Since You Are a Gemini
‘Never ask about the future.’ This phrase reflects a philosophical approach to life that embraces uncertainty and living in the present. --Arthur Schnitzler, in his book DREAM STORY
Cousin MaryAnn was flabbergasted by the ink drawing I had created from her photo of her as a little girl with her doll, Rosemary. She wrote a very delightful Thank You card:
Michael,
You WOWED me. I was totally surprised to get the ink drawing of Rosemary and me. It was a WOW. I was surprised by the time and effort you put into it. My heart was warmed. I’ll treasure it always.
The story about innocence I had sent you was a perfect accomplishment to the painting. You are a talented write and artist. I have started reading TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE and I’ll let you know what I think of it when I am finished. Thank you for the ink drawing, the story and the book.
MaryAnn
A day later, Cousin Sandra Cordova-Donald wrote a postcard using a postcard that I had sent her.
Pearl, Mississippi Dear Cousin,
How are you today, Michael? I notice every little detail on the mail I receive from you. All the stamps are very interesting and leave a history behind them. My son Harmon Donald is in Africa. He enjoys his work, but mom doesn’t like knowing my baby is on the other side of our world!
Have you spent time with you mom lately?
Our cousin, Vicky Ortega, wrote that she spent some time in New York, Boston and Cape Cod. I have walked for thirty minutes but the heat and humidity are just too high. I am looking forward to Fall. Think of you, Michael.
Love,
Sandra Donald
My cousin, Marie-Antoinette, also sent a sweet card with a 1998 photograph of a Sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean in Acadia National Park, Maine, photographed by Christopher Talbot Frank. She wrote:
Dear Michael Just received your letter and thought I’d better answer right away. Monday is really my first graveyard shift. I’m looking forward to it. Everyone at work has called and say they can’t believe I’m going back to work. They seem to be happy about it. My daughter, Bernadette, says they should be. I do my work and everybody else’s--but I do! I love caring for the elderly. I wish I had been given more time with my mom, but Our Lord needed her more.
Anway, Colorado Springs is about a half hour drive from here in Pueblo. I take Destyne to a school on Academy Boulevard and that’s on this side of Colorado Springs. Downtown would probably take you fifteen additional minutes.
We also got an invitation to Manuel and Fela Lucero’s 50th Wedding Anniversary. I was hoping to get to see you again. Maybe next time. Is your mom planning on going? If so, tell her I’ll see her there if the Lord is willed.
My brother, David Lucero, and his wife, Molly, are coming down next week for Destyne’s 3rd birthday. It’ll be good to have them here.
How is your grandmother, Genevieve? I’ve been beaning to wrote to her, but time just passes by so fast that I think you’re the only one I keep this much in contact with. I write to Mabel Espinosa-Chavez in Albuquerque occasionally along with a couple of old friends from high school but that’s about it.
Send my love to everyone there for me, so until I hear from you. God Bless and Take Care Dear Cousin.
Love You,
Marie Antoinette
P.S. Sorry these days I don’t know which end is up.
And my dear friend Barbara Reynolds in Berkeley sent a funny ‘Monkey Business’ postcard:
Michael, Do you already have this classic postcard? Did you see the film SIXTH SENSE? It’s movie magic. Wow!
You are amazing. Can I visit you in New York?
Did I already tell you David got a studio south of Lake Merritt? I am enjoying my space and now on my second week back working at 370 3rd Street, Room 511 now I happened to see Brenda Goff. I would not have recognized her. Do you remember Winnie Wong? I saw her last week and got a Big Hug! I want to e-mail you. It’s work out time though. I’m adjusting now to new sleep hours and maybe I will retire from work before next year.
Love,
Barbara
On September 25th Alan and I did the Santa Monica 5K Run. I did it under an 8-minute mile. I came in at 22 minutes. Alan completed it at 30 minutes. We are doing so well with our consistent running every other day. I’m excited about our forthcoming trips but I can’t help but feel a quirk, knowing we won’t be getting all our running and gym days into our schedule—but we will still do abdominals daily.
Barbara sent another card after seeing the new film called TWIN FALLS IDAHO. I eventually did see it. She wrote:
Mike,
Nice story. It plugged into childhood memories of wanting to be part of the circus. To you I would recommend this film especially since you are Gemini (twins). Two of my new coworkers are Gemini. They’re so easy to talk with. Also, in Gemini vain I saw Brenda Goff once again. She looks great and she showed me a photo of her daughter, Sabrina, who is in her last year of high school. Your nieces must be about that age (?). The City of San Francisco is getting to be fun. I saw Larry Houston today. Did you know him? I guess you would love a walk through this building. I am hopeful to see Joan Lyons this week. She’s training at 666 Folsom. More later...
