the letters and things

In this episode, we get letters from across the family. From Auntie talking about a toy horse, to Aunt Florence complaining per usual, to Anne Hill complaining as usual, ending in a childhood crush on Kirk Cameron, which is a twist none of us expected.

In this episode, we breakdown the four Capricorn US Presidents in honor of Capricorn season! Turns out the one thing that they all have in common is that they are terrible people!

In this episode, we read a bunch of anniversary cards, mostly from Grandpa to Grandma, which also come of the promise of future gifts, stocks, and the promise of more future gifts. Nothing says I Love You like two shares of American Telephone & Telegraph stock. Welcome to 2026, may it bring you socks and stocks.

In this episode, we celebrate our newly found appreciation of EDM Catholic Church and all the trimmings. We get one letter from dad-beat Dad Bud Kaisershot and a letter from an extinct hotel in the Bahamas. We also get two absolutely insane-looking gun-themed and homo erotic Christmas postcards from Elwood Llywelyn. Yes, that's his actual name!

In this episode, we give a very important disclaimer which is none of this is to be taken as fact, particularly if Samantha says it. And Manette relives the most epic yard sale, held and Mickey and Laury's house, where she had to kick not one, but two people.

In this episode, we get the profound wisdom that comes from trout fishing. Come for the fishing and stay for Samantha trying to say "rural".

This episode ended up being more Catholic than we anticipated and if you Google "British gardening lady boobs" and then "Iran-Contra affair" be prepared to be put on an internet watchlist.

In this episode, Sam has two Thanksgiving cards featuring turkeys because of course. Manette rehashes old family drama (over shells?). Both classic holiday traditions. If we've said it once we've said it a million times: we live on a stolen land. Kiss your turkey, give thanks to the things you are thankful for, and get into a fight with your mother. You've earned it!

In this episode, we read a letter from Grandma Mickey that was written in air! On American Airlines stationary! Back when they used to feed you on airplanes. Then we get into The Great Vegetable Debate of 2025. Sexual George Washington re-emerges on a postcard from Kathy One. And we get another airport - Miami this time!

In this episode, we get three short notes, but the stand out was the debauched marshmallow man card. And then a note passed between Auntie and a friend that is also debauched. And then what episode would be complete without USPS chat.

In this episode, Sam reads three cards from Auntie that bring up memories of chicken stealer Bogart, shirtless Uncle Bob, and a very special birth! Next we get a mysterious document about a mysterious death on the day of the dead. Most importantly, it is Native American Heritage Month - if we've said it once, we've said it a million times: we live on a stolen land!

In this episode, even with our extensive card experience, we are shocked by how bad this neon yellow cat card is. Grandpa's second daughter Lynn has a new job as a "floater." Another letter has us wondering - is Santa the father of Cookie Monster?

In this episode, we don't even get one letter deep before we start waxing lyrical about our patriotism for the land of the bold and the beautiful. Then we move on to one Christmas newsletter from one of the OTHER grandchildren of grandma and grandpa and Samantha has a Christmas letter, too, and we learn how she pronounces Myrrh, hehe. Go Birds!

In this episode, we really lean into the "and things" of it all. We go through Grandpa's junk mail, but then start to understand why Grandpa kept the junk mail. And, furthermore, we will also be keeping the junk mail. No further questions at this time.

In this episode, we read two short letters from granddaughter Jenny and Kathy One/Auntie. But more importantly, Daniel Day Lewis in Last of the Mohicans amiright?

In this episode, we discuss Sam's favorite method for decluttering, which involves either actual or implied fecal matter. And if you need help with declutter just have yourself some ambrosia salad mentioned in the first of Kathy One's letters, or any one of the recipe's from Mrs. Barringer's Dixie Cookery: https://archive.org/details/dixiecookeryorho00barr/page/n6/mode/1up?ref=ol

In this episode we have neither letters nor things, but energy, chaos, and facts as we discuss some of our top emerging topics from all of grandma and grandpa's letters and things from the past 99 episodes.

In this episode, we have our final instalment of the memoirs of Gertrude Ebling (1897-1992). Gertrude is living out the end of her life in optimism, we love to see it. We hope/know aunt Gertrude is overjoyed we took the time to share her memoirs. If you are reading this, it is your sign to write your own down (and then email them to us at thelettersandthings@gmail.com). Thank you in advance.

In this episode, we're zooming through the golden years of Gertrude Ebling's memoirs as she picks up the pace in the retelling of her life. If you are squeamish about eye stuff then buckle up because Gertrude has an eye transplant with a CADAVER EYE.

In this episode, we are nearing the home stretch with the memoirs of Gertrude Ebling (1897-1992). Big changes for Gertrude as she enters her retirement years, hitting her 60s in the 1960s. A big road trip, the loss of her beloved Herb, learning (unsuccessfully) how to balance her check book, and (hopefully more successfully) how to drive.

In this episode, we continue the memoirs of great grandaunt Gertrude Ebling 1897-1992, where we learn the family used molten lead to predict their futures??? And the had "cold fruit soup" which is ... a smoothie??? The past was wild. The present is also wild, though, you know?

In this episode, not going to lie, this is some sad stuff we have here. We continue to read through the memoirs of Gertrude Ebling (1897-1992) and like life itself, we get an unpredictable rollercoaster of mostly devastating events. This one isn't for the faint of heart so if you're feeling fragile, maybe give this one a miss.

In this episode, we continue with the memoirs of Gertrude Ebling, 1897-1992. We get the low down on Herb Ebling's siblings and their spouses, some bad marriages, sad endings, happy endings, and New Hope, PA. We still don't know what happened to Herb's mysterious missing sister Ida and, related, we don't know what happened to Walt Disney's frozen head.

In this episode, Gertrude Ebling's memoirs (1897-1992) continue. Herb returns from WWI and he and Gertrude get married. Though times have changed, we learn records are still played the same way. Gertrude takes us through the furnishing of her and Herb's first apartment in great detail, which somehow reminds us of the sinking of the Titanic.

In this episode, we continue the memoirs of great, great aunt Gertrude Ebling (1897-1992), who is entering her war girlfriend era. Herb is off to WWI, and we finally get a name mention of beloved Grandpa, Lawrence "Lawry" Zilisch. Please if anyone knows what the pea thing is get in touch immediately, we have so many questions.