Dear Miss Blue,

The giant grasshopper must have heard the blasting of the whistle from the locomotive as it sped along the tracks there at the bottom of the sand dunes, Miss Blue. It was unfortunate, of course, that the whistle and the first notes of "Hail Britannia" were both in the key of "C". Fiddling was in his genes (you remember the tale of the Grasshopper and the Ant) and the Grasshopper had spent his younger years fiddling for the sailors on board a Navy Vessel. Once his ship was blown up by enemy fire and he was thrown into the water along with his fiddle. A very frightening memory that led to many generations of grasshoppers being afraid of "Hail Britannia" - the strains of which filled his ears as he flailed about in the water.

Stopping the locomotive was truly a feat of purpose and physical achievement. Of course, the Engineer was grateful that the train was stopped although the absence of the Hand Car remains a puzzle to everyone who has heard the story of the Giant Grasshopper!

Salted green apples remain on the menu at the Diner, Miss Blue. I have always preferred their dry, tart taste to pretzels. If you have a green apple tree growing nearby you might shake an apple or two or three down for salting. An after school treat for Fanny.

Love from Pearl