Dyscarpia

[Dkipen at aol.com]

Dear friends,

Now I know why it took TRP 20 years to finish this baby. One year to write,
19 to proofread, is my guess. Pls find below the amended first sentence of
M&D, free of typos and dropped phrases ("as of Cousins") this time, I hope.
The bushy-tailed amongst you will notice a new near-synonym which is not a
typo. It's not the original word, either, but another, as-yet unguessed
near-synonym (asymptonym?) of it is. This should help you focus your efforts
before I turn over all the cards. Think Pynchon.

"Snow-Balls have flown their Arcs, starr'd the Sides of Outbuildings, as
of Cousins, carried Hats away into the brisk Wind off Delaware,-- the Sleds
are brought in and their Runners carefully dried and greased, shoes deposited
in the back Hall, a stocking'd-foot Descent made upon the great Kitchen, in a
purposeful
Dither since Morning, punctuated by the ringing Lids of Boilers and
Stewing-Pots, fragrant with Pie-Spices, peel'd Fruits, Suet, heated Sugar,--
the
Children, having all upon the Fly, among rhythmic slaps of Batter and Spoon,
coax'd
and stolen what they might, proceed, as upon each afternoon all this snowy
December, to a comfortable Room at the rear of the House, years since given
over to their carefree Assaults."

By the way, can anybody help me place the earliest appearance of the rumor
that TRP was working on a book about M&D? Time magazine, I think, but when?

Sorry about the confusion,
David