Hello 'Pussy' it's Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle and Pippi Longstocking:
Jared Kushner, your son-in-law and senior adviser, was looking for a direct line to President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia — a search that in mid-December found him in a room with a Russian banker whose financial institution was deeply intertwined with Russian intelligence, and remains under sanction by the United States.
Should I remain in bed, leave my country or fight against the dragon?
( see also the story by Wolfgang Hampel,
' Betty MacDonald: Nothing more to say ' )
Betty and Don MacDonald in Hollywood
Betty MacDonald's mother Sydney with grandchild Alison Beck
Betty MacDonald fan club fans,
if you know who is this very beautiful lady and the handsome young guy besides James Bond send us their names, please.
I like The Egg and I and The Ma and Pa Kettle series very much.
The actors are excellent and my favourite is Marjorie Main as Ma Kettle, which she first played in The Egg and I in 1947 opposite Percy Kilbride as Pa Kettle.
She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for the part and portrayed the character in nine more Ma and Pa Kettle films.
Claudette Colbert achieved great success opposite Fred MacMurray in The Egg and I .
The film was the year's 8th domestic box-office hit and was later acknowledged as the 12th most profitable American film of the 1940s.
Anita and Eartha Kitt II are working on their new updated Betty MacDonald fan club essay ' Betty MacDonald in Hollywood '.
It'll be published in Betty MacDonald fan club newsletter June.
Don't miss Wolfgang Hampel's Vita Magica today, please.
There are several writers reading stories about their Heidelberg experiences and you'll be able to hear the original very famous Heidelberg songs.
Do you have any books by Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard Jensen with funny or interesting dedications?
If so would you be so kind to share them.
Our next Betty MacDonald fan club project is a collection of these unique dedications.
If you share your dedication from your Betty MacDonald - and Mary Bard Jensen collection you might be the winner of our new Betty MacDonald fan club items.
Thank you so much in advance for your support.
Betty MacDonald fan club founder Wolfgang Hampel and Betty MacDonald fan club research team are working on an updated Betty MacDonald biography.
This very new Betty MacDonald biography includes all the results we got during a very successful Betty MacDonald fan club research which started in 1983.
You'll be able to find unique Betty MacDonald treasures in our Betty MacDonald biography.
Betty MacDonald biography includes for example interviews with Betty MacDonald, her family and friends.
We got many letters by Betty MacDonald and other family members even very important original ones.
Our goal is to publish a Betty MacDonald biography that shows all the details of Betty MacDonald's life and work but also to present her fascinating siblings.
Dear Betty MacDonald fan club fans let us know please what you are interested most in a future Betty MacDonald biography.
We are working on a Who is who? in Betty MacDonald's books.
Betty MacDonald's very witty sister Alison Bard Burnett shared her unique memories in these treasure interviews with Betty MacDonald fan club founder Wolfgang Hampel.
Don't miss Vita Magica on May 30th, please.
There are several writers reading stories about their Heidelberg experiences and you'll be able to hear the original very famous Heidelberg songs.
Betty MacDonald influenced many writers, artists and fans to move to Washington State.
They adore her books and her unique descriptions of nature.
Patricia Longhi is one of many examples.
What are the reasons so many people love Evergreen State?
Don't miss the very interesting article below.
Posted in Washington May 03, 2017
11 Completely Absurd Reasons To Love Washington
Yes, Washington is breathtakingly beautiful… and our scenery is diverse… and our produce is second to none. That being said, when you live in the Evergreen State long enough, you start to love it for its quirks. You develop quite a sense of humor about your home, and when people ask what you adore so much about it, you can hardly contain yourself.Even if you don’t agree with these 11 reasons to love Washington, you must admit they’re valid, if not a bit silly.
see article below
That's such a great story of Vashon Islander Kay Longhi.
Don't miss this very interesting story, please.
Reading this delightful story I'd like to move to Vashon Island.
Islander Kay Longhi and her twin sister were only 6 years old when they moved to Vashon from Chicago in the 1950s, but Longhi, now in her 60s and still living on Vashon, can vividly recall the move and the events leading up to it.
The decision to leave the Midwest was made by Longhi’s mother, Patricia Longhi, who Kay said was tired of living in cities and longed for the same kind of authenticity she witnessed on childhood vacations to a farm in Maine. Patricia found that opportunity in a 1954 radio interview with infamous island author Betty MacDonald.
“Arthur Godfrey interviewed Betty MacDonald on his radio program. She talked about her book ‘Onions in the Stew,’ and it intrigued Mother,” Kay Longhi said. “When Daddy came home, she announced that we were moving to Vashon.”
( see article below )
I totally agree the author of an oustanding Betty MacDonald biography needs a very good sense of humor.
We will be able to offer you very witty and exciting stories because of our outstanding Betty MacDonald research and many interviews with Betty MacDonald's family and friends by Betty MacDonald fan club founder Wolfgang Hampel.
We are going to publish new Betty MacDonald fan club items including new Betty MacDonald interviews by Wolfgang Hampel.
Work and life of Betty MacDonald had been honored by Wolfgang Hampel in Vita Magica.
More Betty MacDonald events will follow.
Anyway - we agree that Betty MacDonald's brilliant sister Alison Bard Burnett and Betty MacDonald fan club founder Wolfgang Hampel have a very good sense of humor.
Betty MacDonald fan club fans from 5 continents enjoy these unique very witty interviews and new ones will follow.
We are looking for signed or dedicated first editions in great condition with dust jackets by Betty MacDonald and Mary Bard Jensen for our fans.
Betty MacDonald Memorial Award Winner Wolfgang Hampel and Betty MacDonald fan club research team are working on an updated Betty MacDonald biography and new Betty MacDonald documentary.
Join one of our Betty MacDonald fan club research teams, please.
Thanks a million in advance for your outstanding support.
Let's talk about Betty MacDonald fan club book cover contest.
You can vote for your favourite Betty MacDonald book cover.
Deadline: June 30, 2017
Betty MacDonald fan club book cover contest winner will be owner of a signed first edition of one of Betty MacDonald's books.
Send us your mail, please and maybe you'll be the winner of Betty MacDonald fan club surprise.
Good luck!
Our most important research item is an updated Betty MacDonald documentary with lots of new info and interviews with Betty MacDonald, her family and friends.
Betty MacDonald fan club founder Wolfgang Hampel told us that Betty MacDonald fan club research team does an excellent job in supporting him with his several Betty MacDonald projects especially an updated Betty MacDonald biography.
Reading this updated Betty MacDonald biography you'll learn the true story of many personalities in Betty MacDonald's books for example the mysterious and rather strange Ms. Dorita Hess from 'Anybody can do anything'.
Tell us, please what should a Betty MacDonald biography include?
Don't hesitate to send us your thoughts, please.
I'd say a real Betty MacDonald biography should also include fascinating info on Betty MacDonald's fascinating brother and sisters including adopted sister Madge.
As we can see Betty MacDonald's very witty sister Alison Bard Burnett got so many fans because of her unique interviews with Betty MacDonald fan club founder Wolfgang Hampel.
We are going to offer some interviews by Wolfgang Hampel, never published before.
