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<P
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class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"># Abbie’s piece<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></U></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><o:p><SPAN
style="TEXT-DECORATION: none"><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></SPAN></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P
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class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">This story is so splendidly awful that I can’t find any
way I would change it. I love it. It draws the reader into a horrible experience
that keeps getting worse, and you can’t stop reading it because you figure it’s
got to get better, and that is the reader’s only possible salvation. Thanks be
to the author for bringing us home safely. What a great travel brochure. There
is no place like home.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></U></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Montezuma’s Revenge<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">“This is a dump,” said Dad, as I gazed around our hotel
room in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Hermosio</st1:City>,
<st1:country-region w:st="on">Mexico</st1:country-region></st1:place>. With my
limited vision, I spied two double beds, no telephone or television set, and no
other furniture. I peered into the bathroom, no bigger than a closet, with a
sink, toilet, and shower. <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">With no air conditioning in the summer heat, sweat
trickled under my armpits and accumulated on my brow. According to Dad’s
guidebook, this hotel had rooms with a view of a courtyard. Our room had a view
of nothing I could see.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">At twelve years old, I was too excited to care. In June
of 1973 after almost a year of studying Spanish, Dad and I had finally realized
our dream of taking a trip to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Mexico</st1:place></st1:country-region>. After traveling most of the
day by bus from <st1:City w:st="on">Tucson</st1:City> to <st1:City
w:st="on">Nogales</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">Arizona</st1:State>, and then
from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Nogales</st1:City></st1:place> to
Hermosio by train, I was glad to be here. Although it was after midnight, I was
far from tired. “I’m hungry,” I said. “Let’s find a restaurant.”
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">“You bet,” said Dad. He consulted his guidebook.
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">We took a taxi to a restaurant where I enjoyed my first
meal in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Mexico</st1:place></st1:country-region>: cheese enchiladas with rice
and beans. Afterward, we returned to our sweltering room and tried to get some
sleep. A couple of hours later, after tossing and turning, our bodies drenched
in sweat, Dad said, “I can’t stand this anymore. Let’s get the hell out of
here.”<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">I climbed out of bed and consulted my Braille watch. It
was four o’clock in the morning. “Should I get dressed?” I
asked.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">“No, just put on your thongs, and let’s go.” He wore
nothing but boxer shorts.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">I put on my thongs and went in the bathroom. When I came
out, I was relieved to find that Dad had put on a shirt. My nightgown clung to
me, as we carried our suitcases down the stairs to the ground floor. In the
deserted lobby, Dad left the room key on the counter.
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">It wasn’t much cooler outside. When we found a cab, Dad
told the driver in English, “Too hot. Can’t
sleep.”<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">I said in Spanish that we needed to go to a different
hotel because we were hot. <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">The place where we were taken not only had air
conditioning in the rooms but an elevator. After we checked in, Dad, knowing I
was thirsty, said to the clerk, “CocaCola?”<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">“No, <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">agua</I>,”
answered the clerk.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Because we knew not to drink the water, Dad said,
“No.”<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">I said, “<I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">No
gracias</I>.”<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">I noticed little about the room except it was cool. I
collapsed between the crisp bed sheets and went right to sleep. When I woke in
the morning, the room appeared no different from hotel rooms in the
<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">United
States</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Two double beds were flanked by a night
stand, and a couple of armchairs and a small table stood in one corner. A
television set was mounted on the wall, and a telephone sat on the night stand.
According to my watch, it was nine o’clock.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Dad was sitting in one of the chairs, studying the
guidebook. “Good morning, honey,” he said. “Why don’t you get dressed, and we’ll
get some breakfast? There’s a restaurant here in the
hotel.”<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">The bathroom was huge, containing a vast tub with a
shower, a toilet, and a sink with a long counter. I brushed my teeth, trying not
to swallow the water. In the restaurant, we ordered an American breakfast of
pancakes and sausage. Dad suggested we take the bus to Guaymas, near the sea.
“It’ll be cooler there,” he said. “You can swim in the
ocean.”<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">“That’s great,” I said. In the hotel’s air conditioned
comfort, my spirits had lifted, and I was looking forward to the Mexican
experience.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">We took a taxi to the bus station. On the way, our
English speaking driver, upon learning we were from the <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">United States</st1:place></st1:country-region>,
took us on a scenic tour of the city. At the bus station, Dad bought two tickets
to Guaymas. We met a woman from the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">United States</st1:place></st1:country-region>, and she and Dad
carried on a conversation in English until our bus was ready to
leave.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">It was about a three-hour trip from Hermosio to Guaymas.
