Dear Carl,
Writing is coming along. Been writing about 1000 words a day now for the last couple weeks. Before too long, I should have a good-sized short story finished.
Lately I’ve talked with Randy, [Rick], Ray [...], and [Emmy]. All are doing fine.
Happy Memorial Day to you too, Carl.
Tom
Dear Susan,
That sounds good. I’ll give you call in the next few days [once I've scheduled the Philly trip].
Looks like it’s going to be a gorgeous weekend. I’ve got this pavilion out back that has a leak in its roof. Going to take a peak at that and see about fixing it.
It will probably be even warmer where you are. Philly tends to run a week or two ahead of us here in Altoona in springtime, and a week or two behind us in the fall.
Tom
Dear Susan,
I’ll be visiting there on June 17th and will be staying until June 21st, with the whole day on Sunday, June 20th free. Perhaps we could meet on the 20th.
Tom Hesley
Dear [Susan],
I write to help people looking make romantic connections, by finding their way through their fears of meeting potential mates.
This does not mean to ignore fear. People drink to excess to calm their nerves around strangers. Pop psyche today seems to suggest that social anxieties are irrational, and attempts to numb them with antidepressants, combat them with expensive and lengthy therapy, and crush them by preaching attitudes of defiance, as though fear is some sort of enemy. “Feel The Fear, And Do It Anyway” is a popular book by Susan Jeffers. But I disagree. People, particularly aggressive men, take that idea too literally. They drink to the point that they don’t feel the fear anymore, and as a result become obnoxious and troublesome (and even dangerous) to women.
I suggest that people would be better off if they actually listened to their anxieties and walked away from stressful social situations, instead of forcing themselves to press on. Fear, in my view, is a person’s best friend. It keeps him out of trouble and is a convenient warning signal whenever he’s thinking of doing something that is wrong in some way. Fear helps keep us on the moral high ground if we listen. Not enough people listen.
A funk song in 1980 said, “Don’t push it, don’t force it, let it happen naturally.” This idea Is a central theme in my current short story, which so far, is 11,000 words and rising. When things are right… when things are really, and truly right, the fear disappears on its own, without alcohol, without therapy, and without spending thousands of dollars on self-help books which for the most part don’t work anyway. I believe people have the wrong ideas about fear these days, and with my work, hope, in some small way, to help correct them.
There, how’s that?
Tom Hesley
Hi [Realtor].
Thanks for the listing. I have been pre approved for a mortgage. So it’s now just a question of finding the right place. 
Looking forward to more listings.
Tom Hesley
Dear [Realtor],
Don’t forget that I can’t buy a mobile home (this list has a doublewide in it). Also, the second listing appears to be a first-floor unit. I don’t want people above or below me.
Keep ‘em comin’!
Tom Hesley
[Dear Realtor],
I had to cancel my trip to Philly for today. Couldn’t find a place to stay, the check from the mutual funds I sold has not yet arrived, and, like you said, there really isn’t too much to see down there at this time. Will try again next month. Hopefully, more affordable houses will go on sale by then.
Thanks much,
Tom Hesley
Rich,
I received the discs on Saturday and have already listened to eight RMT episodes. They sure bring back memories. Anyway, thanks for sending them.
Later,
Tom
Dear Carl,
All is well here. Going to Philly tomorrow to look for a place to live there.
Talked with Ray [...], [Emmy], [Rick], and [Jack] lately. All are well, although Ray and his girl friend Linda are recovering from misfortune. Ray had a stint put in his chest last fall to relieve artery blockages. And Linda was hit by a car that shattered her knee. But both are doing well.
Good luck with the lake activities.
Talk to you later,
Tom Hesley
Dear [Realtor],
Tuesday, May 25th @ 1:00 would be fine. I could meet you at the Doylestown train stop.
I’ve reviewed the condos. No, these won’t work for a few reasons. Number one, the condo fees are too high for my budget, they’re too small, and there’d be people above me, something I must avoid because of the potential noise issues.
I took a stab at listing my requirements in a home. They’ve changed slightly since we last talked. Ideally, the home would be in Philly or surrounding areas and meets the following specifications:
* 2 – 4 bedrooms
* Has either a garage or basement for storage, although the more bedrooms, the less need for the garage or basement.
* Single, detached homes are preferable, although a twin or a row home on an end could work as long as a thick concrete or brick barrier exists between the units for sound reduction.
* Within a fifteen minute walk of grocery stores and bus and train stops
* Not along a high-traffic road.
* Price range between $50,000 and $125,000
* Must be very quiet (I am a writer)
What I don’t need in a home:
* A big lot, yard, or trees
* A “good” view
* Tennis courts or swimming pools
* Condo fees
* Neighbors living above or below me (no high rise dwellings)
About me:
I am vision impaired, and thus, do not drive a car. So, a place easily accessible to good public transportation (including Saturdays and Sundays) is a must. A bigger grocery store such as Acme, Shop ‘n’ Bag, Fresh Fields, or Path Mark should be in walking distance (within a mile).
[Realtor], perhaps there aren’t any homes in the areas you service that are good for me. I am going to need to expand the search to places on the other side of Philly, such as Haverford, Upper Darby, Yeadon, Media, et al.
This move may take some time to complete, but hopefully, something will come along reasonably quickly. I’m in no hurry though, and want to choose wisely. So it could take a year or more. If this is too long for you, I completely understand. Unfortunately, with a vision impairment, the selection of acceptable locations is drastically limited.
Thoughts?
Tom Hesley