Writing and wondering -

I certainly don't sit around looking this glamorous when in a writing mood!

If you could see me now, early morning, I've thrown on wrinkled linen beach pants

 and a basic grey tee shirt to limp across the damp grass to feed and water 

Nala cat next door again while her owner is lounging at the seaside for a few days.

I would like to be there too - I so need a beach and ocean view for a change.

Limp? Yes, have pulled something in thigh/leg whilst trying to organize a 

lower kitchen cabinet, paying for it now.

I have an affinity for envelopes . . . and writing paper . . . and cards.  

I still take pleasure in writing to people via snail mail but admit to

reverting to email more than I should because it's fast and the recipient

gets the message immediately.  But it's nowhere near as exciting as 

going to the mailbox at the street, or hearing an envelope drop to 

the hallway floor through a letterbox!

Speaking of mailboxes at the street - which are of course mostly 'American' -

here you can see my next door neighbor's box, on the other side of us, but

also note a realtor installing a FOR SALE sign . . . . . . yet again!!!!!

Our really great new neighbor has only lived there since last October and, 

in that short time, has done some incredible interior renovations to update

 the house. We were shocked and sad when he told us he would be putting

 the house on the market as he has taken a job in Washington D.C. and

will be moving. Being in a 'hot area' for housing, with many small older 

homes in the neighborhood being razed and replaced by larger, 

high-priced ones, we are once again concerned as to what might

 happen next door.

Will keep you updated on this of course.

Today is National Handwriting Day. . . . . . . . . .

Following the flurry of activity during the holidays come the quiet January days. 

We at last have time to sit down, relax, and do other things with our free time.

Many of us still prefer to pen thank-you notes in gratitude for lunches, dinners,

 parties ~ as well as gifts.

There are few better ways to convey to family and friends appreciation and good

 manners than sending a hand written note or letter.

Finding a hand addressed envelope in the mailbox, or on the doormat, tucked between 

bills and mass mailings, will certainly cheer up the dullest day.

The words we write are always important, but the choice of card, quality of paper,

color of ink, type of pen, all contribute to a beautifully penned message, making 

the recipient feel special because someone took the time to correspond this way.

Unknown illustration

C. Coles Phillips. Magazine Cover - 1910

Charles Dana Gibson - "Yes or No" - 1905

George Goodwin Kilburne - "Penning A Letter" (date unknown)

Despite many an hour spent on a computer in these modern times, e-mailing

 and blogging to keep in touch with family and friends, I still enjoy sending a

 hand written note or card when appropriate. 

I love the smoothness of the paper as my pen moves across, signing my name,

folding and tucking the page into the crisp envelope waiting to be addressed and sealed.

Choosing a colorful stamp for the upper corner is always fun, then adding a personalized

 return address label to complete something perhaps old-fashioned to some, maybe 

too time consuming for others, but hopefully appreciated by the recipient.

How do you feel about hand written notes or letters, and hand writing in general?

Do you still do it, enjoy it, or have you given it up and stick to the keyboard?