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