The fact that cursive writing is no longer taught in many schools is a shame, in my opinion. So, here’s a tip of the hat to teachers and parents who take the time to teach the next generations. It’s faster than printing and can be more legible. If nothing else, it gives a person the means to develop a distinctive signature.
Many thanks to the St. Michaels Fire Department, Station 40, especially Kevin Smith, Firefighter Engineer and Kristen Jones EMT/Firefighter for help in getting the “fire in the field” scenes right!
I think all dog lovers dream of having a well-trained companion. I’m fortunate to live with Leo, a yellow lab, who has qualified as a therapy dog. Before the lockdowns of the pandemic, he was the reading dog for kids at the St. Michaels branch library. His training became a little lax during our at-home time. Whenever someone came to visit, he was out of his mind with delight. One day during a particularly exuberant greeting, I said, “Manners.” Much to everyone shock, he sat and extended a paw. Since Ghost is so well-trained in the story, I thought I’d add this little detail to his behavior in honor of Leo.
We don’t really write letters anymore. We write emails. Writing good letters to clearly convey information and how we truly feel is fast becoming a lost art along with cursive writing. I often thought of good letter-writing as belonging to times centuries past. Then I found the little book in the public domain and online called How to Write Letters: A Manual of Correspondence Showing the Correct Structure, Composition, Punctuation, Formalities, and Uses of the Various Kinds of Letters, Notes and Cards by J. Willis Westlake, A.M., Professor of English Literature, State Normal School, Millersville, PA 1883. Quite a mouthful, I know. It was printed 138 years ago, as of this writing. Of course, some of the advice no longer applies, I was surprised how much of the information would be useful today. For example, the author suggests that a letter written in anger or extreme emotion should be set aside for at least a night, if not several days. I’m sure we all have hit Send before we should have.
Many thanks to my writing buddies, Jen and Donna, who are always willing to read and comment. You are great companions on this writer’s journey.
And as always, thanks to my family for your support always. Barry, Erin, Zoe, Matt, Maggie and our newest addition, Joey, I love you all to the moon and back!
Susan Reiss
St. Michaels, Maryland
2021
Susan Reiss
Susan Reiss trained as a concert pianist, then worked as a television writer/producer for many years. Her work has received a Silver Medal, New York International Film Festival, the Cine Golden Eagle, three Tellys and numerous Emmy nominations. Named as a Scribe of the Shore, she participated in the Sheldon Goldgeier Lecture Series.
Her blog explores topics about writing, sterling silver, sailing and Eastern Shore life at www.SusanReiss.com from her home in St. Michaels, Maryland.
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Contents
Title Page
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Untitled
Letters Across the Miles (Chapter One)
Acknowledgements & Notes
Susan Reiss
Silver Series
Historical Series
