That is a state I've never been to. What type of songs will you be singing in the concert? You didn't mention, so I thought I'd ask. Are they contemporary songs or songs of the old standard? Anyway, I hope you have a good time at the concert and also at the amusement park. Won't you be near to graduation on 2 June?
That reminds me, how did the Freshman Frolic come off? Nobody has mentioned it, and I believe it was the 7th of this month. Was it a success? Did you go? Did you get to dance with Robert? Fill me in on the details chum.
It's okay that you don't use the idea for the clock tower for your term paper. I don't mind. You asked for suggestions and that subject just came to mind because I had just read that article in Reader's Digest and knew about the clock at Paisley Park being inoperable. I do hope that it is fixed though because it is a city landmark.
Speaking of the city, someone, I don't recall who it was, mentioned some time ago that Pawtucket and Lanier were talking about consolidating. Has anything come of that idea? Did the idea die an ignoble death in the legislature or what? It sounded like a good idea to me.
I watched Crystal's favorite television hostess the other night, Oprah Winfrey. She had Shirley McClain on her program. Ms. McClain has long been a favorite movie actress of mine and at one time, I was madly in love with her. Anyway, Shirley has been into Metaphysics for some years now. That is the study of the ultimate causes and underlying nature of things. Much of what she said went way over my head, but part of her philosophy I do endorse. That is the part that God lives within all of us and we are of God. As such, we have it within our power to control our own destiny in life and make it a good and prosperous one. 'Nuff said about that! The thing that brought that to mind was the mention of Crystal. She had told me about Oprah being one of her favorites.
I still haven't heard anything from the publisher about the terms I had suggested for the contract to print my book. I think I told you that the original terms they offered were unacceptable to me and I wrote them and suggested other terms. It is said that no news is good news. I hope that saying is correct. At least it leads me to believe that they are reconsidering the terms of the contract and perhaps they can come up with one that is acceptable to me. I'll keep you informed.
I am in the process of upgrading my computer so that it has more memory and I will be able to use the 3.5 inch compact plastic diskettes. My problem is that I have an IBM PCjr and it went out of production in 1985, just after I bought mine. PC Enterprises has taken over for them and make the components necessary for the conversion or upgrade. There still appears to be a technical glitch somewhere, though, because my machine will not recognize the expansion in memory I've added (640KB) when I try to run the WordPerfect 5.0 program (a word processing program) that I have. I keep getting the message that I have insufficient memory. I've sent that explanation, a copy of the WP diskette and a printout of my efforts, back to the company for them to iron out. Hopefully, they'll be successful.
That may have been too much for you to absorb if you don't know anything about computers. I probably should have said "my machine don't work like the book says it's supposed to." Don't mind me Kathy, I wander all around when I write. Some of this letter is bound to make sense to you.
It's about that time again, so I'll say so long for now. Enjoy!
Your friend,
John
18 April, 1989
Dear John,
I too, hope the cheerleaders will be able to raise enough money to go to the cheerleading camp. I'll find out (hopefully) on Monday how much we made between the sandwich sale and the car wash.
Yes, we still have chorus in the auditorium. It’s used like a classroom just for chorus, drama club, class meetings and assemblies.
I will enjoy my trip to New Hampshire. It’s a shame you've never been there. It's a beautiful state with beautiful mountains, seashores, and parks. While I'm up in New Hampshire (if I get a chance) I'll pick up some postcards of the area for you if we go in a souvenir shop.
Yes, the trip on June 2 is near graduation. I'm not positive yet on the graduation date for the seniors. My friend Lori (a senior) has been chosen valedictorian of the class of "89." I don't graduate until 1992.
You asked if the songs we are singing at the concert were contemporary songs or songs of the old standard. Well, to be honest, I'm not sure so I'll tell you the songs: 1. "I wont last a day without you" by the Carpenters, 2. "In the Mood" by Joe Garland, 3. "Consider Yourself" from the movie Oliver, 4. "I've had the time of my life" from the movie Dirty Dancing and the rest are from my favorite group, the Beach Boys: "Surfin USA," "Louie, Louie," "Surfin Safari," "Jaws Theme," "Purple People Eater," "Surfer Girl," "Itsy Bitsy, Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini," "Land of a thousand Dances," "The Twist," and "Tutti Frutti."
The Freshman Frolic wasn't April 7th. It's not until May 12th. Kenny and I are just going to remain friends. Things have changed between us recently.
Pawtucket and Lanier were talking about consolidating. Lanier voted for and Pawtucket voted against so we aren't consolidating.
How is your book coming along? Please do keep me informed. I'm interested in hearing what comes of it.
Don't worry, I understood most of what you said about your computer. I'm more familiar with Radio Shacks and Apples though.
I've finally found a topic for my term paper. I decided to do it on the Australian Aboriginal. I've been reading about them, and I've found them interesting.
We've been talking about our futures a lot. I've decided I want to major in Marine Biology and minor in Forestry.
Well, its time to go. So long!
Your friend,
Kathy
22 April 1989
Dear Kathy,
Knowing your affinity for whales, when I spotted this story in the Reader's Digest for this month, I had to make copies of it and send it to you. I'm sorry that it has nothing about your favorite member of the whale family, the Narwhal. I forgot to mention that I like that animal also and did learn from you that the "tusk" is the left tooth. I didn't know that. At any rate, I hope you enjoy the story and learn something new from it.
I've heard from the publishers about my book. They did make some concessions to my financial situation (I'm on a fixed income) but unfortunately, they still want too much. Don't get me wrong, for what they propose to do, it is a fair price. It's just that I cannot afford to pay it at this time. I've asked them to return the manuscript and I will resubmit it in 1991 or 1992, when my mortgage for this house is paid or when Jean finishes college.
Sorry to get your hopes up about the book. I will get it published eventually, it's just that it will take longer than expected. I do hope that we continue to correspond, however, because I do so love to write and exchange views on various subjects. You also write a nice letter and I find it a pleasure to know you. When I do finally get the book published, I plan to give you an autographed gift copy.
I have started on the sequel to that book which will be titled "NOSTALGIA X 2" and will cover my life from 1965 to the present. I may have too much material and have to make 2 books out of it. This book will not be written in the same format (letters to me and my answers to those letters) as "MY LIFE IN YOUR HANDS."
Just thought I'd drop you a line to let you know I'm still here. Do write soon, as I await letters daily. It is my raison d'etre and adds some spice to my otherwise humdrum existence. Thank God it wasn't always this way, and I have my memories to fall back on.
Your friend,
P.S. I am inclosing the
original contract Vantage John
Press sent me.
02 May 1989
Dear Kathy,
What comes around, goes around is an old saying which means things just repeat themselves. That would seem to be the case as far as music goes, judging from your list of favorite songs, ie: The Beach Boys and "Surfin USA, Louie, Louie, Purple People Eater, etc." Those songs were the favorites of my generation when I was your age.
I've noticed that a lot of the music of the 50's and 60's is making a comeback in popularity with today's teens. I'm delighted to see it because I think the songs of that period were very romantic and meaningful, much more so than some of the music put out in the 70's and 80's. But then, I guess you could say I speak from a biased opinion since that was my teen and early adult years. Those years are bound to leave a lasting impression on a person because one is just so alive and vibrant during that part of life.
I would say that from the list of songs you sent me, you are singing maybe three of the old standards, "I Won't Last A Day Without You", "I'm In The Mood" and "Consider Yourself." They are all pretty songs and I'm sure the audience at the concert will like the selection. As they say in show business, "Break a Leg kid."
Our letters have apparently crossed in the mail because I sent you a letter on 22April with a story about whales in it from Reader's Digest. You make no mention of that letter so I wonder if you got it. It wouldn't surprise me if you didn't because I suspect I'm not getting all the mail due me. I suspect the substitute mailman on weekends is not delivering all the mail. For years I got mail every day, even if it was only junk mail. Now, the days he delivers, I sometimes don't get anything. Stranger things have happened before. It's a hard thing to prove though and what makes it doubly hard to believe is that the man is a preacher also. Of course, in this neck of the woods, almost anyone can become a preacher without being ordained by a ministry.
On reading over that last paragraph, I suspect I'm beginning to become a little paranoid. Whadaya think, should I see a shrink?
I'm sorry to hear that the romance with Robert has cooled. I think it is typical though that most attachments are short lived during these beginning romantic interludes. You will find as you mature that most "steadys" will last longer and longer and one day, you will be with "Mr. Right." Unfortunately, most of your "steadys" you will swear are the Mr. Right you have been looking for. After you get to know them, you may change your mind. Hang in there though, sooner or later.........
