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hi Kelly,how are you doing? I hope all goes well?
I can see you have many people who write to you. You are popular! :) Today I was in Holland, The Netherlands, with Wim, a good friend of mine.I used to go to Breda with Kathleen to dance in a group: Dance your Light, it was called.
Wim came a few times to where I live, Antwerp, but now I was invited by him. He felt like a brother to George (he saw our photo together, taken in the visiting room!);they had the same age and the 3 of us talked a lot about music!I still have a list of the songs George kept for a reason. In the past his dad sent me LP's and cassettes, with his preferable songs on it. :)In my hallway I have a glass empty vase and when I listened to one of his given songs, I put the title of it in that vase.It remembers me of my love. -smile. When we visited, I wrote French phrases on a sheet of paper, and we studied French... he loved it so very much. :)
Wims partner Martine died in the year when George died. But he met on a dating site a new friend.I'd like to meet a man, as I do not like to stay alone. George would have liked me to be happy in my life. I know one day I will meet that special man in my life, Kelly. I'm on a dating site as well.I see so many photos of men. Until now I just chat with 3 people. But nothing serious yet.I swim 4 times in a week in the swimming pond.As a polar bear.;)Love it! And I play half an hour each day on the piano: jazz.So, Kelly you can send a corr. message and I will give an answer, okay? Have a great time, and receive a big hug from Rita! x

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hello Kelly, yes I got your letters.I still mourn about Georges death. He taught me a lot! He was an activist and brought changes. His friends were devastated by his death! I still write to 2 of his closest friends: Too Tall and Joshua.He was many years with his friend T T in one cell. He called him uncle Pete. George was a true leader! A very charismatic man too! Joshua (a very good artist!)and he made a watercolor for me of my young parents. George made two big pencil drawings: him and me and another one like an Escher, presenting his large hand, holding a round mirror where I can see him on his bed, his sink, his radio and earplugs, the cell door and window, his fan, his Tv with on the screen me sitting at the beach,a mouse (his alter ego)jumping in the sink, etc He must have worked months at it!!Almost in each letter he made a cool drawing. With humor. I've hundreds of his letters! But most of all he gave me the music!! I hear him in the songs,... Music made him survive!... Locked up since the age of 18 and he died in prison, at the age of 71,... how truly sad that is! He was a great person, in a narrow life. :( He had his mission in prisons, Kelly. On a dating site I know a friend, John, 74 and he is British. After the pandemic he invites me to England. He works in Wildlife. On the 14th, 15th and 16th of January we will hike, Veerle (pronounce as 'Varle' -a as in c'a'ge)),a woman and good friend. We've vegetarian bio food they cultivate there.It's a center in the Ardennes.(=woods)I don't know if there is snow? I've my skying outfit. Each day we hike at least 15 kilometers, that seems to be 9 miles. We had also in the past a B&B of 4 days in Sainte-Ode, also in the Ardennes. There we hiked each day 12 to 15 kilometers. Veerle took the sauna, I swam in their swimming pool.
Kelly, this is my letter to you. I wish you a very Happy New year!A warm year full of Imagination and Surprises! All the best! Your friend, Rita xx
Ps. Because they searched for somebody (Walter) on D R who talks Spanish, and couldn't find a person, they asked me to be his pen pal. 28 he is and is innocent!... :( He has no lawyer, and hardly speaks English... He is from Guatemala.

correction: 'skiing' ;)

Leslie rejected me as her mom. Because I helped George, chose him instead of her. But it wasn't a choice! Taking his protection didn't mean she came on the second place. But she interpreted it as this.:( I will write her a 'moving' letter. A letter in which I explain her EVERYBODY deserves a second chance, me too, she as well.
I didn't get a New Year card nor any news. She remains silent.
I visited my mom in Brussels(she is 95 and still lives on her apartment)and there I saw Leslie's card. I call George's dad just every week. He is strong! 98 he is, and he has the voice of a younger man.:o He calls me daughter and I call him dad. :) He said: you always were my daughter. I asked on Fathers Day if I could call him dad? :)) He just got his Christmas package! Full o goodies!
Kelly, I await your news now! Take good care of yourself, eh!!! xx Rita

No, mom is 96!...

