FOR THOSE WITH EYES TO SEE, EARS TO HEAR:

SORRY THE FORMATTING IS A MESS. MY COMPUTER LOST MANY FILES A FEW MINUTES AGO AS WELL AS IT'S MEMORY OF TIME. I'LL FIX THIS SOON.

This is a reply, interspersed between his words, to a potential investor:

Hi Scott:

Is there someplace I could go to determine the value of the Sister Louisa art? No, not really, or at least not easily. And actually, I don't recommend that people who are not fairly well steeped in the arts buy art of any significant cost. The value of this painting rests primarily in its story, a TOTAL intangible -- the opposite of investment in land, gold, diamonds, etc., and a VERY tricky field for the uninitiated. I think this painting is really meant for someone else.

I've looked around a bit, and can't find much on how his art has increased in value. I'm not so fond of the one you want $3000 for (I do not particularly like its dark colors. I bought it as an investment.), but I do sort of like the Last Supper version. I LOVE that painting, and if you go for what I eventually propose after making notes within your words, I'll add an OPTION that you can buy it for what I paid for it, $266.60 + $85.00 to cover shipping by my friend in GA who has it in safekeeping. It would come packed and shipped FedEx, and I've added a little to help cover my friend's cost. She's a now-single woman who is raising five foster children -- a person of the very highest calibre!!!

I notice he tends to sell his stuff on his website fairly cheap -- $66.60 for example gets most of his stuff. I'm sure that certain pieces are worth more. Grant hasn't updated his site in years that I can tell, except that if you click on a lot of the paintings you will find many have actually been sold. Most of what is on the website is junk compared to what he has in his gallery. In his gallery, he has 4 or 5 price points., but nearly everything falls into 3: $266.60, $166.00, and $133.xx. If you go to the end of the pages on his site, you'll find two paintings for $3,000.00 each. Why Hollis Gillespie has not bought the original of the cover of her book is a complete mystery to me. I suspect she's just cheap and holding out for Grant to give her the painting The two of them are best friends (and I DO strongly recommend Hollis's books, which can be bought on Amazon and at finer book stores.

I still think you are a nice guy (This implies that someone or something is conspiring to change your mind about me. Say it isn't so!!!) - by your own admission in the past, suffering from the demons that bipolarisim often brings. I also admit to believing, in the past, ONLY, that anyone who leaves the Catholic Church will go straight to hell without passing GO when they die.The Church and my mother both taught me this. It is AMAZING to me: the things we all believed in the Past!

As the father of two bipolar kids, I recognize that you are off on a trip that the rest of us can't go along on right now (I would say "that some of the rest of us do not chose to take now." Also, and I believe this is important: No one needs to have two bipolar children to share your perspective. I'm certain I could prove this.) but it doesn't make you a bad or evil person (I naturally agreed with your judgment, but do not accept the judgment of anyone but God. I got this idea from Jesus, my fave Jewish teacher.), or even necessarily crazy (I like to claim I am crazy -- but not insane. LOL!!!).

Hopefully all of the people in your life that care about you are smart enough to recognize this, and are patient enough to help you over this hill. I had really hoped that you would have conceded the one point I have so ineffectively demanded from a few of those who have known me over time and seem to claim a right to control me: STOP THAT!!! The US Constitution guarantees the rights of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Currently, the Constitution is being used as an image to hypnotize people so that those actually in control can exploit the general public's addictions to ideas, drugs, sex, or other things, and then these same people sell the public these addictive substances (tangible or not) in a spiral that has all but wiped out the middle class. I had become a serious danger to these people. For the sake of unfair simplicity, let's call them "Republicans."

This is why I had absolutely no choice but to flee the United States (or the "United Snakes," as they are known, locally).

The only help I have requested is for cash to help me through a temporary low spot. And I make exceedingly profitable deals for those of faith. I don't NEED the money. I am ALWAYS given (often through the most surprising ways), my Daily Bread.

I'm not unwilling (I just ADORE double negatives -- they provide shades of meaning impossible through simple positive or negative.) to help you out a bit in the short term, fully understanding that I may not see a single dime back. TRUE!!! All things in life worth having or doing involve risk. It may end up I just make a car payment or two for you - much of the Sister Louisa stuff doesn't appeal to me, but one or two pieces are at least interesting. I'd have to put them under canvas ("wrap(s)" would be a better word here because "canvas" is often used interchangeably with "painting.") when half my family visits. :)

Did a little reading on your family ("distant family," I presume.). We have a lot of things in common. Unfortunately, my family were peasants (this description, "peasants," fits my immediate family. We had no money in the past, but station in life depends on level of consciousness, not money. In that regard, unfortunately, my immediate family DEFINES "peasants.") and didn't enjoy the luxury of money (Money is not a luxury -- you cannot pay your bills or buy food without it. It is not the "root of all evil." The root of all evil is the perceived lack of money, and the idea that money is an undeserved or unexpected luxury creates personal peasanthood.), but they did settle the Everglades in the early 1920's. I was raised steeped in the lore of Henry Flagler and all of the wonders of early Florida. (See, you are RICH!!! Tales of wonder and adventure enrich our souls more than anything else. I'm so PRIVILEGED to be a writer!!!) Have driven by the Flagler Museum many times, have relatives who live nearby, but have never had the opportunity to visit. I feel I must be blunt: Your last clause is a bold-faced lie.

Again - my preferred email is xxxxxxxxx.com. I'm no longer receiving emails at my work address (You don't explain -- and maybe it's not my business -- but if you were laid off or fired, I'm sorry to hear it. You deserve better anyway. From what you told me of your responsibilities and compensation, they should have been paying you a lot higher salary!!!) - and wouldn't have gotten this one except that Jonetta forwarded it to me.

Any more pictures of Fernando? Yes, but they are on the chip which is in the camera which I accidentally left at Padrino (Godfather) Hector's ranch in Mezcales, last I was there for a meeting. I'll retrieve it soon and send you a few.

With much care and concern, I do understand what you call your "concern," but what have you or are you taking care of or with? I like to take great care with language, but then, I'm a Tennessee-Williams-trained writer, Praise Jesus!!! (A very select few will now fully get the implication of these last two-words. Jaw-dropping truth: He's already come and gone. Sorry if you missed him. A few of us didn't.)

Dan

Now, if I haven't totally pissed you off, I think the car-payment deal is the best one for you. FULL DISCLOSURE: In addition, this would include any late fee due this month -- probably about $25 or so -- and the "convenience fee" of $15 for making payment by phone. if you decide to continue with the payments (or pay the balance in a lump sum) and receive the $100,000.00 credit bonus only six months after beginning this process, or as soon as the car is paid off -- whichever comes first, I'm sure we can figure out how to avoid that damn phone-payment fee. You MUST commit to a minimum of two payments, and as I said, I'll throw in the "Last Supper" painting by Sister Louisa for a total of $351.60.

You must get back to me within 36 hours saying you accept, if you do. After that, if you have not accepted, I'll make the offer again to others. If you accept, I'll quickly send you info on how to send moneys to GMAC and possibly me as well.

Have a Swell-o Day!!!
Scott