One of my cats, Little Knobby, brought home a baby rabbit she caught in the woods behind my house the other night. It was still alive and she wanted to use it to teach her baby, Toby, how to hunt and kill prey. Fortunately, my wife (Mija) saw it and managed to get it away from the cats before too much damage was done to it. She returned it to the woods. It isn't the first rabbit my cats have brought home. Knobby brought a couple of them home, one of them was too injured to be saved but Mija did manage to save one and nurse it back to health. She wanted to keep it so we built a rabbit cage for it and bought food at a feed store. We had it for almost a year and most people say you cannot keep wild rabbits. Well, they were right because it eventually got away from us and escaped back into the woods. That almost broke Mija's heart.
To assuage the loss somewhat, I purchased some mini lops (long eared rabbits) from a grower and we built more cages. These rabbits too, eventually died within two years so we decided not to raise them anymore.
My cats have brought home all kinds of things over the years. We've had crayfish, squirrels, lizards, snakes, and a whole assortment of birds brought home. Most of them were alive when brought home but not all of them could be saved. There is never a dull moment around this house. Things tend to get a bit lively at times when you have five cats, a dog and two parakeets sharing the same environment.
The postman should be here soon, so I'll cut this letter short here and try to get it posted before he comes by.
Take care and write soon.
Your friend,
John
30 April, 1989
Dear John,
I'd like to say I'm sorry to hear that your book will not be published until 1991or 1992. I think it is very nice of you to say that you'll send me an autographed copy of the book. I'd love to have one! Gook luck on writing the sequel!
Thank you for copying the article on whales for me. It was thoughtful of you, and I appreciate it. I also enjoyed reading it.
Of course we can still correspond. I really do enjoy writing to you and receiving letters from you. Your letters are always interesting and I can never wait for your next letter.
Speaking of writing letters, my 13 year old brother Tom, has a pen-pal (Colette) from Utah. I just wrote to her 17 year old sister (Monica) to see if she'd like to be my pen-pal since she's only 2 years older, I thought I'd give it a try. I hope she writes back and says yes.
Where have you traveled to in your life? So far, I've been all over Rhode Island, to Connecticut, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
In the future, I'd like to go to California (my mom's been there), Hawaii, Sea World Florida, Alaska, Texas, Vancouver B.C. Canada, Greece and Sydney Australia.
I enjoyed hearing from you again, so write soon.
Your friend,
Kathy
P.S. Do Susana and Crystal still write?
6 May, 1989
Dear John,
Sorry you did not get the letter from April 22nd yet. I had written it, but I didn't get a chance to mail it because I hadn't a chance to go to the post office and get stamps. You'll probably receive that letter with this one.
A lot of 50's and 60's music is making a comeback. I've noticed a lot of musicians take songs from the 50's & 60's and do their own version.
I like all kinds of music. From the 50's and 60's and 70's, I like the Beach Boys, Tommy James and the Shandells, the Turtles, Beatles, Peter, Paul and Mary, Credence Clearwater Revival, etc. From the 80's I won't even mention 1/2 of them. It would take too long. The only music I can't stand is funk and heavy metal. Mostly I listen to soft rock or my dad's tapes from the 60's (especially the Beach Boys!).
I'm not too worried or upset over Kenny. I've known for a little while we weren't going to work out. But there's plenty of other fish in the sea as they say. Kenny was only my 2nd boyfriend and I'm still young so I know there will be plenty more.
Your cat, Little Knobby, sounds cute. You must live pretty close to the woods for her to catch a wild rabbit.
You wrote that your wife's name is Mija. How do you pronounce it? What nationality is she? What nationality are you? I'm French and Indian.
Some of my friends thought it was funny while we were studying the French/Indian War. They asked what my family did. They found it real funny.
Well, I had started my term paper on the Australian aborigines, but couldn't find enough information so I changed my topic to: Why are beluga and narwhals classified in the same whale family? It’s coming along pretty well. Do you have any information on belugas or narwhals?
Well, I'm leaving soon to go to the Pawtucket library to look up more information for my paper so I'll have to cut my letter short.
I enjoy hearing from you and I hope your letters continue to come! Take care!
All my best,
Kathy
P.S. Have a nice day!
10 May, 1989
Dear Kathy,
You know how that commercial song goes, "Double your pleasure, double your fun, chew Doublemint, Doublemint, Doublemint gum?" Well, I can't chew gum because of my false teeth (uppers only), but I certainly can get pleasure from your two letters! As you surmised, they did arrive together and for a moment, I was worried that something bad had happened to you. I'm happy that isn't the case.
Let's talk about the book I wrote first and get that out of the way. The publisher appears to be reluctant to return my manuscript without getting some sort of financial commitment from me. That's good because it is an indication that the book has potential anyway. I have decided to accept his last offer because it is more affordable for me to do it this way even if there are no guarantees of publication. What the hell, I might as well stick my neck out!
The new deal is that Vantage Press will edit the book, send me a list of the editing symbols that are used and a list of publishers that print edited manuscripts for part of the royalty fees only. It will cost me $225 now and $225 when edited. If it is published by one of the recommended publishers within one year, I will have to pay Vantage an additional $500 unless the royalty publisher charges me to print it. In that case, I would not owe Vantage any more money. As I say, my financial situation favors this method best, so I've already sent the first $225 for them to start. So you see Kathy, I think the book will be out before 1991 as I said in an earlier letter.
You’re welcome for the whale article and I'm happy you enjoyed it. As for additional information on beluga or narwhals, I would suggest the same book I referred you to when we were discussing the Coelacanthe. I too, would have to make a trip to the library to look up that info and you probably have already done so. I would assume that the two whales are classified in the same family because they are both warm blooded mammals whose primary environment is the sea and who give birth to their young alive, at sea, and suckle them at their breast. Their nostrils are located at the top of their heads for breathing air also. If you look at them and picture the narwhal without the tusk, they are very similar in shape and size. How am I doing on an ad lib description Kathy?
So you and your brother Tom are writing to girls in Utah named Collette and Monica. I suppose you realize that those names are French and that state is predominately Mormon. If memory serves me correctly, the French are mostly of the Catholic faith. Perhaps there is a story there and you could ferret it out in your correspondence with Monica.
Speaking of nationalities, I too, am Indian and French (also English on my father's side). My mother descended from French stock living in the Trois Rivier (Three Rivers) area of Canada and associated very freely with the indigenous Indian populations of the area. My mother only spoke French when she met my dad and 'til her death in 1977, still spoke English with a French accent and could converse with her sisters in French. I only spoke French until I started school and then spoke English most of my life. I had two years of high school French but have never had occasion to use it so forgot most of it. I might have been able to use it in Vietnam, as most Vietnamese spoke it, but I rarely conversed with them and would have had to go out of my way to try.
You ask where I've traveled, and although most of the places will be covered in my book, I'll give you a brief synopsis. I've lived in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine, Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, Kentucky, Cuba, Newfoundland, Korea, Vietnam and Germany. I've traveled to Montauk Point, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Anchorage, The Tongue of the Ocean in the Carribean Sea, Jamaica, Okinawa, Japan, Hawaii and Bermuda. These last, I did not stay longer than two weeks. I may have missed a few places but I doubt it. Some of my (mis)adventures took place while traveling to these places but most of the action occurred after my arrival. The best advice I can give you is wait until you read the book. I think you will find it and the sequel(s) fascinating.
Alas, my traveling days are just about over. Greece and Australia sound like they might be very interesting places to go and I hope you make it to those places and many others before you reach my age. It is somewhat of a farce that now that I am retired and have the right to travel space available (free) on military aircraft, anywhere in the world, my health will not allow me that pleasure.
Susana and Crystal still write to me, Susana is the more reticent one, however. She doesn't write as often as Crystal but when she does, her letters are interesting. I have lately received two letters from students whom I had given up hearing from. Hopefully, they will continue to correspond. I do so love to write to you young people. As long as you all continue to write me, I will answer. I think most of us are benefiting from the experience of exchanging views.
You, young lady, are a girl after my own heart! I too, cannot stand funk and heavy metal music. You are right about the name singers of today singing songs of yesterday. Not all of them are doing it but those songs were hits in my day and I think today's singers are able to sing those songs with enough variation to re-popularize them.
I find that as I get older, I like more and more country/folk music. I don't know if that's because I'm in "Redneck" country or if it's because the lyrics tend to have more meaning for me. I like most music but Country/Folk has a special place in my life now.
You sound like you have your head screwed on straight when it comes to the boys in your life. You’re an intelligent girl and you are correct, you will have many more boyfriends. There is plenty of time for you to make choices so don't get stuck with any one boy for very long. As my mother used to say, "play the field." Be careful of forming too close an emotional attachment at fifteen. Enjoy yourself and savor the excitement of your teens. That has to last you a lifetime and they will be glorious memories if you don't try to grow up too fast.
