MAILBAG and HUGE THANKS

mailbag
Aside from mail from my bank and the collection agency to whom Citibank has transferred my debt (b*s-T*R-dos!), i've received one big package containing (as you may've already read) Sandy's doggie bed (and a big chocolate bar) and two other letters since my arrival! Thanks again to my sister-in-law Kathy for the package .. and to Carl Savage, whose letter postmarked Detroit 5/18 was received here 5/24 .. dude, how was the airshow at Selfrege field over by Lake St. Clair? And to Liv, whose Japanese postcard postmarked 5/23 in Amherst Junction, Wisconsin was received here 5/27. CONGRATS on the new job, girrrl! Wish i were there to share the summer's joys wit u & the crew.

huge thanks
There are so many people who've helped in so many different ways to make this Heartwood experience become a reality, and i would like to express my thanks to them here. The list is far from complete, and is at best a feeble attempt to acknowledge the goodnesses shown and shared with me over the past few months.

To Enda, Lauren, Matt M., Hadleigh, Simon B., Kerstin B., Rob A. and Janet: thank you for assisting me in the search for a car to drive out to California, by posting ads on my behalf at different Craigslist websites around N. America! And for many other kindnesses too numerous to mention here.

To my sister Eileen, who among many other favors and warm gestures, drove my and Sandy's butts from the NYC metro area up to our hometown of Rochester, in a blinding mid-January snowstorm, and turned around to drive the 6-hour return trip the very next morning!

To AnnaMarie at the Redwood Times: thank you for posting the ad about and later the photo of my dog which led me to finding the home in which she now so happily resides!

To Mike and Kris M., (i promise this is the last time!) thank you for flying my ass down to LaGuardia, facilitating my picking up the car i drove to California and saving me untold hours standing on the sides of lonely highways!

To Linda D., thank you for the buckwheat pillow you gave me just before i left. It's the last thing i think about each night before i drift off to sleep, and so peacefully! i will never again sleep without one.

To Grace M., who gave me a beautiful little black onyx stone just before my departure from Napier & Napier, and to which i ascribe at least some small part of the good fortune i've enjoyed ever since; and to her colleague Ms. Janet J., thanks to you both for initiating me into N.& N. and for making me feel welcome!

To Jim (and Bob) Napier, who took me in when i needed a paycheck, and then gave me a big fat bonu$ on my last day of work at their lawfirm!

To my brother Scott, who put up with me and my pooch weekend after weekend during the four months that i was living again in Rochester, and who threw me a farewell BBQ that will be remembered for years to come!

To Martin and Dana, and Molly and Lucie, who never fail to exude the warmth that has been the hallmark of our friendship since way back; thanks for the impromptu farewell dinner a su casa in the Bronks, and for all the joy in my heart that stems from there!

To Michael, who made the daring decision to open up his home and life which by necessity is usually so private, and who while asking nothing in return is offering a place of sanctuary to my beloved pooch. I could not have imagined anything more perfect. From the bottom of my heart: thank you.

And to my sister-in-law Kathy who freely gave so much of her own: from her pocketbook, from her experience of life, from her very self. i can never express how grateful i am to you for all you have shared with me. (But this nonetheless is a start!)

MUCHAS GRACIAS! ~ MERCI BIEN! ~ HARTSTIKKE BEDANKT!