Dad me about his back healing. He and Berg and Denny Elkins were building the new house. He and Denny were carrying the metal posts out of the yard — old drain pipes he’d gotten somewhereL do I remember the spiral ridge on them? Only weighted 100 or 150 pounds.

Dec. 27 “It’s typical, I guess, for an older man, a dad of sorts, to linger in the past. To claim some importance to people I first heard about in my youth. Must steer myself, like a car in first gear, onto the streets of the present.” Haha, that

Nov. 15 “Praises us in ways we already know…our muscular school in Washington…the band has yet to play their greatest hit…” A lovely, vivid walk through fall and through some of our shared experience. You’ve given me many gems like this to read and re-read. You’

May 13 Tomorrow’s the 50th multi-year reunion. Tonight was a gathering of just our class. Happiness and warmth all around. Everyone seemed in good health, even Mark Balven, who had aortic surgery four days ago and was supposed to be home recovering, not out partying. Sixty-seven doesn’

May 6 When I came back to Missouri I expected a Canaan’s Land of lower prices, and was disappointed. The restaurant prices were lower, but not by much. My grocery bills seemed about the same size. The only significant financial difference, by my lazy and perhaps incorrect reckoning and

April 19 Letter to Rob — Last night attended a planning meeting for next year’s 50th year class reunion. Chatted with Cabby Berard, Mark Ditch, Dawn Dozier, Talu, and Joyce Tobben. Sat next to Joyce and we kind of cheated off each other’s meeting notes. There was an instant

March 15 You are a nimble old artist. Always were—nimble beyond your years. Old when young and now vice versa. I wonder though: If you and I lived to be 300, would either of us be reading with excitement the literature of that far time? But that raises a

Feb. 14 Letter to Rob — Read some Billy Collins tonight. Yes, I like his stuff. Not striking me like I described to you, as too easy and thin. If anything, I’m a little bummed out that it’s almost too much to my liking: that is, too close to