Whoa John, your beginning to sermonize and it's none of your business anyway so buzz off!
I have to chastise myself every so often because I do have a tendency to wax philosophical and some people are offended by that. No offence was intended and I hope you didn't take any.
Yes, indeed, my property backs right up to the woods. About three hundred yards in back of my house is all woods. Butler Creek is beyond that and on the other side of that is Dean's Bridge Road or you might be more familiar with it as Highway One (1). It used to be the main North/South route to travel when going up and down the East coast of the U.S. Now, Highway 95 Interstate has become the main route and highway 1 has become a scenic or local route to take.
My wife's name is pronounced Meeja, with the "a" being pronounced like "uh." She is Korean and has been in the United States for fifteen years and became a citizen in 1984. I'm very lucky to have a woman like her. She is a very hard worker and I couldn't manage this house and all the chores that need doing around here if I didn't have her to take care of me. My health no longer allows me to even work in the yard so she has to do it all. I do manage to do some cooking and light chores inside the house. I do love her and cannot picture going through life without her. She is an excellent companion!
I've just reread my letter to you to see if I've covered all subjects you brought up. I think I have and even managed to throw in some extraneous material for you to digest. That being the case and not wanting to monopolize your time too long, I'll say good bye for now. I too look forward to getting your letters, so please don't make me wait too long. With affection,
Your friend,
John
20 May, 1989
Dear John,
Your deal with Vantage Press sounds to me like a reasonable one. I wish you all the luck with this deal and getting your book published.
Narwhals and belugas are classified in the same family. They both live in high Arctic seas and lack dorsal fins. Another reason is the extreme flexibility of their necks. They are the only two whales that can bend their necks. There are many more things that make them classified into the same family, but to get into all that, it would take forever.
Yes, you were right with your descriptions of the whales. They do give birth to their young alive. They are born underwater. For this reason, a baby whale doesn't breathe while it's being born. If it did breathe while being born, water would get into its lungs and it would drown. After it’s born, the baby is free to swim to the surface for air. If it has trouble, the mother will get under it and help it to the surface.
Yes, my term paper is coming along pretty well. A few more days work and I should be ready to write my final copy. To be honest, I can't wait to get it all done and over with.
My brother Tom is still writing to the girl Colette from Utah. I wrote to her sister that first time and am still waiting for her first letter. I really doubt she'll ever write back.
I do take French in school. I'm in my 2nd year. My school only has up to French 4, so I guess that's how far I'll ever go. We don't speak French at home, but my mother is able to speak and understand the language pretty well.
It looks like you've traveled quite a lot. My history teacher says the best way to learn about a place is to go there. I want to go to many places, Greece, Australia, Alaska, and British Colombia in Canada are at the top of my list (not necessarily in that order.).
I was thinking back to the day when Mr. Powers gave us the assignment to write to you. I really didn't want to write. I figured since I didn't know you there was nothing to write about. I've found that I was wrong in assuming that. Now I do enjoy writing to you and receiving letters from you.
We (the chorus) are all getting pretty psyched! Thursday is finally our Spring Concert. The concert we've all been working so hard for is finally here. And our trip to New Hampshire isn't too far away either. I can't wait!
It must be real peaceful and pretty having 300 yards of woods for a back yard. I think I'd love it. I especially like the smell of the pines.
Your wife sounds like a wonderful person. Maybe one day I'll be lucky enough to meet the both of you.
Thank you for the info on the whales. I appreciate it!
Well, time is growing short and I still have to read "Romeo and Juliet" before school tomorrow. Write soon.
Best wishes,
Kathy
25 MAY 1989
Dear Kathy,
Well now see, I hadn't really thought about it, but you did bring it to mind in your letter. The killer whale (Orca) does have a dorsal fin as do many other whales and porpoises (a related family). I wonder why that is? Why not the beluga and narwhal? Are they a throwback or more advanced in the evolutionary cycle than the whales with fins? I also did not know they could bend their necks....to what purpose, I wonder? Gee, that's enough to really get you thinking. Have you come across any answers to these questions during your research? Where does the dolphin fit into this picture? I have heard that it also is related to the whale family.
I hope you have heard from Monica by now, but if you haven't, don't feel too bad. She is the one who will be missing out on the opportunity to converse with a very bright young lady. It would be interesting though, to find out why her family settled in a predominantly Mormon State like Utah. If she's answered you, perhaps you can discreetly inquire about it. I must admit to being curious.
It is good that Lanier High School is now teaching four years of language study. When I went there, they only offered two years if I remember correctly. It is a prerequisite to have at least two years of foreign language study to enter college. Speaking of which, what are your plans along those lines Kathy? I don't believe we've discussed that subject yet.
I can tell from our correspondence that you are extremely intelligent and in all probability, more advanced in your English language skills than a majority of your classmates. I hope you will continue to advance those skills throughout your life.
Either you didn't make it to the Freshman Frolic or it was canceled. Neither you, nor anyone else, have written to me to tell me about it. Was it a disaster? That dance is supposed to be comparable to the Jr/Sr Prom, only it is for freshmen. Just because I'm ancient, doesn't mean I'm not interested. After all, I attended mine at the same school in 1956. I was one of the older boys there (16), but was a bit of a wallflower because I was so bashful. If memory serves me right though, I did dance a couple of dances. Mostly I stood around with my friends and talked. None of us were too experienced at dancing and most of us were shy. I hope your dance went better than ours.
My father married a Greek woman in Hawaii after he divorced my mother in 1965. The woman owned some property in Hawaii and Greece. She had two teenage daughters. I got to meet her in 1970 while I was on R & R (rest and recuperation) from Vietnam. She was a delightful lady and a fabulous cook. I think she made my father's last days happy (he died in 1983). I never met the daughters because they had sent them back to an Uncle in Greece. It seems they were cutting school to go to the beach and do drugs during the day with some of the local Hawaiian boys. My stepmother (I never called her mom) and father thought it was best to send them back to Greece where the family could keep a closer eye on them.
I stayed with them for two weeks, even though R & R only lasted one week. I became ill, so was granted a second week R & R before going back to Vietnam. Those were great times. I was able to play some golf with my father (he used to be the golf pro at the golf course at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in 1950-51 and was quite a good player.), and we did some shopping in the Navy Exchange store. I bought him a set of golf clubs and myself a new Seiko watch.
Unfortunately, when I returned to Vietnam, I learned one of my new radio teletype operators who had only been in country for three weeks when I left, had been killed at a fire support base. Had I been there, he would not have been sent to a FSB because I knew he was too inexperienced to go to the field yet. He made the mistake of using a captured weapon (AK 47) at night to fire back at the VC who were attempting a ground probe of the perimeter. That weapon has a distinct sound when fired and others on the compound thought he was an infiltrator so they shot him. It's sad when a young life is lost. I'm glad it wasn't me that had to tell his family how he died. The company commander probably said he died in the line of duty but in actuality, it was pure carelessness!
Where was I? Oh yes, I was reminded of my stepmother by your mention of Greece as one of the places you want to go. I also served in RVN with some Aussies but can think of nothing special that happened. We had some fun drinking and swapping stories at a Special Forces "B" Team Camp located next to our compound in Kontum, Vietnam. They talk fast and the accent is hard to follow at times but I'm sure they had an equally hard time understanding me. Of course, the alcohol consumption may have had something to do with that.
Alaska is a place I've only been to while en route to Korea or Vietnam. Both times were at night and for a short layover for service to the aircraft prior to continuing on with the trip. The place was Anchorage and it was cold going from the plane to the duty free shop and waiting room. There were a lot of Eskimo artifacts on display and for sale. Ivory carvings made from walrus tusks seemed to be popular items. I didn't purchase anything.
I cannot tell you anything about British Columbia, never having been there. I did live in a Canadian province though. That was Newfoundland, an island off the Labrador Coast. That was a cold place most of the year also but I did manage to have some of the best times of my life there. I was 17 and 18 and in my junior and senior year at school. My father was stationed there at Argentia, a Naval Air Station on the DEW line. I discuss some of my activities there in my book, so will let you read about it there.
Yes, I've traveled quite a bit, and your History teacher is right. The best way to learn about a place or its people is to go there. The many places I've been and the experiences I've had are what my book(s) is all about. If they hadn't been interesting places, I wouldn't have been able to write about them.
Get a good education so that you can get a good job and make lots of money. That way, you will get to go to all the places of your dreams. Of course there are other ways you can achieve those ends. You could join the Peace Corps, the military or marry a man who has a lot of money or is in the military and travels a lot. There are many more ways to accomplish your goals and I can't enumerate them all here. The main thing to remember is you can do it if you set your mind to it and work hard to achieve what you want. The future is yours!
