Inside Thoughts and Feelings

"Successful people only recognize fear in others."
-The Tudors,
Season 2, Episode 7

It was late April 2010 when a beautiful, middle-aged British woman I know took notice of the current book I happened to be reading. It was titled "At Eighty-Two, A Journal" by May Sarton.
"Michael, why are you reading a book about an eighty-two year old woman?"

I was astounded at her question. I didn't know how on earth to answer her. No one had ever questioned me as to why I would read a particular book in such a tone of ridicule.
Proudly, I realized why I chose the book and said, "I figured if she's eighty-two she must have some wisdom to share that I don't already know about."
"Oh," the British woman replied with a bit of a puzzled look.
Suddenly, I detected a light-bulb had switched on in her head. She never seemed to consider such a thing.

And so, I recently finished May Sarton's journal writings. May reminded me of 'me' because she loved to write and receive letters and carry-on correspondence. May died on July 16, 1995 but a marvelous "1938" portrait of her (at age twenty-six, painted by Polly Starr) hangs in the Fogg Museum in Cambridge, Massachussets.



PHOTO:  Portrait of 'May Sarton'

Twenty-five years ago today:

October 28, 1985
Monday

Daylight savings time is here. How uncanny Leonard’s timing was for two Sundays in a row. Extra sensory perception is something we both tend to carry (I believe).

It’s bagel week for me (for breakfast) as my funds are dwindling…as usual.

Good ole Debra Neal came over to my building to deliver some Laura Todd Cookies for me. She’s semi-attractive. She’s a bit older than I but ‘okay’ nonetheless.

At lunchtime today I was accompanied by Mary McTiernan. We went to some toy shop to find something for her niece. Then we grabbed a bite at WENDY’s. I mentioned Leonard (my new friend at my gym) to Mary and how he has a socialite friend named Pat Montandon.
Mary said, “You know, I’ve heard of that woman!”

Leonard really doesn’t need to impress me any more than he already has. It’s the inside thoughts and feelings that I want to know more about. Yet, as I have learned those are the hardest to reach where he is concerned.

Work sort of dragged-on but when it was over I skedaddled on home, then to the gym. I remained at my 24 Hour Nautilus gym in San Leandro until 8PM or so. I spoke to a few fellow gym members but I spent most of my time ‘working out’. Dave and Buddy gave me their usual tidbit chatter. Some new blond body builder type asked me a question.
“Is it always this crowded?”
“At this time it just depends,” I answered.
This blond guy is likely new. Some cute blond gal exchanged a few commentary lines about one machine being good for working out, calling it ‘the cutting fat on your sides machine’.

Cedric Green called me while at work yesterday. I decided to return his call and voluntarily gave him my new home telephone number.

Leonard didn’t go to the gym tonight. I wonder about him. Well, he is just so busy. That is all that I can come up with.

I wanted to watch Joan Rivers on The Tonight Show but I was too tired to keep my eyes open until 11:30PM, so I went to bed at 9:30PM. Before bedtime I enjoyed a glass of a mixture of orange juice and Hawaiian Punch.


"Life is like riding a bicycle, you need to go forward to keep yourself from falling off."
-Albert Einstein