Twenty-second day of quarantine

     Dear Fran,

     I must tell you that a few days ago I received an email from the Culture Technician of Lora del Río with the artists who had been selected in the Painting Contest promoted by the City Council of that city, and I have to tell you that I am not among those chosen for the final exhibition.

     I am grateful that  —despite this scourge that we are enduring— they had the fineness of having continued with the process and having sent us this information that I just wrote you. I suppose that being the first phase via the Internet, the members of the jury did not have to meet physically. Anyway, next year I will try my luck again.

     On the other hand, Dr. Mashiul Chowdhury was kind enough to reply to an email that I sent him along with a painting of mine inspired by another of him.

     Mr Chowdhury, in his email, encourages me to continue painting —this can be understood in at least two ways that I leave to you the job of interpreting— and he asks me if I am on Facebook then I join him as a friend. This is not what I expected. A simple woman, apprentice painter, friend of this great man!

     To my regret, I will have to answer him by thanking him again, and advising him that I am not on Facebook, but that from now on he can consider me his friend just as I consider him my new friend.

Dedicate to Mashiul Chowdhury

     Fran, captivated by Mashiul's painting, I have given myself to continue painting some of his works.

     11744 deaths.

     Y. a.

     Mary