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photo by Cyn Novacek |
(Normally quiet and calm Cyn Novacek wrote us a letter
shortly after she met Paul this past December, after a couple of months of
attempts with no luck. This letter just
goes to show you how much the man can totally unravel even the quietest of
us. Thanks to Cyn for letter us printing
it here to share with everybody!)
December 31, 1981
Happy New Year! I
just saw the Big Mac not more than 10 minutes ago!! I can’t remember anything! Well, I can, but only a little.
I walked over to MPL about 3:30 and from across the square I
saw the lights on upstairs and this blonde woman walking around. I hurried over and sure enough, it was
Linda. Then Rose (the housekeeper)
pulled up in a red Mercedes station wagon and out piled Stella, James (with his
pants falling down as usual) and three dogs.
I started talking to two girls waiting out front and they
said they’d been waiting for a couple of hours.
Linda had come out earlier and signed some books they had brought.
As we waited a bunch of Italians wandered up and started
asking questions. Then they decided to stay. Great, what a mob. We were worried it would put Paul off.
About 15 minutes later, here comes the old boy himself,
leading one of the kids down the MPL staircase.
(He practically threw himself at us to sign autographs when he came out
the door!)
Through the crowd of heads and waving pens I managed to take
two pictures. But I don’t guarantee
anything. I am still shaking! And it was dark, too. (One did turn out!!)
I think if the Italians hadn’t been there, I might have
gotten a better chance for a picture and been able to have explained the
t-shirt I bought for him a little better.
I mentioned Minneapolis to him as he hurried for the car and he very
nicely acknowledged the place (but I meant to say St. Paul) and then handed him
the t-shirt and told him that it was for him to remember us by (so he’d come
back, but that part never got out!). Yet
even in a hurry, he’s very gracious and very nice. (In case you don’t remember the t-shirt,
really a jersey, is black and has “St. Paul” on it in white letters; and just
below that, in black letters, so as to blend with the shirt, is spelled out
Minnesota.”) Linda’s face lit up when I
handed her the bright red lead rope I brought for her to use on her
horses. Right away she starts telling
me about her Appaloosa.
I’m STILL shaking.
Even after he got in the car and drove away. I had trouble leaving MPL. I wanted him to come back and do it all
over. All I can remember of his clothing
was a nice looking dark coat. His hair
reminded more of 1963-64.
(Later) It’s been a few hours and I’ve finally settled down
and sorted my thought out.
Linda didn’t look half bad this time. Her hair looked nice and she wore a decent
looking skirt and sweater with tan boots.
I wish I could remember Paul better.
I spent quite a few moments looking at him through the lens and trying
to focus in the dark. It’s funny how
hard one can stare at someone and not be able to remember them. Talk about mesmerized! The only things I can truly remember were the
two or three times he looked right at me; and seeing his crowfeet when his face
would light up with a smile. He may have
been wearing one of his “trademark” sweater-vests because I vaguely remember
seeing a splash of color on him. Only
the pictures know for sure. The two I
took where of him signing autographs. I
personally don’t like that type of pictures (looking down) but they are better
than nothing. That man had got to give
me another chance so I can act the calm and cool person I really am.
I don’t think Paul had a chance to see what I had printed on
that jersey before he snatched it away; he seemed happy just to get a
present! I tell you that guy is gracious
even on the run. Only Linda was even
more gracious- I tell you that look on her face as she thanked me made me feel
great. I really wish I could’ve asked
her a couple questions about her Appaloosa, I think it’s one good way of
getting them to stop and talk (her anyway; if she stops, she’ll get him to
stop). Linda didn’t have him in her
usual clutches this time even – I wonder when the amputation took place?!
I would have done the same exact thing, I would have written it all down as soon as possible so I wouldn't miss a comma!!
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