A Conversation with Elizabeth
1998
Specifically manufactured goods

From:          Elizabeth  
To:            LMixson@PEC.com
Sent:          Monday, May 18, 1998 4:32 PM
Subject:       Specifically manufactured goods
 
An interesting story about your stained glass piece, but I felt you were too generous, possibly.  In contracts we discussed "specifically manufactured goods" which is what your stained glass piece sounds like. The argument of the manufacturer is always "it has no resale value to anyone else."  I think I have seen a tree of life pattern somewhere.  What a shame you didn't unwrap it there and save yourself the trip.  It reminds me that once on a trip I stopped for fast food and when I got miles down the road, and ready to eat the dessert, it wasn't in the bag.  Also, I can remember lots of times when I have ordered coffee with EXTRA cream and sugar to go, and miles down the road, I'll have one package of each, I discover.  Now, if I ever do get fast food, I slow down everybody by checking my bag before I leave the line, or at least the parking lot.
 
The Sierra trips, as I indicated, are a mixed bag.  The best part of the entire trip was a Saturday morning swim I had in the Gulf.  At first the water felt cold, when I first walked in, then I took the plunge, and it was so absolutely refreshing, not cold at all. The water was quite clear and calm enough to swim in.  Once when I went the area was full of algae and quite disgusting to touch. Mentally I had a difficult time getting out of the water, because I just wanted to stay in, but I could certainly not risk the sun exposure.  The weather was very hot and muggy and overcast, I think from the Mexican fires you may have heard about spreading their smog to the Southeast.
 
The "mixed bag" part comes in for me in having to function with so many other people around.  One man kept fixing his own dinner "first" then while he ate he would leave the sink full of dishes, so it was hard for anyone else, the rest of us, to get around them.  Also, one couple brought a child with them.  He was quite hyper, but later I found out he, in their words, is the son of "white trash" who totally neglect him, and he's not even their's, but they brought him along to allow him some different "exposure" in his life.  He was a beautiful, model beautiful child, and quite intelligent, and when I heard his story I sort of "forgave" all his 11-year-old hyper intrusions.  I had lots of walks down to the beach and along it for quite a ways.  Some of the men caught some fish and we grilled those Sat. night.  The trips have to have a "work" component so Sat. aft. we painted the campground's bathroom floors. It was really easy work.  Last time I worked clearing a fire lane through the brush, which was not easy work.
 
I'm a little out of it being back.  I NEVER make transitions back to Montgomery easily.  It is so strange to be so isolated in a totally quite, non-hectic locale for three days, then to come back here.  Also, I carry back thoughts of "contrasting life styles."  The Sierra club was left this beach property in someone's will.  It included a sizable portion of beachfront property.  What they did was sell some parcels of it, in order to be able to finance the taxes to keep the rest of the property and keep it "natural."  The fortunate people who bought in will virtually always have a very unique place to live. I think there is one lot, or possibly two left, but I think they are between 1.5 and 3 million (what difference does it make to me where). But, I can enjoy the spot via Sierra club, although in an army barracks.  (During the war the army used the site as a missile base).
 
Some distress over the contract grades by others.  A person I've heard of who is dating a law student said he went to check on his grade and told her he'd call when he found out, but all weekend he didn't call.  Sounds like bad news.
 
I feel that if I could stay at the beach site for a month, I would come back totally healthy.  I think the reason I feel discombulated today is that I only rested away the surface tension (but very well), and now I have a deeper tiredness left unaddressed.  But, it could also be heat fatigue. 

Heat Wave