"I knew you before, in a previous life"

Carole writes Howie 5 Feb 2003 01:06:35 EST 

 

Dear Howie,  I look forward to your return.  I will be attending the Animal Advisory Board at 6:30 downtown and then come straight to your place.  I don't know how long the meeting is likely to last.

 

I had to go to the D.O.T. today to take a look at their plans for the road widening project on 301 in Z-hills.  I had called and spoke with a woman named Gordana Jovanovic, who acted like she just couldn't let me off the line.  I went to her office at 5PM and as soon as we were in the hall alone, she said she knew me.  I told her she had probably seen one of the T.V. pieces on WOES and she said that

she knew my voice on the phone.  I never forget a voice (names yes, voices no) and again reiterated that she probably heard me in an interview.  She took me by the arm, stopping me and looked me straight in the eye and said, "I knew you before, in a previous life".  She seemed to have no fear that I would take offense of such an unusual assumption by a public servant.

 

I asked if we spoke in her tongue before ( a heavy Slovak accent) because I didn't remember anyone from before having such an accent.  She smiled knowingly, as if I remembered her.  Actually, I don't.  I felt very comfortable with her on the phone and in standing there staring into her eyes, but I cannot say I remember her.

 

The only thing that was really outstanding to me, in her office, was a photo on the wall that looked like she had blown up from a vacation.  It looked like my idea of the perfect vacation spot, but lots of people are drawn to palms and sand and clear blue water.

 

I finished the driving course and passed the final exam.  I have NO idea why I am still awake.  I've had milk and oatmeal and a glass of wine and feel like I could run a marathon.  I signed on for another year as the Big Cat writer for Animals, Exotic and Small.  It is my third year writing for them.  They let me publish whatever I want, so most of it is aimed at encouraging a higher standard of care and responsibility to the animals and each other.  I probably should actually write something about big cats.

 

The bobcat looks good, but Jamie thinks he is in shock and won't make it.  She has a good sense for such things, but I am not ready to give up on him.  I spent a considerable amount of time in his field of vision, but at a distance, so that he could see how the bobcats near him respond to me.  He will either know it is safe to trust me, or that he is surrounded by idiots, depending on his perspective.  He ate yesterday and that is a very good sign.  I am still hoping that he will be a candidate for release.

 

Frank Sanchez wrote back and said:   Dear Ms. Lewis,  I just cannot offer myself up at this time for fear I would disappoint - unless it is truly only my name you need?  Email my campaign manager, Maryann Blitz ([email protected])  Also, Marianne Williamson is coming in an event to support me!  Staff should be in touch.  All the best,  Frank

 

I wrote his campaign manager and asked for her advice on how to proceed, and let Frank know that his name would help me to attract the like-minds I am looking for and would give my supporters more of a reason to get involved in his campaign.  I assured him that I wouldn't waste his time.  I feel I am being pushy, but his question allowed me to stick my foot back in the door.  Persistence is omnipotent...

 

The county attorney called me today to say that despite her spending four months trying to clear us, the Human Rights people, at the insistence of our fired volunteer Patricia Fry, were going to take us to hearing.  The county attorney said that no such case has ever gone to hearing in all the time she has been there, as she can usually resolve them.  I agreed to all of the county's terms, but the former volunteer insists on having her day in court, so we are on for March 3. I asked if there were formal charges being filed and the