4 March, 1964
Dear Peter:
Thank you for your letter. I am sorry that things are not going as well as you had hoped with your house, and hope that your builder is able to finish things satisfactorily. It will be quite a change from that little flat to the house. Our house is getting a little tight for three kids; if we weren't leaving soon I would remodel the basement so that one or two of the kids could have their room there. Of course, with the onset of the warmer seasons the basement here will be useable as a play room, which is nice.
Today is a nice March day.......this morning it was pouring rain, and now, tea time, it is sunny with scattered clouds. Right now I can look out of my window and see the afternoon sun on the lake, and on the bank across the lake.
A girl I know, one of our departmental secretaries, is going off on a European jaunt later this month. She is flying to London, and then continuing on by train, bus, and hitch-hike. I guess she is going to travel about for three months or so, then she is going to the Pyrenees (That doesn't look right, but I mean the mountains between France and Spain) to do an undergraduate research project in Anthropology. She is part time secretary, part time undergraduate. Anyway, she will probably look you up, and seek advice about how to get the most out of London on a slim budget. She is quite fun. Anyway, I think that she is flying over on the 28th. Her mane is Barbara Kerr. Her mane is auburn; her name is Barbara Kerr.
I don't know what the future holds. I agree that the possible sites of employment I have mentioned have inherent drawbacks, but I think that they have advantages as well. For many reasons the Santa Barbara location appeals to me. The climate is nice, the University is good, it is reasonably close to Grandparents, especially Lucy's family, who don't get to see the children often. I do not frankly feel that Mom and Pop being there would affect our lives much. For one thing, I do not expect them to spend much time there. I will be surprised if they spend more than, say, one third of their time in Santa Barbara, and I would guess that 20% is a more likely estimate. Unfortunately, the job has more teaching than I would like to do. But in the last analysis I doubt that I will get it, since probably there are gobs of microbiologists who would like to go there. The Hawaii thing is another matter. It is a good position, with very little teaching (one one semester course), and that in my immediate field. The drawbacks are, I think, twofold. The university there has been traditionally pretty punk, and it is a little early to tell how effectively the recent administrative shakeups will improve the place. Of course, the second possible drawback is that Linus is there. I just don't know how to evaluate that on my decision. When I told Linus I was considering applying for the job he sounded pleased. I just don't know. I suspect that I have a good chance of getting the job, too, judging from the last letter I got from them.
I must admit that there are certain attractions to Hawaii, at least for a few years duration. I suppose that one might tire of the environment after a while, and it may be better to do as Linus does, that is, go away every so often for a while. Unfortunately I can't see the way to do that as extensively as Linus. Oh well, time will tell.
Much love from Crellin
Lucy hasn't forgiven you for your drawing.
March
4, 1964