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hi dear Kelly, I will write a letter pretty soon, with a "heart" for your Valentine.:)
Friends are surely also Valentines. You are a very loyal and good friend of mine!-smile Well,I stopped seeing John,a Wild Life consulent.
His skin cancer returned and was highly aggressive!All his life he had carried it himself alone and he wouldn't burden me with it! He didn't know how long or how heavenly it would be on him, so we split. It was hard on me as I could put aside Georges death,knowing him. But I understood his reasoning,Kelly.Trough my dating site I met Jean, much younger than me, but my age number shows higher than I feel inside.He is a French talking Belgian/Marrocan. On the 12th of March we meet in Hasselt, half way of our homes. I will notice pretty fast if we are a good match. And I've all the credentials we are! He makes me laugh, and that's nice! He has a young character. Both daughters started a new job! No word from Leslie. And Elke will move to a new house. Lynn,8 will do her Springtime Celebration on April third.We then eat in a restaurant with the family.Their two children are not baptized, so they don't call it a communion.
Kelly I hope all is going well with you. Tell me what's going on in your life.:))
Lots of hugs are sent your way! xx Blessings and friendship.
Rita

correction: 'heavily'...

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hello dear Kelly,I got your card and your letter!I was glad to hear from you.:) In my letter I will explain what happened with Leslie.In a way we both pained each other.Lately I went dancing.Biodanza (originally from Chile), where Marita leads it,she gave a birthday party after our course.I got to know more people this way. Yesterday I arrived home very late!;with friends we went again dancing to The Netherlands.We don't speak, and dance barefoot. Actually our eyes and energy speak.One person shuts the eyes and let him lead by the other person. Or the person that is blindfolded leads the dance.Sometimes you lay on a matras and caress he person next to you. All on gorgeous music.Then another day I went to a dancing course named Sweat and tears.There you are integrated in the beginning and just dance on all those different music tunes.We pay 20 Euro for two hours of dancing.Bring our own water.Also I had a shamanistic course given by Greet (pronounced as Great).One lays on a matras,covered by a blanket and listen to a shaman (Greet) who makes all kind of sounds,musical instruments people in Peru use and such.In a certain way it's like a meditation.Some people fall asleep.It's really very relaxing!On my dating site there are many fake people!In fact,they use a photo,but are another individual behind it.:(I am sorry to hear people stole again!It's hard working in the kitchen,I guess?Yes,I'm still swimming as a polar bear.I did some floating in a cabin on salt water.On my B-Day that was.I went dining out with Ingrid.Today on Easter I went to mom in Brussels.We went dining out in a restaurant.No obliged masks in /stores/places, but still in trams and buses and trains.Thanks for your wishes,Kelly and have the necessary good energy to lead your life in a harmonious way. Your friend, Rita x

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Always good to hear from you, Kelly! :)
Why an awful year? Can you explain me any better?
I still plan to write a letter, but so much is going on lately!...
I need to write to Rubi, on DR... to Joshua, 43 and George's good friend!
He wrote me he has a great job with lenses! He is a "final inspector". in the Dixon Industry Optical Lab.
He expects to leave prison after November!
I too wrote a letter in his favor. :)
Sometimes I've a talk with his dad, Dana; he then gives me his updates.
I still swim in the pond; the water is excellent now!
Karel x Mariana live now in my bloc.They bought this apartment. They live now 6 months in Belgium. Then they return back to Argentina. They like it here. Karel likes to leave this country! But her mom has Dementia...She has a brother and a sister though, who take care of their mother. She calls up her mom just every day.
Oh yes, about every Monday evening and on some Fridays I go dancing.It is not Biodanza anymore. It's called: Sweat you Prayers. :)
Free dancing on all kind of music. Men

