Don't think its an old reserve, or even Silver Certificate. I better go check. I might be able to retire to a beach real soon!! I don't THINK that bill is a family item, but I could be wrong.
I did that with my Mom, took a card she sent me, wrote on it and sent it back. It went back and forth a bunch of times. Etching out or pasting over the previous stuff, and write back in the mail box. It got a bit thick after awhile. What fun! Used to send her letters on Birch Bark too, when I was in Minnesota at camp. More What Fun!!!

I'm pretty sure I'd rather not have an Alexa either. "What was that"? "Oh bother, I was muttering to the refridge". No, I'll stick to my Encyclopedia Britannica and 17 pound dictionary, thank you verymuch.

Though I can only imagine how much you might mess with her, if you DID get one for your B-day. The poor girl might blow a mainspring or doodlywhopper valve.
"Please DDa, don't ask me any more of these odd, quirky questions. I have an electro-headache now". "What's WRONG with THAT question. I really want to know. What Sharpie ink colors add up together to make Dessert Mauve and Chocolate Pique? Because I KNOW Puss the cat's messing with my quail eggs again".
A whirrzing and clicking sound emits from the poor cylinder up on the table, as a small smoke ring rises up to the ceiling above: "*??..ziiing kaziiiing, kapow, whirrrrrrrrrrr, DOINK!
"Honey, we need another one".

I am curious about the 'abandoned to run the farm as a child thing'. That is very interesting. Though I know I had MANY differing thoughts about life when I was young. Amazing what the mind can come up with, when given free reign. Especially with no mental governor as a fledgling yout of the world.

Thanks for the birthday wish. Muchly appreciated. I'll tell the Stink you said she looked nice. But your little Puss looks like quite the character as well. The Stinkmeister would probably love to be friends. OK, maybe not. I'm pretty sure I am her only reason for living, as she sits in my lap now, messing with my computer keys and trying to post before I'm ready. (I have an old post all about that, Stinky the Cat posting my stuff for me. Classic).

(I worked entirely too long on that >-||||||||||||||||||||||||||-° > thing. See what I did there. A change for the maybe-better on accident with a cat in my way...an emoji eelfish)
WOW, I wrote a daggum book here....I need a bike ride about now. Have a most wondrous night.