April 20, 2011

Dear Cyndy,

Thank you for your two e-mails. The first one, the reply from the Decorah Eagle URL was a blank page, devoid of message. Did anything of importance go astray? Margaret and I found watching the eagles in their nest a welcome distraction. The perils that they face from day to day present a useful perspective on the comfort and safety of our own lives.

You were a bit confused about our plans. Originially the earliest date for our Virginia trip was April 23. Now that Mr. Pucci's baby-sitting dilemma has postponed the hearing to the 28th, the earliest for our trip south would be April 30th. But even that date seems improbable, because the hearing is likely to set off fireworks to which I must make a response which may take days, if not weeks to prepare.

You ask about my novel. I'm still working on Chapter 45, now about 16 printed pages long, perhaps 66 to 80 percent of its ultimate length. The subject is Katenus' dream of being awarded the Nobel Prize. The theme is the loneliness which extraordinary fame engenders. I'm having difficulty both with the content and style of his imaginary address on receiving the honor, probably because I'm currently in that state of mild melancholy which tends to make me dissatisfied with what I have written and tends to dampen the flow of corrective ideas.  I know from experience that the manic phase will take its turn soon enough. That's when the work gets done.

With respect to the surgery you contemplate, I urge you to obtain Victoria's advice and consent before you clamber up onto the operating table.

Please give my best to Ned, and watch out for the doctors, especially if they are surgeons.

Jochen

* * * * * *