The 4th of July, 2011
Happy Birthday America!!! 235 years old.
That’s a lot of candles!
This holiday also marks the one year anniversary of writealetter.org. After a bumpy start, it all seemed to make sense beginning last July. I’d like to use this opportunity to thank you for your continued support. I want to thank all my subscribers, and welcome the new ones. Every time I visit the site and find a new member I am inspired to keep going. It is very thrilling to find members chatting back and forth with each other on the activity page. This site is for everyone who enjoys writing letters, it’s not about me. I am merely a cheerleader for the cause.
To review some of what has occurred this past year…
I have looked for every avenue to encourage people to continue to hand write– via letters, postcards, greeting cards, journals, and even doodles; nudging folks to pick up a pen whenever possible. I have made contacts with many like-minded enthusiasts, and continue to link with quality people, articles, and companies everyday. The site is a forum for all things handwritten. I have just scratched the surface on offering handwriting help. I am aware of the major obstacle poor handwriting poses for some of us. I promise help is on the way! Nan J. Barchowsky has given me permission to link to her online handwriting lessons. They will be available very soon.
Margaret Shepherd has been extremely supportive of “our favorite way to communicate.” Her high standard for “Civilized Communication” is a marvelous reminder of how “classy, caring, and civilized it is to pick up a pen.” She has been the website’s mentor!
“Slow Writing” has just been introduced and will be a continued theme in the future. Once again every effort is made to steer people towards balance and to “back away from their gadgets” now and then.
Another strong focus on this site is writing to our servicemen and women, and I look for every opportunity to encourage that connection.
The website’s store offers many interesting handwriting related items for sale. I do not make any commission with this store. I am happy to showcase these items for your inspiration. And I offer links to any website that supports the effort.
The Letter Exchange has been a very inspiring connection for both the website and for me personally. I have made many wonderful new pen friends. My mailbox has taken on new meaning. I run to the box with the anticipation of “real mail.”
The search function just above the tag column is a marvelous new addition. One can easily search a topic by typing in a key word or simply clicking on the tag!
And looking ahead…
Besides offering handwriting help, I have several projects going simultaneously…
I want to offer more guidelines for courteous communication focusing on suggestions for the right words for different occasions… along with tips for being a better pen friend.
I am looking forward to featuring many postings on Mail Art.
I am shopping for a celebrity to help broadcast the cause. Know of any celebs who still write letters? And a way to contact them?
Also,I am preparing a letter to Postmaster General Donahoe, to remind him that “our kind of mail” still has value. I have many suggestions to offer him and I will post my letter for you to review and perhaps you will write one of your own as well.
The raffle is still on the horizon. I am still collecting marvelous gifts (pens, stationery, books, journals, etc.) Margaret Shepherd has promised to send some goodies when the event is scheduled, perhaps some signed books! I’ll be submitting the names of all the subscribers. The names will be chosen at random and you will be notified via email. Then I will require your mailing addresses.
Finally, I invite you to comment and use the forums page to begin discussions, and/or you can leave comments on the activity page. I love to hear from you through your comments and emails. If you have ideas and suggestions please pass them on so we all can benefit!
Thanks again for visiting, and-
Keep Writing!
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*Repro postcard sent by c.j.
Comment by c.j.-
Oh, goody, goody, goody! Can’t wait for more postings about mail art! I just love working on my own as well as receiving beautiful, interesting envelopes myself.
And I have so enjoyed the chatting with a few other members of the site! Would love to “meet” more of you!