Days of Wine and Letters
I remember in 1997 writing to the company that makes Beeman’s gum, asking if that flavor would come back in stock since other flavors like Black Jack and Clove were readily available, but not the wintergreen in the retro black and white wrapper. I emailed, and felt like a dork but that was the era in which doing nerdy things was cool, and i’ve never really minded looking foolish. They did reply, and said it was on hiatus due to lack of demand. Now, it’s reissued and like so much else, the taste wasn’t as great as the nostalgia and fear of something lost.
I know nothing about china, but the patroness of my treasure chest of postcards and correspondence probably did. She was a collector and had a good eye. It’s not a pattern I’d choose, but I appreciate the simplicity and charm of it, and understand why she would inquire. And she kept the letter, which may have brought her some joy we’ll never know.
Vernon 1925-1948
