Musings & Thoughts for Friday, November 3, 2023, or Memories, Melancholy, and Writing Plans for the Day

Late Morning, Friday, November 3, 2023, Late Morning, Lithia, Florida

Hi, everyone. I hope you are faring well on this first Friday of November 2023. It is a cool late fall day here in the Tampa Bay area; the temperature is 68°F/21°C under sunny conditions. That’s “chilly” by Florida standards, of course. Where I’m heading next month is far colder – in Madison, New Hampshire, the temperature is 44°F/7°C under sunny skies. So, as long as I’m here, I will probably still say it’s “cold for Florida, but it’s colder in New England.”

A Month of Melancholy and Memories

I’m in a melancholic mood today. It’s around this time of year that my mind tends to focus on anniversaries and holiday memories, especially those that are related to the few romantic relationships I’ve had since I was a nine-year-old kid in the autumn of 1972.

The first such “commemorative date” this month will be November 7, which marks the 51^st anniversary of Election Day in 1972 – and the day when I finally realized I was in love with – or had a serious crush on – Cheryl T., a girl in my third-grade class at Coral Park Elementary School in Dade County, Florida.

Next up is November 8, which is the most likely date when I summoned the courage to tell Cheryl – via a surreptitious passing of notes in Mrs. Turtletaub’s classroom – that I loved her.

That anniversary is followed by the 51^st anniversary of what I now call Operation Love Sonnet – the actual passing-of-the-notes day.

And, of course, on November 10 – a Friday, just like in 1972 – it will be the 51^st anniversary of my first real experience with separation and romantic loss. On that cold November day in Miami I had to say goodbye to my girlfriend of one day, Cheryl T.

On November 16, it will be the 51^st anniversary of the start of my second childhood romance – and first long-term relationship – with a girl I met at my new school, Tropical Elementary. (This one would have a longer shelf-life – four and ¼ years – but would have a bitter ending.)

And, lastly, November 24 is the 13^th anniversary of the first and last time I gave my penultimate girlfriend, Alice, some gifts for her birthday before she went out of town to visit her sister. My mom was in declining health and I’d become her primary caregiver, and I think now that Alice wanted no part of that, because even though we texted each other for a while and didn’t officially break up till March of 2011, we never saw each other again.

On Writing & Storytelling: Action This Day

After my daily midday break – which hopefully will include a walk to the nearby park and a reading-for-pleasure session – I plan to work on Chapter 12 of Reunion: Coda. That’s the challenging (to put it mildly) epistolary chapter that consists of emails batted back and forth between Jim (the Reunion Duology’s protagonist/narrator) and his new love, Maddie. They’re separated by thousands of miles of Atlantic Ocean waters; he’s a professor of history at Columbia University in New York City, and she’s a pianist with the New York Philharmonic, which is – in the novel – recording a new album in London’s famed Abbey Road Studios.

I’ve done some epistolary storytelling before, but only in small doses, and never in the way I’m doing now. And, trust me, it’s difficult to tell a story via simulated emails (or letters and post cards, as writers have sometimes done in the past); I’m averaging an output of one or two “emails” a day cos I have to look up stuff such as “what was the weather in New York like in March of 2000” or worry “how do I add mentions of news events of that specific date and make it sound natural?”  

For instance, here’s what I wrote yesterday for Chapter 12:

Subject: Re Re Re Re Re Re Re Greetings from London!

Hey, Jim,

How are you doing? I’m sorry I didn’t write to you earlier. I overslept this morning. I’m still jet-lagged, Jim. I woke up at noon, can you imagine?

I had a quick bite at the hotel, then I took a cab to Rickmansworth. That’s where my Aunt Violet lives. She’s my mum’s younger sister, and she’s very special to me. She’s the one who got me into music when I was a kid. She played the piano for me and taught me how to read music. She encouraged me to follow my passion and talent for music. She’s always been there for me.

I haven’t seen her since 1992, Jim. She and the rest of my family, including Marty, attended my graduation from the Royal Academy of Music. Yes, Jim, that’s where I studied music in London. I was lucky enough to get a scholarship there, and to study with some of the best pianists in the UK, like John Lill and Imogen Cooper. It was a great experience, Jim. But then I moved to the States in 1992, and I haven’t been back since.

I’m back from Aunt Violet’s house now, Jim. She was so happy to see me. She gave me a big hug and invited me in for tea and cake. She asked me a lot of questions. About my career, my life, and you.

Yes, Jim, I told her about you. But not too much, don’t worry. I told her that we met a few weeks ago and that we’ve been out on two dates so far. And that you’re a history professor and a WWII historian. And that you’ve written several books.

She was very impressed by you, Jim. She said you sound like a wonderful man and a good match for me. She also said something that surprised me, Jim. She said that one of her sons, my cousin Alistair, has a copy of your latest book, Uncertain Trumpets, in his library. He’s a history buff, too.

Isn’t that amazing, Jim? What a small world we live in.

I wish you were here with me now, Jim. Sitting on the couch with me, holding my hand, smiling at me. But I know you’re there in New York, doing what you love and what you do best. And I know that we’ll see each other again soon.

Only nine more days until we reunite, Jim. Nine more days until I can hold you and kiss you and tell you how much I love you.

Until then, please take care of yourself and keep in touch.

I love you, Jim. And I miss you so much.

Love,

Maddie

MaddieMusica*97@hotmail.com

Sent: Sunday, March 5, 2000 1:15 PM GMT

Subject: Re Re Re Re Re Re Re Re Re Greetings from London!

Hi, Maddie,

I’m so happy to receive your email. You always brighten up my day with your words. 😊

I’m sorry to hear that you’re still jet-lagged, Maddie. I know how hard it is to adjust to a different time zone. I hope you’re getting enough rest and taking care of yourself. Maybe you can try some natural remedies to help you sleep better, like chamomile tea or lavender oil. Or you can listen to some relaxing music, like the ones you play so beautifully on the piano. 💕

The weather here in NYC is not very pleasant today. It’s cold and cloudy, with a chance of rain later. The temperature is around 40°F, which is below the average for March. I wish I could import some sunshine and warmth from Miami, Maddie. ☀️

There’s not much going on in the city today, either. The only news event that caught my attention was a protest outside the United Nations headquarters. A group of activists were demanding an end to the sanctions on Iraq, which they said were causing a humanitarian crisis. I don’t know much about the situation there, but I hope they can find a peaceful solution soon.

As for me, I don’t have any exciting plans for the rest of the day. I have to grade some essays and chapter quizzes for my Intro to WWII class so I can pass them back to my students tomorrow. You know how much I love teaching history, Maddie, but sometimes it can be tedious and time-consuming. 😅

After that, I’ll probably just relax and watch some TV or read a book. And of course, I’ll check my email account for your reply. You’re always on my mind, Maddie.

I miss you terribly, Maddie. I wish I could be there with you, too. But I’m sure that the next eight to nine days will pass quickly, especially once the work week starts and we both are busy with our jobs.  

You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.

Love,

Jim

JimWWII99@yahoo.com

Sent Sunday, March 5, 2000 9:20 AM EST

Anyway, that’s what I plan to do on this sunny, cool first Friday in November. And because my midday break is drawing nigh, I’ll close for now. Until next time, stay safe, stay healthy, and I’ll catch you on the sunny side of things.