Apparently, your initial letter to me as a class assignment was all it meant to mister Powers. I've written to him twice and he has failed to answer me. I'm not going to lose any sleep over that because I figure it is his loss. I do owe him a thank you (which I give him in the book) for getting you students to write though. I too, was not enamored of the idea at first. Much to my surprise and delight, I've come to enjoy the letters I get immensely and look forward to getting my mail every day.
By this time, you have completed your choral concert. How did it go? I'll bet you were great. I remember the butterflies I used to get in my stomach every time we used to have to get on stage and sing. Luckily, the teacher was wise enough to have us practice a lot so we generally knew the songs when the music started. The more we sang, the easier it got. We were always glad to leave the stage though and I'll bet you were too.
Speaking of butterflies, I taught radio teletype communications for almost six years here at Fort Gordon. We had to write up our own lesson plans and memorize them and practice giving classes to each other to get the timing down. I found that the more you know about the subject you are to teach, the more relaxed you will be before an audience. We in the military used to call that "getting the butterflies to fly in formation." There will always be some butterflies though and that's good because it keeps you alert and you will be less apt to make mistakes. I found that to be wise advice.
Enjoy your trip to New Hampshire also. If I remember correctly, that is to take place on 2 June. Be sure to write me and tell me all about it.
The only thing wrong about the 300 yards of woods in back of my house is that it isn't mine. I would love to own it, if for no other reason than to keep the privacy it affords me. The old lady that owns the property, Mrs. Lombard, says she doesn't plan to sell any more of it to builders (the property my house is on once belonged to her). I worry about that though because she won't live forever and when the property passes to her sons, rumor has it that they plan to sell it. The property on the other side of this housing area was sold to developers and they put a trailer court in there. That would lower the value of my property if it were done here.
The woods are nice in that I get to watch all kinds of birds and see a variety of animals. Some are even brought into my yard by the cats. My little Toby is only a year old but he has learned to hunt and yesterday brought a 1 and 1/2 foot long green snake into the yard. Mija is afraid of snakes but this one is harmless and in fact beneficial to man. It's a shame that Toby killed it before I had a chance to save it.
The trees are pine and deciduous mixed. I too, like the smell of pine. We have a problem every year with the pollen that come from the new cones though. If it rains enough, it washes the pollen out of the trees and air. If it doesn't rain enough, everything inside and outside the house gets covered in a fine patina of pollen every day. Fortunately, nobody in my family is subject to hay fever, or it would be a very miserable time for us.
Believe it or not, I've been playing around with this letter for the better part of three hours. I like to read and re-read letters I get and my answers to them so that I will be sure to answer any questions or respond to the statements made. It makes for better communications and I find that I sometimes remember things or events which might be interesting to relate. Sometimes I ramble on for quite a long time in this disjointed manner. I wonder if this is too distracting to you. Personally, I feel it adds character to my letters even if my syntax is chaotic. What do you think?
As I said, I've been at this for quite some time. That being the case, I think I'll end this discourse for now and grab a bite to eat. I made some delicious Chili yesterday and that should go good mixed with a generous helping of rice. Bye for now....and don't keep me waiting too long.
Affectionately yours,
John
5 June 1989
Dear Kathy,
School is out here in Georgia, so I assume you too, are on summer vacation now. How did the term paper come out? What are your plans for the summer? Am I being too nosy again?
I came across an article in Reader's Digest that I found very interesting and thought you would enjoy reading it, so I made a copy for you. There are a lot of points that the article touches on which I can relate to. Some helpful hints are given also.
We do indeed live in momentous times; times which are probably only of momentary interest to an active teenager like yourself. I know when I was your age, I took little note of world happenings, nor thought out the consequences of the events taking place. That is normal! Someday, perhaps, you will have time to reflect back on these days and I wonder how you will perceive these times?
The tragic events which are ongoing in China, may yet lead to a more democratic form of government for that country. The freedoms that we take so much for granted today were once paid for with the blood of our forefathers and are yet maintained by dedicated individuals of our military services today. So too, the populace of China is finding that those freedoms must be paid for in their blood. Thus it has been and thus it will ever be when wrenching control of a government from dictators and tyrants. Should the peoples of China persist long enough, they will achieve their ends. I pray that the bloodshed is kept to a minimum.
Russia too, is jumping on the capitalistic bandwagon it seems. They have found out that the socialistic system is bad for their economy and that they will get more production out of individuals if they allow a little profiteering. Of course, a system like theirs is not going to change overnight but it is amazing how much they have opened up to the West under Glasnost and Perestroika. If they keep allowing their satellite states to democratize and drop their hegemonistic goals, we may yet have a world which can live in peace. Wouldn't that be fantastic!
Poland has had its first democratic election in forty years. While the communist party will still remain in power, at least the forces of freedom (Solidarity) will have a hand in deciding the path the government should take in the future.
There are a great many people who will morn the passing of the Imam, Ayatolla Khomeni, but I will not be one of those. Unfortunately, his replacement is still from that radical sect of the Islamic faith which calls the U.S.A. "The Great Satan." How any world power will be able to truck with that ilk, remains to be seen.
There are still some individuals around on the world stage which cause me some concern whenever I think of them. They are Noreiga of Panama, Khadafi of Libya and Arafat of the P.L.O. The scene is constantly shifting though, and there may yet be other villains come upon the stage. I feel confident that, for now at least, the Western democratic forces are in the ascendancy.
Now if only someone will only invent a cheaper form of energy or transportation, I could almost forget about the other distractions which I've detailed in the preceding paragraphs. Who knows, if they can authenticate the cold fusion process that may be the answer to the prayers of everyman.
Right about now, you're probably saying "boring, boring, boring!" Well, I wouldn't blame you too much. These things are pretty deep for a teenager to become overly concerned about. You haven't answered my last letter though, and I had to pick something to talk about. I hope this hasn't put too much of a strain on our relationship. I better quit while I'm ahead. Write soon!
Your friend,
John
31 May, 1989
Dear John,
I read somewhere that belugas and narwhals lack dorsal fins because it enables them to move more freely in the icy waters of the Arctic seas. I'm not sure of the purpose of them being able to bend their necks. I haven't come across the reason why yet in my research.
Yes, the dolphin is related to whales. They all have dorsal fins except the irrawaddy dolphin which is classified together with the beluga and narwhal.
I am almost done with my research for my term paper. I should be ready to write a rough draft this weekend, which is good because the paper is due June 7th.
I still haven't heard from Monica so I guess she really wasn't interested in writing to me. Well, it’s her loss really, not mine. I have lots of people I write to.
I do plan to go to college after high school. I'd love to go to the University of Rhode Island. I haven't decided exactly what I want to do. I have three more years to decide. My choices are Marine Biology, Forestry, Coast Guard, and Airline Stewardess.
We've picked our courses for next year. I have English 10A, Biology A, French III, Geometry, Gym, U.S. History A (which is 11th grade history but they are letting me take it in 10th grade.) and Vocal Music.
In 12th grade I want to take English 12A, Physics, Trigonometry, Psychology, Gym, Vocal Music and I'll need to take an art class to graduate. I'll probably take ceramics. I don't have to take trig, so I might take a study that period instead.
5 June, 1989
Sorry I took so long to get back to writing your letter! I've been real busy and haven't had much time for writing letters. I'm behind and now I've got a lot of catching up to do!
The Freshman Frolic wasn't cancelled. I just didn't get to go. Everyone says it was lots of fun!
How is the publishing of your book coming along? When you write, please tell me what's up.
I don't know why Mr. Powers hasn't answered any of your letters. Sorry.
Our choral concert was indeed a big success. We did really well and people were even asking for encores. We all enjoyed ourselves.
Our trip to New Hampshire was excellent! We all had a wonderful time and we enjoyed it! We sang in the morning and got an "Excellence" plaque. We missed "Superior" by 3 points! Oh well, maybe next year!
Anyway after we sang, we went to Canokie Lake Park. It's a nice park overlooking a beautiful lake. The rides were good too. While we (me, Carla, Lee and Justino) were waiting to go on the roller-coaster, it started pouring and there was thunder and lightning. They made everyone get off the roller-coaster because they said if it got struck by lightning we'd all feel a shock. I was disappointed that I didn't go on, so was Carla. We had more fun on the rides when it was raining then when the sun was out.
Carla's my best friend. Speaking of Carla and the trip, somehow I ended up falling for her older brother Justino. We got to really know each other on the trip. Carla thinks he really likes me too because of how he was acting like holding my hands and putting his arms around me. And he was being really sweet and polite. He's shy a little though so sometimes it's hard to tell. I wonder if anything will come of it? It's weird because I've always just thought of him as my best friend's older brother.
