How wonderful that you got that box of stuff. None of it is junk though. Everything in that box holds some kind of meaning for the person who took the time of keep it. It most likely meant something special at the time it was received. Don't be too quick to brush them aside as junk. That old hair brush might have been the actual brush that your grandmother used to brush her hair. Keep everything in that box because they are special. You just received the most wonderful gift of being able to see what a special person your grandfather was and what a wonderful writer he was. Treasure everything. You are very lucky.

I suppose I could use it for DNA sampling? :) It IS junk, but meaningful junk. I didn't mean to disparage it. Seems nice back when they used to write letters doesn't it?

I too have a letter from my great Grandmother written to my my Grandfather when he was a boy. I am fascinated by the use of language and, as such, this was another example of its use with great respect. So much of communicating back then was done this way, the letter, that I suppose they got quite good at it. Putting thoughts down on paper, rather than just a text message, or email, requires some skill to relay emotions like a smile or a wink, humor, sadness, good news and bad. I fear many of us have lost this ability over the years as technology has taken hold of our means of communication almost completely. That is why sites like this are so important, they give us all a reason to use the skills that we were given. Sorry, I'm rambling, but I feel strongly about this. Have a good one!, and keep writing. You have talent for storytelling, it won't get better if you don't exercise it. Good Luck!

I love the old idioms and phrases they use. It's like stepping back into a different world :)