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.

Yesterday, I introduced Chloe as a letter pioneer, not letting the U.S. Postal Service stop her from getting me her letter.  Today, I’d like to share one of her responses to a past question of the week.  In her letter, she responded to every question that has been asked so far, and all of her responses were so thoughtful.  

I also really, really love her cursive.  It reminds me of friendship and shopping for antiques.

Question: Why are you interested in this project?  What is it that you like (or don’t like) about letter writing?

I have social anxiety, so don’t go out often and communicating through text is a lot easier for me than conversation.  Hand-written letters are the most charming and lovely way of textual communication, I think, because someone has taken the time to sit down and write it, and it’s often a lot more personal.  I’ve lost touch with many friends because we’ve added each other on Facebook, but never actually talk — whereas if I receive a post I’m always really excited and eager to reply.  I love the internet and it’s great for having quick conversations with people — but that’s the point; quick conversations.  Typing and sending is so instant, and people often reply straight away and one runs out of things to say.  With letters, however, it’s drawn out, so relationships have the ability to last much longer, with eagerness and anticipation over when the next letter will arrive.  I like your blog because it has given me a reason to write this long-winded letter to you (because you seem really lovely) and know that there’s less of a chance that I’m really annoying you! =p

I loved Chloe’s response to this question because I felt like I really got to know her personality, and I think it’s wonderful!  I love her sense of humor and her honesty.  I, too, find it easier to express myself in writing most times.

Thank you for sending in a lovely response to this question, Chloe!  And, you’ll have to be patient, but I’ll be sending you a letter back as well!

You can never go wrong with a little color.  

Pizzazz.  And Cara in New Jersey knows how to use it.  She responded to the past Question of the Week: Why are you interested in this project? What is it that you like (or don’t like) about letter writing? 

May 2012

Dear LHN,

There are a multitude of reasons why I prefer a handwritten note over most other forms of communication, but my favorite reason is style.  A handwritten note leaves lots of room for personal self expression.  It’s the paper version of fashion!

<3, Cara

New favorite line! — “The paper version of fashion.”  I love it, Cara, thanks for sharing!

Cara also has a wonderful website on Etsy where she sells delightful letter writing supplies and other fun crafts.  Check it out at: www.chewytulip.etsy.com

Allison is a pal of mine residing in Colorado.  We met in New York when we were both counselors at a summer camp.  She is fantastically crafty and perfectly creative.

In this lovely card she made, she responded to the past Question of the Week: Have you ever received a letter from another country? Where, and from whom?  Do you remember what it looked like? Had you yourself ever traveled there before, or did the letter make you want to?  If you haven’t received one, have you ever sent one to someone while visiting another country?

May 3, 2012

I’ve been thinking about the latest “Question of the Week” and thought using this little detail from a map on the card would be appropriate.

I have been fortunate in receiving and sending mail from far off lands.  I guess as you know from my Facebook postcard album, I received many postcards from my mom as she went from city to city on book tours when I was a child.  One was a European tour, and reading her accounts of different countries solidified those countries as real, accessible places for me.  When postcards from my mom became quite a collection, other family and friends started making sure to send me postcards from their travels too.

One of my favorites my dad sent me from Brazil.  It didn’t arrive to me in Los Angeles till six months later!  I like to imagine it traveled from post office to post office all over the world before finding me.

Until next time,

Allison

I loved reading Allison’s response and thinking about the far off lands where her postcards have traveled.  It makes this big beautiful world a little more connected.  It takes places with different environments and cultures and brings them to your mailbox to learn from.

Thanks for the letter, Allison!

This one is coming from that delightful Pacific Northwest state that goes by the name of Washington.  And first off, I love the elegant cursive writing of the address.

Ann, of Washington, scrawled her fabulous answer on delightfully quaint stationery to the past Question of the Week: Why are you interested in this project? What is it that you like (or don’t like) about letter writing? 

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Dear Lovely Handwritten Notes,

What a fun project!  I have always loved stationery and probably got my letter writing interest from my grandmother.  She wrote letters her whole life and as she got older, the one thing we gave her for gifts was stationery.

My letter writing goes up and down, but I often send notes to my nieces and nephews, kids from church, and a sister who has lived overseas (and in DC) quite a bit.  I also write once or twice a week to a senior woman who lives in a nursing home.  I’m not working at the moment, so have more time to write notes.

Good luck with your project!  I’m looking forward to more questions of the week.  They might provide inspiration for my letter writing.  

I am also thinking about hosting a letter writing social sometime.  I’ve read a little about these events and they sound like a lot of fun.

Sincerely,

Ann

I’m really enjoying hearing about how many people’s letter writing interests stem from pieces of their family history.  It is quite beautiful indeed.

I also love that Ann writes to a woman who lives in a nursing home.  As I’ve been sketching out plans for this project, I have considered teaming with a nursing home or a nonprofit serving people in need in order to target individuals who could really benefit from receiving a letter of cheer.

Thank you so much for writing in, Ann!  I hope you’ll continue to enjoy the Questions of the Week.  Expect a handwritten note your way as well!