The only problem if we go out is that he is a senior and in September he's leaving to go to college in Florida.
Well, I’d love to sit here and write some more but I've been writing letters all evening and I feel like this pen has been permanently attached to me! Write soon!
All my best,
Kathy
9 June 1989
Dear Kathy,
Wouldn't you know it? I write you a letter on 5 June and I get a letter from you on 7 June. I feel like I just missed the ferry or something. At least I know that you must have been thinking of me at about the same time I was writing you. That's comforting.
Keep those questions I asked about the whales in mind. Perhaps someday you will be able to find the answers to them. They intrigued me and I'm sure that there is an explanation someplace. Speaking of whales, I saw a blurb in the Reader's Digest, something to the effect that "If swimming is so good for your figure, why do whales look the way they do?"
Maybe Tom can elicit the information I seek from his pen pal, Collette? Why don't you ask him? I am persistent, aren't I? I can't help it, when a question nags me I have to search out an answer.
Please don't think you have to apologize for Mr. Powers not answering me. It's not your fault. As I said before, it is his loss. My philosophy about correspondence follows much the same line as the article I sent you about strangers being able to enrich your life. One must put forth an effort to draw out the personality of the person to whom we talk (write) if one is to benefit from the encounter. I tried twice to get Mr. Powers to respond and was ignored both times. Obviously, he is not interested, so I choose not to lose any sleep over the matter.
I think I told you once before that you have a good head on your shoulders. It is obvious from the way you already have all your high school classes planned, that you have given it much thought. My downfall in high school was trigonometry. If you take it, be careful. To some people, it comes easy but for me, it was disastrous.
Vantage Press is editing my book for $450 and will send me the edited version and a list of Royalty Publishers that I can send it to for publication. That is the only way I can afford to get it published if I want to have it done now. I should be getting the book back this month or early next month. At that time, I'll make a copy and send a copy to one of the Royalty Publishers. I think it will be published this year but there are no guarantees. At any rate, you will get an autographed copy when it is published.
Your choral concert was being graded!?!? I didn't know that! Gee whiz, an excellence rating is great too! What was it, some kind of State contest? I'm happy you all did so well. Like you say, perhaps the superior rating will come next year. Hang in there Kathy, perseverance will win out in the long run.
It's been years since I was on a roller coaster. I would never go on one now because it would be the death of me for sure. My old ticker couldn't take a scare like that. I can empathize with youth wanting to take that risk though. Too bad the weather was not co-operating with your mood.
Speaking of moods, Justino sounds like the new heart throb in your life. It may be best if you continue to think of him as your best friend's brother though. As you say, he is going off to college in September so he may meet someone closer to his age while there. Don't set yourself up for a heartbreak later. Isn't it you who said "there are plenty of other fish in the ocean?"
My male cat, Toby, has been meowing repeatedly to be let out. He is an outside cat but unlike tigers, who like water, he and most other cats detest getting wet. If you think back to the weather on this date in my neck of the woods, you'll remember that it rained pretty heavily. Toby's persistence finally got the best of me so I finally put him out during a lull in the rain. It wasn't long before it started raining again and guess who wanted to come in? I let him in and he has now decided to raise hell with all the other cats in the house. He's a devil, that one!
Well, I've got to get this off in the mailbox if I want it picked up today. That being the case, I'll say goodbye for now. Enjoy your summer vacation and think of me now and then by letting me know what's happening.
Your friend,
John
28 June, 1989
Dear John,
Sorry it’s taken me so long to write to you. I've been so busy I haven't had time to sit and write to anybody. Now that I have the chance I have loads of letters to write!
I did ask Tom to ask Collette why her family decided to settle in Utah. He hasn't written to her yet. He'll probably forget anyway. He's such an airhead at times.
Have you received any news on the publishing of your book yet? If you have, I hope it was good news.
Justino and I have decided to remain just friends because he is leaving in September for Florida. But our friendship is stronger now than before.
I sent out some film to be developed. It takes about a week. As soon as I get my pictures, I promise I'll send you one. I'll look different from the picture after tomorrow because tomorrow afternoon I'll be getting a new perm.
Well, we've only been out of school since June 22. We go back September 6th - I'll be a sophomore.
We had our cheerleading exhibition Saturday. It went fairly well, then I had to spend the weekend at my Memere's because my Pepere went to Vermont. We went out to eat too.
I just got back from seeing the movie "Honey, I Shrunk The Kids." The movie was funny and so cute. I haven't gone to the movies in a long time.
Well, Tom is getting ready to go to Boy Scout Camp. We're going soon to get him his supplies. Talk to ya later.
Your friend,
Kathy
P.S. Have a great week!
5 July 1989
Dear Kathy,
Got your 28 June letter today and was delighted to hear from you again.
Today is the day after our Independence Day celebration but it looks like most of the celebration will be conducted this weekend. All of the fireworks displays scheduled for the surrounding area had to be put on hold. The remnants of Tropical Storm Allison, which is now a depression, seem to like our area and want to stick around some more. She's been in the area for over a week now and spoiled most of the public displays. That didn't stop some of my neighbors up the street from having their own show though. I hope the festivities for the 4th were a bit livelier in your area.
I gather from the lack of enthusiasm in your letter, that the cheerleading exhibition was not altogether a rousing success. You did say it went fairly well but apparently your squad didn't place as high up in the standings as you had hoped. I'm sorry about that! Perhaps if you stick with it, you will do better next year.
You mentioned spending the weekend at your mother's (grandmother's?) because your father (grandfather) went to Vermont. That was a bit confusing to me. Is your father/grandfather a hunter or something? Did I miss something here, because I don't see the relevancy of the disclosure? Please explain.
I've been seeing a lot of advertisements for that movie "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" on TV lately. It looks like a fun movie to see. I too, have not been to the movie in a long time and will probably wait until it comes out on television to watch it. Another one which I'm looking forward to seeing is "The Dead Poets Society" with Robin Williams. The "raves" for it are stunning.
Today, I mailed off the final $225 to Vantage Press and they should be sending my edited manuscript back to me very shortly. I will then make a copy of it and send one copy to a royalty publisher and keep my fingers crossed that it will be printed. I'll keep you informed.
I had a picture taken last month and was waiting to hear from you before sending it to you. Like you, my appearance has changed from this picture. As you can see in the picture, I only have a wisp of hair in front and have been combing the sides up and forward on the top of my head. This was done to hide the baldness which has steadily advanced upon my pate from the middle outward. This weekend past, I gave up fighting the problem and shaved off the little hair I had remaining on top of my head. You will have to wait longer for a picture of that one.
In this picture, I am in my back yard, in front of my grape arbor. To my left rear is a newly transplanted garden I had tilled up for my wife. To the immediate rear, are the woods I've mentioned in many of my letters.
I will be looking forward to getting your picture soon. It will be nice to have a mental picture of whom I've been writing to all this time.
You don't mention how you made out on the term paper. I know you put a lot of research into it and I hope you got a good grade for it. Please let me know.
I can see that Tom is going to be busy at the Boy Scout Camp. Will that be a jamboree he's going to? Where is it being held and how long will it last? What are your plans for the summer? Whatever they are, I hope you have fun! Keep in touch with me.
Your friend,
John
17 July, 1989
Dear John,
Sorry it took me a while to write. Susana and I have been spending every time we could together. Actually, we were. She left for Portugal July 8th. I haven't been in the mood for writing or anything much till now. She moved to Portugal for good. She's not coming back. We cried so much July 8th. I spent the day at her house, then I went w/her best friend Paula (I'm her 2nd best) to see her off to her plane. I miss her so much. We were really close almost like sisters (closer than me and Carla). It won't be the same without her. We can keep in touch and we still have precious memories. I'll never forget how much she's meant to me.
I showed her your picture before she left. She asked me to tell you that she's sorry she hasn't been writing but it's not because she didn't want to, it's because of all that went on.
I don't know if she's going to give you her address or if she wanted me to, so I'll just give it to you (address follows-jeh).
The 4th of July was a good one here. We went to my father's friend's house for a cookout. We had steak and onions on the grill, baked potatoes, and potato salad. Then we went to see fireworks at Haywood Field in Massachusetts. My father's friend lives in Mass.
Actually, my cheerleading exhibition went fairly well considering it was a first for most of us.
What I meant about staying at my grandmother's house, well my grandfather went on retreat for that weekend and my grandmother didn't want to stay alone, so my cousin Joyce and I stayed with her (Joyce is 3 months younger than me.)
