Just a note from Grandma B.

Hello Cpt. B.

Sent package #3 during the week with a short note inside. I keep picking up smaller packages for you just because they are easier to pack. I think Tannie was going to be sending the "smelly" stuff and I will concentrate on the other things. Please let me know if the pretzels made it. I am anxious to know if sealing did any good.

Nothing of great import going on here. Mr. Mikey (our lawn man) is busy refreshing the lawns. Mike and Deb had a great time in Boston. Even with his long hours they took the week-end to tour Boston and envrions. I only spent a couple of days years ago with "old boy", but we did the historic bit and when you get posted out east you will surely have a fine time doing the Freedom Trail and all the historic sites in Boston proper. It is a very interesting city. And Deb said the accents are hilarious. But, I suppose they think the same of ours.

You gentlemen are certainly running up a proper gas bill. I don't think I wrote that I bought a little Rav-4 Toyota. It really still rankles that I bought a rice grinder (your Dad's name for foreign cars - remember?), but the American cars I saw just didn't quite make the grade. I would have bought any Dodge I liked but none appealed. I am still missing the smooth ride in my Van, but this little car has its advantages. But the shift is in the center console and the van's was on the column so I am still turning on the windshield wipers in the Rav-4 because I forget that I must shift differently. But, the new car fits in the garage so much better. No more parking on an angle. Even gives me more space to fill with goodies. Mady named the car "Minty" because of the color and she insisted that all cars must have names. It makes them feel better. Ah, the thinking of seven year olds.

She still visits every week-end and now we have homework to practice. She is beginning to read simple books and, thank goodness, they are teaching phonics. I certainly hope that Erin is teaching her little ones that way. Mady has no problem sounding out words that she can't sight read. Tho, there many words they learn by sight and that broadens their usage. I still love words and receive and email from Dictionary.com with a new word daily. And the site comes up with some very obscure words at times. And I recall you also liked words. I don't suppose you have too much time to read but if you have any Indy troops I could send the sports pages to you. The sport section in the Star is very well done. Even I read it at times. And it keeps up with complete coverage of the Colts who also won today.

When Mady is here and the weather is fine we often take her to Holiday Park near us which is really a very special place. Great playgrounds and many trails down to a branch of the White River. She loves to go to the "her" river and toss in sticks. The darn river is so low now people wade out in the shallow water. Of course, a seven-year old will want to wade so down to the shoreline we went. She hit the shallow water and I hit the mud. My shoes were soaked and full of mud. And, of course, I had the new car. I had to wade out and get some of the mud off and both Mady and Bob thought I made a very funny sight. I did manage to get the shoes clean tonight with soap and bleach, but I think the socks might must be a wash. Oh well, gives me an incentive to buy more socks. Imagine that!

I guess you have had your fill of Mady and mud. Keep up the good work and enjoy the boxes. Love you and keep you and all your men in prayers. I think of you all often and just whisper good things for you. Love, Grandma B.