A couple of letters arrived recently along with art work, always a bonus. Please take a gander at these portraits of yours truly.
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So, yeah, gobble-gobble. That’s me . . . as a turkey. The art projects tied into Thanksgiving, I presume. Look at my ankle in the bottom one. Must be sprained. And look at my nose-beak on the top one!
Oh dear. Oh me, oh my. I can’t stop staring at these!
Here are the letters and, below that, my reply.
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Dear Ryan and Harper,
I’m combining my response in one letter because I received your artwork in the same envelope. I’ve included a copy for each of you, via snail mail, to bring home, where you can treasure it always or shove it in the back of your closet or, hey, both!
Just don’t let the hamster poop on it! That’s all I ask.
So I’m looking at your artwork . . . and I’ll be honest.
I’m a little freaked out.
You’ve turned me into a Turkey Man.
I repeat: A TURKEY MAN!
Complete with beak and feathers and goatee and, in Harper’s case, a wattle!
If I’d ever wondered before what I’d look like with a wattle, well, now I know. At least that question has been answered once and for all.
And Ryan, thanks for those feathers. “Caring” is my favorite.
I was so delighted by your artwork, in fact, that I shared it on Facebook with my very close, intimate group of 1,000-plus “friends.” It was “liked” by more than 100 people and generated quite a few comments:
Padi said, “The likeness is uncanny.”
Larry said, “Spitting image.”
Liza asked, “Did you get a nose job?”
Sigh. These are, supposedly, my friends!
Anyway, and in all seriousness, awesome job, Ryan and Harper. Now, let’s see, you also wrote letters. Thank you for those, too.
Ryan, I appreciate your encouragement. I will keep writing! Honestly, it’s readers like you who make it all feel worthwhile.
Harper, thanks for reading the latest Jigsaw Jones book, The Case of the Hat Burglar. I’m so glad that the ending surprised you. Did you fall off your chair? That’s my goal. Someday I want to write a book with a surprise that’s so unexpected readers all over America fall off their chairs. Whoops, tumble, thunk!
Thank you both for your kind notes and artwork. I love them!
Your friend,
THE TURKEY MAN!
(James Preller)
P.S. My regards to your fabulous teacher, Ms. Lukingbeal. I visited Hudson, Ohio, not too long ago. It was a wonderful week of school visits. I even got to eat dinner with her! If you ask her, she might tell you that I pecked at my food.
