Dru, Steinbeck and the Book of Deer

Dear Juliet No, I don't think I've told you this story... It's a bit like being a child of narcissists, too. I've always had low self-esteem and tend to feel that if I show my emotions I'll be shot at dawn. But I think it's all right now. So, cast your mind back to January 2024. I'd just escaped death (or rather serious inconvenience) in the aptly named Death Valley. I'd had an enjoyable $300 taxi ride from Needles to Vegas, spent a fun evening with three nurses at the top of the Strat and got the early morning Delta flight back to LAX. You might even say I'd taken the last freedom moped out of Hellfire City ... LAX is a nightmare to navigate ( hopefully the new Metro link has improved things , but it wasn't there then), but after I'd groped my way to the Virgin Atlantic terminal, all I had to do was stay there. And once you're there, you shouldn't really leave. And indeed, all my traveller's instincts told me firmly to stay put u...

Dear Juliet Just in general (very general), a little thought: The best thing to do with a problem is to face up to it. It's usually not as bad as you think, and if you deal with it, two things happen: 1) You feel better. 2) The problem's fixed. I know. Number Two sounds so obvious and banal it's almost funny, but it's true. I had to face up to hundreds of things when I moved from Scotland to Shropshire, and I used this tactic over and over again. Don't leave things 'til the last minute, darling, and (to paraphrase Petula Clark) end up sleeping in the subway ! Please don't. I rather like the Los Angeles Metro, but you wouldn't want to live there. Okay, that's all I'm going to say. I feel a bit flattened today, but rest assured you're always on my mind, come what may... Love, James P.S. Come to think of it, there's a story about you, me and the Metro... Don't think I ever told you. Well, I might tomorrow. Shot of Central L.A., taken fro...

Dear Juliet Okay, I'm not quite sure what to say today so let's start with one gentle comment: I think I understand your situation. That's all I'm going to say about that. Okay then, take a deep breath, calm down, relax. It would be nice to see you in Shifnal. I think somebody up there likes you, and tried to at least place you nearby twice this decade. I don't know, third time lucky? Charles Dickens lodged here, too. Well, not with me but in nearby Albrighton, I believe. Shifnal itself may have featured in The Old Curiosity Shop and the fictional grave of Little Nell is in the churchyard of St Bartholomew's, Tong , which is nicknamed the Westminster Abbey of the Midlands. Birmingham is nearby and we're about 150 miles or two hours by train from London. That's if the trains work, which they usually don't. The population's about 11,000, many rather elderly, and the church really acts as the social and community centre. Yes, it does get cold and ...

Dear Juliet Another thoughtful one (different subject). I've been treating this correspondence with great discretion, of course, but at the same time I stayed in touch with Rena Lou, a fan of yours, all these years. She's the one for whom I had our photo taken at Earl's Court in 2014 , and I'm sorry to say she's battling breast cancer. I didn't want to say anything to you before as I was concentrating entirely on you, and I felt and feel you're in a delicate state. Nor did I want to ask you for any favours, however small. But it bugged me. I think it's okay now to suggest you might like to send her a Get Well Soon card, though? She doesn't know about the blog either. I've been sending her supportive Facebook messages daily and I think she's on her last eight rounds of chemotherapy (thirty-two altogether). Some days are good. Some days are not so good. So if you'd like to do so, here's her address: Rena Lou Short Box 1801 Lafayette Geo...

Dear Juliet Today, a thoughtful thought. Don't read too much into this, but just in case you really need a break from it all, you can have sanctuary here. I'll put a camp bed in the front room for me, you can stay here for up to six months with an ETA and bring up to £9,999 without any need for paperwork at customs. I thought I'd better just make the offer so you know it's there, so that's all I'm going to say. Mind you, you might rather enjoy Open Door... Love, James

Dear Juliet Thanks for reading Flesh/Blood and taking an interest. Actually, I finished the pills (Dabrafenib and Trametinib) about the end of July and things seem to be winding down. I am a little more tired than usual, but I've got a last appointment with Dr. Iqbal at New Cross on 20th October and that should be that. I'll do one last walk, take another picture of the ducks for you and probably see if I can find somewhere warm to go between 4th-22nd January. I think Los Angeles/Catalina is very nice that time of year but that probably wouldn't be too bright an idea... Pity, have I ever told you I like seeing you? Anyway, four calls tonight and it'll be an exercise in energy conservation. Might do a bit of crying in the layby out of habit or take to the rooftops and nab a few evildoers... More likely, dole out a few pills and drive home in the dark. But I'll think of you as I gad about with grace and lark. Love, James