Dru, Steinbeck and the Book of Deer

Dear Juliet Just a brief one as I blackmailed LPC for one more shift this month ere I am done. If you're on the way back to L.A., the Enterprise-A is with you, straight out of Spacedock and all prettied up in new paint! Nice to be back in the centre seat again, even if it's just a quick run around the block. Get some rest when you get home. Take a day off and go see the Queen Mary . I'll call in a bit later. Love, James

Dear Juliet Like the title says, good luck. Everything will be all right. Love, James 🤗

Dear Juliet That title doesn't actually mean anything, it just assembled itself in the back of my head as I started to write (but use it this evening if you want). I'm going to an event at the village hall tonight (not a drag act, at least I don't think so) but I'll be keeping an ear out for you. It looks like Toronto's only four hours behind the UK, so I guess you're already there now and will be going on stage about 1.00 am my time. Have a hug. 🤗 It's lucky I'm a night owl. So think of it this way, you've been shadowed by the Enterprise and  watched over by the Dark Knight. It'll be okay. Think of Point Lobos. I'll write again soon. Love, James

Dear Juliet Not sure what the title means, it just rhymes well! Perhaps that if as I suspect you're travelling alone you're free to choose what to do (like I suggested regarding strawberries and the Queen Mary) and I'd recommend taking a day and doing exactly like that. I suppose there's the usual concern you'll be chased around by a frightening mob of adoring fans, but I think you'll be all right. As Steinbeck said in Travels With Charley : "I was told that since my photograph was as widely distributed as my publisher could make it, I would find it impossible to move about without being recognised. Let me say in advance that in over ten thousand miles, in thirty-four states, I was not recognised even once." Kensington Market sounds like a lively and eclectic place, and Sleuth is on at the Harbourfront Centre Theatre until November 1st. The Toronto Biennial of Art is also currently showing its wares and visual arts installations are on display all ov...

Dear Juliet Yes, I know Toronto's soon. No, I don't think you're looking forward to it. All right, the only thing to do is get through it... I suggest you keep an inner eye fixed on your hotel room and just concentrate on putting your feet up afterwards and having a Radox bath . If it helps, here's that nature therapy film about Point Lobos . It'll be okay. Dru got through worse days. I think that's about all I can suggest. But you will, always, be on my mind. Love, James.

Dear Juliet Yes, I lit another candle in the Lady Chapel for yourself and Seattle the other day. I checked with Sleepless whether they'd like me to spend a fair bit coming over or stay home, send the money and more efficiently help keep them afloat. Seattle seemed very pleased I'd asked. No firm answer, so I don't yet know if I'm set fair for Chicago, Seattle or Cleethorpes. Still, in the meantime it's London and Leicester Square's lugubrious lanes. Might see if Henry Pordes wants to buy a few books... Pity you couldn't come along to the Society of Authors get-together on the 5th. You'd fit right in. It'll be the usual couple of days, finishing up with a memorial breakfast at Co-Pilots... I'll remember the days of wine and roses, stealing the Enterprise and taking flight for you. And remember there's someone out there who's alive because of you. Remember I could never have become who I was without you. Remember you brought a light into t...