What follows are photos and a live writing transcript in response to Letter 2, series 2.
So tonight I discovered that my grandfather had a war-time side hustle in watch resale.
Who knew? I certainly didn’t.
It's funny on two counts - one, because the watch I have worn for as as long as I can remember used to belong to my grandfather.
The other somewhat amusing bit is the industriousness - it reminds me of myself a bit. There's a sense of always being on the make in some capacity.
I'm struck in this letter, as always, by his complete certainty that the future will be nothing other than the two of them back together. I'd love to know if this is genuine belief or coping mechanism. It's impossible to tell from the letters. He seems completely unconcerned - everything is lovely, everything is swell.
I learned a lot about what's going on with my grandmother in this letter - I had no idea she volunteered in the hospital during the war - it must have Harrisburg Hospital, where I was born.
Also my grandfather was a Democrat, at least in the 1940s. I can't remember ever speaking to him about politics as an adult. I know my grandparents donated to Ted Kennedy's campaign. Why I'm not entirely sure, they were not his constituents.
This is very much a Jack letter. What do I mean by that? There's something in my grandfather that's just always felt fun and dashing and sexy and vaguely rakish. It really appeals to me, it's always been something I identified with and wanted to emulate in some way. This letter is full of that energy. It's loving, but funny and irreverent and a bit naughty in places.
I know this because through this project I have decoded some of Jack and Winnie's private references.
I am not sure this is information I want to share.
But it is funny and sweet and sexy.
And all with a war going on.
I was thinking about Jack when I got dressed tonight. Because of being quarantined, I'm getting dressed later. I spend the day working and working out - doing yoga, a bit of rehearsal, various types of movement and exercise, so it feels pointless to get dressed until that's done. As a result of which I usually shower and make a sartorial shift around 7pm, like an Edwardian or something. I like it. I've always liked dressing for dinner.
When my family went on vacation - still when I go on vacation now - I always dress for dinner. It's a ritual I love - packing the outfits, enough that I don't have to repeat them, and then repeating them anyway because I feel more myself in some as opposed to others.
But tonight when I got dressed, I was thinking of Jack. I knew I was going to read one of his letters. I have a pair of plaid trousers, which I almost wore, as an homage. He was fond of plaid trousers at Christmas.
But it's not Christmas, so I decided to go with the spirit of things and wear something that makes me feel a bit like a pirate. My grandfather liked boats. He liked the sea. It's not a surprise at all that he chose the navy. So would I, if I had to choose something like that.
I love the two of them in this letter. It's been a bit of an odd day and I was a bit ambivalent about doing this tonight, but I'm so pleased I did. They have lifted my mood. Thanks, ancestors.
There you go - The Three Caballeros, in amazing technicolour!
Until next time, I remain
Your hubby.
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