Phil’s formula tattoo is still a talking point

Sir Isaac Newton, whose law of universal gravitation was remembered in a tattoo that Robert Towers’ late brother Phil had inked late in life. Photograph: Stock Montage/Getty Images

Re getting a tattoo later in life, my twin brother, Phil, a gifted physics teacher, got one of the formula for Newton’s law of universal of gravitation after his 70th birthday (‘It is a celebration of my body!’ Meet the people who had their first tattoo after 60, 14 December). Phil unfortunately died this year, and his tattoo – F = -GmM/r² – was written on his coffin and is now on stickers on our family cars. It remains a talking point and a way to remember a loved one and his wish to teach others.
Robert Towers
Unthank, Cumbria

• As a pupil at a girls’ secondary modern in the 1960s, my memories of home economics lessons are somewhat different from those of Jennifer Kennerley (Letters, 13 December). We learned how to lay out a nice tea tray and how to make lots of cakes, with a whole term on a Christmas cake, including handmade icing roses. All lovely, but a life tool? Not so much.
Roz Treadway
Sheringham, Norfolk

• The compiler of your quick crossword (14 December) may “thrum” their guitar, but I strum mine. Perhaps that’s where I’m going wrong?
Richard Percy
Newburgh, Lancashire

• To get guests to leave (Your niece is suddenly vegan! How to survive the 12 disasters of Christmas, 14 December), my 105-year-old great aunt would simply say: “Well, dears, that’s been a lovely visit.”
Gerard Hastings
Céret, France

• Have an opinion on anything you’ve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication.