Dear Henry

Here are some pictures of Jack at Camp Ramah. The camp posts pictures up on its website every few days so moms and dads can see their kids having fun. Mom gets VERY excited when she sees one with Jack in it. He wasn't in many last year, but this year is another story. I don't know if he is doing a better job hamming it up for the camera, or the camp is taking a lot more photos than before.



I just sent Jack a package with some Simpson's comic books. It felt really good being at the post office sending that package. It was an awesome "Dad" moment. I have emailed him every other day. In addition to sending him his Simpson's character, I emailed him this story.



The Reliable Source

By Amy Argetsinger and Roxanne Roberts
Wednesday, July 4, 2007; Page C01

Michael Jackson Seeks New Neverland

On Eastern Shore Sometimes the unlikeliest rumors do turn out to be true. Days after the first vague news reports emerged from Maryland's Eastern Shore of a real-estate-hunting Michael Jackson, the singer's reps finally broke their silence to confirm in part -- and deny in others -- the story that has had the rural peninsula buzzing.

Jackson's D.C.-based publicist, Raymone Bain, called us late Monday and said that yes, indeed, the self-proclaimed King of Pop really did visit the Eastern Shore last week "for about 24 hours," and that he really did scout out some summer houses.

But, no, he hasn't made a purchase yet, contrary to some of the more heated Internet speculation. And he's not limiting his search to the Chesapeake region: He has since "gone up the coast" to look elsewhere for a vacation place.

Jackson came east with his children about 10 days ago for meetings because "the majority of his advisers and attorneys are on the East Coast," Bain said. Meanwhile, Bain told us, "He's always admired the properties on the East Coast because they have a lot of land. Neverland has 3,000 acres -- he likes privacy. You can't find as many properties like that on the West Coast."

The Easton Star Democrat, simply citing "inside sources," reported Friday that Jackson had spent the previous night at the historic Inn at Perry Cabin in the picturesque waterfront community of St. Michaels. Inn managers declined to comment. (Bain, too, would not specify where her client stayed.) A wave of news coverage followed, although none managed to cite any definite sightings of Jackson. WBAL-TV captured video of sheets shrouding the path from the inn's exit to a waiting limousine . . . which certainly seemed like vintage Jacko.

Still, high-end real estate, of which the shore has plenty, is often a breeding ground for false VIP rumors. (Remember the Brangelina-buying-in-Kalorama one? Or TomKat-moving-to-NoVa? So juicy, so not true. ) And it remains unclear whether Jackson could actually afford a new home: In recent years, prosecutors and former financial advisers have alleged in court that the star is teetering on bankruptcy, a charge his lawyers denied; just a year ago, Jackson agreed to settle some of his mounting debts by selling half of his valuable music publishing catalogue, which includes the rights to the Beatles' songs.

A week ago, Bain was busy issuing statements denying that Jackson was on his deathbed or had been evicted from his part-time Vegas rental (he simply decided not to exercise an option to buy, she said); so while she was on the phone with us Monday, she took the time to clear up some other lingering rumors: No, he's not looking to move permanently to the East Coast -- just to buy a vacation place. And no, he didn't come east for a kidney transplant. (Whoa, we hadn't even heard that one.) "It's so much chaos and confusion," she said.

What was the purpose of his meetings out here? "A laundry list" of issues, Bain said. "He's head of a vast corporation."

As I said to Jack in my email, can you imagine seeing Michael Jackson ordering Moose Tracks at Justine's. I can't imagine Papa Sy and Michael Jackson bonding over crabs at the Crab Claw.

Meanwhile, I have fallen madly in love with your cousin Noah. He is beyond cute. We are at Aunt Abby's beach house right now for the Fourth of July.



I told Mommy that there is something about this house that makes me sad. It is a beautiful house and it is terrific being with Michael, Rachel, Josh, Noah, Bing and your Aunt and Uncle, but I feel a bit off-kilter. Not sure how it feels to be on kilter or what kilter is, but that is how I feel.