Sunday, Wednesday, Friday

Three letters. One topic. Same week.
You ready?
Go!

#1
Sunday
Adam-
The Jewish newspaper in LA at the newsstand on Fairfax near Canter's, they will have ads for music teachers at the various temples. Their requirements are not the same as public schools. If you're interested, this will give you a salary and a lot of paid vacation time to pursue other things. You could sell the pianos in the summer when school is closed. With your background at the Hebrew Academy, they will love you!
Mom
(over)
Did Maria get the priority mail I sent her?
P.S. I'm thinking of coming to LA to see you on Labor Day which is the beginning of September. I have a week's vacation. Is that all right? Please let me know so I can buy my ticket.

#2
Wednesday
Adam-
I'm just concerned that you won't have the security of a salary if it's only commission. If you worked in a school as a music teacher, you would have a salary and benefits. What benefits do they give you?
Love,
Mom
Also-
If you have a show Saturday night, how can you work all day Saturday? Maybe you only have to work Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday? Yes?
Mom

#3
Friday
Do you want to have the hectic life of a salesman? Why wouldn't you want a job with job security and vacations and bonuses and such? Teaching in a private school like a temple school can do that. What happened to that job with Scott to score his movie? You never keep me on top of these things.
It's your life so please forgive me to be so presumptuous as to tell you what to do. I just want life to be fulfilling for you so whatever you choose to do, I am behind you.
Did you know your father was considering on going back to Medical School just before he got sick and he was in his early 40's?
Love,
Mom

 

 

 

I Will Have To Be Committed

So let me get this straight...
HER mom, drives HER crazy?
Hmmm...

Sunday
Hello.
Thought I'd plan on coming out for 2 nights. Alone. I need to have a little space from Nan for 2 days and I want to see Truman. So, I'm planning on beginning of March. Will discuss dates with you to what's convenient for you. I would stay at the hotel only because I need very much to be alone or I will have to be committed. My identity has been lost just when I almost had one and I have to recover it.
Love,
Mom
P.S. Could you send Clive Davis, who is again head of Arista Records, a sample of your music? He's 71 years old now and Jewish and I think he would listen to you. Try!
Did you and Maria start your taxes?

 

Nowhere Near Spain

I don't think she'd be my 1st choice for "phone-a-friend"...


5/10/97
Adam-
Enclosed find a little check to buy brunch for you and Vicky.
I love you.
When are you going on your vacation?
And where are you going?
Are you still going to Spain?
Morocco is in South Africa and is nowhere near Spain!
I'll speak to you next week.
Love, Mom

 

Don't Walk From Car To Car

Horrible as this clipping is, I'm sure any Shrink would have a field day with this one...

"Of virtues I most warmly bless, most rarely see unselfishness.
And to put graver sins aside, I own a preference for pride."
Enclosed find money for Channuka.
Also, horrible clipping of what happens when you walk thru cars on subways. You could fall on tracks! Don't walk thru cars.
Love,
Mom
P.S. I decided NOT to take out additional insurance with Chase Bank as I had told you.

 

Gorgeous

When you look at the letter, do YOU find it odd that my name was written in a box labeled, CASE NAME??? Hello? Mr. DeMille? Anybody?

2/1/2000
ADAM
SUGGESTION
Go to some of the Major Motion Picture Studios. (Paramount, MGM, etc.) They have a personnel office. Take your resume and speak to one of the officers and tell them you're looking for a job related to music. What openings do they have. Sometimes, they need in-house musicians and you have to go (in person) 'cause once they see how gorgeous you are, all the people will help you in your pursuit. It won't hurt to go as they do have personnel department there.
Love,
Mom
Please let me know if you're going to fly off somewhere. I would want to know what plane you're on. And try to conserve your money for necessary items only.

 

What To Do

Then what? Then what? Don't LEAVE me here like this!! Tell me, for the love of God...!
WHAT DO I DO NEXT?!?

April 5, 1987
Sunday
Poppy-Seed,
Did you file your taxes yet?
If you're late in filing, they will charge a huge penalty. You have to mail it in by the 15th!!!
You keep the copy. Put it in a safe place.
They'll tell you where to sign it, date it, and enclose the check and the accountant or his secretary will tell you what to do and explain it to you.
Make sure they tell you what the correct amount is or you'll see it at bottom of page. Look it over before signing it.
Love,
Mom

 

Is It Personal?

