Hurkalya

147 Humboldt Avenue

San Anselmo, CA 94960

October 15, 1976

Dear Mansur, Beloved One of Allah,

Thanks so much for your card of October 12. I don’t mind that you sent a card instead of a letter; I like terse correspondence, and often ‘telegraph’ my replies too when the letters pile up. (And by all means, keep your head above water—unless you are diving for pearls!)

Your invitation to visit Boston is so magnetic. I can hardly say no. But I must say no, I feel. I don’t want to commit my presence anywhere outside of the Bay Area until after the first of the year. But every time I think of your invitation I begin to melt. Perhaps a spring visit, inshallah.

After I sold the two Suzukis that I had purchased (a 125cc in June and a 250 cc in July), sales which I regard as the Grace of God and nothing else, I went out an bought a new suit—by special arrangement with Fatima who would permit it only on condition that I sold the motorcycles. It’s the first new suit I have had since the fire at the Khankah in December of 1968 which burned all our good clothes. It’s a Donegal tweed, three-piece, with elbow patches, a country walking suit, very professorial.

I’ll wear it for the first time this Sunday when Fatima and I go to Frida’s [Frida Waterhouse] birthday party at the Fairmont for Sunday brunch.

If you remember what it was you forgot to say in your card, I’d be happy to hear from you again.

On the other hand, my intuition is telling me lately to knock off replying to each and every letter that comes. Just concentrate on writing to those to whom one’s intuition directs one to write. Otherwise a kind of perpetual-motion machine is set into effect. It’s hard to dive for pearls if the surface is always in motion.

Love to you all, again and forever.

As-salaam Aleikhum!

Moineddin and Fatima