The Love is in the Emails

Dear F,




Speaking of New York, I found the most amazing books on the street yesterday--old classics by Woolf, Lawrence, and Wharton.  I also found this great book about the love affair between Robert Schumann, Clara Schumann, and Brahms.  I don't know if I've ever told you all my heroes are named Clara: Clara Bow (the magnificent flapper girl from the 20s); Clara Schumann (Schumann's wife and Brahm's lover. She was a great pianist herself); Clara Barton (who started the American Red Cross); and Clara Vazquez (my conservatory-trained piano teacher who tried to beat some talent into me). I guess that's why I named my Russian daughter Clara, even though she has a great birth name--Natasha. I told her she could change her name back when she turns 18, and I've had my fill of the name Clara.

Also, I wouldn't worry too much about my photographic memory because I am a "note-taker."  You should see my back room filled with books, journals, posters, movies, and articles about all sorts of nonsense.  I'm like a contemporary note-taking monk.  In my past life I must have been a monk who spent all day at the abbey transcribing all sorts of stuff before the printing press was invented, and that was my happiest life.

When my friends come over with life or love problems, I disappear into the back to find a book, quote, article or movie that might help.  They know to wait because I insist on searching, even though it might take some time.  I'm afraid you wouldn't want me in your house with the brainstorm on display in my life.

Yes, please visit me in disguise.  What fun!  Every once in awhile bring over one of your deadly sins. I think we can play with those--if we're careful. The other night, I saw this great movie ("Impromptu") about all that stuff--sins, passions, and all sorts of craziness.  It was actually the BBC's version of the love affair between George Sand (the woman who dressed like a man and wrote steamy romances) and Chopin. I loved the way she wooed him like a man because he was dainty, sickly, and feminine,  and Liszt's lover advised that to get Chopin (a "woman") she needed to chase and hunt because a real woman would always surrender to a real man.  So she won Chopin's heart by dressing in a top hat and coattails and pursuing him until he was hers.   It was hilarious! 

By the way, I'm impressed to hear you have enough range to know when to hide your range.  I will add "cool as a cucumber" to your list of attributes and will now need eight lovers when this over and I've moved to Paris so that I can remember bits and pieces of you in all my men.

Love

B 
Memoir, "The Continent of Ruby," available at: http://www.amazon.com