Dec. 16, 2015

 

Dear Hildie:

 

I called to visit my friend yesterday and was told he was no longer able to receive visitors because now he sleeps all the time. It won’t be long, I’m afraid. That’s going to be like having a big piece torn out of my world.

The post office continues to render exemplary service. The mail comes at dark; I get my neighbor’s mail; I send an Xmas card to somebody in Georgia and I get it back with the notation that they’ve moved to Mississippi, with the new address  printed on  it—instead of its being forwarded, which is what I paid money for. And nowadays when you mail something using the machine at the post office, they make you enter the address manually, because they’re too damned lazy to do it themselves. Or maybe they just can’t read. That’s when the machine works. I watched a poor fellow try to mail a package yesterday and it wouldn’t take any of his credit cards. Half the time it won’t print stamps, and I’ve gotten several sheets with the sheetlets cut in two, giving me half-stamps. Ben Franklin would die if he saw how this once proud service has deteriorated. Of course, I know the real problem is Congress—Isn ‘t that the problem with most of what’s gone bad? The only native-born criminal class, as Twain said.

 

Well, I see I haven’t said anything positive in this letter. Sorry. I’m not feeling very positive right now.

Take care (of the bill collectors),

Love,

M

Dec. 15, 2015

 

 

Dear Hildie:

 

I know what you mean about getting tired of process servers, etc. That’s why we put a call block on our phone. One 800 number has called us twice a day for four months. But now, with the block, they just ring once and then get disconnected.

 

Damn. I submit a proposal and then the client wants to downsize it. Just part of the game but tiring.

 

Oh, well, more of the grind.

 

Love,

 

M

Dec. 14, 2015

 

Dear Hildie:

 

It is indeed frightening that a stranger with a clipboard has been sneaking up on you looking for your son Riley. Didn’t you tell him Riley was in jail in Mexico? Bill collectors surely won’t bother him there unless they have connections with the cartels. I think your plan is the right one—get his license number and then take that company to court for doing business on Sunday. Take a picture of him, his car, and his plates.

 

The annual Xmas party (to which you’re always invited but never attended when I sent you an invite) was a great success but my knees require me to sit down a lot and entertain as if I were a king on a throne, which, humble person that I am, I don’t like to do. Anyway, there’s plenty left to eat, so feel free to drop around for some.

 

Got several emails from Amos. All gibberish. Sounds like he’s off his meds. I’ve blocked his address.

 

Now I have to prepare a proposal.

 

Take care.

Love,

M

 

 

Dec 11, 2015

Dear Hildie:

As expected, I get deluged with proposals to write just before Xmas.

Nothing really to report. I’m ready for Xmas, wearing my Grinch shirt.

Take care,

Love,

M

 

Dec. 10, 2015

Dear Hildie:

I’m reading Lacquer’s book on the treatment of the body after death. Very well-written. I’m not sure he got the Aztecs right, though.

I’m finished with all my scanning and revising and now I’m ready to sit down and start something else, if I can get the energy. God, it’s so depressing right now—So many people I know are either dying or have already died. I feel like the old reaper’s knocking.

Things are quiet at the office now as I wait to see what happens this week and the next.

Take care, old thing.

Love,

M

 

 

Dec. 9, 2015

Dear Hildie:

My God, what did the post office do to my December 2 letter? Do they have dogs in the sorting room, who chew up the mail?

Yes, you lead a more active life than I and shall probably outlive me. What can I say? Except I feel life ebbing fast. I see my doctor on the 21st for a routine exam but there are some things I need to discuss with him, like last rights. Well, you always accuse me of considering the medical profession a priesthood.

I am enjoying Donald Trump and wish him (almost) every success–He’s going to cost the Republicans the election! I can’t believe there are so many dumb people who believe all his clap-trap. But all this is just high entertainment for the masses and the media love it. What with mass shootings and his ignorant bombast, they get to fill out their programs. It’s more fun for them to be able to interrupt him during an interview than to continually ask survivors of massacres, “How did you feel when the gun was pointed at you?”

Ah, me. Life is strange.

Take care,

Love,

M

Happy birthday, Hildie!

Dec. 7, 2015

Dear Hildie:

We had a nice little jaunt to Livonia Friday, to a defunct plantation. But I was going to take the crew to eat at Joe’s Dreyfuss store and it was closed. For years that’s been a well-known local eatery and the one time I ate there, about five years ago, it was good. Instead, we ate at Camille’s Cajun Cafe in Erwinville. The hushpuppies had a fishy taste, probably from the oil they were fried in, but the red beans and rice were excellent.

Right now, I have no desire greater than for there to be cold weather so I can ensconce myself by the fire with eggnog or hot chocolate and a good book and not stir out again until March! But I fear that if victuals are to be put on the table that can’t happen.

Take care.

Love,

M

Dear Hildie: Over the (Mississippi) River and through the woods to a ruined plantation! Happy weekend!

Love,
M and crew

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dec. 3, 2015

 

Dear Hildie:

 

You aren’t the only one who gets mail late. For the last few months they’ve been coming around 5 to 7 p.m. Last night the mail person was wearing a headlamp! Another thing, brought on my being PC and saying “mail person.” Why do the news people insult all us long-maligned males by saying “gunman” and “manhunt,” as with the case of the San Berdoo shootings yesterday? I demand they be more respectful of my gender! Of course, they can’t help it, being linguistically challenged. “A shootout with a black SUV.” Really? Was the SUV spitting bullets? That reminds me of another practice the illiterate press seems to employ: “Both of the two men were not involved.” My God! Could anything be more awkwardly phrased? Where did these people go to school? By the way, I note an amusing tendency among publishers these days. They used to put on book jackets: “Winner—1995 Pulitzer Prize”.  Then it became: “Nominated for the 2010 Pulitzer Prize.” Then “Short-listed for the 2012 Pulitzer Prize.” Now it’s “Long-listed for the 2014 Pulitzer Prize.” Now I have to wonder how long a long list is: 1,000 books? The poor bastards are desperate!

 

You upbraided me Thursday last for not visiting, but for the past year or so you’ve been busy every day! How am I supposed to deal with that?

 

Oh, and another thing: What would you like for Christmas? I was going to get you an electric blanket (again) but you went out and bought one.  Please give me some ideas quickly!

 

And thanks for the Christmas card. It was the first one to come this year and will certainly be the most insulting. But it’s on the mark: Doubtless Pierre will pee on our Christmas tree when we get it!

 

Take care, old thing.

Love,

M