Many fans adore the new outstanding website of beloved Betty MacDonald fan club honor member Mr. Tigerli.
Don't miss it, please.
Surprise, surprise!
We found new radio manuscripts and shows.
We are working on Betty MacDonald fan club exhibit and an updated Betty MacDonald documentary.
Betty MacDonald fan club founder Wolfgang Hampel told us that Betty MacDonald fan club research team does an excellent job in supporting him with his several Betty MacDonald projects especially an updated Betty MacDonald biography.
Betty MacDonald fan club event team is very happy to hear from you and they got some really great ideas for the next International event.
Thanks a lot!
You can join Eurovision Song Contest Fan Club on Facebook.
Join us, please. We have lots of fun and joy and had several International ESC meetings in the past.
Vita Magica with Betty MacDonald fan club founder Wolfgang Hampel and Betty MacDonald fan club honor member Letizia Maninco was outstanding.
The audience enjoyed it very much.
Wolfgang Hampel's Vita Magica is fascinating because he includes Betty MacDonald, other members of the Bard family and Betty MacDonald fan club honor members.
Betty MacDonald fan club honor member Mr. Tigerli and our 'Italian Betty MacDonald' - Betty MacDonald fan club honor member author and artist Letizia Mancino belong to the most popular Betty MacDonald fan club teams in our history.
Their many devoted fans are waiting for a new Mr. Tigerli adventure.
Letizia Mancino's magical Betty MacDonald Gallery is a special gift for our Betty MacDonald fan club fans.
We'll have several International Betty MacDonald fan club events in 2017.
Join us in voting for your favourite city, please.
Wolfgang Hampel's Vita Magica guest was a very famous TV lady, author and singer and she is our new Betty MacDonald fan club honor member.
Betty MacDonald fan club honor member Mr. Tigerli is our beloved Betty MacDonald fan club honor member.
I guess our Casanova adores our Betty MacDonald fan club honor member very much because author and TV moderator Tatjana Geßler is a very beautiful, charming and intelligent lady.
Tatjana Geßler's books are outstanding. I've read several of them.
Enjoy Betty MacDonald's very beautiful Vashon Island, please.
Great Betty MacDonald fan club news!
You can join
Betty MacDonald fan club
Betty MacDonald Society
Vita Magica
on Facebook.
Thank you so much in advance for your support and interest.
If you join Betty MacDonald fan club blog as a follower during March you'll receive a very special Betty MacDonald fan club Welcome gift.
Send your email-address to our contact address, please.
Great news!
Betty MacDonald fan club honor member Mr. Tigerli is back and his fans are delighted.
We'll have several International Betty MacDonald fan club events in 2017.
Don't miss Wolfgang Hampel's Vita Magica March, please.
You'll enjoy it very much.
You can see brilliant Brad Craft.
"This is Me," by Bad Kid Billy. [Official Music Video]
Seems I'm in this for a hot second. I remember being asked to participate one day on the street in front of the bookstore where I work. I didn't think to ask what it was for, or even so much as the name of the song or the band. Didn't want to be late coming back from lunch. Silly bugger. The very nice young woman with the green hair also featured herein happens to work at Magus Books. She mentioned she'd seen me. Told me the name of the band, and here we are.
Betty MacDonald fan club honor member Monica Sone and other Betty MacDonald fan club honor members will be included in Wolfgang Hampel's new project 'Vita Magica'.
We got very interesting new info for updated Betty MacDonald biography.
Betty MacDonald fan club founder Wolfgang Hampel and Betty MacDonald fan club research team are going to include all these new details and info in updated Betty MacDonald biography.
If you'd like to join Betty MacDonald fan club you only have to press the join button on Betty MacDonald fan club blog.
New Betty MacDonald fan club fans will receive a special Betty MacDonald fan club Welcome gift during May.
Send us your email address to our contact address, please.
Wolfgang Hampel's Vita Magica February was outstanding and so was Vita Magica Betty MacDonald event with Wolfgang Hampel, Thomas Bödigheimer and Friedrich von Hoheneichen
Wolfgang Hampel and Betty MacDonald fan club research team are working on an updated Betty MacDonald biography.
This very new Betty MacDonald biography includes all the results we got during a very successful Betty MacDonald fan club research which started in 1983.
You'll be able to find unique Betty MacDonald treasures in our Betty MacDonald biography.
Betty MacDonald biography includes for example interviews with Betty MacDonald, her family and friends.
We got many letters by Betty MacDonald and other family members even very important original ones.
Our goal is to publish a Betty MacDonald biography that shows all the details of Betty MacDonald's life and work but also to present her fascinating siblings.
Dear Betty MacDonald fan club fans let us know please what you are interested most in a future Betty MacDonald biography.
Do you prefer an e-book or a so called real book?
Wolfgang Hampel and Friends of Vita Magica visited Minister of Science of Baden-Württemberg, Theresia Bauer in Stuttgart.
They visited Landtag and had a great time there.
Thank you so much for sending us your favourite Betty MacDonald quote.
We are so glad that our beloved Betty MacDonald fan club honor member Mr. Tigerli is back.
New Betty MacDonald documentary will be very interesting with many new interviews.
Alison Bard Burnett and other Betty MacDonald fan club honor members will be included in Wolfgang Hampel's fascinating project Vita Magica.
Betty MacDonald fan club founder Wolfgang Hampel interviewed Betty MacDonald's daughter Joan MacDonald Keil and her husband Jerry Keil.
This interview will be published for the first time ever.
New Betty MacDonald documentary will be very interesting with many interviews never published before.
We adore Betty MacDonald fan club honor member Mr. Tigerli
Thank you so much for sharing this witty memories with us.
Wolfgang Hampel's literary event Vita Magica is very fascinating because he is going to include Betty MacDonald, other members of the Bard family and Betty MacDonald fan club honor members.
It's simply great to read Wolfgang Hampel's new very well researched stories about Betty MacDonald, Robert Eugene Heskett, Donald Chauncey MacDonald, Darsie Bard, Sydney Bard, Gammy, Alison Bard Burnett, Darsie Beck, Mary Bard Jensen, Clyde Reynolds Jensen, Sydney Cleveland Bard, Mary Alice Bard, Dorothea DeDe Goldsmith, Madge Baldwin, Don Woodfin, Mike Gordon, Ma and Pa Kettle, Nancy and Plum, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle and others.
Linde Lund and many fans from all over the world adore this funny sketch by Wolfgang Hampel very much although our German isn't the best.
I won't ever forget the way Wolfgang Hampel is shouting ' Brexit '.
Don't miss it, please.
It's simply great!
You can hear that Wolfgang Hampel got an outstandig voice.
He presented one of Linde Lund's favourite songs ' Try to remember ' like a professional singer.
Thanks a million!
Betty MacDonald fan club honor member Mr. Tigerli and our 'Italian Betty MacDonald' - Betty MacDonald fan club honor member author and artist Letizia Mancino belong to the most popular Betty MacDonald fan club teams in our history.
Their many devoted fans are waiting for a new Mr. Tigerli adventure.