When we arrived in mid-afternoon, we took another taxi to a motel overlooking
the beach. On the way, I spotted a hill and pointed it out to Dad in Spanish.
The driver chuckled as if I’d never seen a hill before. What he didn’t realize
was that I was thrilled at any opportunity to use the Spanish I’d learned over
the past year.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">The motel was another recommended by Dad’s guide book. We
were given a bungalow with a cement porch and a screen door. It faced the ocean,
and the beach was only a few steps away. The room contained two double beds with
a night stand in between and a table and two armchairs. An adjoining bathroom
contained a toilet, sink, and shower, not as grand as the bathroom I used that
morning in Hermosio. <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">A telephone sat on the night stand. It had no dial or
buttons. “How do you make a call on this phone?” I
asked.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">“When you pick up the phone, an operator at the front
desk answers, and you give her the number,” Dad
said.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">We hit the crowded beach right away. My excitement was
soon dampened by the drenching ocean waves that nearly knocked me down and the
awful, salty taste of the water. Since I wasn’t much of a swimmer, I stayed in
the shallow water and tried to walk next to the shore. Rocks hurt my feet, and
waves slowed my progress. As Dad swam into deeper water, I longed for the
swimming pool in our neighbor’s back yard in <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Tucson</st1:place></st1:City>.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">I spotted a dock and a stretch of calm water nearby. When
Dad returned to shore, I asked why we couldn’t swim
there.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">“Because that’s where ships go,” he answered. It wasn’t
fair that ships got calm water while swimmers got waves, but I said
nothing.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">That night, Dad suggested we eat at another restaurant
recommended by the guide book. When he told the cab driver in Spanish where we
wanted to go, he said the restaurant no longer existed. He suggested another
place that specialized in seafood, and we went there. I didn’t like fish, but I
said nothing.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Dad ordered lobster for both of us. He removed the meat,
buttered it, and put it in my mouth. It was awfully rich, but I managed to get
it down. I wondered what Mother and my younger brother Andy were having for
dinner. I pictured spaghetti, lasagna, meat loaf, macaroni and cheese. I
considered closing my eyes, clicking my heels together three times, and saying,
“There’s no place like home.” That wouldn’t have worked, and Dad would have only
gotten mad.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">The next morning, we took another obligatory swim in the
ocean before eating another American breakfast of pancakes and sausages.
Afterward, Dad found someone to take us out in a motorboat. The seats were
comfortable, and the trip was uneventful except for one point when seaweed got
caught in the engine, causing it to stall. The boat man, who spoke some English,
explained the situation and managed to restart the motor. The water was calm,
and I didn’t get sick, yet.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">When we returned to the dock, I said, “<I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Gracias</I>.”<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">“Oh no, don’t thank him yet,” said Dad, a note of alarm
in his voice. “I haven’t paid him.” The man
chuckled.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">After Dad settled the score and we were walking away, I
asked, “Why shouldn’t I have thanked him before you paid
him?”<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">“If Mexicans think you’re not going to pay them, they’ll
take you to jail, and a Mexican prison is worse than anything you can imagine.”
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">“They wouldn’t put me in jail, too, would
they?”<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">“Oh yes, you’d be in there with
me.”<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">“They wouldn’t just send me
home?”<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">“No.”<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">At that point, I decided I’d had about enough of
<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Mexico</st1:place></st1:country-region>. “Let’s go home,” said Dad, as
if reading my thoughts. “We don’t have much money
left.”<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">We returned to our bungalow to find that the cleaning
lady had taken our towels and not brought clean ones. I took a shower and dried
myself with one of Dad’s shirts. Dad picked up the phone and asked the operator
in Spanish how much it would cost to place a long distance call to <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Tucson</st1:place></st1:City>. He hung up a
moment later saying, “It’s too expensive.”<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">That night, we ate dinner at the motel. My stomach hurt,
and I made a couple of trips to the restroom where I succumbed to diarrhea.
After dinner, we checked out of the motel and took a taxi downtown to the bus
station. The bus for <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Nogales</st1:place></st1:City> wouldn’t leave for several hours. Dad
rented a locker for our luggage. <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">We walked around downtown Guaymas. Most of the shops were
closed, but we stopped so Dad could look in the windows. My stomach still hurt,
and my bowels threatened to disgorge more diarrhea.