... women dance barefoot. For about two and a half hours and we pay 20 euros. From 7.30 till 10 pm.
Kathy leads the disc jockey. We can even do yoga or something else on the rhythm of the music on a mat if we desire this? We drink water, etc
We are many people and we have a big darker area, but with lights on the floor...
Wished you were there, Kelly!
Later on, I return home with the tram. The tram stops just at the church, and the room is just behind that church.
I'm very often on a tram you know! Many buses here too. Trains, etc
On the 12th and the 19th of August I will be operated from cataract. :( I will then see as new.
They put new lenses in the eyes. It takes a quarter of an hour to do that, but one has to put eye drops for a month, several times in the daytime. (!)

I know Andre, and the man had two liver transplants!
He's 68 and is divorced with 2 daughters and 3 grandchildren. I knew him trough a date site; he contacted me. I was invited at his floor apartment with a garden. To eat mussels! They were good!
He's just a friend, not a man to have a relation with. That is certainly very valuable as well! :)
Not any sign from Leslie; and not a call either from Elke...
Although we had a good contact on the celebration of Lynn, on her Springtime feast.
Lynne, a pen pal from George contacted me! George's dad gave me her address. I am so very happy we can tell stories about George, my soulmate!
I miss him so very much... Sometimes I cry... one can't withhold those emotions inwards. You've to let them go. :(((
Not one day goes by not thinking of him, Kelly.
Every week I call his dad, my 'dad' now. In September he'll turn 99 years old!!
He likes to reach 100. :))
He is such a darling brave man. :o

Every day I see on my profile on the dating site so many men, younger, older, but no one appeals to me.
But I am confident, one day there will be a man I will love. Until that day...

How about your friends, Kelly?
I hope you meet the one that is "meant" for you!
So, we can tell each other, eh? ;)

Much love and friendship wished.
Kind regards from Rita, your friend. x

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hi dear Kelly, today I got your writing from 07-27-22.
Just you to know!Now I read the news on your blog. Some people get a certain power and take advantage of it, and it's real nasty for those who have to follow their orders.:( Quarantine and then the Hole on top of it!? Was there a reason for this Hole time?
It seems you've to change cells so often and with new people!I hope at least you've some good friends as life is easier to bare.Are you still typing? Or combining with another job?
I was planning to write you a letter, because there is a lot to tell.We've a true hot wave here! It doesn't rain! All is so very dry!And on the 12th I was being operated for cataract. At first my weak and lazy eye, just in case something went wrong.
The next day all was all right,(we've the whole day of surgery a shell on that eye) till I felt like a grain in the eye! It was an eye lash hair, most probably when putting the drops in my eye!
During a month I've to put 4x2drops per day!Then follows my other eye!
No swimming for 2 weeks. No bending or lifting heavy weights, etc
One can't go anywhere, since one of the drops have to be stored in the refrigerator!Anyways it's too hot to go outside!
On the 22nd of September George's dad turns 99!!Yesterday we talked more than an hour!He told me the reason he lived for is gone: his dearest son.
He sounded so very sad, Kelly...:(( In a while he is going the last time to the grave and take a picture from the stone, one for me as well...
He has a hard time to walk with 2 canes, sleeps a lot, still rides with his car though and picks up a movie at times in his library.Prepares a salad for himself every day,and does the grave yard shuffle, he says as a joke.But he loves women, he admits being touched by them. Young women beneath his middle age, :))) He's so funny, and he lives with Bela, his cat.He still has a relatively good memory, although it is not as before... :o
i call him dad, he calls me 'daughter' and he is so much charmed when I call! I will send him a darling card, a bear stands behind another bear(one sees their backs), wouldn't that be us, I'll ask him.
I'll write about my love for him, I encourage him, also about my appreciation, about his son I loved so very much, and about the fact he ever gave birth to that great man,George jr...
He is still attending mass, each Sunday. He tells me to not to like to live in Chicago, because of the honest politicians, ha ha
He lives in the State Wisconsin, where men can carry a gun!:o
Well, Kelly all the other facts I'll write in a letter, okay?
Keep your life in harmony, feel good in your own skin, have goals and be a happy person!
Yes, astrology is fascinating, eh!
Big hug and blessings from you friend, Rita xx

