Where I was a quarter century ago...

My friend Janet sent me this picture that was taken in 1986, which is (gulp!) 24 years ago. I had just moved to New York City and was sharing Janet's apartment in Chelsea. I had cheekbones then and red hair (without the help of Clairol) and was so happy to be starting a new adventure. The sweetie on my lap was Bowie the Pug, Janet's dog. I knew Bowie really loved me when she would sneeze right in my face! Janet called it a "Pug Spray".

It would be an understatement to say there were lots of characters in our neighborhood. One time, while strolling to the diner for waffles, a guy walking towards us jumped aside on the sidewalk and shouted, "OUTTA THE WAY...HERE COMES CAGNEY AND LACEY!"

I really miss New York.

Letters from famous people - Part 1

One night, years ago, in a 3rd floor walkup in New York City, my friend Janet and I were on the couch watching World News Tonight. An Entenmann's chocolate fudge cake (still in the box) between us and each armed with a plastic fork, we were ready to catch up on the day's news.

Janet nonchalantly throws out this one: "Do you think Peter Jennings is attractive?" Attractive? I practically fell off the couch while shouting YES! YES! YES! I'd had a crush on him for years. He had travelled the world, knew absolutely everything and was a snappy dresser. And the voice. Please.

Anyway, we decided to send a fan postcard to Mr. Network News Hottie.
We wrote:
Dear Pete,
We think you should present the news naked from the waist up.
Love, Pam and Janet
P.S. We also think you are really smart.

Off it went to ABC News. I swear, in about a day, we received a large envelope in the mail. Inside was a signed 8 x 10 glossy of Pete ~ shirtsleeves and necktie askew! (Janet currently has possesion of the photo ~ we share custody.)
He wrote:
Dear Pam and Janet,
You girls sound nuts, and GREAT.
Love, Pete

Years later, when I was working at ABC, I saw our postcard pinned on the bulletin board outside Pete's office. But that's another story.

Next installment: my letter from British Royalty. Really.