Letizia Mancino's magical Betty MacDonald Gallery is a special gift for Betty MacDonald fan club fans from all over the world.
Don't miss Brad Craft's 'More friends', please.
Betty MacDonald's very beautiful Vashon Island is one of my favourites.
I agree with Betty in this very witty Betty MacDonald story Betty MacDonald: Nothing more to say by Wolfgang Hampel.
Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law and senior adviser, was looking for a direct line to President Vladimir V. Putin
of Russia — a search that in mid-December found him in a room with a
Russian banker whose financial institution was deeply intertwined with
Russian intelligence, and remains under sanction by the United States.
Federal
and congressional investigators are now examining what exactly Mr.
Kushner and the Russian banker, Sergey N. Gorkov, wanted from each
other. The banker is a close associate of Mr. Putin, but he has not been
known to play a diplomatic role for the Russian leader. That has raised
questions about why he was meeting with Mr. Kushner at a crucial moment
in the presidential transition, according to current and former
officials familiar with the investigations.
The New York Times first reported
the meeting between Mr. Kushner and Mr. Gorkov in March, but the White
House at the time did not explain its aim. That article quoted a White
House spokeswoman, Hope Hicks, who said that the meeting came at the
request of the Russian ambassador to the United States, Sergey I.
Kislyak, with whom Mr. Kushner had met earlier in December at Trump
Tower to discuss opening a communications channel with Russian officials
during the presidential transition.
But
the half-hour meeting with Mr. Gorkov since has come under increasing
scrutiny. The current and former American officials now say it may have
been part of an effort by Mr. Kushner to establish a direct line to Mr.
Putin outside of established diplomatic channels.
The
meeting came as Mr. Trump was openly feuding with American intelligence
agencies and their conclusion that Russia had tried to disrupt the
presidential election and turn it in his favor.
Poor World! Poor America!
Don't miss these very interesting articles below, please.
The most difficult case in Mrs.Piggle-Wiggle's career
Hello 'Pussy', this is Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle.
You took calls from foreign leaders on unsecured phone lines, without consultung the State Department. We have to change your silly behaviour with a new Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle cure. I know you are the most difficult case in my career - but we have to try everything.......................
Betty MacDonald fan club founder Wolfgang Hampel sent his brilliant thoughts. Thank you so much dear Wolfgang!
Hi Libi, nice to meet you. Can you feel it?
I'm the most powerful leader in the world.
Betty MacDonald: Nothing more to say
Copyright 2016 by Wolfgang Hampel
All rights reserved
Betty MacDonald was sitting on her egg-shaped cloud and listened to a rather strange guy.
He said to his friends: So sorry to keep you waiting. Very complicated business! Very complicated!
Betty said: Obviously much too complicated for you old toupee!
Besides him ( by the way the First Lady's place ) his 10 year old son was bored to death and listened to this 'exciting' victory speech.
The old man could be his great-grandfather.
The boy was very tired and thought: I don't know what this old guy is talking about. Come on and finish it, please. I'd like to go to bed.
Dear 'great-grandfather' continued and praised the Democratic candidate.
He congratulated her and her family for a very strong campaign although he wanted to put her in jail.
He always called her the most corrupt person ever and repeated it over and over again in the fashion of a Tibetan prayer wheel.
She is so corrupt. She is so corrupt. Do you know how corrupt she is?
Betty MacDonald couldn't believe it when he said: She has worked very long and very hard over a long period of time, and we owe her a major debt of gratitude for her service to our country.
Afterwards old toupee praised his parents, wife, children, siblings and friends.
He asked the same question like a parrot all the time:
Where are you? Where are you? Where are you?
I know you are here!
Betty MacDonald answered: No Pussy they are not! They left the country.
They immigrated to Canada because they are very much afraid of the future in the U.S.A. with you as their leader like the majority of all so-called more or less normal citizens.
By the way keep your finger far away from the pussies and the Red Button, please.
I'm going to fly with my egg-shaped cloud to Canada within a minute too.
Away - away - there is nothing more to say!
Daniel Mount wrote a great article about Betty MacDonald and her garden.
We hope you'll enjoy it very much.
I adore Mount Rainier and Betty MacDonald's outstanding descriptions
Can you remember in which book you can find it?
If so let us know, please and you might be the next Betty MacDonald fan club contest winner.
I hope we'll be able to read Wolfgang Hampel's new very well researched stories about Betty MacDonald, Robert Eugene Heskett, Donald Chauncey MacDonald, Darsie Bard, Sydney Bard, Gammy, Alison Bard Burnett, Darsie Beck, Mary Bard Jensen, Clyde Reynolds Jensen, Sydney Cleveland Bard, Mary Alice Bard, Dorothea DeDe Goldsmith, Madge Baldwin, Don Woodfin, Mike Gordon, Ma and Pa Kettle, Nancy and Plum, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle and others - very soon.
It' s such a pleasure to read them.
Let's go to magical Betty MacDonald's Vashon Island.
Betty MacDonald fan club organizer Linde Lund and Betty MacDonald fan club research team share their recent Betty MacDonald fan club research results.
Congratulations! They found the most interesting and important info for Wolfgang Hampel's oustanding Betty MacDonald biography.
I enjoy Bradley Craft's story very much.
Don't miss our Betty MacDonald fan club contests, please.
You can win a never published before Alison Bard Burnett interview by Betty MacDonald fan club founder Wolfgang Hampel.
Good luck!
This CD is a golden treasure because Betty MacDonald's very witty sister Alison Bard Burnett shares unique stories about Betty MacDonald, Mary Bard Jensen, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle and Nancy and Plum.
Wolfgang Hampel's Betty MacDonald and Ma and Pa Kettle biography and Betty MacDonald interviews have fans in 40 countries. I'm one of their many devoted fans.
Many Betty MacDonald - and Wolfgang Hampel fans are very interested in a Wolfgang Hampel CD and DVD with his very funny poems and stories.
We are going to publish new Betty MacDonald essays on Betty MacDonald's gardens and nature in Washington State.
Betty MacDonald fan club honor member Mr. Tigerli is beloved all over the World.
We are so happy that our 'Casanova' is back.
Betty MacDonald fan club founder Wolfgang Hampel
and Betty MacDonald fan club research team are going to share very
interesting info on ' Betty MacDonald and the movie The Egg and I '.
Another rare episode (from March 21 1952) of the short-lived comedy soap opera, "The Egg and I," based on best selling book by Betty MacDonald which also became a popular film.
The series premiered on September 3, 1951, the same day as "Search for Tomorrow," and ended on August 1, 1952.
Although it did well in the ratings, it had difficulty attracting a steady sponsor. This episode features Betty Lynn (later known for her work on "The Andy Griffith Show") as Betty MacDonald, John Craven as Bob MacDonald, Doris Rich as Ma Kettle, and Frank Twedell as Pa Kettle.
Betty MacDonald fan club exhibition will be fascinating with the international book editions and letters by Betty MacDonald.
I can't wait to see the new Betty MacDonald documentary.
Enjoy a great breakfast at the bookstore with Brad and Nick, please.
