Lovely Handwritten Notes

Written with a Quill

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 22:23:10 -0400

I’m going to try to catch up on posting your fabulous letters during the month of May, starting this evening of the last night in April—where does time fly away to so quickly?

Tonight’s letter comes from Oregon.

It’s a handwritten treat that arrived in my box in February complete with a fantastic wax seal.

The note was in cursive and so beautifully portrayed the movement of the hand.

February 20, 2013

My Dear Handwritten Note,

I hope this letter finds you in both excellent health & in excellent spirits. Valentine’s Day is by no means my most beloved of holidays. Mr. A is romantic when the mood strikes. This suits me quite well.

Do enjoy your handwritten note done on linen laid paper, written with walnut ink & a quill for a pen. This is how you might receive a letter in 1813.

Your servant in the wilds of Oregon Country,

Mrs. R. Azevedo

Oregon Regency Society

I loved the nostalgic taste of this letter—a fantastic tribute to the history of the handwritten note. Thanks, Mrs. A! I hope your spring is off to a fantastic start.

Blossoming Spring from Georgia

Sun, 31 Mar 2013 20:00:49 -0400

Grace from Georgia also responded to March’s Question of the Month:

What are your hopes for the spring? What would you like to see blossom in your life or in the world? Where will you find your spring magic? (If it’s transitioning to a different season where you live in the world—tell me about that!)

Her response came in this sweet little card:

Dear Lovely Handwritten Notes,

I’ve just gotten into this sending-mail-to-random-people-scene, and so you are the first one I’ve written!

Anyway, what are my hopes for spring? I’ve not really thought about that. I guess just doing well in class. (Yes, I am that boring of a person.) I’m a junior in college though, so my efforts are much needed.

What would I like to see blossom? Well…I just started dating this awesome guy (on Valentine’s Day, cliche, I know). I really like him and I hope that our mutual attraction will grow into love. I’m well on the way and I hope he is too.

Finally, my spring magic. My birthday is in the spring, right when the angle of the sunlight is changing from the blue of winter to the gold of summer. That is where I find my magic.

Finally, have sketch of my favorite place to sit in the spring.

Have a lovely day,

Grace

First of all, wanting to do well in class does not make you a boring person! Higher education is a beautiful and exciting endeavor. Congrats on all of your work, and I hope you finish the semester with a bang! :)

Second, spring love is the best! Thanks for sharing; it made me all warm and fuzzy inside to think of blossoming love.

Finally, I must agree that the change from winter to spring to summer—from blue to gold—is magic. I love watching the sun slowly stick around longer and longer.

Thanks so much for your response, and happy spring!

Spring Will Come! — Handwritten Hope from Utah

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 00:45:52 -0400

The Question of the Month for March was:

And it is possibly my most favorite Question of the Month ever. I’m getting antsy for spring, growing ever impatient with the cold. Your responses to the question make it feel like the sun can break through this year’s slow blooming season.

Janet from Utah’s response came in a simple brown envelope with purposeful penmanship.

And it only got more exciting as I opened it.

The paper was painted, stained, and glittered in all the right places with a welcoming green title declaring, “Spring Will Come.”

Janet responded:

March 10, 2013

Spring Will Come

I hope it’s a long spring. Last summer was unreasonably hot. For now, the mountains are still covered with snow and we are in a 50 degree heat wave (seems so after single digit days this winter).

Things to look forward to are; the SUN!, leaves on trees (none yet), flowers and trips to plant nurseries, going outside without a coat, farmers’ markets, art festivals, plein air painting, dog walks, bare feet, just to name a few!

The first day of spring is March 20.

I love handwritten notes!

Take care,

Janet

It’s the simple things that Janet mentions, like going outside without a coat, that make my heart happy for the change from winter to spring.

Thanks so much, Janet, for the thoughtful response—and enjoy your spring! :)

Spring Has Sprung!

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 23:36:48 -0400

It may have been snowing today in D.C., but spring is officially here—and with it so many lovely handwritten notes to my P.O. Box! Do you see yours in this pile?

Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll be sharing these letters (and some remaining valentines—who says love ends after February?) on the blog, so stay tuned. Also, a new Question of the Month coming your way soon!

Question of the Month!

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 01:35:21 -0500

A year ago, when spring began its tender arrival, I would ride my bike along the trail through the forest near my house. The trail ended at a lake, and there I would sit at the same picnic table each time, writing letters, beginning this project. Bringing new dreams to fruition. Sending bits of the love I knew to be important through handwritten notes, like this one below, while watching the lake come alive with people in rowboats and then transition to a meditative stillness as the sun blushed upon it.

That spring was one of magic in so many ways. It was a true rebirth, a blossoming of heart and soul and mind.

March 20, 2013 is the first day of spring this year.

Please send your lovely handwritten responses to:

Lovely Handwritten Notes

P.O. Box 2674

Washington, DC 20013

United States of America

If you’re new to the project and unsure what the Question of the Month is, start here.

Tickle Me Pink!

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 00:12:40 -0500

Jerimi in Idaho made my whole day with this sweet little handmade Valentine!

Jerimi was responding to February’s Question of the Month:

Do you give out Valentine’s Day cards to people? Why or why not? Who do you give them to? Do you make them or buy them? How do you make the day special for you and your special people?

Jerimi wrote:

February 6, 2013

Dear Lovely Handwritten Notes,

First off, thank you for all you do! Your blog and postal efforts are both so kind. You have a generous spirit.

Second…question of the month! WHOO!

I do send Valentine’s Day cards. I make silly, overblown ones, with as much glitter as possible. Sometimes I invent obnoxious fictional people along the lines of Pepé Le Pew for the cards to be from. I think it’s fun. :)

I don’t actually do much to mark the day itself. I just think it’s fun to make and send the cards to friends and other loved ones. I don’t mind looking silly if it gets a smile from them.

Guess I’m a fool for love. Thanks again!

Best Wishes,

Jerimi

I’m a fool for love, too, Jerimi — thanks for sending me some via USPS! You certainly got a smile out of me, and it appears that we are partners in the Glitter Enthusiasts Club.

I hope everyone had a lovely Valentine’s Day! To steal a line from Jerimi, thanks for all that you all do to spread kindness to others. Be well! xoxo

Question of the MONTH!

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 23:20:00 -0500

Hello all! Happy February! I’ve decided to pick back up the Question of the Week idea, only make it a Question of the Month. I’m very excited to start receiving all of your thoughtful responses again. :)

If you’re wondering what the Question of the Month is and how it works, start here.

So, I kind of love Valentine’s Day. It’s sort of cute in a sickeningly sweet way. And it’s a great excuse to make the special people in your life handmade or handwritten loveliness. With this month of love and friendship in mind, here’s this month’s question:

Do you give out Valentine’s Day cards to people? Why or why not? Who do you give them to? Do you make them or buy them? How do you make the day special for you and your special people?

Please send your lovely handwritten responses (or Valentines! Hehe…) to:

Lovely Handwritten Notes

P.O. Box 2674

Washington, DC 20013

United States of America

I look forward to all of your handwritten love. <3

New Year's Resolution: Get Organized

Sun, 27 Jan 2013 22:11:20 -0500

With the level of organization taking place in my life right now, 2013 doesn’t even know what hit it.

Tonight, I’ve spent a great deal of time getting this project re-organized so that I don’t lose track of any of your lovely handwritten notes, and I know to whom I still need to respond. The first step in this process involved paying a visit to The Container Store where I was able to pick up this beauty to store all of your letters in alphabetical wonderfulness:

After this, I created an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of names, addresses, whether or not I’ve responded, whether or not the letter was in response to a Question of the Week, if it has been posted on the blog, etc.

Outside of the project, I’ve become hooked on Google Calendar and Google Tasks. I have sublists for my lists. I have color-coded goodness.

Obsessive compulsive? Maybe just a little.

But it’s for the best. I’m fairly caught up on letter requests (I have 4 in my to-do list), and I’m ready to start doing biweekly posts where I share all of your loveliness again. Also, I’m going to start posting a Question of the Month on the first of every month — so get prepared!

