Many readers have told me how much they enjoy Donn's comments about his beloved Patti Porsche. Here is just one Patti story. I was giving a talk to a class that had read His Name Was Donn as part of their college English curriculum. One guy in the class asked me numerous questions about Patti. He was as enamored of her as Donn was. When I told him that I once had let Patti's engine freeze up because I had not given her adequate quantities of oil, he just glared at me. (I haven't really forgiven myself, either.)I assured him I had had her repaired by a wonderful Porsche mechanic, and that I had kept her for many years after that. "Past tense? You don't have her now?" I explained that when we were in graduate school in the early 1980s, we couldn't afford to insure her OR keep her properly maintained. This young college student was crestfallen. When I signed his copy of his book, I signed it, "Sorry about Patti." We can only hope that the doctor in Texas who bought her for his son appreciates her even now.
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Another Patti story: In the early 1970s I was driving in my then-hometown of Richmond, VA, when I was pulled over by police. I was sure I wasn't speeding. The officer told me my inspection sticker might be expired, or my license plate was not clear. Finally he just admitted he wanted to look at Patti more closely.
When Donn was in Vietnam, I was given the sacred task of driving Patti occasionally to make sure she was running well. I was eighteen or nineteen at the time. On one of my drives, a small rock popped out of the bed of a gravel truck that went by me and hit Patti square in the windshield. She was badly wounded. Mom decided we wouldn't tell Donn, as he would get very upset about this. We had the windshield replaced and she was back into "primo condition," as Donn liked to say. He never knew about her damage.
Dear Evie: In the mail today I received a nice note from Shannon Ravenel. I wish you had it in its hand-written form, but in the meanwhile I thought you'd appreciate just reading what she said. So, here goes. . .Dated July 23,2009 on a note card from Algonquin Press..
"Dear Don-We got back from Singapore last weekend, but I didn't get to the office until yesterday when I found the book you had sent me--HIS NAME WAS DONN, by Evelyn Sweet-Hurd. I've now read a good part of it and, as you knew I would, I greatly admire the strength of emotion with which this book was compliled and presented. It is breath-takingly sad and very moving. Thanks so much for putting it in my hands and before my eyes.
It looks like we are moving* -well, sort of - to Singapore for three years, with the summers back at home. I'm going to try to keep editing long distance, though not acquiring. Just pray my computer skills are strong enough.
All the best--Shannon (She said something about jet lag, but I could make no connection). Evie, if I were you, I'd consider extracting some of what she wrote and using it on the jacket when you re-print, or on a website or blog (which you should set up immediately). I don't imagine she'd have any problem at all in your contacting her directly now to express your thoughts about what she says and thinks. You and she probably already have a great deal in common, and you can discover for yourself what a wonderfully gracious and thoughtful lady she is. She sent her card from Shannon Ravenel Books, P. O. Box 2225, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27515-2225
Shannon Ravenel! Of course I know of her through her work with Algonquin Books. Thank you, Don, for posting this.
Patti Porsche reminds me of John's '64 Mustang, his first true love. It was totaled by an elderly lady running a redlight. He couldn't bear to let it go and bought it from the insurance company for the salvage fee. Angie tells me he used to go look at it, stored at a friend's body shop, and weep. Happy ending--we had it restored, by using the frame and most of another '64 Mustang, for his 30th birthday.
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