Thanks for the Memories

When I was growing up in Salinas, Marsh’s was a familiar part of the entrance to Monterey. I appreciate your recent article [“Back on the Market,” March 31-April 6]. I sent a copy to Tom Rogers, curator of the Filoli mansion in Woodside, CA. Enclosed is his Marsh’s memory [printed below].

Ramona André | Aptos

I used to ride my bike from Salinas to Monterey to visit Mr. Lew’s Oriental Art Shop. I was in 8th grade (1943-45) at Washington Junior High School when I finally had the courage to enter the forbidding gates of Marsh’s. I left my bike outside and entered another world. There were vases taller than I, tables with strange curled ends and beautiful objects set upon them. I was absorbing all I could when a tall lady dressed in a black cheongsam appeared from behind a vase and told me I couldn’t be in the store without my mother or father. I said that I had ridden from Salinas, and that I wouldn’t touch anything. She took me around the store telling me about some of the objects.

In high school, I drove to Marsh’s. The same lady, Miss Johnson, remembered the dirty boy she had frightened so. We explored the store, from Japanese tatami rooms to the porcelain vaults. She showed me furniture, paintings, rare porcelains and jade. Before I left, she opened a tansu and removed three scroll paintings in poor condition. She told me I could buy them for $1 each. I had $2. She wrapped up two, put the third back in the drawer, and I went home with two treasures.

Tom Rogers | Sunnyvale

Do Blame the Pope

Christopher Maxwell’s blindingly stupid letter [Weekly, April 28-May 4] filled me with the fury of a 1,000 beehives erupting in apian rage. I agree with Maxwell that the problems of starvation and “the invasion of our borders” (right wing rhetoric) are troubling. One could, I suppose, blame them for overpopulation. You know, that’s that whole thing about how too many people are furiously giving birth to infants that consume, consume, consume. It’s easy to starve when you’ve got a family of 15 to feed. That might not be such a problem if there was, oh what do we call it, oh yeah, birth control.

I am curious what “the rise of extreme Islam and its warfare” even means. Extremists of any cloth are still extremists and I wouldn’t be so quick to lay all the blame on Islam. Let’s do a little tally and see how many were sent to an early grave for Christianity’s sake.

The last sentence, “Just cross your legs” is probably the most insultingly insipid injunction to ever see in print. Hard to “just cross your legs” when you’re being, say, raped.

Andrew J. Wallace | Carmel Valley

The Yoke of Freedom

I enjoyed the story written by Ryan Masters [“Hiring Kids For War,” April 28-May 4]. However, it seemed as if Mr. Masters might be politically biased. I know that would be unthinkable in the media. However, statements such as, “One young man unwraps his and immediately puts it on. The words ‘United States Marines’ loop around his neck like a yoke. Or a noose,” seem just a bit direct and misleading. Creative, catchy, yet misleading. I am not privy to the current recruiting methods. But in these times—with drugs, abuse, gang violence, etc.—for some this is the way out of those situations, a beacon of hope. The freedoms and rights some in this country take for granted are here because of the men and women who have served and still serve in the military.

Sgt. Christopher Hathaway | National Guard

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