Dear 2013, let’s get organized!

Postal Love from England

Thu, 27 Dec 2012 03:29:57 -0500

Ok, so I got this package in the mail…

Which, I mean, look at it…it looks like a bundle of loving excitement! But, then I opened it to find this…

Which was even more exciting. But, then, I opened that to find all of this…

And I was in postal heaven. Louise in England, you are amazing! Thanks so much!

The package also included a lovely response to a past Question of the Week: If you could have a few more hours in the day, what would you use them for?

My craft room needs tidying up because there’s things all over the floor!

Bleach the bathroom from ceiling to floor!

Read some books on pregnancy — I’m 30 weeks pregnant!

Clean & tidy the whole house ready for our little girl arriving in December =)

Make some baby crafts

Rest a little?!?!

Hehee xx

Make some envelopes. I’ve run out!

First of all, Louise, congratulations on your baby girl!! I hope everything is going beautifully for you and your family. Secondly, expect a little something in the mail soon, and more later! Your package was truly lovely and put a big smile on my face.

Also, Louise has a fantastic blog, so definitely check it out!

Sorry for Falling off the Face of the Earth

Sat, 08 Dec 2012 01:58:13 -0500

I really am. In fact, I’m so sorry that in order to show you just how sorry I am…here’s a photo of a postcard snuggling up to a cup of cocoa:

Isn’t it cozy and adorable? Am I forgiven?

It’s kind of crazy how quickly this life thing can sweep you off your feet. When did it become December? My to do list, both of the things that must be done and the endless things I’d love to do, is so lengthy. I feel quite lucky, honestly, to have such a lengthy list — for there is so very much in this life to explore. But, the point is, I’ve been a bit overwhelmed, and thus, Lovely Handwritten Notes kind of vanished. (And, here I was trying to tell people that it was easy to keep up with your letter writing…oops…) Ultimately, I’m super sorry. I still really like all of you, and you’ve totally been on my mind during this entire absence.

I logged on to check the project’s email tonight, and there was a nice handful of messages and addresses from new followers. Each request for a letter came with its own unique little message of hope and kindness. Each one reminded me so vividly of why I started this project in the first place.

Not to mention, I’ve received some of the most beautiful, thoughtful postcards, letters, and packages from around the world. They’ve brightened my day and I can’t wait to share them with all of you. And I will. But, you might have to be a little patient with me. I can’t keep up with the daily posts and I have a lot of letters left to send…so, here’s the plan!

I hereby commit to at least one new post every other week (with the hopes of doing one every week). In addition, I plan to send out one lovely handwritten note per day to those of you who request them. Therefore, it may take a little time, but rest assured — joy and cheer shall find you in your mailbox!

Sound good?

All of you lovely letter-writing souls are so great. You really are. Thank you for the constant reminders of why I adore this form of communication so very much.

xoxo

http://randomnoteproject.com/

Sun, 11 Nov 2012 13:53:54 -0500

http://randomnoteproject.com/:

This is a very fantastic project! I encourage all of you to visit the website and get involved in spreading cheer. :)

http://postcardpost.wordpress.com/2012/09/26/hurrah-for-the-usps/

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 19:58:24 -0400

http://postcardpost.wordpress.com/2012/09/26/hurrah-for-the-usps/:

A friend of mine has an amazing postcard collection she shares on her website. You should probably check it out. This link will take you to a particularly fun post celebrating the official start of the USPS back in 1789!

Question of the Week!!

Fri, 28 Sep 2012 20:13:10 -0400

I think it’s time for a new question. I’ve been keeping rather busy and, it seems, trying to fit more hours into a day than there actually are. Too much push and not enough sleep meant that this girl ended up having to take a sick day today.

With that in mind…

If you could have a few more hours in the day, what would you use them for?

Right now, I’m thinking sleep, but, knowing myself and all these big dreams I have, I don’t see that actually playing out. ;)

Please send your lovely handwritten responses to:

Lovely Handwritten Notes

P.O. Box 2674

Washington, DC 20013

United States of America

If you’re wondering what the Question of the Week is and how it works, start here.

