Happy New Year Dear Readers. I must confess the challenge of this New Year’s moment has overwhelmed me. Much like the 2 faced Roman god Janus who starts off the year with Janu-ary, I don’t know if I’m coming or going. I am still writing holiday greetings, and the thought of jotting down my […]
“My Dear Friend”
After her grandmother died in 2000, Rachael Doyle, a high school junior from Long Island, decided that she wanted to do something to lessen the loneliness for some seniors in a local nursing home. Rachael along with 2 volunteers went into the senior facility and offered the women there makeovers. It began with doing the […]
Royal Pen Pal
Dear Reader, Here is a Royal story that we can relate to. Queen Elizabeth had a pen pal. Often, Her Majesty kept a “stiff upper lip,” so it is heart warming to learn that she let her hair down with an annual birthday card to her American pen friend in North Dakota. Here’s the scoop […]
Let’s Make Friends
Dear Reader, When the question arises, “Where can I find a pen friend?,” my answer is always LEX. I have been a member of The Letter Exchange (LEX) for about a dozen years now. Through them I have met and continue to correspond with many fantastic people from all walks of life. I have never […]
Precious Possession
Dear Reader, Below is Colette’s marvelous answer to “When was the last time you saw someone using a fountain pen?” I asked if I may share this with you. She said, “Yes!” … I am more or less over jet lag and catching up with my messages. For my confirmation, my godmother gave me a […]
State of Mind
Dear Reader, It has been some time since I have written to you. I apologize for the delay. So much is happening. I try to see the sense of it. I confess, I am baffled by the story we are living through. Stepping back, I attempt to increase my scope. I see heavy overlays of […]
“7 Reasons to Write Letters”
…If you are not familiar with The Postman Knocks, then you are in for a treat! Margaret Shepherd recommended Lindsay Bugbee’s website, so there’s a nod of approval if ever I saw one. Lindsay’s TPK is always visually gorgeous. Her interest in inspiring us is continuously channeled into her multiple lessons and videos. If you would […]
Valentine for Bobby
“I feel I hold her heart in my hands…holding my mother’s letters. ” -Sherry Turkel, Epilogue- Alone Together, 2011. The kids called him “Mr. Robert.” Bobby’s small creative arts class at a Church daycare was his “passion.” The kids just loved him. He allowed them to be who they are. He let them shine. Together […]
Universal Letter Writing Week 2021
Looking forward, looking back -that’s Janus. January is named after Janus, the Roman god with two faces, each looking in the opposite direction. He heralds new beginnings. What a perfect symbol for a new year and some fresh starts. We’ve done plenty of looking back. So, what’s ahead? How are those resolutions going? Laurie Santos, […]
Mr. Boddington to the Rescue!
Teaching kids to hand-write letters the old-fashioned way, might sound like a step backward to some, but there are plenty of good reasons to encourage this effort. Let me count the ways… Within these last few years many published scientific studies have emerged warning us of the downside of our highly technological lifestyle. Aside from their […]