Filament's Letter to Jeri

Filament's Third Letter
to Jeri
(Edited by Ann L. Clapper)

Filament Swinging on Jeri's Sign

Philament A Bear of Distinction

December 1996

Hi Jeri,

How are you doing? I think about you lots. I hope you are making lots of money with those American Girl Doll dresses. Frankly, I don't understand people who want to play with dolls. Are they crazy or something? Who would want a doll - a cold, plastic skinned doll - when they could have a wonderful soft warm fuzzy bear. Mmmm... Oh dear, my Mom told me to apologize to you. She said you really love dolls. I'm sorry Jeri!

Well, life has been pretty good for me. Flagyl is still helping out at the pole. It's really great. We've been keeping the list right up to date, too. Santa gets a bit frantic this month, but we're OK. Pretty soon it'll be Christmas and then we'll get a vacation.

I asked for a tent for Christmas. Mom might have ordered it; I don't know for sure. I do know that they've back-ordered all the bear tents at LL Bean's, so I don't know how I'll make out. If I get the tent, maybe I'll camp out by your store next summer. Probably my Mom won't let me, though.

I haven't forgotten about Burton Page. My dad broke his arm last week. He tripped and fell in the back yard while he was feeding the birds. It was probably that Burton Page who caused the accident! Do you suppose Burton is a ghost? He must be something strange as I always seem to think about him at the strangest times. If he was a ghost do you think he would appear all whispy and see-thru-ey? I haven't seen him yet. I suspect Burton had a very hard life. He was probably a farmer and he probably built lots of stone walls all over the place. I think the stone walls were so high that you couldn't see over them... so when you walked up the lane it was like a narrow passageway. I think he had a little stone house and he lived there all alone. I'm sure the artesian well guy is another Burton who is descended from his great grandfather. I wonder how many Burton Pages there are. More to follow...

We can't wait until next summer. We might be able to leave here by June 25. When we get there, I'll come right down and see you.

Love, Phil
(The New York Bear)