Page 241 - The Legacy of Abraham Rothstein - text

Letters

friend’s house without being tortured with the television rubbish
which fills everybody’s house in this city. I have a radio just to hear
the news, otherwise you hear again ball games and ball games.
The building I am managing is for sale. Like everybody here, Ben
wants to sell to make a profit. That is what makes rents high: the one
who takes over has to raise the rent. I am not worried about it, as I
have enough Social Security and a little more income to get along
with. Besides, I have tools and know how to do things, and people
look for such men. I have a good place here, although I could get
more money for my ability to handle the job. The rooms that I live in
go for seventy-two dollars a month, which is free, as well as the gas,
electricity, and telephone. For one man it is a good deal.
We have been out to Sharon’s in La Jolla on Chanukah. She has
two nice little boys. Don is working and making a close living like
every wage-earner; art is not a paying trade except for the great and
well-known. My other granddaughter Judy is studious, but not like a
boy, studying designing, cooking, and dressmaking. She has some
talent in designing and drawing, which needs to be developed.
To fill out this sheet of paper, I write about the birthday party I
had last week. It was the first birthday party that I ever had. Not
much fussing or hussing, I just treated my children with a bottle of
good Carmel wine and Hilda furnished a cake. I also gave the first
chapter of my life history to Carmel, which she edited and typed. I
did not feel any change in my being the next day.
Hoping that this missile, which is a harmless one, will find you
well and strong, I remain,
with love,
Abraham Rothstein

P.S. It seems that my fingers are too stubby or the typewriter keys are
too small for the hands of a blacksmith or stonecutter.

Los Angeles Jan. 14 63
My dear Rose and Hannah,

I am late sending you my appreciation and thanks for the
Chanukah gift. Forgive my inefficiency and forgetfulness, a regular

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