Have a nice Tuesday,
Mats
Another rare episode (from March 21 1952) of the short-lived comedy soap opera, "The Egg and I," based on best selling book by Betty MacDonald which also became a popular film.
The series premiered on September 3, 1951, the same day as "Search for Tomorrow," and ended on August 1, 1952.
Although it did well in the ratings, it had difficulty attracting a steady sponsor. This episode features Betty Lynn (later known for her work on "The Andy Griffith Show") as Betty MacDonald, John Craven as Bob MacDonald, Doris Rich as Ma Kettle, and Frank Twedell as Pa Kettle.
Betty MacDonald fan club exhibition will be fascinating with the international book editions and letters by Betty MacDonald.
I can't wait to see the new Betty MacDonald documentary.
Enjoy a great breakfast at the bookstore with Brad and Nick, please.
Have a nice Tuesday,
Mats
you can join
Betty MacDonald fan club
Betty MacDonald Society
Vita Magica
Eurovision Song Contest Fan Club
on Facebook
Vita Magica Betty MacDonald event with Wolfgang Hampel, Thomas Bödigheimer and Friedrich von Hoheneichen
Vita Magica
Betty MacDonald
Betty MacDonald fan club
Betty MacDonald fan club on Facebook
Betty MacDonald forum
Wolfgang Hampel - Wikipedia ( English )
Wolfgang Hampel - Wikipedia ( English ) - The Egg and I
Wolfgang Hampel - Wikipedia ( Polski)
Wolfgang Hampel - Wikipedia ( German )
Wolfgang Hampel - LinkFang ( German ) Wolfgang Hampel - Academic ( German )
Wolfgang Hampel - cyclopaedia.net ( German )
Wolfgang Hampel - DBpedia ( English / German )
Wolfgang Hampel - people check ( English )
Wolfgang Hampel - Memim ( English )
Vashon Island - Wikipedia ( German )
Wolfgang Hampel - Monica Sone - Wikipedia ( English )
Wolfgang Hampel - Ma and Pa Kettle - Wikipedia ( English )
Wolfgang Hampel - Ma and Pa Kettle - Wikipedia ( French )
Wolfgang Hampel - Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle - Wikipedia ( English)
Wolfgang Hampel in Florida State University
Betty MacDonald fan club founder Wolfgang Hampel
Betty MacDonald fan club interviews on CD/DVD
Betty MacDonald fan club items
Betty MacDonald fan club items - comments
Betty MacDonald fan club - The Stove and I
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Betty MacDonald fan club organizer Linde Lund
Betty MacDonald fan club organizer Greta Larson
Investigation Turns to Kushner’s Motives in Meeting With a Putin Ally
WASHINGTON — Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law and senior adviser, was looking for a direct line to President Vladimir V. Putin
of Russia — a search that in mid-December found him in a room with a
Russian banker whose financial institution was deeply intertwined with
Russian intelligence, and remains under sanction by the United States.
Federal
and congressional investigators are now examining what exactly Mr.
Kushner and the Russian banker, Sergey N. Gorkov, wanted from each
other. The banker is a close associate of Mr. Putin, but he has not been
known to play a diplomatic role for the Russian leader. That has raised
questions about why he was meeting with Mr. Kushner at a crucial moment
in the presidential transition, according to current and former
officials familiar with the investigations.
The New York Times first reported
the meeting between Mr. Kushner and Mr. Gorkov in March, but the White
House at the time did not explain its aim. That article quoted a White
House spokeswoman, Hope Hicks, who said that the meeting came at the
request of the Russian ambassador to the United States, Sergey I.
Kislyak, with whom Mr. Kushner had met earlier in December at Trump
Tower to discuss opening a communications channel with Russian officials
during the presidential transition.
But
the half-hour meeting with Mr. Gorkov since has come under increasing
scrutiny. The current and former American officials now say it may have
been part of an effort by Mr. Kushner to establish a direct line to Mr.
Putin outside of established diplomatic channels.
The
meeting came as Mr. Trump was openly feuding with American intelligence
agencies and their conclusion that Russia had tried to disrupt the
presidential election and turn it in his favor.
The Senate Intelligence Committee notified the White House in March that it planned to question Mr. Kushner about the meeting.
On
Friday, citing American officials briefed on intelligence reports, The
Washington Post reported that Mr. Kislyak told his superiors in Moscow
that Mr. Kushner had proposed a secret channel
and had suggested using Russian diplomatic facilities in the United
States for the communications. The White House has not denied the Post
report, which specified that Russian communication centers at an embassy
or consulate in the United States were discussed as hosts for the
secure channel.
It
is not clear whether Mr. Kushner saw the Russian banker as someone who
could be repeatedly used as a go-between or whether the meeting with Mr.
Gorkov was designed to establish a direct, secure communications line
to Mr. Putin.
The
reasons the parties wanted a communications channel, and for how long
they sought it, are also unclear. Several people with knowledge of the
meeting with Mr. Kislyak, and who defended it, have said it was
primarily to discuss how the United States and Russia could cooperate to
end the civil war in Syria and on other policy issues. They also said
the secure channel, in part, sought to connect Michael T. Flynn, a
campaign adviser who became Mr. Trump’s first national security adviser,
and military officials in Moscow.
Mr. Flynn attended the meeting at Trump Tower with Mr. Kislyak.
Yet
one current and one former American official with knowledge of the
continuing congressional and F.B.I. investigations said they were
examining whether the channel was meant to remain open, and if there
were other items on the meeting’s agenda, including lifting sanctions
that the Obama administration had imposed on Russia in response to
Moscow’s annexation of Crimea and its aggression in Ukraine.
During
the Trump administration’s first week, administration officials said
they were considering an executive order to unilaterally lift the
sanctions, which bar Americans
from providing financing to and could limit borrowing from Mr. Gorkov’s
bank, Vnesheconombank. Removing the sanctions would have greatly
expanded the bank’s ability to do business in the United States.
In
a statement on Monday, Ms. Hicks said that “Mr. Kushner was acting in
his capacity as a transition official” in meeting with the Russians. Mr.
Kushner has agreed to be interviewed by congressional investigators
about the meetings, she said.
In
March, Mr. Gorkov said in a statement that his December meeting with
Mr. Kushner was part of the bank’s strategy to discuss promising trends
and sectors with influential financial institutions in Europe, Asia and
the United States. That statement said he met with representatives of
“business circles of the U.S., including with the head of Kushner
Companies, Jared Kushner.” At the time, Mr. Kushner was still running
the company, which is his family’s real estate business.
Vnesheconombank
has not responded to questions about which other financial institutions
and business leaders Mr. Gorkov met with while in the United States.
Trying
to set up secret communications with Mr. Putin in the weeks after the
election would not be illegal. Still, it is highly unusual to try to
establish channels with a foreign leader that did not rely on the
government’s own communications, which are secure and allow for a record
of contacts to be created.
But
the Trump transition was unique in its unwillingness to use the
government’s communications lines and briefing material for its dealings
with many foreign governments, partly because of concern that Obama
administration officials might be monitoring the calls.
