Here’s a letter to a sister, dated 11 Feb 2015. He mentions Bob Dreicer, who died a couple of days earlier, Suzy, Frank, and of course Stephanie. There are several poetic lines, including “We use to scoop all that scenery up together. “

Thanks for the fotos.

Happy Valentine’s Day to you, too.

Any news from the happy couple?

After two days under snow, the sun is back and only the peaks are white. A couple of nights it was below freezing. Yesterday 80ª on my terrace midday. 55º at night.

The ole rheumatiz is kicking up.

My oldest (since 1961) friend Robert Dreicer died in Florence a couple days ago. 86. Broke his leg just walking in the street, got stuck in the hospital for a month and a half and never got out. Bronchitis, emphysema, pneumonia – the usual.

Very few survivors left of my personal band of brothers. One in California, Herbert, a genius from high school. Glad I saw him in November.

Life was twice as beautiful with Stephanie; which means half as lovely without her. Drove from Soller through Deya today on errands, and that occurred to me. We use to scoop all that scenery up together. Now it’s like a snowplow with the blade missing.
Of course, you have shared a lot with loved sons et al, so you know what I mean.

Ah well, we all were born as a puzzle to be assembled, and the last pieces are the most difficult, sort of like the blue sky part of a jigsaw, tough to get together. And who knows, at the end, there just might be a piece missing! Wouldn’t that be a bummer?

Frank Bruns, a longtime friend from Berlin comes tomorrow for four days. We will go to a Valentine’s concert Saturday with classical songs, Suzie on the piano with two singers. I will think of you when I’m there.

I hope I have the energy to walk on the mountains a bit with him. Last year we did it from Deya to Soller over the mountain. Seem unlikely this time. Emphysyma acting up. Cold damp air ain’t no good.

Lots of love to all, and a special hug to Elijah. I fear I didn’t give him what he expected or wanted from me when I was there. Maybe it’s something I don’t have?…

PS: Sleeping better? If not, try this old Mallorcan trick: a big square chunk of oldfashioned laundry soap under the covers at your feet. It worked for me, and Mike Watts says it worked for him. Just don’t go to bed with wet feet!