the letters and things

In this episode, we continue to talk about the US presidents by zodiac. This time it is Virgos, Lyndon B. Johnson and William Howard Taft. We totally forget to talk about anything to do with the sign of Virgo, but make up for it with some President Taft fan fic!

In this episode, we recount the story of one of the most notorious mutinies that has inspired - weirdly - multiple movies. While Hollywood has a romantic projection of this story, the real truth of the HMS Bounty is, in fact, very dark. And then we talk another maritime tragedy, a true tale of good versus evil, the bombing of the Greenpeace ship, Rainbow Warrior.

In this episode, we discover what happens when people stop being nice and start being boat with the boat reality tv dating show crossover. And then we talk about how to anger, or not anger, the sea gods. Get your cheeseburgers ready, for Poseidon demands his payment.

In this episode, we cover the drama queen of the zodiac, Leo. The technocratic Herbert Hoover, soup and corn loving Benjamin Harrison, charismatic Barack Obama, and diabolical Bill Clinton all share the distinction of being the zodiacs most extra sign. Join us as we continue to air our grievances (mostly with Bill) as we continue to recount the life and times of America's CEOs.

In this episode, we get the story of the whaling ship Essex, which is a brutal story of the sea and whales and another example of why we should respect the sea and all its creatures great and small. Then we pivot to the disaster behind the making of the best worst water movie - Waterworld.

In this episode, Manette is very sick and skips the intros and dives straight into chaos. Starting with aphorisms and parables - harmless and light. However then Sam decided to bring the mood down (again) with the story of a side wheel boat (never a good idea) and a disastrous search for a whole lot o' gold and a man named Thomas Thompson (why).

In this episode, we continue boat girl summer with two fresh, new boat topics. Manette talks about the boats of most historical importance in American history, and of course the war of 1812 gets name dropped. Meanwhile Sam recounts the disaster of the SS Princess Alice on the Thame River in London. This story has it all (in a bad way), a true maritime disaster.

In this episode we discover the top five ports, both modern and historical, the busiest sea routes, and the global maritime chokepoints. And then Samantha freaks us all the heck out with boat ghost stories and now we're all haunted and there's a ghost in possession of my creepiest cabinet. Trigger warning: ghosts.

In this episode, we talk through arctic explorer and boat guy, Ernest Shackleton and explore the artisan side of ship building with the Chinese junk ship. And despite saying we're not talking about the Titanic, we talk about the Titanic.

In the episode, we talk about the presidents born under the sign of cancer: sons George W. Bush and John Q. Adams, the silent Calvin Coolidge and Gerald Ford. The most interesting thing about any of these presidents is first wife Betty Ford, who was ICONIC. And though Andrew Jackson wasn't a cancer, he still manages to make it into this episode somehow.

In this episode, we are fully in swing with boat girl summer. This time we cover two museum boats. the Cutty Sark and the HMS Warrior, and then two sunken boats, the Vasa and Mary Rose. Lessons are learned, namely make sure your gun ports are more than 1 meter above the water line.

In this episode, we continue boat girl summer with submersible stories. Despite being terrified of undersea, deep sea, submarines, submersibles we can't seem to get enough of talking about these guys.

In this episode, it's anchors aweigh as we launch Boat Girl Summer! In this Boat 101 episode, we discuss the syllabus for Boat Girl Summer with a rundown of the main categories of boats, which Samantha takes issue with before proposing an even more nonsensical categorisation method.

In this episode, we go through two of the three Gemini Presidents: JFK and George H. W. Bush, or as he is now known Shady Bush. Both rich east coast Ivy League white guys that didn't even have to try to be President. Both terms a shit show in their own right. Chaos reigns supreme with the Gemini guys.

In this episode, Samantha does a deep dive on Samantha Parkington, American Girl, which is why my Google history now has "samantha parkington's dead parents". It is the final Lynn letters, also an American girl, and I don't think anyone will be sad about it, just like Samantha Parkington's dead parents.

In this episode, we read the birthday cards of Grandma Mickey, one of which contained none other than stickers! We also discover that Sam hates adhesive. Manette is shook by this revelation.

In this episode, we cover the Taurus presidents. These guys aren't as bad as some of the others and one of them we even kind of like. We've got two James, two guys with an S in their middle name, and some eye stuff. In addition to four presidents, we have a teaser and world premier of the new hit song Celsius inspired by the energy drink Celsius.

