Sunday, January 29, 2012

* Nostalgic Sundays *

It's Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday



I'm very excited about today's Nostalgic Sunday, because it pertains to Handwritten Letters!

If you've been reading my blog for quite a while, you know how I feel about the lost art of handwritten notes and letters. Yes, I love technology and the wonder of it all, but isn't it delightful to receive some snail-mail that isn't a bill or junk mail? You open up your mailbox and there's an envelope with your name and address written on it? It's from a friend or relative and it's not even Christmas or your birthday?? Fabulous, dahhhling!


I first learned of this from my sweet friend, Lynn, over at Present Letters. Lynn not only writes letters, but she also makes lovely note cards! Check out her blog. Here is what Lynn said about herself on her profile: "My favorite form of writing is epistolary - I love hand writing letters to people. I also love to cook, garden and do anything creative."


After reading her blog post about The Month of Letters Challenge, I searched and found the website for it and immediately e-mailed Mary Robinette Kowaltelling her how much I loved her idea and that I AM IN. I told her she would be one of the first I wrote to and she replied that she would, of course, write back to me.

So, if any of you would like to receive a handwritten note from me, please e-mail your address to me. (Don't include it in the comment section, unless you want the entire world to know!) If you don't already know my e-mail, it is listed in my profile info.

If YOU want to join in, just grab the participant badge and post it on your blog.

I may not be able to write and send one every single day in February, but I'm certainly going to try. I won't feel like a failure if I don't, because it will be fun and rewarding, no matter what.  



"To send a letter is a good way to go somewhere without moving anything but your heart." ~ Phyllis Theroux

"What a wonderful thing is the mail, capable of conveying across continents a warm human hand-clasp." ~ Author Unknown



37 comments:

  1. I'm going to be a participant, but not officially...Lynn is definitely the Queen of Letter-Writing.

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  2. This is such a great idea! February isn't a good month...so much traveling for work. But I might make this a March challenge for myself :)

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  3. This is such a great idea, Becky. Like you, I miss writing and receiving handwritten letters. When I lived away from my family, we wrote back and forth almost daily. I've saved those letters for posterity. It's sad to think that we don't write anymore.

    My goal this year is to write more handwritten Thank You notes. I've gotten out of that practice, too, and have sent way too many thank you's via email. It's time to get out the notecards and do it right!

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  4. Thanks Becky! Wow, never thought to write the gal behind this! Would you send me her address via email, as I'm sure you have it, and well, I want to steal your idea of writing her. Since I write letters all the time, I'm shooting to write those I've never written to, although I know I'll write the ones I write to also!

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  5. I love handwritten notes, Becky. And as you know I LOVED receiving yours while I was in South Africa last Sept. I also send many handwritten letters (and Christmas cards) and will be joining this meme sometime soon. Hope you're keeping well. Have a good week. Jo

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  6. Hi - Melissa sent me :) I'm soooo going to join in with this, what a fab idea - have you met Jenni at http://themodestpeacock.blogspot.com/
    she has been participating in 52 weeks of mail and often blogs about it. I'll email you my addy - and I promise to write back :)
    Lx

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  7. boo - I can't get at your email address... mie's ldotbambreyatgmaildotcom if you fancy dropping me yours
    Lx

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  8. Sounds like SOMEbody is going to be getting a lot of mail! Because I'm sure the recipients will exercise proper etiquette and write back.

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  9. When you find an old letter in the box you stored away years ago, and it is written in the hand of your loved one, it has SO MUCH MORE impact. I love sending lovely cards and writing a note by hand, and I love getting them. xo

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  10. I read Lynn's post too...letter writing...I have opinions on that...will have to post some myself! Maybe you gals can turn the tide for letters again~!

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  11. What a lovely idea. I will have to go away and think about this some more - but you are right, hand written notes and cards are magical.

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  12. How exciting! I love this idea, too! I'm off to send you an email, my friend! Hugs! ♥

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  13. Hi Sioux! I'll be writing to you!

    Hey Kelley ~ If you send me your mailing address, I'll still send you a note. You don't have to "officially" participate, just like Sioux.

    Hi Juliann! Please send me your address, too. I'd be happy to write to you!

    Hey Lynn! You KNOW I'll send you one!

    Hi Jo! Yes, I know you enjoy "real" mail letters, too! :)
    I'll also be sending you one.