Love,
Barbara
Our one hour consultation with Helen Settle paid off but she never became an ongoing client. Still, she sent a nice note:
Dear Michael and Alan,
Many thanks for meeting me at my home on such short notice. I took your proposal over to Christine Lee at Charles Schwab & Co. Yesterday, and she followed your instructions. I am going up to Carmel until next week but will send you copies of the transactions when I return.
Many Thanks,
Helen
Reed Campbell’s wife, Deanna, sent me a nice postcard from San Francisco this week. It makes me want to re-visit San Francisco to see the latest changes:
Hi!
We are in town for a long weekend. Reed goes home today, and I stay on for another week. Have you seen Moscone Center recently? The whole area is unbelievable. Love,
Deanna and Reed
Alan and I have enjoyed some movies this week. Specifically, STIR OF ECHOES, a sinister story starring Kevin Bacon; GUINEVERE (at the Writers Guild), a touching love story, with Stephen Rea, Sarah Polley, Jean Smart and Gina Gershon; JAKOB THE LIAR, a story of hope and triumph (at the Museum of Tolerance), starring Robin Williams, Alan Arkin and Liev Schreiber.
Cousin MaryAnn sent me this email. She refers to my ink drawing as a painting: From: MAnn223@aol.com
Subject: Like Minds / Nice / Weird
Michael,
It’s funny but I was in the bedroom getting dressed and I looked at the painting of me and Rosemary and I wondered if you knew how much I enjoy it. I thought of the story you sent with it. I love it. I thought I should write you again and tell you how much I love them. I thought of how our relationship has changed and how we are getting along.
It would be hard to describe what the painting and the story mean to me. Sometimes I read the story and look at the painting. It’s lovely. A wonderful idea to do them together.
When I am tired, I lay down and look at the painting. It was done with so much love. I can tell. I can feel it. When I look at it, I automatically feel better and more energetic. When I have a hard day, I gaze at the painting and things don’t seem so bad. When I miss you, I look at the painting and you are with me. When I go to bed at night, I look at it and fall asleep with good thoughts. When I wake up, I see it first thing and I think of you and smile. It’s a wonderful way to start the day. This is the only way I can describe what it means.
I got dressed after gazing at the painting and I wished I would get a letter from you. There is something about handwriting that is different from email. But I knew you were too busy to write so I forgot about it. Then about 1/2 hr ago I checked the mail and there it was. Thank you, Michael. I needed it. Definitely springtime. The magnolias are blooming, the lilacs, and the cherry trees are all in bloom. We will stroll in the spring. Hand in hand, walking, smiling. Who knows?
This is all more romantic than I wanted to be, but it’s true. We really do have a unique relationship. In so many ways we are very close, and in other ways we are very different. That’s what makes it work. I have been amazed that even though our hours are not the same, we have a relationship that is very real. I’ve enjoyed it. Thank you for writing me when I needed to hear from you today.
I like you. I’m glad.
MaryAnn
Alan and I had dinner at ISLANDS with Herb on September 24th. He’s always a hoot and I love when he says, “It’s delicious and nutritious.” The following night (September 25th), Alan and I ate at THE PALM in West Hollywood with Jack and Gloria—always a fun place to be.
Oh, and quite a busy week of correspondence as Cousin Edna wrote also:
Dear Michael,
I’m writing this letter while working at the election polls. I will be here all day. The hours are from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. I really don’t understand why I do it, it certainly isn’t for the pay.
Mike, Rickie, and I went to the State Fair two weekends ago. We always try to go at least once. We also were a little busy with fiestas two weekends ago. Both Mike and Rickie were in the parades. Rickie was dressed as a rooster for the pet parade. This past weekend I attended my annual women’s Christian retreat at Glorietta Conference Center. So, I’ve been a little busy.
I found it interesting that you are focusing on your health (diet, exercise, etc.). Seventh Day Adventists also focus on health. In fact, we have a large network of health systems (hospitals, long term care facilities for the elderly, etc.) in the U.S. and internationally.
How was New York? My husband said a co-worker is taking a leave to accompany her husband who is moving to New York for 9 months so that he can be trained as a broker. Anyway, my husband might be contacted to go and conduct some sort of occupational psychology class. Who knows, I may end up visiting New York after all.
Teresa is now working at a food chain grocery store called Albertsons. She likes it because the pay is better, and she says time flies by. Her daughter Consuelo is a delight and fitting of her name.
Well, between July and August I would have to say August sounds better. Why? I don’t know. Just a feeling, I guess. Please let me know what you have in mind. Take care Michael and keep enjoying life. I write again soon. 🙂 Edna
Next week is a re-focus on running and the gym!
‘In the end, some things are more important than one’s own joy.’--Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni in her book, THE MISTRESS OF SPICES
