Of Coral Necklaces and Pumpkin Pie

Dear W,
That was a fun letter you wrote me. I got some real laughs with the jokes and cartoons you included.

I am still working on "Diamond Head". I want to be sure everything I tell you is correct, so I check everything - and that takes time.

But with Christmas coming so soon, I'd better concentrate on that first. I've already written to your grandmother to help us with the coral necklace. First - the color. It's just as easy for me to get the exact color you want. I know there are white, pink and orchid. Maybe there are others. Check with your grandmother. Second - length. Choker or medium length? I suggested to your grandmother that if you two do such things, you could exchange your necklaces depending on the colors you are wearing.

It was dear of you to ask what I'd like for Christmas. It may be hard, at your age, to believe there's nothing I want or need. But I can tell you this: every time I get a note from you it's like Christmas for me. I love to get pictures of you and news of your sports, hobbies, and activities.

I'm so glad you mentioned getting the postcards from Australia. I had forgotten I had asked my friend there to send you a couple. Were you surprised to get the cards? She's a lovely gal who used to live in part of our huge mansion on Diamond Head. I am enclosing an aerogramme which is what I use to write my friends in any foreign land. It's the cheapest way to send mail there - but you may not enclose anything. Otherwise, it would go by ship and take forever. Here's one for you with the right postage on it. You can always get more at the Post Office. Ask for "aerogrammes".

Two things: 1) You forgot to tell me what date in December is your birthday. 2) Shall I renew your subscription to World or do you read the one in school and I'll send you something else?

Is your weather starting to get cooler? Are your leaves still beautiful in all their glorious colors? My sister in Massachusetts enclosed a few in her last letter to me. They reminded me of pumpkin pie - another autumn favorite!

Love,
E.R.G.