Another question that is always up for grabs is:

What is something just really nice (a story, a joke, a quote, something you’d just like to say, a drawing, really, anything you can think of…) that you’d like to send my P.O. Box to bring it back into the sunshine so that I may then share all of the lovely mementos it receives from around the world on this here website so that not only I, but many more can benefit from their warmth?

I look forward to receiving and sharing your letters.

Learning More About Places in the World through Letters

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 13:49:52 -0400

It has been nice finally getting caught up on some of the lovely mail I’ve received over the past couple of months. Life gets so busy, but I think it’s always important that we make sure to schedule in the time to do the things that just make us smile. So, in between work, studying, volunteering, networking…I’m trying to get back into also just being creative, reaching out to those I love, and having a good time with this bright little life we all get the chance to live.

This letter arrived in my box back in June, and was in response to the following Question of the Week: Tell me about where you live or where you are from. How does it look, feel, smell? What are the people like? What do you love about it? Is there something you would change about it?

Wren had a wonderfully detailed response to this question. Here is what she had to say:

June 15, 2012

Dear L.H.N.,

In response to “Tell me where you live or where you are from…”: Those are two different places; very different! I live in the deep south where I enjoy the greenery and warm weather. I am very cold-blooded and this prevents me from living where I grew up.

I was born in Connecticut, but moved to Rhode Island when I was about 2 years old. My father’s family is from Rhode Island, and have been living there since around 1780. I miss the formality of New England. I think it’s nice to get out of the jeans and t-shirt and go out in a dress or a skirt and a blouse that actually has a collar! Of course the fall foliage in New England is a highlight. My most fond memories are of my birthday (late July) when it’s a comfortable 85 degrees (at last!), having steamers and lobster seaside. The best time and place to be is at the ocean in September, just after all the “summer people” have left. How does Rhode Island smell? Salty! Like low tide! Sometimes there is too much dampness and you need to turn on the dehumidifier. In the winter, the snow will come in January and maybe leave in March. Look out the window and count the birds in the birdfeeder: cardinals, chickadees, blue jays, tufted titmouse — lots of nature in R.I. — chipmunks live in the stonewalls that the pilgrims built. Rabbits and field mice are living in the backyard. You can see foxes, woodchucks and raccoons, too.

The people are quiet and reserved and dead honest. If they don’t like you, they’ll look you in the eye and tell you so! Nobody pretends to be friendly; not even salesmen. There’s no second-guessing, and I like that!

My thoughts about my first home; thanks for the opportunity!

Best Regards,

Wren

I think that was such a beautiful description. I could see what Wren described and feel myself there in the different seasons. Thank you so much for sharing with us where you grew up, Wren. I love how letters can make me feel like I’ve traveled the whole world!

Thoughts from the Czech Republic on How to Save the Postal Service

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 15:09:20 -0400

Each letter that arrives comes adorned in its own details of its journey. Different postal stickers, scribbles of writing, postmarks, stamps, and barcodes.

And, yes, those are hamster stamps!

And then you open up these journey-soaked envelopes and find an equally diverse array of beautiful handwritten love.

Pavla from the Czech Republic recently responded to the following Question of the Week: What is your idea for helping save the post office? It can be silly, bizarre, serious, quantitative, qualitative, or all of the above!

Here is what she said:

Anyway, you’ve asked about our ideas on how to save the post office. Well, I don’t have any (not sensible ones), but perhaps offering kids or people some kind of a reward might do the trick. Like, for each letter you send you’ll get a special sticker and when you have 50 or 100 of them, you’ll be rewarded with something. Silly. :)

I’m glad that everything’s fine again with your P.O. Box, and I’m looking forward to your next question. :)

Take care,

Pavla

P.S. I’m sorry for those hamster stamps.

Pavla, the hamster stamps were fantastic. And thanks a bunch for sharing your idea!

A Handwritten Story to Prompt a Smile

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 22:28:45 -0400

I recently received a response to this past Question of the Week: What is something just really nice (a story, a joke, a quote, something you’d just like to say, a drawing, really, anything you can think of…) that you’d like to send my P.O. Box to bring it back into the sunshine so that I may then share all of the lovely mementos it receives from around the world on this here website so that not only I, but many more can benefit from their warmth?

