Knit and Pearlish,

Oh what excitement we've had lately!  Linguini has landed the role of Bookman is our little theater's production of "Leotard Follies."  He's beside himself with the effort of keeping his voice in shape for the daily matinees - there's a household moratorium on dusting and rug shaking.  And he submits to salt water gargles and hastily gulped olive oil shots several times a day.  Louise is so proud of her dear Linguini.  She rinses out his tights every night and hangs them on the radiator at the top of the stairs to dry.  Of course we are somewhat inconvenienced by not having his services as a butler and a driver during the run of "Leotard Follies."  But hearing him hit that high C in "The Bookworm's Lament" makes it all worth it!  

I Remain As Always, Your Devoted Miss Blue 

Dear Miss Blue,

Be sure to tell Melba about the 16 Rib umbrella, invented by the Chinese in order to keep the rain and wind from flattening and turning the umbrella inside-out. I can see that Melba's dainty umbrella was about to do just that!  Why, even her skirts were billowing up in the back, (of course, she was no doubt aware of the Marilyn Monroe effect, being so fashion forward). A darling and fetching picture. Miss Blue. I own a 16 rib umbrella, stored away in one of my antique dresser drawers and almost forgotten about until I looked carefully at Melba's umbrella. I suppose I could have been using it all along, but a treasure in the drawer is often forgotten, even in time of need.

You have heard of all the rain we have had here in the Village? I have been using a 12 rib umbrella, and of course, it has had to be held on to by holding on to the handle and to the umbrella itself to keep it from turning inside-out. I plan on sending Melba my antique 16 rib umbrella.  I just know she will be delighted and of course, friends and neighbors will want to praise and envy the umbrella.

Well, today I will be demonstrating my Kiwi Pie in the Produce Section of our local grocery store. With the Television cameras in mind, I hurried over to the Cooks of Crocus Hill, where I have in the past bought oilcloth aprons and tablecloths hoping to find a Kiwi Fruit/Kiwi Bird patterned apron. The girls there were very helpful and, as if they knew all along I would be needing that very apron, there it was! We all agreed, we couldn't be happier! And now, I will hurry along to my very first Cooking Show on Television.

Love from Pearl
Cooking and Taping

Louise is beside herself at your kiwi inventiveness and has set herself the task to make something equally green!  What a trendsetter you are!  Melba is so happy you liked her
photo from the zoo.  She has embarked on a fitness regime that requires her to walk by the Rare Birds Cage every afternoon at 2:00 rain or shine.  There's been a lot of rain lately but Melba is fierce about keeping to her schedule.  And she does have that umbrella! 

I Remain As Always,
Your Devoted Miss Blue

Oh, Miss Blue,

How I have missed our letters back and forth.  To explain, I have been busy with company and what with baking my famous Kentucky Bourbon cake and entertaining the many guests, days have been unusually busy. Today, just today, mind you, I finally opened my mailbox to find your letter. Rare Birds cage and a Kiwi Bird. . . .Why, just the other day while I was strolling along in the produce department of our local store, I found myself wanting to taste the Kiwi fruit piled up in display, one on top of another, almost to be squashed to pieces, so many of them being offered. So I did taste the one on top, it was lovely and green inside and my first thought was to buy several and make a Kiwi Pie. And that is just what I did, buying a good half of the pile. By then, I had quite a crowd around me wanting to hear about my Kiwi Pie recipe. Tim, the Produce Manager was so intrigued with the Kiwi Pie recipe that he expressed interest in having me appear this very week to demonstrate the pie. He will supply a convection oven and I will be stationed right there by the Kiwi Display. Of course, I am delighted with the idea! I did request a television team to be on hand to film the whole thing, Miss Blue, since I am not being paid for my time there. I will bring my own special pie dish, the one with the fluted rim, just right to display the Elegant Kiwi Fruit Pie. A first, I believe.

I am sorry I kept you and Melba waiting there by the Rare Birds cage.  Yet, I must think that there is something rather serendipitous about it all!  Don't you agree, Miss Blue?

Love, Pearl

Pear, We waited for you by the Rare Birds cage but when you didn't show up, Melba took this picture of the visiting Kiwi.  He seems a little annoyed to be confined.  But he manages to be quite awesome, too.  Do write when you get a chance!

Your Most Devoted Miss Blue