In
addition, Mr. Kushner disclosed none of his contacts with Russians or
any other foreign officials when he applied for his security clearance
in January. He later amended the form to include several meetings,
including those with Mr. Kislyak and Mr. Gorkov, but it is unclear
whether he told the investigators who conducted his background check
about the attempts to set up a back channel. His aides have said his
omissions from the clearance form were accidental.
The
meeting with Mr. Gorkov is now being scrutinized by the F.B.I. as part
of its investigation into alleged Russian attempts to disrupt last
year’s presidential campaign, and whether any of Mr. Trump’s advisers
assisted in such efforts.
His
bank is controlled by members of Mr. Putin’s government, including
Prime Minister Dmitri A. Medvedev. It also has long been intertwined
with Mr. Putin’s inner circle: It has been used by the Russian
government to bail out oligarchs close to Mr. Putin, and has helped fund
the Russian president’s pet projects, such as the Winter Olympics in
Sochi in 2014.
Vnesheconombank
has also been used by Russian intelligence to plant spies in the United
States. In March 2016, an agent of Russia’s foreign intelligence
service, known as the S.V.R., who was caught posing as an employee of the bank in New York, pleaded guilty to spying against the United States.
The
spy, said Preet Bharara, then the United States attorney in Manhattan,
was under “the guise of being a legitimate banker, gathered intelligence
as an agent of the Russian Federation in New York.”
Mr.
Gorkov is a graduate of the academy of the Federal Security Service of
Russia, a training ground for Russian spies. Though current and former
Americans said it was unlikely that Mr. Gorkov is an active member of
Russian intelligence, they said his past ties to the security services
in Moscow were a reason he was put in charge of the bank.
In March, both CNN and the Post columnist David Ignatius reported that Mr. Kushner had met with Mr. Gorkov because he wanted the most direct possible contact with Mr. Putin.
But
days earlier, responding to questions from The Times about the meetings
with Mr. Kislyak and Mr. Gorkov, Ms. Hicks said the meetings were part
of an effort by Mr. Kushner to improve relations between the United
States and Russia, and to identify areas of possible cooperation.
After
the first meeting with Mr. Kislyak, she said at the time, the Russian
ambassador asked for a follow-up discussion to “deliver a message.” Mr.
Kushner sent Avrahm Berkowitz, a longtime associate and now a White
House aide. At that session, Mr. Kislyak told Mr. Berkowitz that he
wanted Mr. Kushner to meet Mr. Gorkov, Ms. Hicks said.
Ms.
Hicks did not say at the time why Mr. Kislyak had wanted to arrange a
meeting between Mr. Kushner and Mr. Gorkov. But she said then that
during Mr. Kushner’s meeting with Mr. Gorkov, there was no discussion
about the Kushner company’s business or about American sanctions against
Russian entities like Vnesheconombank.
Continue reading the main story
Trump and Obama Visited Europe. One Got a Warm Welcome.
BERLIN — The contrast could not have been more stark.
Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany
started Thursday in Berlin with the 44th president — the one she has
called “dear Barack.” She spent the afternoon in Brussels with the 45th,
Donald J. Trump, whose election she greeted with a stern reminder to respect shared values like equality and freedom.
Mr.
Obama was in Berlin to help celebrate 500 years since Martin Luther’s
Reformation, and received a rock-star welcome from tens of thousands at
the Brandenburg Gate. It was all bonhomie, waves and warm words, as the
former president praised Ms. Merkel’s “outstanding work, not just here
but around the world,” particularly with refugees.
Barely two hours later, Ms. Merkel was among the European leaders who greeted Mr. Trump coolly at NATO
headquarters in Brussels, where few casual words, let alone warm ones,
were exchanged, as the new American president once again castigated
allies for not paying their fair share of bills.
For
Europeans, the juxtaposition served as an unavoidable reminder of the
contrasts between the men — their personal styles, their relations with
America’s allies and the values and priorities they embody.
It
was also a demonstration, however coincidental, of the political shadow
boxing that has found an unlikely arena in Europe, the new center of
the contest between liberal democracy and far-right populism.
While
Mr. Obama is the leader Europe prefers, Mr. Trump’s sudden ascendance
has been seen as a challenge to America’s commitment to Europe, both its
unity and its security, as well as the values that underpin the Western
alliance.
The
impression was underscored once again on Thursday when Mr. Trump
demurred from explicitly endorsing America’s commitment to NATO’s
principle of collective defense.
Neither
president has remained aloof from Europe’s politics as the stakes have
mounted this year with critical elections that have so far beaten back
the far-right populism that helped thrust Mr. Trump to power last year.
Each
man has, in fact, made his preferences clear at important moments in a
kind of political proxy war. Mr. Obama, who remains wildly popular in
Europe, was not shy about weighing in on France’s presidential race and
endorsing the centrist reformer Emmanuel Macron, the winner.
Mr. Trump, on the other hand, lauded Mr. Macron’s far-right opponent, Marine Le Pen, and posted a message on Twitter saying a terror attack in Paris in April would “have a big effect on presidential election!” Ultimately it did not.
For
European leaders like Ms. Merkel, striking a balance between coaxing
Mr. Trump into a deeper understanding with America’s traditional allies,
while remaining true to their own political principles, is proving to
be tricky.
German
government officials say Ms. Merkel telephoned Mr. Trump when it became
clear she would meet both presidents on the same day, to dispel any
impression of a slight.
But
the coincidence of scheduling — Mr. Obama’s invitation was issued a
year ago, though accepted only last month — nonetheless presented Ms.
Merkel with an opportunity for her to demonstrate that both sides need
each other, and to show voters at home that she is a world leader as she
campaigns for a fourth term.
“It
is wonderful timing for her, a combination of good luck and good
strategizing,” said Jan Techau of the Richard Holbrooke Forum at the
American Academy in Berlin.
She
was with Mr. Obama, “the good American who everyone is already
missing,” and then with President Trump, “the other America which needs
to be dealt with. And that is what is so crucial — of course she needs
the relationship with Trump, but she can relativize that with pictures
with Obama at the church meeting,” Mr. Techau added.
Yet, in Brussels, there were no evident breakthroughs.
As
for Mr. Obama, usually trips by ex-leaders generate little public
interest and consist of collecting obscure awards, like the media prize
Mr. Obama was due to accept in the German spa town of Baden-Baden later
on Thursday.
But
while Mr. Obama has generally avoided making overtly political
statements during his travels, his every movement, gesture and word have
become objects of scrutiny at a highly politicized time.
Mr.
Obama took his first step back onto the world stage earlier this month,
at a food and technology conference in Milan, where he sprinkled his
political stardust on Matteo Renzi, the center-left former Italian prime
minister who is hoping for a comeback.
The
themes and settings of this week scarcely spelled neutrality, or
reserve, analysts noted. “The entire week is more about symbolism than
it is about substance,” Mr. Techau said. “It is state theater at the
highest level.”
Mr.
Obama did not mention Mr. Trump once during his 90-minute appearance in
Berlin. But he did take some veiled swipes, noting, for instance, that
when dealing with migration, “we can’t hide behind a wall,” alluding to
Mr. Trump’s plan to build a wall along the Mexican border.