This writer chose to send a story, and it was so funny and made me so happy that I found my eyes all watered up with joy on the metro ride home that day. (It actually comes from a pal of mine I miss dearly!)

I’m a sucker for sealed with a kiss.

Here’s her story:

8/10/12

Milady,

This handwritten note is in response to your Question of the Week Aug. 9 — “What is something just really nice that you’d like to send my P.O. Box?”

Here is my story.

Once upon a hot summer night in a land called Little Five Points, two young freedom fighters marched down Moreland Avenue on a quest to blow off some steam after a long day of waging peace, fighting disease, and building hope. On their journey, they seized control of a yacht, battled a nasty case of hiccups, left numerous voicemail messages, and put a house up for sale. (One of these dainty flowers also ate her weight in breakfast foods.) To this day no one can agree on whether they fought more disease, waged more peace or built more hope, but one thing is for sure — these 2 Kirboans had a hell of a morning.

With oh-so-much-love,

Nicki

I have so much love for this lady. Thanks for the laughs down memory lane, my dear.

A Lovely Handwritten Note from Qatar

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 13:32:02 -0400

This project is about promoting handwritten letters (which, in turn, promotes all sorts of other goodness, like kindness, connection, and cheer). So, no matter how you choose to be involved—whether you’re responding to the questions of the week, requesting a handwritten note from me, or just sending a little “hello” yourself—you’re doing just what you need to do.

This little hello to the project came from Qatar.

Hello from afar,

Came across your blog via a retweet from another fan of letters. I’m glad you take the time to do this for folks (and keep the USPS chugging along). I travel a lot so am very happy to write a postcard though at times it’s difficult to determine who would want such an item! Whenever I visit a city I seek out a post office and request 10 stamps to make it easy on the clerk, especially if we don’t speak the same language. Acquiring these Qatari stamps the 1st time around was easy but accents were so strong I didn’t try to make conversation. The stamps were of old world cup (soccer) posters — quite bland for a foreign country stamp. Upon return to make mailings I purchased more and got these unique “creatures” of Qatar. Much better, though I need to decide who will get a postcard with a stamp of an earwig. Haha.

Take care and hope this reaches you warmly…

This was such a fun and unique note to receive. I can imagine this writer traveling the world at the same time that his or her handwritten notes also travel to and fro. It makes me happy to think about the many ways the many places of this big world are brought together.

It can be so simple.

Sun, 23 Sep 2012 22:55:52 -0400

Sometimes my favorite things to receive in the mail are quick one-liners. It can even be a postcard simply reading, “Hello! Love, Me.”

How can something so quick leave such a big smile?

Thanks, Michelle. :)

Question of the Week!!

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 17:18:13 -0400

It’s not Wednesday, but I think it’s time for a new question. After all of my troubles with the post office these past couple of months, it has gotten me thinking a bit about one of the reasons I started this project — to help save the post office!

With that in mind…

What is your idea for helping save the post office? It can be silly, bizarre, serious, quantitative, qualitative, or all of the above!

Please send your lovely handwritten response to:

Lovely Handwritten Notes

P.O. Box 2674

Washington, DC 20013

United States of America

If you’re wondering what the Question of the Week is and how it works, start here.

Another question still up for grabs is:

I can’t wait to receive and share all of your fantastic letters! Have a fantastic weekend! :)

A Smile Sent with a Stamp

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 22:26:59 -0400

After a long stretch of an empty p.o. box, letters now are sweeter than ever.

Especially when life is in one of those stages where it is dancing so fast it’s hard to keep up. I’m moving this weekend, and for some reason sold my bed a week early. Sleeping on the floor leads to groggy moments come late afternoon. But then, you get a little something like this from Jerimi.

Dear LHN,

I love your goal of reviving the handwritten letter! There’s something inherently kind about a written note.

So here is a smile, sent with a stamp, just for you. :)

Best Wishes,

Jerimi

I smiled all the way home. Thanks for the kindness, Jerimi. It totally helped me defunkifize.