Miz  Ellie,

I’m pure  Okie  at  heart tho just  2  weeks  in diapers to hit  66 W from Clinton  with  2yr  brother  Val and  mom and  dad  to catch up with his  family  off S to  Corpus  Christi  first. To age 5  in Okie barefoot heaven Oildale, San Franfrisco ’43  ( never  say Frisco which is  in  Texas) big  city wanderer until after  Korea ’51 and  Salinas  where  was  home on my  ’61  driver’s lisc kept  until a  TX  Trooper  made  me  get  a  new  one  about  ’79. Was  tattered  B&W no picture.  but   while  active  duty still legit around  world. Plan was  to retire  on   some  view  lots in Cameron  park CA by  Placerville  on US 50  I bought on R&R  leave  from PI in  ’67. By ’77 retired  we  decided  we could  afford  half  pay in  TX near  hospital here  being  followed after  surgery and  NOT Sacramento area.  Every  morning   the  bus  from Prunedale drove11 miles on 101 then  past  Steinbeck’s  home  on  Central. Most  famous  kid and  wrote  about  but  disliked. Never  came  back from east. Papa H was more  my  style and  when a new  one  came out  the  world  paused to read.  Chicago  to KC Star then off  to Italy.  Did  lots but  much was  pure  bullshit  and  DID liberate  certain hotels  and bars  in  Paris in  ’44.  If  I could  swap tales  one  eve? He’d be  the one. Right  now  Paul’s  hard  to best.  Eventually  we  get  tired  blowing  smoke each other’s  behind  and  go to  bed and  start  again over  bad Folgers  Mr  Coffee.  Must  think to take own good  german Koenig’s. Reason we  do get along  well is  fact  we  both feel no need to prove  anything. Laurels  are  a  bit  faded but  do exist  all proven  and  true. Even  most  detractors can say if  we pull this one  off ( and  he  has) view  from  silver  mounted  saddle  will be  grand! D.I. ( DON IVAN! meant  ma  had  a  burn)