The movie "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids," was indeed a fun movie to go see. I enjoyed it. I still want to go see "Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade" and the "Karate Kid Part III."
Did you get my picture yet? My hair is different but I look about the same. Thank you for your picture. It’s nice to know what you look like after all these letters.
Sorry for not mentioning what I got on my term paper. I thought I told you, but I guess I didn't. It was graded in 3 parts. On the mechanics part, I got a B, for my presentation, I got a B, and for the paper, a B.
No, it wasn't a Boy Scout Jamboree that Tom went to. It was Yagoo, a Boy Scout Camp in Hope Valley, R.I. He went for a week. His troop always goes down on a Sunday in July and we pick them up on the next Sunday. On that Sunday, they have a dress parade, and an awards ceremony. Scouts from all over New England go to this camp.
I got a letter today from Tessa Trike. She's from England. She's my new pen pal. I can't wait to get to know her better.
Your friend,
Kathy
20 July 1989
Dear Kathy,
I got your picture and thought I had written to tell you that. I've just re-read my correspondence with you and find that it was a lapse on my part. Please forgive me for being so insensitive.
As I had surmised, you are a lovely young lady and even if you changed your hair style since the picture was taken, that cannot be changed. The picture must have been taken in your bedroom. It has that frilly look that girls your age like to give it.
My daughter too, decorates her room with animal posters and frilly butterflies and feminine straw hats. She still has her high school pom-poms and rally ribbons for the football team and a garter belt from the prom, neatly displayed on her wall, with "Hephzibah High School, Class of 1988" prominently displayed.
I did not know Susana was going back to Portugal. I hadn't heard from her in such a long time. The 29th of March was the last letter I wrote her. Was she having some sort of family problems? Is that why she wasn't writing? This comes as a complete surprise to me.
I know you must miss her terribly if you were that close. Knowing how you feel, and if she felt the same way, I'm sure that you two will keep in touch. She will probably be more inclined to write you than she was to write me. Thank you for her address, and yes, if she is still interested in corresponding with me from Portugal, I'll write her.
I'm not sure of the address you gave me. Foreign addresses should be printed so I can understand. The spelling of new place names is strange to me. I will type it out as I think it is and if I'm wrong, please let me know. I have: (left off...jeh)
Thank you for explaining about your grandfather going on the retreat and you and your cousin staying with your grandmother. Now I understand it.
Tom's Boy Scout camping trip sounds like a jamboree to me. When I was in the scouts, we had a jamboree in Jamaica which lasted two weeks and had scouts from all over. Sounds like much the same thing to me but shorter.
I'm glad the term paper was a success also. I would have liked to read it. As you know, I too, have a soft spot in my heart for the denizens of the deep.
Where are you getting the addresses of these people to write to for pen pals? England, my goodness, I hope she isn't too frumpy! My grandmother was English and though I loved to listen to her talk, she could be stuffy from time to time. That is spoken as seen from my then perspective of fourteen years. That was the last time I saw her. She was probably a very nice person and I'm sorry I didn't get to know her better.
The outlook for my book is starting to look better. I got the edited manuscript back this past Saturday and have been busy retyping ever since. I'm almost finished now and should have it back on its way to a publisher by next week. There are a few obstacles which must be overcome, such as permission from the Associated Press to run a copy of an article which I plan to have included in my book.
Also, in order to avoid having to get written permission for publication from all the parents of all the teenagers that wrote me, I have had to drop addresses and last names and even change some names. Anyone who wrote to me will recognize their own letter and maybe even letters of their classmates.
I have to go for now Kathy. I have lots of work to do. Keep me abreast of how things are going with you. When you start school again next month, you will probably meet and make new friends who can help you get over the pain of parting from Susana. As you say, you have good memories and that's what it's all about really.
Your friend,
John
22 July 1989
Hi again Kathy,
I'll bet you're surprised by getting another letter from me so soon, especially since you probably haven't even got around to answering my last letter. Don't be alarmed! I just wanted to cheer you up and mention something else that I noticed about your last letter and meant to bring up but forgot. I also have a very big favor to ask of you.
I'll start by saying that I noticed the Hemingway stamp on your letter. That was very fast of you! I only just heard on TV the other night that the post office was issuing them. You must have been one of the first persons in line at the post office to get them so fast. Since it is a first issue, a canceled stamp might be of some value. If you want, I can hold this stamp for you until I hear from you again, and if you want it, I'll send the envelope w/canceled stamp, back to you.
Kathy I've re-written the edited manuscript of my book and added a few more pages also. Monday, I will send it off to a royalty publisher and hope it is accepted. The publisher I'm sending it to is "Little Brown & Co., 34 Beacon Street, Boston, Ma. 02108.
Now here comes the biggie I was going to ask of you! I hope to include pictures of some of the areas mentioned in my book. The pictures can be sent to the publisher after the MS has been edited and a contract sent to me for signature. So there is still time to get those pictures for the book. Here's what I propose: I'll send you $20 for your purchasing of film and any trouble I may have caused you in going to the different parts of the city I suggest.
The pictures must be black and white, hopefully 35MM, but you can use a box camera or whatever you have except a Polaroid. If you don't have a camera, perhaps you could borrow one from a friend. Please take some pictures of Paisley Park Tower, from different angles; what used to be the wading pool, but is now a flower garden I hear. A good picture of this can probably be taken from the tower, at least the view used to be good. There is also a gazebo across from the tower on a hill near the head of the wading pool. Also, take a picture of Sacred Heart Park (what used to be Ayers playground), preferable from the railroad overpass looking down toward the basketball court. There is also a basketball court we used to play at on Cowden (Couden?) Street too, I believe. The final picture I would want you to take is one of my old address at (I believe) 391 Dexter Street. This is about the third house from the corner of Cross and Dexter, a three story house (it used to be yellow) with a bay window overlooking Dexter Street, on the second floor. That used to be where I lived.
Don't forget to mark on the back, in pencil, what the picture is. I've been gone so long nothing will look the same anymore probably. These pictures aren't essential to the book, but will help illustrate some of the places talked about.
I certainly hope you can do this for me and that I am not inconveniencing you too much.
I will await your next letter with baited breath, in hopes that you have conceded to my wishes. It will also be nice to hear from you.
Your friend,
John
31 July, 1989
Dear John,
I'd be pleased to help you out with getting pictures for your book. The only thing you didn't say was how long I had to do it. When do you need them by? See, I'm going to the bank today to cash the check then to the store for film. I won't be able to take the pictures till August 2nd, then that same day I'll mail the film to be developed. I should get the film back within 7-10 days and then I'll mail them to you (where I send them, the pictures come out lots better than other places).
Thank you for sending me the Hemingway stamp back. I'll put it away. Also, thank you for your compliment on my picture I sent you.
Sue moved because her parents are divorced (since a long time ago) and she wanted to live with her father but he lived in Portugal so her mother decided to move there so Sue could see her father. She left 3 weeks before Sue did. Sue isn't going to just see her dad, she's going to live with him, but her mom didn't know that. I don't know how everything worked out ’cause I haven't heard from her yet. Sorry you could not read her address correctly. Here it is: (address enclosed - jeh)
Well, I've got to run! Bye,
Kathy
02 August 1989
Dear Kathy,
Thanks so much for helping me with the pictures. I thought I had made it plain that there was no hurry for the pictures, because I can send them in with the contract when Little Brown & Co. decides to publish. Take your time and get me some good pictures and please don't rush!
I was aware that Susana's parents had divorced and she did say in an earlier letter that she would maybe be going back to Portugal in 1989, but she didn't say it with much finality, nor did she say it would be a permanent move. Thank you for sending me her corrected address anyway, and like I said, if she still wants to correspond with me, I'd be only too happy to oblige.
Susana's plans for living with her father upon her return to Portugal, should have been discussed with her mother and father beforehand. It may be that her father cannot or that her mother will not allow it. It's easy when you're fourteen or fifteen to make plans for your future but those plans must have the approval of the parents because at that age, a child is still considered a minor, subject to the will of the adult parents; especially the parent who has custody in a divorce. I'm not saying it's always fair, but it is the law here in the USA and I'll bet the law is similar in Portugal also. I sincerely hope that things work out satisfactorily for Susana but I would be more sure of the outcome had she talked it over with her mother first.
I am sort of in stasis right now. I've done some work on the sequel to my book but am not really enthused about it as of yet. I think when "My Life in Your Hands" is accepted for publication, my spirits will pick up and the typing will go better on this one.
I've recently learned of an organization based in Texas called "Overseas Brats," which is for alumni of Department of Defense (DOD) schools overseas. These are the schools which dependents of military personnel stationed overseas, usually attend. They are on a military installation and are funded by DOD. I attended several of these schools, notably, in Cuba and Newfoundland and it is hoped that I will be able to reestablish contacts with some of my old schoolmates through membership in this organization. I sent in my dues last week.
