T. G. Tarnowski
Prints
Overland Park Kansas

… Mister T, Enclosed are your letters to John. I know he would want you to have them. Your poems meant so much to him (and to me!). Julian says hi. – Yoko

… Chelsea loves the new camera! Hil says Hey. You’re right: “retirement” ISN’T! – Bill 

… Tommie, I really don’t think he’s a real threat.

I know you are concerned. He does seem angrier more often. But that’s just our ol’ Juice. My friend Ron G. always walks me to my door now, just in case.

Please don’t worry.

– Nichole

… I am so worried. Poppy is just falling apart! Every day he is less and less “here”. We appreciate the suggestions, but we need to think about his legacy. It would be traumatic for the country were he to step down now.

– Nancy 

… Yes, yes my old friend, squaring the constant seems to make it all fit. BUT I am still suspicious that our little constant might be a tricky fellow and maybe not always so constant!

I will give it more thought.

I wish, as you suggest, that I could make ALL of it fit.

And, I agree: “elegance” is an essential quality. Always I find when two solutions suggest themselves, it is always the more elegant that wins my heart.

I still chuckle about how you used to rant about light… LIGHT, light! is EVERYTHING you used to tell anyone who could put up with you.

What should we have expected from a “photographer”?!

– Albert (your favorite professor!) 

PS—it was a pleasure meeting Frank, thank you for the introduction. But, I agree, his ceilings ARE too low. Even for me! 

… Thanks for the note, Tommie. I really cannot imagine ANYTHING of interest in Kansas, of all Godforsaken places!

No, I had not heard of that family. The Clusters? Clutters?

But our other Tom, bless his heart, is encouraging me to go. He says it will be good for me to be “out of my element”. 

He is drinking more than ever. It’s funny, isn’t it: he pretends to be so “manly” and tortured but you and I know what a NancyBoy he is…. And people think I am so sissy whishy when we both know I can kick Williams’ ass.

I HATE this latest, this stupid, pretentious insistence that everyone call him “Tennessee” now that he’s a minor celebrity.

Again, thanks for the Times articles.

And, as always, the poem. – Tru

… My TeeTee! Ola Tomas! The masks arrived last week.

I can see your point about a certain primitive “sophistication” in some of the designs. So fresh! Muy alive, haunting, perhaps.

But I cannot see how they will ever relate to my little scribbles (as you like to call them!)

I let the children play with them.

Francoise says hello to her friend. And thank you for the Paris subway fotos.

Have not heard from Claude.

Yes, I will take your suggestion and visit Guernica next month.

– Chao, Your PeePee.

… TT— Buffy here. I appreciate the introduction to Gates. He and I turn out to be most compatible! We are seriously playing with your “giving back” ideas. We are heading along the lines of something modeled on his and Melinda’s foundation. Let’s have dinner next time you’re in Omaha! Always room at the inn.

Best -- Warren

Tom,

Thanks for recommending the book. I think the Forrest Gump character

would be a wonderful, but very different, challenge for me. A real stretch...

which you know I love!

If I cannot find an interested producer I may try doing it myself. Could

be a miserable, misguided failure like that Joe and volcano fiasco you

had warned me against.

Warm regards,

The Other Tom (Hanks)

PS-- you really see "the flying nun" as his mother?! Odd choice. 

… I think I have the intonation working, but I’m still experimenting on that “spacing” idea you suggested. When you explained how the pauses in both music and in speech are as important as the notes and words… something clicked. Simple idea. It is so different to say, “and now you know the rest of the story” all together and then “and now (one beat) you know (three beats) the REST (half beat) of the story”. Wow. Listening to Muddy and B.B. helped a lot.

Thanks for the suggestions.

– Paul Harvey

… Howdy! Long time no see. It turns out that I DO enjoy the physical, sweaty work. Your suggestion that I actually hammer… that I DO in addition to my writing projects… has changed my perspective about the problems and WORKABLE solutions to poverty.

Rosalyn says it gets me out from under her feet!

Like you say: one house, one life at a time!

Stop by when next in Atlanta, I know you visit Kelly most summers.

– Jimmy

… Yum! The minced fresh garlic added-- right at the end-- to the sautéed, golden browned garlic cloves was EXACTLY the right nuance!

The sauce came alive! Thanks for the suggestion.

I too prefer the Greek to the Italian oils.

Keep in touch Dear.

– Julia

… The story about Hughes made so much sense! Wildcatters succeed wildly—sometimes! —but the equipment suppliers succeed and flourish whether the drillers succeed OR fail!

Maybe I can apply a similar plan to this new personal computer craze!

Don’t build the machines (low margin, high inventory!)… make the stuff that makes the machines WORK! Brilliant!

Thanks, Tommy.

–      Bill G.

… Good to see you. John and I have been debating (if we can call it that) the issues you brought up. Lloyd Wright was a character after a few Martinis! That prim and proper façade just falls away, doesn’t it? In my new works I am playing with those connect/disconnect, place/space, empty/gone ideas you were yammering on about.

OK, OK the lighting IS critical. I will consult with that young fellow you recommended.

Merce (Cunningham)

… I like that song you sent. I love that one line about “ ‘nother mule been kickin’ in yo stall…” Says it all don’t it. Going up Chicago way next week. Maybe we’ll mess it around in the studio.

One 'ol Mississippi boy to another, Mac (McKinley --Muddy Waters-- Morganfield).

… Clothes HAVE made a difference! I should have noticed how when Jessie changed from tie-dyed to suits how whitey started paying more attention and treating him more serious. Gotta keep my cred though.

Stop by.

– Al (Sharpton)

… Sorry to have been out of touch. I have not been feeling too energetic. Ha ha. The soup you sent was excellent. The cook (you remember AnnaMaria?) tried the recipe for the shrimp, but we both still like Julia’s better. Not that yours was bad!

Yes, Bush is an idiot. A very dangerous man. As our friend Caesar said, he is the devil!

Raul sends regards. He set up a committee to test your windmill power ideas for our homeland.

– Fidel

… I should not have doubted you! I was sure my accent would alienate the voters, but you were right about every point!

Thanks for the lighting tips, the PR stuff is improving.

That guy you recommended is terrific!

How can I ever thank you enough for introducing me to my future wife and her amazing family.

– Arnold, your old gym buddy.

… Thanks, Old Man, for the gun.

It is beautiful.

Perfect balance.

I will use it on duck tomorrow.

Early. In the frost.

Why not join me in Havana next Fall?

Boat is rough, but running.

We’ll liberate some rum! 

In memory of Paulo.

– Papa