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">“Did you drink the water?” asked
Dad.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">“No,” I answered.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">At a drugstore, Dad found someone who spoke English to
help make a collect call home from a pay phone. “Can I talk to Mom?” I asked
after he spoke to her for a few minutes.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">He handed me the phone and whispered, “Don’t tell her
you’re sic. She’ll worry.”<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">“Hi Mom.”<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">“Hi sweetie.”<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">It was so good to hear her voice. I wanted to cry but
managed to stay dry-eyed, as I said, “We had a good time, but I miss you, and I
can’t wait to come home. I love you.”<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">“I love you too,
honey.”<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">The drugstore had no restroom so we found a restaurant,
and the hostess was nice enough to let me use the bathroom. Afterward, we sat at
a corner table, and Dad ordered me a Coke. It wasn’t the first time I drank a
Coke in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Mexico</st1:place></st1:country-region> from a glass with ice made
from water we shouldn’t have been drinking. I took a few swallows and made
another trip to the bathroom, this time to throw
up.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">I made several more such trips. By the time we returned
to the bus station a few hours later, I was weak and nauseated. I collapsed on a
bench while Dad retrieved our luggage. The bus arrived, but it was full. There
wouldn’t be another bus until morning.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">I stretched lengthwise on the hard bench with no pillow.
At least I wasn’t in a Mexican prison, I thought, as I moaned and bent my knees
to my chest in an attempt to alleviate the nausea. “Do you have to throw up
again?” Dad asked.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">“No, I just feel
sick.”<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">I dozed, woke to hear others around me, and realized they
were talking about me when someone said “doctor” in
Spanish.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">I rallied. “No, I don’t need a doctor,” I said in
Spanish. “I just want to go home.”<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">“Maybe we’d better see about a train,” said Dad in
English.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">I didn’t want to move, but I hauled myself off the bench
and walked with Dad to a waiting taxi. At the train station, we were told that
the next train would leave for <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Nogales</st1:place></st1:City> at dawn. Dad and I camped out on the
sidewalk next to the track. The cool air was refreshing, and I slept through the
rest of the night. <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">The unmistakable ding ding ding of the approaching
train’s bell woke us. We stood, and I could see the sky growing light. “Is this
our train?” I asked Dad.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">“Yes,” he answered. I watched the train come to a
complete stop in front of us. I stumbled on board, fell into a seat, and went
right back to sleep.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">When I opened my eyes, it was broad daylight. According
to my watch, it was eleven in the morning. I was thirsty but didn’t feel sick. I
breathed air into my mouth and licked my parched lips. I looked around for Dad
but didn’t see him. The seat next to me was empty. I wished he would bring me a
Coke. I dozed for a while and woke to find him next to me. “We’re pulling into
<st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Nogales</st1:place></st1:City>,” he
said.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">“Can I have a Coke?”<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">“We’ll see,” he said with a
sigh.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">My legs felt like led. Dad didn’t have enough money for a
taxi so we left the train station on foot and found a bus stop about half a
block away. The bus was full, but we got on and stood near the front, grasping a
pole, as it lurched down the road. It stopped several times. People got off, and
more got on. When a couple of seats opened up, Dad pulled me to them, and I let
my legs come out from under me.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">We got off the bus downtown and started strolling. “Where
are we going?” I asked.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">“We’re going to the bus station, and we’ll take the bus
home, but first, I told your mother I’d get her a pot, but I don’t think I have
enough money.”<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">My shorts and t-shirt clung to me in the sultry afternoon
heat. We stepped into a shop where a fan stirred the tepid air, bringing little
relief. As we stood in front of a row of pots, Dad said, “These are more
expensive than I thought they would be.”<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">While he weighed his options, I shifted my weight from
one foot to the other, as sweat poured down my brow and leaked from under my
armpits. Finally, I said in Spanish, “I’m very
hot.”<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">“All right!” he yelled, grabbing me by the wrist and
pulling me out of the shop.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 2">
</SPAN>“I thought you wanted to get a pot,” I said, as he hurried me down the
street.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">After a couple of blocks, Dad said, “Here’s the port of
entry. We’re in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region>”
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">The bus station wasn’t much farther, and to my relief, a
bus for <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Tucson</st1:place></st1:City>
was getting ready to leave with room for two more people. Dad bought the
tickets, and we got on board. I sank onto a seat and closed my eyes. The next
thing I knew, Dad was touching my shoulder and saying, “We’re in <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Tucson</st1:place></st1:City>.”<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">In the bus station, he bought me a Coke from the machine.