We've been getting a lot of spin-off weather from hurricane Chantel which became a tropical storm and now hurricane Dean is building up out in the Atlantic and coming our way. I guess God is trying to make up for the drought which he has been sending our way the last three summers. The water level in our upriver reservoir had dropped thirty feet but now it is almost back to full stage. This year has certainly started out wet. So wet, as a matter of fact, that mold and mushrooms have begun sprouting up all over my yard. The excess water has had a deleterious effect on my flower gardens also.
I will be looking forward to getting the pictures I requested of you. They should enhance the setting of the locales I talk about in my story.
Write again soon Kathy, its nice hearing from you. Do let me know if you hear from Susana also.
Your friend,
John
19 August 1989
Dear Kathy,
I had thought to hear from you before now but I suppose it has taken longer than expected to get around to taking the pictures I requested.
Joyce wrote to tell me that you were having trouble finding black and white film. It is not absolutely necessary that the film be black and white but I understand that for newsprint, that makes better copy. The pictures would be black and white in the book anyway. Besides, I know B&W film is cheaper, and didn't want you to spend all the money on film.
I was not aware that Joyce was your cousin. She hadn't written in over six months, so when she wrote, I had to dust off the old letters on my shelf so that I could reacquaint myself with her initial correspondence. I wonder if she will turn into a "regular?"
There is still no great rush for the pictures, because I haven't yet heard from the publisher. They've had the MS for over four weeks now, and I suppose if they were going to reject it, they would have done so already. I plan to give you credit by name in the book, for any of the pictures that are used.
School starts next week for the kids here in Georgia. I suppose you will not be going back to school until September. I know you didn't get out of school until late June, and the kids here got out in early June. How do you feel about going back to school, stomach a bit queasy? As I recollect, I was always a bit nervous at first and excited too. Just think, you will be able to see some of your friends whom you haven't seen all summer. You might even meet some new boys. Those are exciting thoughts aren't they?
You better try to get in another shot at the beaches before you have to go back to school. My wife is talking about going to Beaufort, South Carolina to do some clamming and crabbing next month. If we go, it will be three years since the last time. We used to go regularly every year, but my health hasn't been the best lately and the wife hasn't expressed any strong desire to go. I might surprise her next month though. We sometimes went swimming there also, but the waves were always rough and the water murky. Besides, I'm not partial to jelly fish stings.
We went to a fresh water lake (actually our upriver reservoir) called Clark's Hill Lake last weekend. It's about thirty five miles from where I live. There are nice picnic areas not too far from the beach. We took a neighbor's girl, Chong Suk, aged eleven, with us and my daughter, Jean, and her boyfriend joined us later. We had a nice bar-b-que and then I walked with Chong Suk to the playground area. We sat on the swings for a little while (I like the old board swings, these seats were made of rubber and when you sit on them, they wrap around your hips, too tightly, I think.), then we went to the monkey bars, where she played and I watched. While there, another neighbor of ours drove by with her two girls and they were going to the beach area. So I took Chong Suk back to pick up my wife and we went to the beach also. Jean and boyfriend had left by this time.
I didn't go in the water, but Chung Suk did and she had fun playing with the neighbors' kids. I just watched from the shade of an old oak tree near the shower/club house area. There was a beach, volleyball game in progress and it was fun watching that and the many skimpily clad bikinis on the beach. There was one girl there, a life guard, who was really stunning! She rated a "10" in anybody's book! Lest you think me a lecherous old man, my wife was there beside me also, and when I expressed amazement at the young lady's proportions, my wife agreed with me. Of course, she says it's okay to look, but I'd better not touch!
My head, which I think I told you, had been shaved bald on top, got a little too much exposure to the sun. It has been peeling for the last three days now. I've just gotta get me a straw hat for those sunny days! Thing is, I wore a hat all the time outside while I was in the military. I hate hats!
Drop me a line soon Kathy. You don't have to wait until you have the pictures. If too long a time goes by and I don't hear from you, I'm liable to suspect you, too, have left the country.
Your friend,
John
September 5, 1989
Dear John,
Sorry I've taken so long with taking your pictures. It's been pretty hectic. But you'll be happy to know that I sent in your pictures to be developed today. It'll take about a week and a half to get back to me then as soon as I receive them I'll label them and send them out to you. I hope you have them in time!
See, what happened is this; you said b & w film is better than colored so I went to four different stores looking for black & white film. Only two of the stores had b & w film, but not the type my camera takes. So I asked my mom's brother-in-law to borrow his 35mm only to find out it was broken. So I went to see my uncle who has a 35mm. He lent me his but his was an old one and I had trouble working it and he went up to Vermont on a business trip so I had to wait till he came back. Well, by the time he came back, I was on vacation! Anyway, when I came back, I had a hard time getting hold of him. Then your letter came saying I could use color film. Boy, was I relieved! So I bought a film and took all the pictures yesterday with my dad (he came with me). So you see, I didn't forget!
I took all the pictures you requested except for the one of your house. I went with my friend Carl the other day to take it, but your house isn't there anymore! On one side of Cross/Dexter, for about a block long, is Grossman's. On the other side the houses go from 285 to 297. There are no other numbers between 285 and 297. Sorry, it's just not there.
Joyce and I are first cousins. We are only five months apart, me being the oldest. I guess that's why we've always been best of friends! Yes, I think she'll keep writing to you. She seems interested. So is her father.
Well, school starts tomorrow! I'm sort of psyched. It'll be good to get back into the swing of things and see all my friends again. (Everyone but Sue.)
Speaking of Sue, I heard from her two days ago. She likes Portugal but she misses us. We all miss her, too. I just finished her letter. Would you believe I wrote ten and a half pages!!?? It's gonna cost me a fortune to write to her. But her letter was seven pages and I had to answer that plus fill her in on what's happening here. My arm is about ready to fall off!
My mother had her first day back to school today. She is going to the community college of Rhode Island. She's taking nursing.
I had a blast on vacation! It was an awesome week! The sunrises and sunsets were beautiful, the weather was gorgeous (it rained two times, but at night), and the water was great for swimming. The water was real clear and warm and the waves were just right. I got a nice tan, too.
Tuesday morning we were up for the sunrise and we saw a swan on the ocean. It was beautiful. I took a picture of it. Then it swam to shore and walked right up to me. I just stood there, as still as could be, just looking at it. Then I took a picture of it up close and it got scared and ran back into the water and swam far out. I don't know if it was lost or what. Swans don't usually live around there, so it beats me what it was doing there.
Sandpipers are so cute. There were millions of them on the beach that early in the morning. Every time we got close, they'd fly further away. Once, I got close enough to take a picture, so I did. There were about eight of them in the picture. They're so cute.
When I found a chiton (which of course, I also took a picture of). I started playing with it but it buried itself in the mud. Oh well.
Thursday we went out for a seafood dinner. I decided to be adventurous and order shark. So I ordered the Mako Shark special, not knowing if I'd like it or not. It ended up being delicious. If you like seafood and get to try shark, try it, it's good!
On Friday morning, we found a half decomposed carcass on the beach. Some guy tried telling me and Aaron (he's my brother's friend) that it was a tuna. I said "no way. Tuna don't have a skull and backbone, they aren't mammals. This is a mammal. Besides tunas don't have fur." So the guy said "then what do you think it is smartie-pants?" I said "A seal" He goes "no way, you're wrong." Then the guys from the DEM (Department of Environmental Management) came to dispose of it and they told us it was a seal. So I was right!
Well, I've got to go. It's getting late and I've got to get up early for school tomorrow. I'll send you your pictures the same day I get them back. Okay? Talk to ya later.
Take care,
Kathy
6 September, 1989
Dear Kathy,
I have waited until today to write this letter, because I wanted to give you the benefit of doubt. Had you taken the pictures I requested before now, I felt certain you would have had them in the mail to me at the end of the Labor Day holiday. Unfortunately, that hasn't happened. Has some catastrophe overtaken you? The last I heard from you was a post card from Sand Hill Cove, mailed on 21 August. I have written you two letters since my 22 July letter requesting you take some pictures for me. I know the check was cashed, so the pictures should have been following shortly thereafter.
Joyce, who claims to be your cousin, wrote and told me that you both were going to go and do some shopping for film on 2 August and then you would take the pictures. What has happened? I was really counting on you to get those pictures for me. That is the only thing holding me back from resubmitting another copy to another publisher.
