91-49-5-13-Nancy

[printed letterhead: UPLAND FIELDS ROAD LINCOLN, MASSACHUSETTS]

[written in upper margin:]

Don't forget that if Ever you come as far East as Boston-Town, I would always love to see you, and I have a guest room waiting.

Saturday September 18th

Dear Joan --

I really had No intention of vanishing into "the wild blue yonder" quite as effectively as I seem to have done. I can only say forgive me.

I really meant to write you as soon as I was home, to try and express again to you and to Harry my gratitude for all you did for me. All I can say really is Thank you. Donner Trail with all its' warmth and character is a remarkable and lovely spot in Verdi(!), and I know full well that it is due to you two quite remarkable people that this is so. It is a happy memory for me -- the six weeks I spent with you -- and believe me, as I told you at the time I think, I had anticipated those weeks as an unpleasant pill that must be swallowed! Because of you both, and the atmosphere you have created at Donner Trail, it all turned out quite differently for me -- and I am sure for many others as well.

I can only stand on the band-box waving my flag, and telling all my

friends! -- but many have asked if they could go and NOT be getting a divorce! My answer, as you might know is, yes -- and I recall the man who did come from California while I was there. For your practical good purposes, I have of course been loud in praises to my lawyer in Boston. He himself does not handle too many divorces, but he has lots of friends who do.

Besides you and Harry, I felt I made many New friends whom I hope will be lasting.

Syril Goldhirsch called me one day in August from Cape Cod where she had taken her two boys for a few weeks. She sounded in good spirits.

I drove to N.Y. in Early August to meet my daughter-in-law arriving by boat from England alone. My son flew over two weeks later. These were the two who had been in India for 1 1/2 years While John did research for a PhD. I am sure glad they got home before the present mess there.

I spent the Night before the boat landed with Jo Dominick in her apartment. Jean Keller had been there for lunch, and waited until I arrived to have a cocktail with us. Just like old Home Week! Jean had finally

found a house to live in. Jo was her usual gay self -- said she had seen you all again when she drove west with her sister. Her boy is at school not too far from me, and she plans to come up for a week-end this Fall.

And now has arrived safely this lovely silver key ring. I have just put my house and car keys on it, and I love it. I had really forgotten it was to come -- though you had told me -- and it was a lovely surprise. My grateful thanks to you for it. It will remind me of happy times which well might Not have been.

Also your post-card came today. I am glad that you like the ear-rings and could find a place for them in your wardrobe.

I did the vanishing act because my letter writing went down to zero almost in July and August. I had a wonderful two days en route home with my friends in Estes Park -- then got home to plunge into two weeks of full Time work on my job (instead of 2 days a week ordinarily) as the one other person with whom I work, went on part of her vacation. It is a small private social service agency -- and one or the other

of us is always there. I'm sure it was good for me, as it kept my mind well distracted.

Then came my two from India -- in and out most of August, before they found an apartment in Philadelphia for the Winter where John writes the dissertation. He is getting this from U. of Penn. It was just marvelous for me to have them, but I did an awful lot of cooking, as well as chasing around!

Sad but true -- the Orkney Island trip got put off for this September, My cousin had illness in her family this summer and felt she couldn't leave for 5 weeks. Hopefully, it may go on again next spring -- when she has been told the weather is better anyway. I'll send a p.c. if I ever make it!

Except for this -- and all things can't go quite as planned at all times -- Everything is going fine for me. I had the normal adjustments at first, but I'm sure this is to be expected, and I have NO complaints. I am as busy as I want, with a part-time job which is really good -- and I have wonderful friends who keep me on the go.

Please give my love to Evelyn Turner, if she is back with you. My warmest regards to Marilyn, Rosalie and Lil. I hope you are catching your breathe after the summer. My love to you and to Harry.

Affectionately Nancy