When I was little, my grandpa and I had this thing where we would spell out everything we were saying to each other.  We began doing this when I was still learning how to spell, and it continued for quite some time.  As my family trudged through the door, and down the hallway, of my grandparent’s house, I would shout, “H-i P-a-p-a!”

“H-i M-a-d-dy,” he’d spell back.  Our typical small talk was made in this manner and lasted until the words were too difficult for me to spell.  I remember he would always try to spell his words so fast I could barely comprehend what he was saying.  “H-o-w i-s y-o-u-r d-a-y g-o-i-n-g?” he’d swiftly say.  

“Um… i-t i-s g-o-i-n-g g-o-o-d,” I’d reply hesitantly.  My grandpa would then continue to ask me numerous questions about what I did that day, or what I thought we were going to eat later.  Although I struggled during the establishment of our new communication system, I recall noticing how much better I had gotten at spelling.  It’s safe to say that these conversations with my grandfather were beneficial to my spelling and overall literary skill set.