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Dear Barrie and Carol
Thank you for your sweet and good letter, for all the news, for the good words about THE MUSIC OF MAN, the good job done on the roof and all the renewed roofing: the fibreglass shingles, the grey foxes, and finally the most timely removal of that massive oak limb.
When I saw the picture in the local papers here of the huge devastation in Menlow Park I thought how very wise it was to attend to the tree in good time as you did. It is wonderful that they are beginning to have biological control material. ( To think that they might ever apply that to human beings- a devastating thought-) and the successful vegetable garden.
How very lucky Diana and I were to have you and Carol and tenants. You have improved the place, you love it and in a real way you have made it your own. Oh, I forgot the new water heater! Delighted!
Now to the problem. Of course, the temptation of the 'theme park' in Gilroy is irresistable; you must take it for it offers scopt to your talents, it offers security and it does not undermine - or does it? - your private clientele. You say that accepting that position would require eventually leaving this growing private and Carol 43, nor, in fact, can I believe that I am 66. Would it be an idea for Cathedral Oaks to be your own secure home? Do you think that the Nob Hill Park loan would be applicable to Cathedral Oaks or at least to the flat part until the rise, say from the road, which is your special ground? Certainly you would have to be in Gilroy for the working week and there is no way of reducing the distance between Los Gatos and Gilroy, nor is it practical to travel the distance of about 60 miles twice a day. That would be totally out of the question - a waste of time and dangerous.
Carl himself is one of the chief elements in this jigsaw. Would Carl prefer to live with you in Gilroy? Would he consider living in your Cathedral Oaks? Would he be happier there than alone way up on the hill? Is the Gilroy proposition likely to be a 'permanent' one- ie that you would be in charge of that until retiring age, or is it only until the place is established? Then again, where would you like to live in, let us say, 12 years? Would you prefer Gilroy to Cathedral Oaks?
If you should feel like buying Cathedral Oaks, Diana and I will be prepared to sell it to you at, shall we say, advantageous market terms. Perhaps you might consult the Real Estate Agents abotu this and find out what the market value of such part of the property that you would consider would be. Now this is only a suggestion is not meant to be anything more than a helpful one. You may not wish for this solution at all, if indeed it is a solution.
continued...
I am afraid that I have not come up with any perfect, water-tight, all-round plan which meets all the difficulties but we have aired the problem and I understand it so well.
The photographs are charming - the grandchild, great grandchild for Carl - I think Carl Brian Coate is a charming name. I love my favourite Persimmon tree. You know, in Japan, they have a new variety (as indeed in Israel) which is much harder, no longer the soft, buttery flesh which I love but which can be quite delicious. I am sure they developed it for marketing reasons. It keeps indefinitely and can be eaten hard.
The new roof looks splendid. Congratulations!
Love to you both, in which Diana joins.
{inscription} Yehudi Menuhin
x+Carl
13th December 1982
