Saturday evening
50 minutes pre-midnight
April 3, 1965
My lovely Patricia:
“A thing of beauty is a joy forever” sang the poet and, so far as my forever reaches, you hall always be a joy to me – my music, my living poetry, the spirit in my shrine of adoration!
It gives me joy just to talk to you (and writing is the next best thing) of everyday things and happenings, so here goes – because when next we are together there’ll be other things to talk about – and how can I get them all in if I don’t write some of them.
I don’t know if I answered you adequately when you asked me what I planned to wear & to take along to Chico. I’ll wear a suit of course & take along a couple of extra shirts, ties, underwear & socks. I think there’s no necessity for taking an extra suit. I’ll take my raincoat. For the trips afield among the wildflowers, I’ll take a short sleeved “sport shirt” and a long sleeved one to choose between according to the weather perhaps – or to meet your wishes, if you have any preference. Also I’ll take tan slacks. I doubt if we’ll go any place that will require heavy shoes, so I’ll probably leave them home & just wear one of my older pairs of Oxfords. Any of your pants that you’d wear afield at Field Studies with your boots or whatever shoes you wish would certainly be satisfactory. Joyce and Tom are not flossy [?] or pretentious persons and probably will dress quite casually unless something special that calls for a little more is going to happen. Even then their attire will be quite modest and will present no problems.
I went to my Menlo Park home today and brought back some more books that I can use and a miscellany of other things: The old toaster that takes only one slice & often throws it high in the air when it is done to the delight of any small fry who may be present. A coffee measure for the times when I brew coffee instead of having it “Instant.” Three more cereal bowls of the type you’ve eaten cereals & strawberries from; and an imaginative little metal bird that Sandra game us before she & Dave left Cal. Tech. at Pasadena. I think you’ll like it.
Then I brought a small wooden [page 2] (walnut) candle holder to give to you and I bought (at one of the shops I must take you to before too much time rolls by) 4 pairs of pure beeswax candles, two each of four colors. I propose dividing each pair, keeping one of each color and giving you the other. Then you may burn yours in the wooden candle holder and I’ll burn mine in the little glass dish in which you brought me the candle in the hospital. That gesture on your part touched me – I loved it – and as you know I burned the candle a little at each meal till only ¾ of an inch was left. I’ll burn that bit tomorrow at breakfast. Also we’ll have candles for our post Easter evenings of conviviality! I’m “laying in the makings” and anticipating the first. There surely must be more than one – not weekly, of course, though that wouldn’t be hard to take but possibly monthly or whenever we can sandwich them in – possibly one or more on some of our camping evenings. To share the trust and friendship of such evenings with a little poetry (or much as we wish) on the side will keep my life very full for me. Each such event – with the candles as our shrine, will be a treasure to value forever more!
I have a picture to show you – of a former student and friend who brings you mom very much to mind. My friend, “Ernie” (Ernestine) Smith has been on the faculty at Santa Rosa J.C. for many years – possibly 20 in P.E. mostly but she has taught some elementary science – having minored in biology and having been an active & ardent member of the Entomology Club for most of her College years. She is an expert hockey player & has been in numerous national contests & regional teams but I think never in Olympic competition. Well, like your Mom, Ernie has had a way with animals & has “brung up” a young jackrabbit, which most persons think can never be done. As you’ll see from the picture, Ernie’s rabbit, “Lucky” looks quite healthy & tame at the ripe age of 12 months & presumably has a rewarding rabbit future ahead of him.
Well, darling, I’m anticipating seeing you – at least briefly n Monday afternoon. I’ll have the roses (white) and if you want them for your kitchen table, some friendly marguerites as well. All my good wishes, always, as you know.
Love – Carl.
Dr. Carl Duncan and Patricia Whiting Collection (SJSU)