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Kelly,I enjoyed reading your latest news.Well, just a while it rained continuously, and now we have a lot of showers,as to make up for the long drought!All is green again in the parks and else.A lot of good news here!We, artists could turn in 3 paintings,sculptures,metal works,glass,etc in our community house where I live.It was judged by juries(2 young men and one young woman) and from my two classic watercolors they chose my modern and progressive oil painting.Young people choose surprising and work that is different,eh.There were about 70 artists from Deurne!So they had to select the artworks.You had to give the price,in case there was some damage.And I ranked the latter work the highest in price as well.Well, when I write a future letter to you,I will make some drawing in that style.A comic Brazilian black man, gave me feedback,and it helped and inspired me a lot!The public price-person got a solo artshow in one of the 2 ailes of our community house.Then at the reception 30 names were called and I was one of them!:) Those people can have a solo artshow in 2023!I had there already a show-I sold then 1 watercolor"Tango".Now we can expone just 14 days, which is a shorter period then I had.The other good news.Joshua a "great" artist,like a brother to George,will be free after November.I also helped to write a Clemency in his favor.Joshua thinks I am a great painter,and on one of my birthdays he had sent me 8 paintings,on paper and on wooden/carton pannels.Amazing works to me!Also he and George(he drew rather big drawings for me,a talent he had from his Swedish mom; the music talent he had through his dad) made together a fabulous black/white watercolor from a photo of the marriage of my parents!So beautiful!As George knew so well I missed my father so very much through my whole life.Joshua turned yesterday 43 years,just as my daughter, Elke.I tried to call his dad, Dana,but 3 times I missed it,but I spoke in a message for his son.They are the best friends!Joshua even spoke to his son,23,which dated from 2005!He expected the worst,but it turned out so well,and the son was moved,although he wouldn't show it.But his dad told him.Now,Joshua will do a test on the birthday of my "dad",September22nd,and it costs 175.00 dollars!His job in the optical lab is going great.He is up for a promotion,he wrote.The test is called ABO(American Board of Opticianry).Once he passed he will be certified optician(ABOC).He will also receive 6 months off his sentence,his 175.00 dollars test fee will be returned,and an extra 50.00 dollars/month will be added to his pay.When he is released to go home,he will flash his ABOC-card at an optical lab that is hiring, and easily get a job there.I am so very happy for my friend!George would be extremely proud of Joshua!In this prison George himself had a lot of responsability and it turned out his best prison ever!Kelly,I was glad to hear you changed cells.Working in the kitchen seems hard work?A bear hug from me.xxx

Kelly,it says here they'll print it on September 19th.When did you receive it,I am curious to know!No luck with men on the dating site.The Universe will send me the person that is meant to me.This I strongly believe!Nothing happens just like that,all has a reason.I will now make a drawing and send a birthday card to Joshua.He already heard my wishes through his dad on the phone.Joshua designs a logo for the samll engine repair business from his dad.He also has him designing a very large addition to his house.Joshua has a great time with it!He says this:I hope to invite you to see the completed home one day.He thinks they will need about 150,00.00 dollars to 200,00.00 dollars to fully accomodate everyone's needs.He thinks he can find the financing for it all,he writes.My lenses were placed and I've a very good far sight,but I still need glasses for the reading,the laptop and the piano playing.I watch now TV without glasses.It did not cause any problems.A short month one has to use drops,4 times a day two drops in each eye.
It all healed by now,and I swim again.And at times even in the rain!Kelly,good you restarted yoga,I do it now and then too. I try to meditate twice a day... I study Italian on duolingo.com,in the evening usually.I also do often rides on my bike.I see so much better now, it was confronting!I see my big freckles and the dust!:))You heard about the death of queen Elizabeth 2nd,I presume.What a great woman she was!Love,and make of each day the very best! Your friend Rita xxx

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