A Private Facebook Exchange Anonymously Quoted

        
          Woman Friend: 

...Here's a question that's been dogging me for a while: How is it that you are not married or committed with a bunch of kids? I have really pondered this and have no answers. You? What's your analysis?

     
          Donald:

I'm a little embarrassed to confess...I'm a dead beat Dad. I've got 7 ex-wives and 14 abandoned, foster children spanning the ages 4 1/2-15 years of age, scattered all over the World.

Just kidding. I've been slow to grow up but have managed to stay clear of pregnancy and marriage. I feel blessed by my luck and choices in earlier life. Now I am ready to find my doe in the wild and mate for the rest of my breaths and heart beats. Bachelorhood has its effect on one though. The whole Donald Grube line stopping with Donald Grube...I think that fact drives me to leaving some well worked and orderly art and artifacts as heirlooms. (Thus, my Mother's garage full of art and this blog to explain it all.) I also live through nieces and nephews. Bless their hearts.



© Donald Grube, 2010

Dohn and Donald Blubbering by Antonelli's Pond

"Will you still love me

even after I rip out your heart

and devour it whole?"

And I say,

"Of course I love you

and always will love you,

Heart or heartless!

The two of us are

redwood saplings,

our roots ever intertwine."



© Donald Grube, 2010

Letter from Donald to Dohn

June 4, 1990

Dear Dohn:

I didn't mean to catch you off guard by my letter. I just wanted to give you a little support, expecially since these last couple of years have been so difficult for you.

It was nice to hear about you grabbing that TD position. It will work out well for you. Nice resumé! Sorry to hear about your showing at Café Chameleon falling through. Oh well, there'll be others. Just go out and sell yourself.

As for my overall purpose in your life, well, that's up to you. What ever you need, whenever you need it, I'll be there. You won't believe  this but you are my hero. I live to the fullest through you. So don't let me down.

As for who exactly I am? Just think of me as a young high school student with his whole life ahead of him. I could go in any direction. And don't think I don't have my troubles as well. I've been through the ringer too. We'll save that part for another letter however. The main point I wanted to make is that you will never be alone again. I am here and will always be here, and will let you know occasionally, when you forget. Incidentally, I know what a bad letter writer you are. So no apologies are necessary. Just keep trying, and living life on it's terms, and I'll be satisfied.

I want to say something profound but I'm at a loss, however, these words once did it for me:

"This is murder!"

"Your telling me."

"Your in the groove, Jackson"

Your friend,

Donald



© Donald Grube, 2010

Letter from Dohn to Donald

May 31, 1990

Dear Donald:

I just read your letter and I wanted to reply while it was still fresh in  my mind. I have so many questions to ask you. Your letter caught me totally by surprise. My memories of you are so faint. It seems like life times since we've talked.

I suppose first off, I want to know why your writing me now? And then secondly, how you knew so much about what I was doing. I must say, your letter certainly picked me up. I could really use more friends like you, if you could call us friends after being separated for such a long time. It's been about ten years hasn't it?

I'm a little embarrassed by the fact that I know nothing about you, or you recently. If you do decide to write me back, fill me in a little. Okay?

In your letter you mentioned something about me being an inspiration to you(?) Well, that's a change. Normally, it was the other way round. And how is it that I inspire you exactly? I've been such a lump on a log for quite a while. I just don't get it!

Anyway, I hope you are well. You sounded pretty chipper. Again, more questions. Where are you living? Are you almost done with high school? How's the tennis team going? Or are you still playing? I could go on forever, but I don't want to scare you off.

Donald, if you want to write again, please do. It would make me very happy. Oh, by the way, the way you signed your last letter, "your friend..." hit the spot. Well it was really nice hearing form you. Take care.

Love,

Dohn



© Donald Grube, 2010

Letter from Donald to Dohn

May 29, 1990

Dear Dohn:

I think your idea about creating a TD position at SCCAT is brilliant. It would show you off well and help the theater immensely. Also, the fact that you would be creating the position would be less stressful on you. Now you've just got to pull it off. Good luck.

The other thing I wanted to congratulate you on is your chance at having a showing at Café Chameleon. Ms. Williams' open acceptance of you and your work must feel great too. I'll be interested in knowing and seeing the specifics of the show:

• How much you charge for each
• How they will be arranged in the café
• How many Ms. Williams will allow you to show
• How you finish the backs of the paintings
• How many of your friends will come to see your brilliant work.

Thank you Dohn for being such an artistic and sensitive inspiration to me. Sometimes it helps just knowing that somewhere out there, there is someone who really does care.

By for now, and good luck.

Love your friend,

Donald



© Donald Grube, 2010

Letter home from choral tour

July 4, 1983

Dear Mom + Dad and whole family.

We are in Wien Austria (Vienna) right now. Last night I waltzed in the Wien Stadtpark and bought a 60 Schilling or $3.50 Coke. The tour is great. Every audience has asked for an encore. The churches we sing in are even greater. There is sometimes a 9 second echo. My German is helping out a lot. Oh, we are going on a guided tour of Wien (Vienna) tomorrow. These guided tours are very helpful in remembering what you have seen.

Also bis später.

Ich liebe sie,

Dohn

Set Designer's Statement, Written as Rydell Fellowship Contestant

The design of sets and properties creates kinetic sculpture. I like to salvage materials with poignant textures and patinas. Building from scratch adds authenticity.

The design for Of Mice and Men employed hay bales tightly woven from burlap. The bales represented the tragic bond between George and Lenny. In A Doll's House, I prepared for Nora's breakdown by using surfaces of white steel, Plexiglas and mirrors–sanitary, uncluttered and breakable. And in Incorruptible, the audience was eased into the medieval church humor by actors made comfortable on a set of  recycled "fabric" stones and "lived in" funiture made of old dump wood.

Building theatrical jungle gyms is driven by the characters' needs. The use of literal or figurative surroundings helps to visually push the players' toward the defining crisis and resolution.

The connecting theme in all my work, regardless of medium, is the exploration of character.

2009



© Donald Grube, 2010