Perhaps I have imposed upon you, a task which you cannot perform for some reason. If that is the case, you shouldn't have cashed the check, but informed me. I would have then been able to ask someone else to do this for me. If you've already spent the money and have not bought any film, and that is the reason for the delay, please let me know immediately, and I will make other arrangements.
I'm sorry this letter isn't my usual upbeat missive, but I'm upset and perplexed as to what could have happened to make you delay in responding for so long.
This is the day school starts for you. I know you will be very busy getting used to the new schedule and new teachers and even making new friends. Please take sometime this week to write to me and explain why I haven't heard from you in so long. I should think that would be the least you could do for me under the circumstances.
Your friend,
John
September 9, 1989
John,
I received your Sept. 6th letter today and was not happy with its contents. You are now probably eating your words for sending me such a letter. I mailed your letter explaining why it took so long the same day you wrote yours.
I think it was rude and obnoxious of you to accuse me of such a misdemeanor. All I know is that I have done my utmost to fulfill your wishes and all I had was a hard time because of it.
Anyway, you told me I had plenty of time to accomplish this task. If that was not the case, you should have said so.
Also, I have not been able to answer all of your letters because I am a very busy person and am involved in a lot of activities. I think you should be able to understand that I cannot always get letters to you when you want them.
As for Joyce "who claims to be my cousin" (as you put it.) her mother is my mother's sister. We are cousins.
As far as the pictures are concerned, you will receive them as soon as I get them back. I sent them out to Clark Color Laboratories to be developed.
Sincerely,
Kathy
9 September, 1989
Dear Kathy,
I'm sitting here with egg all over my face! I feel so bad about writing that letter of 6 September to you now. I just got your 5 September letter in the mail, in which you say the pictures have been taken and you are having them developed. As you now know, my letter was one of admonition for you taking so long in taking those pictures and getting them back to me.
Our letters obviously passed in the mail. Can you forgive me for doubting you had taken the pictures? I know you must be mad as hell with me, but it was taking soooo long in getting an answer from you, I must confess, I did began to doubt you had done it. I now know better and understand the reason for the delay. I will anxiously await the pictures you took.
It is too bad that my old house on Dexter Street is not there anymore. Things change over a thirty-plus year absence, so sad as it may be, I guess the McNulty's (owners of the house) must have sold the house for commercial development. Chalk another one up on the side of progress!
Tell your dad I said thanks for helping you. I suppose he was the chauffeur and drove you around to the different places, huh? There were a lot of pictures I asked for, and I'm not really sure if the publisher will be interested in using them for illustrative purposes, but it'll be nice to have them if he wants to use them. I do mention those places in my book, and readers will be more ready to identify with the settings if they can see what it looks like. Sad to say, I'm not able to be as descriptive of my surroundings as I would like. A picture is worth a thousand words, they say, so yours' will come in handy if used in the book. I will make sure you get credit for taking the pictures also.
Carl, yeah, I think Joyce mentioned him in her letter, only she said Karl. That's a new name! Anything new happening in your love life? By now, you've already been back in school for about a week and a half, have you seen any new and interesting faces at school? I know you are glad to see some of your friends that you haven't seen since school let out.
I'm happy to hear that Susana wrote you from Portugal. How is she? Did her plan to go live with her father ever work out to her satisfaction? She hasn't written me, so I don't know what is going on with her. I would write to her first, but I wrote her in March and she didn't answer after that, although she didn't leave for Portugal for some time. I have the feeling that she's not really interested in writing to an old man like me. If she changes her mind and writes, I'll answer her.
Your mom is to be commended for going back to school. I tried it after my departure from the army, but my health was a hindrance. How come she picked such a toughie as nursing to pursue? Does she have former experience working with nurses? I wish her luck and she has my admiration for having the courage to tackle such a rough field. Lord knows, there is a shortage in that field, and if she makes it, she'll never have to worry about being able to get a job again, that's for sure!
Vacations are an upper with you, I can tell. You really enjoy them and that's good. Yes, the swan would seem out of place in that setting to me also. I would imagine that Sand Hill Cove is a salt water inlet somewhere along the Atlantic seaboard. To my recollection, swans mostly inhabit inland waterways. That's not to say they haven't been known to frequent the sea from time to time. It seems to me I heard that they usually mate for life too. If that one was alone, it is indeed strange. They are beautiful birds though.
The sandpipers were in the proper setting. They love beaches. I think they chase the fiddler crabs and other lesser amphibian life which inhabits the beach and burrow in the sand. Speaking of which, you have me at a loss! What is a chiton? I would have to go to the library and get that book I used to get the information about the coelacanth, if I were to look it up. I thought I'd take a short cut and ask the expert.
When you started to describe the carcass you found on the beach, the first animal that came to my mind was a seal also. Another possibility was an otter. Some fisherman probably caught it on his line, and rather than set it free, killed it and left it there. I have to take exception to your statement that tunas do not have skulls or spines though, they do. You're quite correct in saying they are not mammals.
There is a story in my book relating to sharks, which we caught from the deck of my ship, the USS Rockville, when I was in the navy back in 1962, off the coast of Bermuda. We caught them, but we didn't eat them. I've never tried that dish, but I know shark fin soup is a common oriental dish. I would imagine their flesh tastes much like mussels huh? It isn't a common food here in any restaurant that I know of. I would probably have to go to a big city like Atlanta or Savannah to find a restaurant serving shark. You've got to remember, New England was founded in large part, by mariners, and seafood was then, and is now, a common staple of the diet.
I've heard from my old friend, Frank Jacusa, who attended Lanier High School with me, and who was one of my best friends at the time. He is now a banker in Cranston, and at one time (1970) was a policeman in Lanier also. I wrote him a long letter this past week, and am looking forward to getting his reply. It's such fun going over old memories together and recalling the good times. Of course there weren't always good times, but they outnumbered the bad and are more readily remembered.
Eventually, I expect a lot of my old friends from that era will get in touch with me. That is a small city, as you well know, and word will spread that I'm trying to get in touch. When the book is published and hits the city, I expect a lot of letters. Unfortunately, I've already heard that one of my friends, Ed Anderson, had a heart attack and died a few years ago. Word is, he was quite successful too, and was a millionaire when he died. A lot of my friends were successful, but I know not everyone was. Sooner or later, I will get the low down on most of them.
I'm going to depart for the night now Kathy. I sincerely hope you have accepted my apologies for the 6 September letter by now. Please don't hold a grudge against me. I'll be waiting for your letter.
As always,
John
15 September, 1989
Dear Kathy,
My, my, but we are vindictive, aren't we? I just received your 9 September letter in which you take me to task. I suppose you are entitled to get your pound of flesh. However, you didn't mail that letter until the 13th and I had written an apology for doubting you on 9 September also, and mailed it that day. That letter of apology should have been received by you prior to 13 September. Obviously my apology was not accepted or you were still miffed, and wanted to show me that you were.
While it is true that I did not express a date for this task to be accomplished, and in fact exhibited no concern for the time to have the pictures returned, you had indicated earlier that it would be done soon. I did not know you would be so busy nor that I would be imposing upon your time to an excessive degree. Now that I know that it was an imposition, I must apologize once more.
As regards Joyce, there was no disrespect intended by my use of the word "claim." I did not want to refer to her as "your cousin," without you confirming the fact that she was. You did this in your 5 September letter.
We seem to have developed a hitch in our relationship. I've tried to apologize but if you feel that it is not enough for me to say "I'm sorry," then maybe it's just as well. That saddens me!
I will take my cue from you in any future correspondence we may have.
Sincerely yours,
John
(16 Sept. pkg w/pics)
John,
I hope you are happy with how the pictures came out.
Kathy
20 September, 1989
Dear Kathy,
I got the pictures yesterday, and yes, I am well satisfied with how they came out. You did a very good job and I want to thank you for that.
There are four of the pictures that I will send to the publishers for possible inclusion in the book. Actually, I am sending xerox copies, with instructions for them to select the pictures which they want in the book. Then I will send them the original. That way, I won’t lose any pictures. The four copies I will send are the school, the clock tower, the Sacred Heart basketball/tennis courts (there was no tennis court in my day, nor were there that many trees), and the picture of the wading pool as seen from the tower.
I must say, most of what I see in those pictures, has remained pretty much the same. Of course, the wading pool has been filled in but is still recognizable (although it does seem smaller than I remember). The most remarkable shot you sent is of the Couden Street basketball court. That hasn't changed one iota.
Those pictures bring back a lot of fond memories, and even if they are not used for the book, I will keep them in my family album. They don't have much significance to my wife and daughter, but they mean a lot to me. For that alone, I wish to thank you again. They are very much appreciated.
Your sometimes rude
and obnoxious friend,
John
P.S. Can’t we still be friends?
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