Letter from Carl D. Duncan to Patricia Whiting, July 27, 1965

              Duncan, Carl D. (author)
Dear Patricia:
When I took the celery juice to your mom, she “begged” me to stay a few minutes and have some coffee, so by the time I got away and back to town there wasn’t time to cook dinner before the concert. I just drank a couple of glasses of milk and went over to the music auditorium. It was crowded for the concert, which was terrific. Erlendsen, the old maestro of a capella, has lost none of his erstwhile magic. The choir sang their hearts out! However, Gibson Walter’s orchestra also gave a superior account of itself. I enclose the program.
When the concert was over at 5:30 I was a bit hungry so I went down to Original Joe’s and had a half order of spaghetti with cocktail accompaniments. As is true when alone, I had time to think up an appropriate toast - and I took the time. Here’s the toast. “To you, Patricia, my darling, the adorable girl who is my adopted daughter, the most beautiful creature that ever has come into my life, whose personality because its many facets, its friendliness, genuineness and vivacity, is at one and the same time a symphony of delights and the orchestra playing that symphony; the one who has brought new purpose to my life; who has brought me into the acquaintance of a remarkable woman, your mother; and who stands now on the threshold , thanks to the potential of suggestion, meditation, and yoga, of a newly beautiful and expanded life - to you, today, now, forever and always I wish the best and most beautiful that life can bring.”
The days we have spent together in Menlo and Palo Alto, in San Francisco, and in the San Jose Centers, shopping or exploring delights and delightfully - have been the most idyllic - for me - that I can remember. I anticipate a wonderful week in Washington - and in Chicago - on the way home.
Nothing ever has give3n me more pleasure than the opportunity of bringing happiness in greater abundance to you - but really, I think we have just begun. Today - wed. I’ll sign the papers that make 457 Los Padres - ours (mine and then via a deed - yours. And I hope to be able to complete all necessary moves. As Always - Carl.