A Chip Off the Ol' Block

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