In Brussels, Ms. Merkel, was similarly discreet as she unveiled a piece of the Berlin Wall, whose fall in November 1989 marked NATO’s triumph in the Cold War against the Soviets.
“To find convincing answers for the future,” she said, “it is good to know what we achieved in the past.”
Mr.
Trump, the New Yorker, presented a large chunk of the North Tower of
the World Trade Center where the first hijacked plane made impact on
Sept. 11, 2001, leading NATO allies for the first time to invoke the
collective defense clause, Article V, which European leaders were hoping Mr. Trump would endorse.
Instead,
Mr. Trump wasted no time in reminding Europeans that most of them are
not paying their way in defense, and that this is “not fair” to the
American taxpayer.
While
the atmosphere in Brussels was tense, in Berlin Germans and foreigners
exulted in the chance to see and hear Mr. Obama live.
Austin
Joseph, 27, a native of Atlanta, said he left the United States two
days after Mr. Trump’s election and swiftly settled in Berlin. “They
talked to each other with decency and respect,” he said after Mr.
Obama’s appearance with Ms. Merkel. “That is what we need more of
nowadays.”
The very different sentiments evoked by Mr. Trump are equally clear.
“Donald
Trump is not capable of being President of the U.S.A.,” wrote Klaus
Brinkbäumer, the editor of Der Spiegel, in an extended editorial in the
current issue.
The
45th president is neither intellectually nor morally equipped for the
job, he wrote. “Trump must be removed from the White House. Fast. He is a
danger for the world.”
A version of this article appears in print on May 26, 2017, on Page A10 of the New York edition with the headline: Welcoming Trump and Obama to Europe Presents a Study in Contrasts. Leaks: A Uniquely American Way of Annoying the Authorities
WASHINGTON
— British leaders were infuriated this week when the name of the
Manchester concert bomber was disclosed by American officials, and
further outraged when The New York Times ran investigators’ photographs of the bomb remnants.
After Prime Minister Theresa May complained bitterly to President
Trump, he denounced the leaks on Thursday and vowed to find and punish
the leakers.
But when it comes to keeping secrets, Mr. Trump is hardly a model.
He blithely passed on to the Russians sensitive counterterrorism intelligence from Israel
— and publicly seemed to confirm the breach after his staff denied it.
Speaking by phone to the widely scorned president of the Philippines,
Rodrigo Duterte, Mr. Trump revealed the presence of two nuclear submarines off North Korea, a highly unusual disclosure.
Is there something particularly American about leaking? Some national allergy to protecting government secrets?
Yes,
in fact, there is. And whether you denounce that as a dangerous trait
or accept it as an underpinning of democracy, it is unlikely to change,
according to a range of former officials and students of government
secrecy.
“To
sum up what distinguishes the United States in a nutshell: It’s the
First Amendment,” said Steven Aftergood, the director of the Project on
Government Secrecy at the Federation of American Scientists. “The
concept of a free press has been integral to the American idea since its
inception. That’s not true even of other democracies. The press here
even has the right to be irresponsible, which it sometimes is.”
The
contrast with Britain, despite the shared democratic heritage, is
particularly stark. Instead of the First Amendment, the British have the
Official Secrets Act,
which allows the government to ban in advance the publication of
government secrets and prescribes punishments not just for leakers, but
also for the journalists who publish the information.
Despite
an unprecedented string of prosecutions for leaks under the Obama
administration and a pledge on Thursday by Mr. Trump’s attorney general,
Jeff Sessions, to end “these rampant leaks that undermine our national
security,” unauthorized disclosures of secrets are far more common in
Washington than in London.
“I’m
trying to think of a scandal over a leak from the intelligence service
here, and I can’t think of one,” said John Lloyd, a veteran British
journalist and a founder of the Reuters Institute for the Study of
Journalism at Oxford University. “The culture of ‘you don’t need to know
this’ hangs around in the U.K.”
He
added that the F.B.I., the C.I.A., and in recent years even the
National Security Agency had been far more open and involved in the
political fray than their buttoned-up counterparts in Britain, known
respectively as MI5, MI6 and Government Communications Headquarters.
Mr.
Lloyd said the countersecrecy culture in the United States was shaped
not only by the First Amendment, but also by the “quite radical”
interpretation by the Supreme Court in the 1971 Pentagon Papers case,
which prohibited the government from ordering that leaked information
not be published.
In that case, Max Frankel, who was then The Times’s Washington bureau chief, laid out in an affidavit a classic statement of the journalists’ position on leaks.
“Without the use of ‘secrets,’” wrote Mr. Frankel, who later became the
newspaper’s top editor, “there could be no adequate diplomatic,
military and political reporting of the kind our people take for
granted, either abroad or in Washington.”
For
British journalists, Mr. Lloyd said, “probing into dark corners of the
state here really takes its inspiration from the U.S.”
In
the case of the Manchester bombing, Greater Manchester Police officials
were angry when the name of the suspected bomber, Salman Abedi, leaked
from the United States even before the coroner could match an
identification card found at the scene to the bomber’s body, according
to a British intelligence official.
The
official said investigators feared that publishing Mr. Abedi’s name
might prompt relatives and possible co-conspirators to evade the police,
though that appears not to have happened. (It hardly needs saying,
given British law, that the official spoke on the condition of anonymity
even to explain British anger about the leaks.)
The
Times’s posting on Wednesday of the photographs of the bomb components,
including a battery and scraps of what seemed to be a backpack,
compounded the investigators’ frustration, the official said. Those
photographs bore a stamp saying “Restricted Circulation — Official Use
Only,” a designation below “secret” and used in routine government
business.
Across
the American political spectrum, officials expressed sympathy for the
British complaints. Mr. Trump called the leaks “deeply troubling,” and
Representative Adam Schiff of California, the top Democrat on the House
Intelligence Committee, said that “the British government has every
right to be furious.”
John
McLaughlin, a former acting director of the C.I.A., said he did not
blame the British for temporarily halting routine intelligence sharing
in response to the leaks. “It’s particularly damaging in a terrorism
case,” he said.
But
beyond such reactions to the current furor, the larger story of America
and leaks is more complicated, especially since the 2001 terrorist
attacks.
Only
because of illegal leaks of classified information did the public
initially learn of the C.I.A.’s secret prisons and use of torture, the
N.S.A.’s eavesdropping without court orders and the details of American
drone strikes. Barack Obama ran for president in part against what he
considered the excesses of counterterrorism programs under George W.
Bush, as disclosed by leaks — but Mr. Obama’s administration then
prosecuted far more leakers than all previous presidents combined.
In
his short tenure, Mr. Trump may already have exceeded his predecessor’s
contradictions. On the campaign trail, he cheered on the leak of
Democratic emails, declaring, “I love WikiLeaks.” Those emails were
unclassified, but WikiLeaks has published hundreds of thousands of
classified American documents.
In
office, Mr. Trump has regularly fulminated against leaks, especially
those about the F.B.I. and congressional investigations of contacts
between his associates and Russia. “The real story here is why are there
so many illegal leaks coming out of Washington?” he asked on Twitter in February.
But
the president shocked the Israelis by sharing highly sensitive
information with visiting Russian officials about an Islamic State plot.
