Samhain

[kmusser]

Hope everyone has a happy Samhain, may the new year bring you joy. This Samhain I dedicate to my grandfather. He wrote me this letter when I was still a baby, I did not discover it until long after his death. Enjoy.

Feb. 12

Hi Karly,

Please excuse the measly valentine; it was the only one I could find which was appropriate to the occasion, and no envelope was included in the deal. Oh well, it only cost me one dime, ten cents, a tenth part of a dollar. Thought I might make it up to you by writing you a letter. O.K.? – O.K.

Due to your tender age I will touch upon but two subjects, politics and games people play, which oft times are one and the same. Politics first, and briefly. Two Fords, Gerald and Tennessee Ernie, both vice-presidents. Gerald has an excellent chance of becoming president of the U.S.A. Tennessee Ernie has none, since he is vice president of the wrong outfit, namely, the Nashville Tinker Toy and Tiddly-Wink Mfg. Co. Too bad, but that’s the way it is.

Now for the games people play. Your Papa likes to play games; fore-warned is forearmed, so prepare yourself. One game we played last Christmas I found to be quite enjoyable; the name of which eludes me. It ends in an O. I have discarded lotto, jello, bingo, harpo, do-do (too short) and grunto (too long).

This is time to sign off, for this letter is already quite lengthy for one so young to absorb. Your Papa and Mama are going to have a difficult time explaining this short letter to you I’m sure.

I love you very much.

Grandpa

P.S. The name of the game just came to me. JOTTO.

P.S. #2 Your Grandpa was raised in an atmosphere of banter, badinage, and raillery. As we married we discovered that this heritage was not understood at all by our spouses. Yep, we had troubles, relieved only when we had a family get-together.

ATTEST.
Laura Musser

P.S. #3 Attest is a forgery, but true nevertheless.