Tag Archives: correspondence

1987: I’ve started a little writing project

[Dear Mother,] I’ve started a little writing project that I refer to as “Sketches” for now. I try to record or re-create things I hear and have heard from people at work. C** and N**, for example, are big talkers, … Continue reading

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1987: “God’s Fool”

[Dear Mother,] I’ve read about a third or so of Hamlin Hill’s “Mark Twain: God’s Fool.” It’s about the last ten years of his life, based on materials that were not available or publishable when family members were still living. … Continue reading

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1987 By the way…

[Dear Mother,] By the way: I quoted a piece about biography in my last letter, to the effect that there is always an autobiography lurking. There is a figure that I almost think I’ve dreamed up, but that I know … Continue reading

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It seems as if…

It seems as if I had to divest myself of my own library before I could start reading any of it. The sheer weight of unread books can neutralize a person. I don’t know if I ever told you the … Continue reading

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You’re a kind ear, Joe.

I hope I don’t wear you out with my musings. Poetry is there when you need it. It seems to rise to the occasion when nothing else will do. It concentrates the mind and the emotions, like scripture. Poets get … Continue reading

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Dear Mother… As I’ve been traveling

As I’ve been traveling more, again, I’ve gotten so tired of seeing dead animals on the road. It’s begun to sicken me. Everywhere you go you see little carcasses and mauled remains. Some are not so little; I’ve seen several … Continue reading

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Dear Mother… I’m keeping

I’m keeping a fairly close record on my office computer of how I spend my time at work. I feel overworked in the sense that I’m letting myself be subjected to more demands than I can reasonably satisfy, as well … Continue reading

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Dear Mother… I also finished

I also finished the “Teacher in America” book and loaned it to Charles last night. Herbert, Charles and I had lunch last week and I mentioned the book to them. Herbert knew of Barzun, said he had read several of … Continue reading

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Dear Mother… I visited

I visited with *** last night and we went over my translation, reading it against his published rendering. He was pleased to see no great errors, but saw places where he would like to change his version to match the … Continue reading

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Dear Mother… I missed my last

I missed my last weekend’s letter because of Andrew’s illness. It was not serious, but required that he be in the hospital for four days. A virus that produces nausea, diarrhea and fever has hit the little ones hard in … Continue reading

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