After his aides refused to confirm that the source of the intelligence
was Israel, Mr. Trump appeared to do so by publicly assuring Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, “I never mentioned the word or
the name Israel.”
Similarly,
when the Philippines released a transcript of a call between Mr.
Duterte and Mr. Trump, some military officials were dismayed to see that
the American president had discussed the general location of two
nuclear submarines, part of a stealthy Navy force called “the Silent
Service.” As in his meeting with the Russian foreign minister and
ambassador, Mr. Trump’s motive appeared to be boasting of American
abilities: “We have a lot of firepower over there,” he said, calling the
submarines “the best in the world.”
Gabriel Schoenfeld, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and the author of a 2010 book, “Necessary Secrets: National Security, the Media, and the Rule of Law,”
said he saw no public benefit in getting ahead of British
investigators, and agreed with Mrs. May’s condemnation of the bombing
investigation leaks.
But as for the American president’s complaints about leakers, he said, “I think Trump is monumentally hypocritical.”
Mr.
McLaughlin, the former C.I.A. official, said that Mr. Trump was
“clearly unaccustomed to dealing with classified information,” and
added, “That’s something we all have to learn — what you can say and
what you have to hold back.”
On the other hand, Mr. McLaughlin said: “We shouldn’t make excuses for him. He’s president, for God’s sake.”
11 Completely Absurd Reasons To Love Washington
Yes, Washington is breathtakingly beautiful… and our scenery is diverse… and our produce is second to none. That being said, when you live in the Evergreen State long enough, you start to love it for its quirks. You develop quite a sense of humor about your home, and when people ask what you adore so much about it, you can hardly contain yourself.Even if you don’t agree with these 11 reasons to love Washington, you must admit they’re valid, if not a bit silly.
Although this mythical creature has
never been proven real, there are tons of reported Bigfoot sightings in
Washington. We like to keep the mystery alive.
How many years has DMB played at
The Gorge on Labor Day weekend? 10? 20? It's hard to remember due to all
the fun (and the contact highs) of the weekend.
We really know how to keep the doctor away here.
No matter how many games the
Mariners lose in a row, we will be there. We love our Sounders, and we
love our Hawks. Don't even get us started on the Sonics.
Have you ever seen the Hoh? It's incredible.
"High" fives to Colorado, who joined us that year.
Humptulips. Tokeland. Puyallup. Nooksack. Big Bottom Valley. Need we go on?
The Space Needle was the country's
first revolving restaurant. The world's first soft-serve ice cream
machine was in a Dairy Queen in Olympia. The first Cinnabon opened in
Federal Way, and of course, there's that whole Starbucks thing.
What can we say, we love to get creative with our coffee.
Kay Longhi’s parents, Francis and Patricia Longhi, at their north-end home on Cowan Road in the 1960s. (Courtesy Photo)
Coming Home: Betty MacDonald interview drew Longhis from Chicago
“The federal government came in and claimed eminent domain and declared it wilderness. There were two choices, either have the home torn down and take the money the government gives you, or have the government take it over when the owner dies. Mother put the home in her children’s names, so it’s still there.”
The three-story cabin has no electricity and no running water. It’s tall and skinny, perched on a cliff so her mother could see the water below her.
“For Mother, it was the ultimate solitude,” Longhi said. “It was just about where she wanted to be.”
Betty MacDonald fan club fans,
we share a very special gift by beloved and very popular Betty MacDonald Fan Club Honor member Letizia Mancino.
We know you'll enjoy it as much as we do.
Thanks a Million, dear Letizia Mancino.
You are an outstanding writer and artist.
We are so proud and happy to have you with us.
Letizia writes: One should not underestimate Wolfgang Hampel’s talent in speedily mobilizing Betty MacDonald’s friends.
We agree. Thank you so much dear Wolfgang Hampel for doing this. You founded Betty MacDonald Fan Club with four members.
Now we have members in 40 countries around the world. A dream came true.
Mary Holmes did an excellent job in translating this great story.
Thank you so much dear Mary Holmes.
We are really very grateful.
All the best to Letizia, Wolfgang and Mary and to all Betty MacDonald Fan Club fans from all over the world!
Lenard
Following in Betty’s footsteps in Seattle:
or some small talk with Betty
Copyright 2011/2016 by Letizia Mancino
All rights reserved
translated by Mary Holmes
We were going to Canada in the summer. “When we are in Edmonton”, I said to Christoph Cremer, “let’s make a quick trip to Seattle”. And that’s how it happened. At Edmonton Airport we climbed into a plane and two hours later we landed in the city where Betty had lived. I was so happy to be in Seattle at last and to be able to trace Betty’s tracks!
Wolfgang Hampel had told Betty’s friends about our arrival.
They were happy to plan a small marathon through the town and it’s surroundings with us. We only had a few days free. One should not underestimate Wolfgang’s talent in speedily mobilizing Betty’s friends, even though it was holiday time. E-mails flew backwards and forwards between Heidelberg and Seattle, and soon a well prepared itinerary was ready for us. Shortly before my departure Wolfgang handed me several parcels, presents for Betty MacDonald's friends. I rushed to pack the heavy gifts in my luggage but because of the extra weight had to throw out a pair of pajamas!
After we had landed we took a taxi to the Hotel in downtown Seattle. I was so curious to see everything. I turned my head in all directions like one of the hungry hens from Betty’s farm searching for food! Fortunately it was quite a short journey otherwise I would have lost my head like a loose screw!
Our hotel room was on the 22nd floor and looked directly out onto the 16-lane highway. There might have been even more than 16 but it made me too giddy to count! It was like a glimpse of hell! “And is this Seattle?” I asked myself. I was horrified! The cars racing by were enough to drive one mad. The traffic roared by day and night.
We immediately contacted Betty MacDonald's friends and let them know we had arrived and they confirmed the times when we should see them.
On the next morning I planned my first excursion tracing Betty’s tracks. I spread out the map of Seattle. “Oh dear” I realized “the Olympic Peninsula is much too far away for me to get there.”
Betty nodded to me! “Very difficult, Letizia, without a car.”
“But I so much wanted to see your chicken farm”
“My chickens are no longer there and you can admire the mountains from a distance”
But I wanted to go there. I left the hotel and walked to the waterfront where the State Ferry terminal is. Mamma mia, the streets in Seattle are so steep! I couldn’t prevent my feet from running down the hill. Why hadn’t I asked for brakes to be fixed on my shoes? I looked at the drivers. How incredibly good they must be to accelerate away from the red traffic lights. The people were walking uphill towards me as briskly as agile salmon. Good heavens, these Americans! I tried to keep my balance. The force of gravity is relentless. I grasped hold of objects where I could and staggered down.
In Canada a friend had warned me that in Seattle I would see a lot of people with crutches.
Betty laughed. “ It’s not surprising, Letizia, walking salmon don’t fall directly into the soft mouth of a bear!”
“ Betty, stop making these gruesome remarks. We are not in Firlands!”