I sipped from the bottle slowly, feeling the cool, refreshing taste in my mouth,
throat, and stomach, hoping it wouldn’t come up. Dad called Mother from a pay
phone. <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">They arrived, my younger brother Andy, with his usual
four-year-old exuberance, and Mother, with her immediate concern when she saw
me. “Honey, don’t you feel well?” she asked, placing a hand on my
forehead.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">“She threw up and had diarrhea last night,” said
Dad.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">“Oh sweetie,” Mother said, holding me. “You didn’t drink
the water, did you?”<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">“No,” I said, burying my face in her chest, breathing in
her reassuring scent. At home, after a little of Mother’s chicken soup from a
can, I was glad to finally slip between the cool, clean sheets of my bed, saying
to myself, “There’s no place like <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">mi
casa.”</I><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">THE END<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">--
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Abbie Johnson
Taylor, Author <A title=http://abbiescorner.wordpress.com/
href="http://abbiescorner.wordpress.com/">http://abbiescorner.wordpress.com</A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><A
title=http://www.abbiejohnsontaylor.com/
href="http://www.abbiejohnsontaylor.com/">http://www.abbiejohnsontaylor.com</A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><A
title=mailto:abbie@mysero.net
href="mailto:abbie@mysero.net">abbie@mysero.net</A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Order my new
memoir at <A title=http://www.abbiejohnsontaylor.com/memoir.htm
href="http://www.abbiejohnsontaylor.com/memoir.htm">http://www.abbiejohnsontaylor.com/memoir.htm</A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><BR><BR>_______________________________________________<BR>Group2
mailing list<BR>Group2@bluegrasspals.com<BR><A
href="http://bluegrasspals.com/mailman/listinfo/group2">http://bluegrasspals.com/mailman/listinfo/group2</A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"># <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Alice</st1:place></st1:City>’s piece<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></U></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><o:p><SPAN
style="TEXT-DECORATION: none"><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></SPAN></o:p></U></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">I love it. Charming. I
love the sound of the Italian words. That is a class reunion that even I might
go to. It sounds almost as romantic as <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">Italy</st1:country-region></st1:place>
itself.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P
style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="COLOR: black">Fifty Years
later, Meet Me</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="COLOR: black"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Once again, fifty years
later,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">meet me<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">at the Little <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">Italy</st1:country-region></st1:place>
Festival.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">This time,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">follow the green, white, and red
lines<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">down <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Ninth
Street</st1:address></st1:Street>,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">and meet me<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">at <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Immigrant
Square</st1:address></st1:Street>,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">west of the Coal
Fountain,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Since Coal is capitalized, do you need ‘the’ in front of
it?<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></U></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">in the striped shadows of the twenty-six
flags<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">which represent
countries<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">from where <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on">Clinton</st1:City></st1:place> area
residents<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">have immigrated.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Meet me<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">in front of the statue of the
immigrant<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Luigi,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">with his one hand
waving<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">I love that
image.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></U></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">and his other hand<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">holding a valise.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Meet me <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">by the drinking
fountain<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">called "Il Toro"--<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">the Bull--<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">like Luigi,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">crafted<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">near my ancestral
home,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">in <st1:place
w:st="on">Torino</st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Then, we will go<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">to the riverfront,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">down the terraced
banks<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">I like it better without
‘the’.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></U></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">where Joe Airola <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">nurtured his
grapevines.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">On the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Wabash</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">River</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">we will take a gondola
ride<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">in an authentic
gondola.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Returning from our little taste of
Venezia,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Do you need
‘little’?<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></U></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">we will eat spumoni<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">as we sit beside<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">the Quattro Stagioni
Fountain,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">listen to the music of the main
stage,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Can you leave out the first ‘the’<SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></U></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">and absorb the chatter of
festival-goers.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Back to <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address
w:st="on">Ninth
Street</st1:address></st1:Street>,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">we will tour the Little Italian
