Evan Variano

August 13, 2025

Mr. Pinkwater,

Your writings have shown me ideas for how to live in the world joyously, as well as how to nurture others with bravery and compassion.  Thank you a million times over to you and Jill for sharing such a gift.  As a young person, I took inspiration from Alan and Rat.  As an adult raising an amazing foster child, I found inspiration again from Neddie and Molly.  When I lost a beloved a teacher and companion, a big part of what got me through was knitting and reading Java Jack.  Speaking of knitting, would you like a handmade cozy hat for chilly days?  If so I would be honored to knit one for you and send it to your PO Box.  Please share size/shape/style preferences if you have them!  Since these messages sometimes get publicized on pinkwater.com, who knows, you may get hats from other people too!  Again, thank you from the center of my heart and from the bottom of my belly laugh!

PS What other author has brought great vision and richness to my life? George Eliot!  You’re in well-respected company 🙂

Thanks for the kind words and the kind offer of a knitted hat. I am a daily morning walker, and over years have evolved a hat pattern. In chilly weather it is a genuine Basque beret--these are the warmest, waterproof and never ever wear out. In warm weather, it is the standard billed feed or baseball cap. I have a straw hat for hot days, but I never use it, also a red hunter's cap, which I might wear in the woods in deer season. Were you to knit it would be for naught. (I also have a felt yarmulke made of wolf-fur combings from my old friend Miranda, but it is ceremonial Lupine-Hebrew (sha'at ha'ze'ev).