[Editor’s note: These letters were transcribed by Lori Wortham. The editors gratefully acknowledge her invaluable assistance.
[Other than corrections for clarity, the original spellings have been retained.]
Undated handwritten letter from Ron Sines to parents
Dear Mom, Dad, and Grandma
I send my most sincere and deep love. We are going to miss grandpa very much. He was such a good man. Grandpa is now experiencing one of the most peaceful and harmonious plans of consciousness you could ever imagine. He is truly reaping what he has sown. Goodness makes Goodness.
I would like to come down Tuesday but I am committed to many places. My job with the janitorial service is very hard to get away from since there is only me and the owner to run the business. I may be starting another job, grave yard shift at a Stop and Go Market in Ukiah Monday. Most important of all I am now a science teacher for six grammar school children. I never new teaching could be so rewarding. I have been setting up 3 or 4 experiments for them to do and observe each week.
Please don’t think I am working to much. Even with all this I have more than enough time to relax. As far as that goes I can not remember the last time I wasn’t relaxed, so don’t worry.
I still don’t know about coming down Christmas. I will have to wait and see what my schedule will be.
The weather here has really been unusual. We got about 4 inches of
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snow last week. It was only the second time I have ever been in a snow storm. Saturday it got down to 10° f. Al are water pipes froze. One are [our] hot water pipes broke, but everything is fine now. Out place is insulated pretty good against the cold weather. Everybody that has lived up here all there lives says it is the coldest it has ever gotten. I am glad to hear that. I like colder weather much more then even warmer weather, but 10° was just a bit to cold for me.
Hope you hear from you all soon.
Love and Peace, Ron
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Handwritten letter from Ron Sines to parents, October 19, 1972
Oct 19-72
Dear Mom and Dad,
Sorry I haven’t written you, but I have been very busy, up to 2 or 3 o’clock most every nite. Its great up here.
We are now living permanently in Redwood Valley. Our address is P.O. Box 4, Redwood Valley. Tele. 707-485-7993. It a one bedroom house, $75.00 a month. It is on about two acres. All you can see is trees and mountains and a trailer in the distance, in which no one lives. We both have jobs. Debbie is making redwood furniture and I am helping another man run his janitorial service.
Truth seeking is the only way to live. No one will ever be content in life if they do nothing but seek ways to feel physically good, it can not be done. Like spending you time doing things for yourself. It is so simple. If you can remember the last time you really helped someone, surely you can remember the love that you felt inside of you. Now imagine how much greater LOVE you would feel if you spent your full time
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bringing joy to discontented hearts. It is so simple.
I could go on and talk about all that we have been doing physically but the reality of life is in your mind. Not in going to a park, riding a bus, swimming in the ocean. Sure they are fun but you can not really enjoy them until you have found peace of mind. And to get this you must not just think of others well-being, but you must do something for another. Not hoping to get something in return but just for the joy it give you to see their gentle smile.
I could go on and on but I think I may be boring you. I love you both more than you could imagine.
With all my love,
Ron and Deb.
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Handwritten letter from Ron Sines to parents, February 28, 1973
Feb – 28 – 73
Dear Mom & Dad,
How are you? Thanks for your gifts. The shirts fit just fine. It is so hard to find time to write. I am working part-time as a janitor for the school district. It is really a relaxing job. I am also working part-time at construction. I am learning how to wire, tape drywall, plumbing, framing, install septic tanks, etc. In the evenings I tutor and work as a teachers aid. It is so good to working for something other than yourself. Truly giving is the greatest joy of life.
I am planning on starting 10-12 new bee hives this spring. They have a new variety that does not sting and produce 1 ½ times more honey that I am going to try.
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Have you looked into my vacation money (local #1506).
By the way & if you have time could you call several feed dealers and see how good of a price you could get for dog food. Everyone up here has dogs and cats – to there ears. Dog food is expensive up here. Maybe we could bring it back on the bus. If you call tell them you want to by it by the ton in 100 lb or 50 lbs sacks. You would be saving the church a tremendous amount of money. Also see about cat food. (4 or 5 hundred pounds at a time).
I may not write often but I think of both of you often. I love you both ever so dearly.
Love and Peace,
Ron
P.S. My fed Inc Tax has not come yet.
P.S. put grandma’s envelope in bigger envelope and mail to her. Thank You.
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Handwritten letter from Ron Sines to parents, June 8, 1973
June 8-73
Dear Mon & Dad,
How are things with you. We have been very busy lately haven’t be able to write. In fact I am writing this at work. My job is full time now with the school district. I am custodian at a church run by the district for 1 hour, and at the District office for 3 hours, and 4 hours at a local elementary school. My hours are from 3-11 p.m. On June 13, then they will be change[d] to 12-8:00 p.m.