I went further. Like a small deranged ant at the foot of a palace monster I came to a tunnel. The noise was unbearable. On the motorway, “The Alaskan Way Viaduct”, cars, busses and trucks were driving at the speed of light right over my head. They puffed out their poisonous gas into the open balconies and cultivated terraces of the luxurious sky- scrapers without a thought in the world. America! You are crazy!
“Betty, are all people in Seattle deaf? Or is it perhaps a privilege for wealthy people to be able to enjoy having cars so near to their eyes and noses to save them from boredom?”
“When the fog democratically allows everything to disappear into nothing, it makes a bit of a change, Letizia”
“ Your irony is incorrigible, Betty, but tell me, Seattle is meant to be a beautiful city, But where?”
I had at last reached the State Ferry terminal.
“No Madam, the ferry for Vashon Island doesn’t start from here,” one of the men in the ticket office tells me. ”Take a buss and go to the ferry terminal in West Seattle.”
Betty explained to me “The island lies in Puget Sound and not in Elliott Bay! It is opposite the airport. You must have seen it when you were landing!”
“Betty, when I am landing I shut my eyes and pray!”
It’s time for lunch. The weather is beautiful and warm. Who said to me that it always rains here?
“Sure to be some envious man who wanted to frighten you away from coming to Seattle. The city is really beautiful, you’ll see. Stay by the waterfront, choose the best restaurant with a view of Elliott Bay and enjoy it.”
“Thank you Betty!”
I find a table on the terrace of “Elliott’s Oyster House”. The view of the island is wonderful. It lies quietly in the sun like a green fleecy cushion on the blue water.
Betty plays with my words:
“Vashon Island is a big cushion, even bigger than Bainbridge which you see in front of your eyes, Letizia. The islands look similar. They have well kept houses and beautiful gardens”.
I relax during this introduction, “Bainbridge” you are Vashon Island, and order a mineral water.
“At one time the hotel belonging to the parents of Monica Sone stood on the waterfront.”
“Oh, of your friend Kimi!” Unfortunately I forget to ask Betty exactly where it was.
My mind wanders and I think of my mountain hike back to the hotel! “Why is there no donkey for tourists?” Betty laughs:
“I’m sure you can walk back to the hotel. “Letizia can do everything.””
“Yes, Betty, I am my own donkey!”
But I don’t remember that San Francisco is so steep. It doesn’t matter, I sit and wait. The waiter comes and brings me the menu. I almost fall off my chair!
“ What, you have geoduck on the menu! I have to try it” (I confess I hate the look of geoduck meat. Betty’s recipe with the pieces made me feel quite sick – I must try Betty’s favourite dish!)
“Proof that you love me!” said Betty enthusiastically “ Isn’t the way to the heart through the stomach?”
I order the geoduck. The waiter looks at me. He would have liked to recommend oysters.
“Geoduck no good for you!”
Had he perhaps read my deepest thoughts? Fate! Then no geoduck. “No good for me.”
“Neither geoduck nor tuberculosis in Seattle” whispered Betty in my ear!
“Oh Betty, my best friend, you take such good care of me!”
I order salmon with salad.
“Which salmon? Those that swim in water or those that run through Seattle?”
“Betty, I believe you want me to have a taste of your black humour.”
“Enjoy it then, Letizia.”
During lunch we talked about tuberculosis, and that quite spoilt our appetite.
“Have you read my book “The Plague and I”?”
“Oh Betty, I’ve started to read it twice but both times I felt so sad I had to stop again!”
“But why?” asked Betty “Nearly everybody has tuberculosis! I recovered very quickly and put on 20 pounds! There was no talk of me wasting away! What did you think of my jokes in the book?”
“Those would have been a good reason for choosing another sanitorium. I would have been afraid of becoming a victim of your humour! You would have certainly given me a nickname! You always thought up such amusing names!” Betty laughed.
“You’re right. I would have called you “Roman nose”. I would have said to Urbi and Orbi “ Early this morning “Roman nose” was brought here. She speaks broken English, doesn’t eat geoduck but she does love cats.”
“Oh Betty, I would have felt so ashamed to cough. To cough in your presence, how embarrassing! You would have talked about how I coughed, how many coughs!”
“It depends on that “how”, Letizia!”
“Please, leave Goethe quotations out of it. You have certainly learnt from the Indians how to differentiate between noises. It’s incredible how you can distinguish between so many sorts of cough! At least 10!”
“So few?”
”And also your descriptions of the patients and the nurses were pitiless. An artistic revenge! The smallest pimple on their face didn’t escape your notice! Amazing.”
“ I was also pitiless to myself. Don’t forget my irony against myself!”
Betty was silent. She was thinking about Kimi, the “Princess” from Japan! No, she had only written good things about her best friend, Monica Sone, in her book “The Plague and I”. A deep friendship had started in the hospital. The pearl that developed from the illness.
“Isn’t it wonderful, Betty, that an unknown seed can make its way into a mollusk in the sea and develop into a beautiful jewel?” Betty is paying attention.
“Betty, the friendship between you and Monica reminds me of Goethe’s poem “Gingo-Biloba”. You must know it?” Betty nods and I begin to recite it:
The leaf of this Eastern tree
Which has been entrusted to my garden
Offers a feast of secret significance,
For the edification of the initiate.
Is it one living thing.
That has become divided within itself?
Are these two who have chosen each other,
So that we know them as one?
The friendship with Monica is like the wonderful gingo-biloba leaf, the tree from the east. Betty was touched. There was a deep feeling of trust between us.
“Our friendship never broke up, partly because she was in distress, endangered by the deadly illness. We understood and supplemented each other. We were like one lung with two lobes, one from the east and one from the west!”
“A beautiful picture, Betty. You were like two red gingo-biloba leaves!”
Betty was sad and said ” Monica, although Japanese, before she really knew me felt she was also an American. But she was interned in America, Letizia, during the second world war. Isn’t that terrible?”
“Betty, I never knew her personally. I have only seen her on a video, but what dignity in her face, and she speaks and moves so gracefully!”
“Fate could not change her”
“Yes, Betty, like the gingo-biloba tree in Hiroshima. It was the only tree that blossomed again after the atom bomb!”
The bill came and I paid at once. In America one is urged away from the table when one has finished eating. If one wants to go on chatting one has to order something else.
“That’s why all those people gossiping at the tables are so fat!” Betty remarks. “Haven’t you seen how many massively obese people walk around in the streets of America. Like dustbins that have never been emptied!” With this typically unsentimental remark Betty ended our conversation.
Ciao! I so enjoyed the talk; the humour, the irony and the empathy. I waved to her and now I too felt like moving! I take a lovely walk along the waterfront.
Now I am back in Heidelberg and when I think about how Betty’s “Princessin” left this world on September 5th and that in August I was speaking about her with Betty in Seattle I feel very sad. The readers who knew her well (we feel that every author and hero of a book is nearer to us than our fleeting neighbours next door) yes we, who thought of her as immortal, cannot believe that even she would die after 92 years. How unforeseen and unexpected that her death should come four days after her birthday on September 1th. On September 5th I was on my way to Turkey, once again in seventh heaven, looking back on the unforgettable days in Seattle. I was flying from west to east towards the rising sun.
Is this Mr. Tigerli?
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