Friday, March 31, 2017

The Real Life Of A Letter Writer



Real or Perceived?




This my dear friends, is REAL.  I am terribly behind....AGAIN on letter writing.  I could give you all the sad details, you could hear me bemoan my bad habits,  but short and sweet, I over commit, then become mentally exhausted,  my creativity is drained, then you guessed  it, no letters are being written.  But life seems to get one corrected  in one way or another.  My life's correction came by means of my husband being  very sick.  Changes needed to be made in my life so I can focus on him, and so I did.  Not only does he benefit but I've noticed a huge change in myself, more relaxed, rested...and I've noticed that I can look with REAL interest in that pile of letters.  

Perhaps that is the REAL reason letter writing has been on the decline the world over?  Are we all just too busy with life that we are mentally drained and can not focus on the quiet , thoughtful repose of letter writing?  It seems to be  a definite link for me.



Now, not to get too serious here....I thought I would interject my perceived  (Romantic) ideas about letter writing. We have 4 desks in our home, two of them being mine.  This desk sits in my bedroom.  It is very small so in order for it to be productive, it must stay clean.  Ha, ha,  That is a difficult task for me, but I do tend to keep it neat.  This is my "Pinterest"  perception, in other words, what I want you to think goes on all the time.



And here is my my REAL  "work horse desk".  I love the fact that I have a large area to spread out and get...messy.  But I first must get it clean, so that I can think.  But, it doesn't stay that way for long.


Before you know it , it looks more like this.  I really do get messy, but there is a method to my madness...most of the time.



Sheryl sends me the most gorgeous cards made from her own photographs.  She uses Shutterfly, but I'm sure there are others as well.  It's a great idea if you are a  photographer like she is.  



Finally,  I wanted to share with you the little Pen Pal Information sheet that Sheryl sent in her last letter.  Isn't it great?  I love the homey hand- made feel.  It is so simple yet it covers all the major questions.  I have made some copies of this and have started sending them out.  I plans on using the completed forms  putting them in a binder.  On the back side I hope to put a log showing when I sent or received from this pen pal.  It should be very helpful.  I hope that those who I send it out to WILL send it back, completed.  

Must get back to Letter Writing.  If you have written...I am getting to yours.  I have already written 7 letters and hope to get at least that many over the weekend.  Thank you for your patience.  

Clean that desk, and get writing!

Pam



10 comments:

  1. I'm sure most of us avid letter-writers have similar issues from time-to-time or always. I know I over-commit especially when my reply pile is small or up to date. I definitely don't want my letter-writing to become a chore and I always want it to be a real connection so my replies are always personal and handwritten. It takes time and everyone who writes appreciates that and understands when we take that little bit longer to write.
    BTW, I think your desk looks wonderful in both pictures.

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    1. Thank you Tracy, yes, mine are always hand written and personal. I love letter writing!

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  2. So I find that since the kids are sick I canceled everything and now I have a completed pile of letters. So yes, slowing down totally helps!!

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  4. Opps...about last post...I know I wouldn't win any clean anything award. Yes, I'm also behind in letters.
    Coffee is on

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    1. Haha...it's good to know I'm not the only one behind.

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  5. I think you're onto something with life being too busy and full and we can't handle the quiet. My letter writing comes in ebbs and flows but I really do enjoy it when I finally sit down and do it!

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    1. Yes, you know the opposite of amusement is "muse" to think. I think our culture and the world over want to just be amused...and not to think. Letter writing is VERY mental and requires lots of thinking! Thanks for your comments Bekka Joy!!

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  6. I can TOTALLY relate. I have been holed up editing a doctoral dissertation for a local pastor and, after weeks, finally finished at 12:30 a.m. Friday. Meanwhile, I have a stack of letters that need attending to, as I'm certain folks think I've fallen off of the face of the earth! :-)

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