In this episode, we celebrate US Mother's Day and Thai Royal Ploughing Ceremony Day with Grandma's Mother's Day cards. Confused? So are we! All the time! Happy Mother's Day to all the moms, Mothers, and mom-like figures, but only if you read the podcast episode descriptions. ; 0 ) This one's for you!

In this episode, we continue reading through the 1960s letters belonging to Lynn, who was a pre teen girl. Many questions arise like why JFK is on a Mexican stamp and what is a bushel basket? Lots of questions, zero answers, and at least one US President, though he's in Mexico? Unclear.

In this episode, we read some letters to Lynn, grandpas second eldest daughter (of three), but in reality all we really want to talk about is unincorporated territories of America, Teddy Roosevelt, and the Supreme Court case that I don't think the Founding Fathers would be too happy about.

In this episode, we go over the Aries presidents - Thomas Jefferson and John Tyler. One is considered the worst president in history and the other one of the greatest, but take it from us - they both really suck. In this episode we get a long list of wrongs both to humankind and to the nation.

In this episode, we continue reading through the pre-teen mail of aunt Lynn, the second daughter of dear old grandpa. An emerging theme is Lynn is a absent correspondent. A "valentine" promoting big pharma and some letters from Mexico. Relatively uneventful and wholesome and free of dead presidents.

In this episode, we exit the season of hate (March) and finally arrive at out favorite holiday - Easter! Dead Jesus, alive Jesus, eggs, chocolate, buttered popcorn flavored jellybeans, and ~ apparently ~ pink eye!

In this episode, we continue reading through the letter belonging to Lynn, who is a tween living in Palo Alto in the 60s. We get even more extreme tween energy in a letter from insane Linda, another from Margaret Frost who is doing the least, and then a slightly threatening epistle from Sue who is at her wits end.

In this episode we continue with presidential recounting by order of the zodiac. This time we have one sign, two fish: Pisces. We've got a couple of real stinkers: Andrew Jackson and Grover Cleveland. There's also "quote guy" James Madison and then the ubiquitous George Washington, who - HOT TAKE - isn't all he's been made out to be.

In this episode, we continue the letters belonging to Lynn as a youth. Some letters from sister Kathy One, living in Wisconsin, while Lynn was busy not writing people back and soaking up the California son. And we get another letter from our new favourite guest star, a pen pal from the UK!

In this episode, we begin going through the letters of aunt Lynn, grandpa's second daughter. Lynn was trying out living in California so there's the usual letters from het sister Kathy One and family back home, but a surprising letter from a pen pal in England!

In this episode, we round out Wuthering Heights month with more Valentine's Day cards. A snarky one from Kathy One, the offensive mouse card from Grandma to Grandpa, news of Geese that Grandpa would have loved to shoot from Auntie, and many more cards filled with celebrations of love (for the Greeting card industry).

In this episode, we discuss the Aquarius Presidents: the Williams (McKinley and Henry Harrison), Ron Reagan, Abe Lincoln, and FDR. In a shocking twist we discover that rich boy FDR is the least problematic president so far and that George Washington, beloved Pisces president may, in fact, be an Aquarius.

In this episode, we continue our reign of terror with Wuthering Heights and Valentine's Day cards. There's demonic human-faced hearts, an upsetting cherub spread-eagling a heart, and other diabolical Valentine's Day Hallmark moments. We laugh, we cry, we call the child protective services.

In this episode, we honour tortured love stories with several very torturous Valentine's Day cards. While the sentiments are admirable, the cards themselves leave much to be desired, as do the poems they contain.

In this episode, we contemplate Neptune, claim Neptune energy, and also blame Neptune. We also get a pre-mail letter warning of mail to come, some post cards from the Soo Locks, and some very exciting update on the Pinewood Derby. And a phantom letter from Jeff, a man of many girlfriends and few words.

In this episode we go from depressing to fun - starting from the passing of a family friend, to a card from a beautiful woman throwing away her life with a mediocre man (don't worry, she didn't end up settling). Then we move on to a delightful update from fun cousin Jenny and a few family portraits featuring impish Grandpa and his fashionable daughters, Kathy One and Lynn. The gangs all here today!

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.