Some of you may have heard me speak, or even read here about my daughter Leslie, who is currently in grad school in St Pete, FL. What follows is a little long for a post, but I thought it pretty good, so I have to share it. This is a thread of an email string between us about some new skills she has:
From the beginning:
To Jessie
From Leslie
Subject: Sea Ark!!!
>
>
> Hey Dad, just wanted to tell you that Jim and I went out today for a
> boat launching/driving lesson and we took out our Sea Ark!! It's
> exactly like yours! We were using a smaller boat last time but we
> took the Sea Ark out today and I trailered it down to the dock and
> then launched it. We launched near the airport by the Pier downtown
> and then we took the boat to the Pier and I practiced docking. After
> that we shot out into the Bay a little ways and then brought it in to
> the dock again. All went well until a squall blew in and I came all
> the way back to the dock with 3 foot swells. That was a little
> unnerving but she handled well. :) So does this mean I can drive when
> we're in for July 4th?? :) haha...
>
> Loves you,
> Sissy
From Jessie
TO Leslie
Dear Leslie,
>> I regret to inform you that our family is no longer possession of any
>> marine contrivances. It is an unfortunate coincidence that your
>> new-found skill should come just as we're no longer in position to
>> take advantage of it.
>>
>> I am happy to report that there IS water in the swimming pool and you
>> may expect to have opportunity to launch in it, one of the
>> sophisticated (Styrofoam) miniature flotation devices that we DO still own.
>>
>> I look forward to watch with pride this adventure.
>>
>> On another note, we've had a terrible outbreak of bird-flu, which is
>> currently confined to the rear garage. We suspect the now empty
>> facility appealed to the most unhealthy of those animals affected and
>> have had to quarantine it (as well as the area around it) for a
>> period of at least 6 months, or until after Christmas.
>>
>> Still look forward to your visit!
>>
>> Loves you
>> Dad
From Leslie
To Jessie
Dear Jessie,
>
> I'm so sorry to hear of this series of unfortunate events. The
> outbreak of bird flu you speak of seems quite unusual and my
> scientific background leads me to question the prognosis and
> subsequent quarantining in the lower garage. You might seek a formal
> second opinion because I am tempted to suggest some sort of digestive
> problem instead of what you call bird flu. It might simply be that
> said animals have been afflicted with a severe case of the bullshits,
> which can resemble bird flu but is also accompanied by shifty eyes,
> incessant clearing of throat, and overt sarcasm. Check into it and
> let me know what you find.
>
> I am pleased, on the other hand, to inform you that in addition to my
> boating skills, I've also become an avid motorcycler so could I borrow
> your harley??
>
> Sincerely,
> Sissy
