I love this, I am about to write a handwritten letter to someone this morning - they sent me a letter written on a typewriter which was new for me!
I see you are looking for a homeschooling philosophy, may I introduce you to Ruth Gaskovski (someone I follow) who is trying to do the same thing https://schooloftheunconformed.substack.com
Thanks for your recommendation Hadden - I had just come across Shannon this morning because you had pointed her out, and was happy to find a kindred spirit!
Shannon, I just subscribed and am looking forward to your upcoming posts. I have a post in my drafts that will be called something along the lines of "Choosing dip ink in a time of QR codes" which echoes the themes you discuss here.
Ah, letters and the paper and envelopes they came in on! Another good reason to write them is a good excuse to use all that brilliant paper we are surrounded with. It just adds to the lore. In Yellow Submarine era I exchanged crinkly yellow letters with purple paisley lined envelopes. And don’t get me started on stamps...USPS has philatelic catalog worth every effort to surprise and amaze loved ones with their perfect stamps. This is creative that lasts as long as beautiful or amusing thoughts to another. Thanks for sharing this. We can all use more of this love.
Ah I love this. I was thinking of doing some more letter-writing myself though I don’t think I could match your output! Also, it sounds like you should sign your children up for my pen pal scheme…!
Hi Catherine, thank for commenting! I don't write a letter every day any more (although sometimes I think about trying it again) but I do still write. And I absolutely love your pen pal idea!
Really love this - it was something I did a little of, for similar reasons, during lockdown. Hope that you can continue to keep it up. Some years ago, on reading CS Lewis' Letters to Malcolm, some advantages of real letters over the immediacy of emails, texts etc occurred to me. For example, it gives time and space to mull things over, to chew over not only what’s been said to me but what I want to say in response, so that my own thinking has time to mature and be self-corrected. And maybe, when things are a little fraught, I need space to work out why I’m reacting as I am to what I’ve read: is it simply a matter of plain fact or are there things going on in my heart and mind that I need to become aware of and account for? Might it be helpful to talk to someone about the issues raised - a friend, a colleague - before penning a reply so that it has lower emotional freight. The delay in communicating could be just the kind of thing that would have James adding his own 'Amen!' (James 1:19).
I love this idea. I do try to send messages, digital mostly, telling people what I love and appreciate about them. The handwritten notes are special to recieve though because honestly more effort has gone into them!
Hello Shannon,
I love this, I am about to write a handwritten letter to someone this morning - they sent me a letter written on a typewriter which was new for me!
I see you are looking for a homeschooling philosophy, may I introduce you to Ruth Gaskovski (someone I follow) who is trying to do the same thing https://schooloftheunconformed.substack.com
Thanks for your recommendation Hadden - I had just come across Shannon this morning because you had pointed her out, and was happy to find a kindred spirit!
Shannon, I just subscribed and am looking forward to your upcoming posts. I have a post in my drafts that will be called something along the lines of "Choosing dip ink in a time of QR codes" which echoes the themes you discuss here.
Can't wait to read that post, Ruth!
It will be a while - my next ones will focus more on community building. But happy to know that there is an eager reader waiting:)
Well I am excited to read what you have to say about community building, too. ;)
Thanks, Hadden. Enjoy your letter-writing! And thanks for the recommendation.
Warmly,
Shannon
Welp. This inspired me to sit down and right some letters.
Ah, letters and the paper and envelopes they came in on! Another good reason to write them is a good excuse to use all that brilliant paper we are surrounded with. It just adds to the lore. In Yellow Submarine era I exchanged crinkly yellow letters with purple paisley lined envelopes. And don’t get me started on stamps...USPS has philatelic catalog worth every effort to surprise and amaze loved ones with their perfect stamps. This is creative that lasts as long as beautiful or amusing thoughts to another. Thanks for sharing this. We can all use more of this love.
It is always wonderful to find a fellow letter-writer. Hopefully the art will be revived and not die out completely!
I have enjoyed your letters and the notes from James.
Ah I love this. I was thinking of doing some more letter-writing myself though I don’t think I could match your output! Also, it sounds like you should sign your children up for my pen pal scheme…!
Hi Catherine, thank for commenting! I don't write a letter every day any more (although sometimes I think about trying it again) but I do still write. And I absolutely love your pen pal idea!
-Shannon
Really love this - it was something I did a little of, for similar reasons, during lockdown. Hope that you can continue to keep it up. Some years ago, on reading CS Lewis' Letters to Malcolm, some advantages of real letters over the immediacy of emails, texts etc occurred to me. For example, it gives time and space to mull things over, to chew over not only what’s been said to me but what I want to say in response, so that my own thinking has time to mature and be self-corrected. And maybe, when things are a little fraught, I need space to work out why I’m reacting as I am to what I’ve read: is it simply a matter of plain fact or are there things going on in my heart and mind that I need to become aware of and account for? Might it be helpful to talk to someone about the issues raised - a friend, a colleague - before penning a reply so that it has lower emotional freight. The delay in communicating could be just the kind of thing that would have James adding his own 'Amen!' (James 1:19).
Yes, absolutely agree. Time to reflect on what we "say" as we write letters is one of the many benefits of letter-writing.
I love this idea. I do try to send messages, digital mostly, telling people what I love and appreciate about them. The handwritten notes are special to recieve though because honestly more effort has gone into them!