House,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Il Mercato, and the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Wine</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Museum</st1:PlaceType></st1:place><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Consider breaking this up into 2
lines.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></U></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">where you can buy one of my
books.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Why only one
book?<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></U></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Then, in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Wine</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Garden</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">we can sit <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">under lush Grapevines and Hoosier
stars,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">sip Chianti,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">listen to the polka
band,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">With so many ‘thes’, would you consider using
‘a’?<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></U></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">and talk of old times<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">and fresh tomorrows.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Don't be concerned:<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">at <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Immigrant
Square</st1:address></st1:Street>,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">in the midst of the
crowd,<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">you will easily recognize
me:<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">It sounds good without
‘easily’.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></U></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">I will be the one<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">with the Black <st1:place
w:st="on">Labrador</st1:place><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">guide dog.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman">Meet us.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><FONT size=3><FONT
face="Times New Roman"># Brad’s piece<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></U></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><o:p><SPAN
style="TEXT-DECORATION: none"><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman"> </FONT></SPAN></o:p></U></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">This is a well
constructed philosophical piece. I really like it. It would make a great
foundation for a philosophical discussion. It is particularly pertinent in the
present political climate where ideologies are fighting for
dominance.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The Knowledge
Puzzle<BR>C By Brad Corallo<BR> Word count
141<BR><BR>It has been said:<BR>to live, is to be marked. <BR><U>Can you explain
what you mean by ‘marked’.<o:p></o:p></U></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p><SPAN
style="TEXT-DECORATION: none"> </SPAN></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Mistakes and failures
are <BR>crucial sculpting tools.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">I like the music of
this line.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><BR>As are the
victories and triumphs,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Nice ‘R’
sounds.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><BR>That illuminate
our many thousand days. <BR><BR>Of course, when they are ravaging our precarious
stance,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">I think I know what
you mean by ‘stance’, but can you explain so I can be sure? Also, should it be
stances’?<o:p></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p><SPAN
style="TEXT-DECORATION: none"> </SPAN></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><BR>There is no
comfort in such knowledge.<BR>The interrelation of things, time and events
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">I’m not sure why I
want to say interrelationship, but I think it is the noun form of interrelate,
and it feels like you are using it as a noun.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><BR>and all our
choices<BR>comprise the loom on which<BR>The fabric of our lives is woven.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">I love the analogy of
the last 3 lines.</SPAN></U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><BR><BR>We try to
distill<BR>Some meaning in all such.<BR>And, do we discern
something<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">I don’t know why you
started this line with ‘And’.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><BR>Working behind the
scenes? <BR>Are our perceived recognitions real?<BR>Or are they no more<BR>than
beliefs that give us comfort;<BR>masquerading as epiphany and wisdom?
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">This is a great
philosophical question.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><BR><BR>Better men
than I<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">I don’t believe that
there is a hierarchy of who is best suited to contemplate the essential
truths.</SPAN></U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><BR>Have struggled
with such questions.<BR>I believe there is no way to be sure<BR>but, I am sure
that,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Using an alternative
word to ‘sure’ in one of the consecutive lines should be considered. ‘Certain’
would be a candidate.</SPAN></U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><BR>I truly don't
know!<BR style="mso-special-character: line-break"><BR
style="mso-special-character: line-break"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"># Val’s
piece<o:p></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p><SPAN
style="TEXT-DECORATION: none"> </SPAN></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">A powerful poem. I
suspect it has been inspired by the recent sociopolitical strife that has been
going on. There is a warning that if it goes too far, there will be a point when
the hurt will be beyond healing. Hate will cause a permanent rift within
individuals and the fabric of our society.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>The author creates prayers for peace. That is her only tool and hope. She
describes the paths that other’s use, but the implication is that they are
futile. We can’t get through this without the help of a higher power
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Battlefield<BR>VM
8-21-17<BR><BR>Hate separates with acid lines<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Good ‘a’
sounds.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><BR>drawn in the
tender space <BR>between mind and emotion,<BR>exploding fury.<BR><BR>Gun and
granade are <BR>replaced with acrid words,<BR>beatists that delight in hurting,
<BR>words cast like fiery arrows<BR>in to bright, blessed hearts<BR>where
healing comes slowly--<BR>perhaps, never!<BR><BR>Some look away,
pretending,<BR>some dash for cover.<BR>I seek refuge in light,<BR>lyric, prayer
for peace<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><U><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">I like the use of
lyric here. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><BR>before there is no
more hope.<BR style="mso-special-character: line-break"><BR
style="mso-special-character: line-break"></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><BR
style="mso-special-character: line-break"><BR
style="mso-special-character: line-break"></SPAN></P>
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