the letters and things

In this episode, we continue with the memoirs of great, great aunt Gertrude Ebling, 1897-1992. We are confronted with the confusion of not one but TWO Armin Hansens, both painters. We meet Herb ('Erb) and his baseball team and notably the Doc Angel Coach who is serving looks with his pointy jacket.

In this episode, we continue with the memoirs of great, great Aunt Gertrude (1897 -1992). We know we are in the year 1910 because Samantha knows based on comets and we learn about the handsomest man Gertrude ever knew - Don Anderson. Not for the first time does ABBA come up in a discussion of what came first - fascism or rave music? Or Kelly Clarkson?

In this episode, we continue the memoirs and find out that THE Pabst family, yes like the beer, were neighbours of Gertrude. We also meet Milda, the bestie, who is iconic. Milda has a penchant for mischief and stands on business, all with a bow atop her perfectly curled hair.

In this episode, we have the first installment of the memoirs of Gertrude Ebling, Grandfather Lawry Zilisch's aunt (sister of his mother Anne Schilling/Zilisch/McNulty). Making Gertrude the great aunt of Manette and Sam. And, as Grandpa Lawry would have said, boy oh boy, is it something else! If you think you have mom traum just wait until you hear about pet dinner!

In this episode, we hear from Grandma "Mickey" Zilisch's mother writes with tea about deadbeat dad Bud - finally karma catches up with him. And a surprise in the form of a funeral Jesus card brings delight and joy (ironically), devolving into a real time internet search for Authentic Italian Prayer Cards.

In this episode, it is summer so of course our minds turn to millionaires and water vessels and hubris and the delightful pop of carbon fibre strands breaking. We get a letter - a first! - from the mother of deadbeat dad Bud. And another from Auntie in Germany, who has found a love of skiing.

In this episode, we pay tribute to Grandpa by reading Father's Day cards from both daughters Kathy and from his wife, Mickey (aka Grandma). We also recognise the fatherly contributions of the Dads of America, the founding fathers, though if we're being honest, mainly the most sexual of the founding fathers, George Washington. May you live each day as though you are father George, crossing the Dela...

Nostradamus wrote his prophesies in over 900 poems which is roughly the average number of poems you can find in a 1970s birthday greeting card. In this episode, we continue to celebrate Micky/Eunice/Grandma and her birthday. She's 96 this year! Happy Birthday to the best grandma a girl could ever want.

In this episode, we analyze grandma Mickey's numerology profile -a very 90s gift from her daughter. Can the numbers accurately describe Grandma? Can the universe know the unknowable? We find out.

In this episode, we hear about Kathy One's first weeks of college - classes, teachers, new friends, and a neat intercom system. Then we get two memorandums from eveyone's favorite ship the USS Chester CA-27 Heavy Cruiser. One funny and one devastating. FILGO!

In this episode, we revisit the Mama Mia Gasolina remix we never knew we needed, followed by an Obituary for great grandfather Dr. Zilisch, first husband of Anne of the Terrible Handwriting. We also hear from Kathy One, who continues to prove why she's everyone's favorite correspondent.

Inside you there are two wolves: one likes the smell of sharpies and one gagged. In this episode, we read two letters from Grandma Mickey who is still leaving out all the hot gossip for face to face. The don’t put it in an email culture of letter writing times.

In this episode, grandma Mickey is all business even though its a Wednesday NIGHT. But no thinly veiled innuendos, she doesn't have time for the apricot harvest is upon us. And Kathy One steals work stationary and uses company time to write a letter thin on gossip.

In this episode we have: idealism! realism! pregnancy scares! toxic masculinity! idealism! psychoanalysis! dentists! Wisconsin! Ibsen!

In this episode, we read a letter penned by deadbeat dad Bud from the Miller Brewing Company and then Eunice's snappy reply - did she ever send it? We then also read another Eunice letter, written on Friday night to grandpa wink wink nudge nudge.

In this episode we read two letters from grandma Mickey, one of which contains an article about 33 thousand chickens and the other a letter to a therapist that she later denied she had. Never trust a Gemini.

In this episode, we reveal the findings of our (mostly Sam's) research into the life and times of Dud Etter and discover that this story we've been reading for 13 weeks is actually true! And also a lot of talk about cheese because Wisconsin.

In this episode, we read the 13th and final instalment of 'The Advertiser'. The creeping suspicion that this story isn't fiction starts to look more and more likely as we wind down this long, boring, and poorly written journey. Evidence to support this theory sponsored by Sam's newspaper.com addiction.

In this episode, we reach the final stretch of this manuscript and while we are ready to end, the story seems like it is not. Wellness check on Samantha, who has started writing her notes backwards.

In the episode, the mouth breathers of the Advertiser continue to spend a lot of time in the male-stock room, wheezing and printing and blowing a lot of hot air. The mostly lovely hosts sound like they downed a pint of quaaludes and Sam reimagines the popular dating app Grindr, but a few decades too late to be inventive (or rich). Good job, Sam!

In this episode we - yet again - are continuing the story of Dud and all the people of The Advertiser. As per usual, nothing happens, but in a lot of words and I am going to start taking a shot every time Sam mentions newspapers.com.

In this episode, the Secret Service flooding into town, they are in the cheese store, they are taking over Monroe, Wisconsin, I don't know who the heck is guarding the ding dang President.

In this episode the, The British are back with their nonsensical nicknames. And we continue to the never ending story of Dud and all our frenemies in Monroe, Wisconsin.

In this episode, we continue the story of Dud, the secret service, and the Advertiser. We find out that Bill is hot and call into question who the narrator is of this story. Is it Dud? Is it Jim? Will we ever know?

In this episode, we find ourselves STILL in February 22, 1966, the longest day on record since records began. The Secret Service rolls into town - finally - and makes no effort to be secretive or servicey.