Let's see...asphyxiation? Check. Vandalism? Check. Make sure you worry about things that really don't matter? Check. And, oh yeah...Shwew! I almost forgot something...Does your wife not like when I visit?
Check, please.
(Marcello=my 3 year old
Truman=my 5 year old
Maria=my wife)

Adam-
Watch Marcello as he puts things around his neck and he could choke himself! Also, make sure the front door is locked as anyone could come up and open the door.
And, when you pick-up Truman, make sure you get there early enough so you could get a parking spot.
Why does Maria wait till I leave before she comes home? I never get to see her! Is it personal?
Love,
Mom

 

??

I don't believe I ever answered ONE of her questions.
That's right. I'm a rebel.
A rebel Chicken.

11/16/99
Chicken,
Here at office-boring!
What date are you coming East?
On what airline?
What airport?
Where are you staying?
What is phone number?
Am I still spending Christmas Day with all of you at Annette's?
Where and what time should I meet you?
What date are you going back?
Do you have warm clothes because it will be bitter cold?
Christmas is on Saturday. I'm off the 24th and 27th so I have 4 whole days. Hope I can spend some time with you.
Much love-
Mom
P.S. As you know, Nan's birthday is 11/29. Bonnie's 12/23.

 

Over

I love this card. So sweet. So normal. SO my mother.
"Happy Valentine's Day"..."Constant Inspiration"..."Love you more than"...yeah...yeah...yeah...whatever. It's the word, "OVER" that kicks off the true JOAN EXPERIENCE.

I just want to know if it's ok to be called, "Poppy Seed" after the age of five...

Adam,
I couldn't love anyone or anything as much as I love you. You are my constant inspiration.-
Love,
Mom
(Over)
Don't go skiing yet. Give your hip a chance to rest. Don't trust that guy-Gene-that I've been dating and no longer are. Keep drying the dishes. I'll keep you informed of current events. I love my
Poppy-seed.

 

David Letterman Is Very Thin

Live from NY, it's the "Weight Show with David Letterman..."

Sat.
Adam-
Ask your doctor about the Atkins Diet because my cholesterol is high & my Dr. said I shouldn't go on the diet because it condones eating fat which is bad for cholesterol.-
Did you ever have your cholesterol checked?-If it's ok.-then-the Atkins Diet won't hurt you-But-if it's high-eating fats is a no-no-
So-Please check with your medical doctor-You say he's a good doctor-is he? -
Don't rely on your trainer-He has no idea what your cholesterol is!-
David Letterman is VERY thin & he had VERY high cholesterol-
Be Careful-
Love-
Mom

 

A Band-Aid On A Cut

I think it was my mother who once said to me, "The only thing we have to fear...,
is everything."

October, 1986
Wed.
Dear Adam-
That tire has me concerned-you said that your tire was flat & you had it fixed.
Well-I don't know how they fixed it-but you can't ride around on a tire that has been patched up-that would be o.k. for a spare-but not for everyday use. It's like putting a band-aid on a cut-that won't heal the cut-
Please-go buy a new tire or as many tires as you need-You can put it on your credit card-You've had the car sometime now & I'm sure it needs tires-
It's nothing to fool around with-Adam-If the tires are not good-it's too dangerous-especially on the highway!
Love,
Mom
:-)

 

Has It Been Ten Years For You?

Every year, we all receive our share of Happy Something-Or-Other-Day cards. Short. Sweet. Thoughtful. Nice reminders that somebody out there remembers a special occasion.

Every 10 years, I receive the following...

Saturday
Adam-
I was thinking how long ago I had a tetanus shot & for me-it's been about 5 years-
I don't know when you had a tetanus shot-Do you?- I know you're supposed to have one every 10 years-has it been 10 years for you? I know you had one in California-Do you remember the doctor that gave it to you? You could call & ask how long ago you had it if you know who gave it to you-
Love-
Mom

 

I Have To Go Now

This letter from 1987 contains one of the finest
stream-of-consciousness ramblings probably since Joyce’s, "Ulysses". Or is it more like Stephen King's Annie Wilkes, from "Misery"?
You decide.

Tuesday
Dear Adam-
Did you ever get the signal fixed on the car?
Also, did you ever get the contact lenses cleaned to your liking?
Otherwise, I have to call the office where I bought them.
Did you ever get Master Card? To find out about the $6.?
I paid them for the car and the additional air money.
I have to go now.
Love,
Mom
P.S. Enclosed find check for $50. to help with food.