Dear Pearl,

The train car was crowded with the mice ballerina from the Christmas Eve production of The Nutcracker - they are not so cunning and sweet up close as they are viewed from the first balcony - and two of the mice were smoking cheap tobacco all the way from Minsk!  The ride from the train station was loud and uncomfortable and Fannie lost the little stuffed fox you gave her.  But when we finally arrived here we were instantly in love and at peace, all the difficulties forgiven and forgotten.  We feel we are in some Russian fairy tale, a story the last czar may have told at bedtime to his own little Anastasia in this very building! There is poetry and magic and memories of a different time all around us.  We are being spoiled with the most exquisite stroganoffs and borschts and charlotte russes.  Oh, Pearl, we can't wait until you get here.  Fannie says please if you can, bring another Freddy Fox to her? 

I Remain, As Always, Your Devoted Miss Blue

Dear Pearl,

When we couldn't find the box with all the Christmas ornaments Melba had the brilliant idea to use the toys from Fannie's first years as tree decorations.  The stuffed fox kept falling out of the branches so we let him sit below the tree instead.  I think this is a story with a happy ending, don't you?  

I Remain As Always, Your Devoted Miss Blue

Melba is So Theater; never a moment without an audience; hosting the traveling Circus; delighting in the intimacy as the clever circus performers exhibit their elegant and exciting talents. I can just see Melba tapping her toes to the Circus music/noise. The elephants and tigers and clowns must be resting in their nearby trailer, thank goodness. I talked to Schubert here telling him the story as you have written and because he remembers a time when he was just a pup, of hearing the story of Toby who joined a circus and he loved the story and wanted to join a traveling Circus Train and do everything that circus dogs do; dress up in clown suits and be a Clown Dog. I could see that telling the story was making Schubert very sad even though he has now the best of care and love. Circus people are lonely; never making true friends because the circus must keep moving to make money and often, when they return the next year, the families have moved away - maybe to Europe or Australia. 

Schubert tells the story with kind thoughts of Melba as she offers the room in her house to Olga and Babushka for the night. Music is the language and needs no other conversation. Louise might set up a lovely large ceramic wash bowl and pitcher filled with clean water sitting there in the bedroom for washing the little circus costumes with a rack nearby for drying; Schubert thinks of Everything and so Louise will be back in her kitchen cooking and cleaning and even humming softly a peppy circus tune. Schubert sends his love and best wishes to the Circus People.

Pearl

Dear Pearl,

Melba's theater class is hosting Madame Blutofsky's Traveling Circus this week, Pearl.  The performers are very talented - they bend like rubber and play the drums and the trumpet with equal aplomb.  But they are difficult houseguests.  Olga and her sister Babushka are staying in the room next to our dear Caldonia and Eva Catherine.  The language barrier prevents companionable conversation.  And they insist on rinsing out their tiny costumes nightly in the kitchen sink.  Louise is awfully sulky as a result and refuses to cook or clean until they have left.  Oh dear.  It is so hard to be so international!  Please advise,

I Remain, As Always, Your Devoted Miss Blue

Dear old friends of long ago; Caldonia and Eva Catherine! Just stopping by for tea; knowing Louise would insist, of course. And staying all night; how like Louise to offer; plumping up two pillows to hold up Caldonia's Big Hard Head. Your Four Poster Bed has been a haven for both Caldonia and Eva Catherine; Breakfast with mushrooms and spicy tea I imagine. I remember Eva Catherine loving wild mushrooms especially since Fanny had just the day before found them growing in the ground around your old apple tree. Fresh and delicious. Where will their travels take them next or do they plan to stay through the Holidays? 

Waiting to hear from you about all of this,
I am always,
with love,
Pearl xo

Dear Pearl,

The Best Surprise!  Caldonia and his pet Eva Catherine came for a visit today.  They were exhausted from their travels and Louise put them in the guest bedroom right after tea. Caldonia required two pillows, his head was so hard.  Eva Catherine needed no pillows at all - she just hung on the newel post and rested her wings until it was time for dinner.

I Remain, As Always, Your Devoted Miss Blue