Debbie is still at her job. She doesn’t mind it. Nancy is giving notice today and is changing to another hospital. It pays 30¢ more an hour.
Our garden is in and its doing great. We have corn, summer squash, lemon cucumber, egg plant, okra, 50 strawberry plants, tomatoes, bell peppers, aniheim [Anaheim] peppers, broccoli, brussels [sprouts], carrots, beets, onions, garlic, 3 kinds of watermelon, cantelope, and lettuce. I think that is all.
We are all looking forward to seeing you and Cindi the 25th. When you get to Ukiah call us. It would be easier for us and you if we came
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and showed you to our home. Write and tell us about what time of you plan on arriving. There is usually someone at home all day.
If you have room could you bring 5 sacks of chicken fertilizer from the chicken ranch in front of Bellflower High. If you don’t have time or room don’t worry it isn’t that important.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Oh yes, I received my form to apply for my vacation pay. Thanks.
Peace and Love to both of you.
Ron
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Handwritten letter from Ron Sines to parents, August 1977
Aug 77
(1st letter from Guyana)
Dear Mom and Dad,
How is everything. I bet you’re glad to be back from Texas.
I told you I would write when I arrived. We’re at an agricultural Mission, Jonestown, South America. I have never seen such a beautiful place. It’s so pleasant, the tropical breeze, tropical fruits – everything is so calm and peaceful here. I have over 50 different hardwood available here to work with. I have been making furniture, cabinets, and doors.
We have all decided to stay here and live. My sinuses have cleared up completely – first time in over 10 years. Miss you both. Maybe you can come visit us sometime.
I love you both dearly,
Ron
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Undated handwritten letter from Ron Sines to parents, from Guyana
Dear Mom and Dad,
How is everything going? Dad – are you working in town now? Are you spending a lot of time at the cabin now that your back from Texas?
We all couldn’t be happier here in Guyana. The people are friendly everywhere. The weather is fantastic – always in the 70’s and lower 80’s with a constant cool breeze. The plants in the jungle are the same as the house plants you find at all the nurseries in the States. Every plant I can remember seeing in the nurseries I have seen here – and many many more. We have a variety of frogs here that get a big as chickens – we call them “Chicken Frogs” – they also sound much like a chicken.
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Debbie is helping with the children teaching crafts and tutoring in the 3 R’s. She loves it. I [have] been spending most my time making furniture and learning new techniques of furniture construction. It have become very challenging to me – first time I have really enjoyed working. I just finished making a small dinning set for infants to learn to eat on. – 2 octagon tables with sixteen chairs. The hardwoods here make beautiful furniture. One variety I especially like to work with is a deep purple. It’s called “purple heart”.
Let me know what you are both doing now? I will write you again soon.
I love you both dearly,
Ron
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Undated handwritten letter from Debbie Sines to Ron’s parents
Dear Barbara & Paul
Thank you so very much for sending us the money you really set us back on our feet again.
Well it finally stopped raining up here and the weather has been like summer almost. Everything is so green you wouldn’t believe it if you saw it.
I heard you may pay us a visit this Easter. It would be a delight to have you up here.
Well, Today is Ron’s 25th Birthday and I’m trying to figure out what to bake him.
By now write soon.
Peace,
Debbie
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Handwritten letter, early 1977 from Ron and Debbie Sines to Ron’s parents
early 77
Dear Mom & Dad,
How are the both of you. I miss you both very much. Looking forward to seeing you when you get home from Fort Worth. Debbie is doing fine. She loves working with the children and I’m getting jobs here & there remodeling as well as my regular job with the school district. The truck is running great. Just saw Nancy yesterday. She’s getting a great tan. The weather has been very dry but very unlikely we will experience a water shortage of any kind.
Hope to see you both soon,
Love
Ron & Debbie
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Handwritten letter from Ron Sines to parents, March 26, 1978
3-26-78
Dear Mom & Dad,
How is everything. Hope your both well. I think of both of you often.
Wish you could see Jonestown. We’ve heard about your bad weather there. Every day here is like the best spring days. We always have a gentle cool breeze in the daytime.
I’m still making furniture and enjoying it very much! I have just started raising bee’s again. I have
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found several swarms of the Italian honey bee in the jungle. They are much more gentle than the ones I had several years ago. I can work with these bees with no vail of gloves, and they seem to produce very well! I got 3 hive now and am working on building up to about 40 or 50 hives.
I have been so spell bound by the beauty and peace here & studying on furniture building techniques and researching on bees I have found. It hard to set myself down to write you.
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How’s the cabin? Have you done any more building there? Dad, what & where are you working now. Mom have you started painting again. I hope so. Your paintings are better than you think. Nancy’s found clay here for pottery. She may be starting throwing pots soon. I am going to take it up again too.
I will write you again soon.
P.S. I have had a hard time finding a good poket knife with screwdriver and a set of good wood gauges.