    Hi Laura! Thanks so much for stopping by! I look forward to receiving your mailing address. I also checked out the Modest Peacock blog. Very cool!

    Hi Val! Yes, it certainly seems like the proper thing to do! :D
    (hey, I need YOUR address!)

    Hi Melissa! So true about the old cards and notes. I haven't kept many over the years, but I'm pretty sure I have at least a couple from my deceased mother and deceased sister. I need to dig further and look for others. What is YOUR mailing address now?

    Oh Claudia! You know I'll be writing to you, too!

    Hello and Welcome Elephant's Child! Thank you for stopping by, and if you'd like a letter from me, please e-mail me!

    And lovely Lavender Dreamer, you will definitely receive a note from me, too!!

    Thanks everyone! This has gotten me out of my doldrums. Send more friends to stop by or e-mail me!

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  14. In 3rd grade they teach the students cursive now for two weeks. If they pass the test - they get a certificate and they are done. Can you believe that?

    Sandie

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  15. What a lovely way to spend a dreary winter month. I hope all this letter writing brings brightness to your days, and maybe even some grand surprises (which I hope you'll share here).

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  16. I used to write letters all the time and now I can't recall the last time I sent a letter. Even my Christmas card list has dwindled.

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  17. I always like to read about posts where you are writing. I'm waiting for the post that says, "I'm done writing my memoir." LOL :) Sounds great and I hope you will post about your letter writing experience on here. :)

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  18. Hi Sandie! 2 WEEKS? Yeah, that IS crazy! But I think some schools don't even do that!

    Hi Deb! Yes, that's a great way of putting it...a dreary month, brighten my day, and surprises! Send your address if you'd like a note or letter!

    Hi Patricia~ I know what you mean. My sending and receiving of cards has dwindled, too. It wasn't much fun going to my mail box last December. :(
    Please send me your address, and I'll be sure to add you to THIS list!

    Hey Margo! Thanks for stopping and commenting. And you and I both will celebrate when I can finally post THOSE words!! :)

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  19. Great idea.

    I still send letters, cards, having grown up in the age of the "pen pal". :-)

    Pearl

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  20. Hi Pearl! Thanks! I grew up during that same era....hmmm, must be why we both like to write letters?! I'll send one to you, too, if you'd like.

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  21. I exchange letters with a friend in New York. I agree that there's something unique and special about receiving something hand written.

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  22. If I send you a handwritten letter this week, will you forgive me for all the e-mails I've failed to answer? Love the blog...you're doing a great job.

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  23. I love this idea, though I am not sure that I am going to sign up for it right now. Just feeling a bit overwhelmed. I think I'll do like Sioux is, and even if I only write one letter, it will increase my average by 100%. I will write to you though, and send you that card that I made for you ages ago, with the books.

    Hugs,

    Kathy M.

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  24. I have long been on the page of sending handwritten letters and/or cards. I try to send cards, with a handwritten note to my friends often.

    Have you heard of Alexandra Stoddard? She's an interior designer/life beautifier. She has written a lovely book about the lost art of letter writing.

    Technology's great, but when it replaces the really beautiful things, it's gone too far.

    Have a great day.

    Love,
    Patti

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  25. I'm joining in! I have my post up now and have linked to you, my friend! I'm excited to get started! ♥

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  26. Too bad my hectic schedule doesn't permit such joys like writing letters every single day. But I'm working on sending more handwritten letters overall, so that will bring joy too :)

    PS: did you receive my e-mail thanking you for the AMAZINGly wonderful card you sent me? If not, well here's a public THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!!!

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  27. Oh, I haven't sent a handwritten letter in a long time. What a great idea. I should send someone something.

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  28. Hey, Becky! I'm always surprised and overjoyed when I receive a handwritten note. My mother still practices the art, bless her. XX00

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  29. Love handwritten notes. But I especially love the last sentence of your post. Never feel like a failure, just enjoy the successes your efforts bring. Glad you have decided to believe that.

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  30. Hi Myrna! That's wonderful you still exchange letters with a friend!

    Hey Cactus Country ~ Yes ma'am, I will forgive you if you mail me a "real" letter! Oh, and thanks for the blog compliment!

    Hi Kathy! I'm not "offically" doing this either. However many I can write, I will write. And oooh I'd forgotten about the card you made! Thanks!

    Hi Patti! Yes, I know you love to write and receive letters. No, I haven't heard of Alexandra Stoddard.

    Hey there, Lavender Dreamer! That is so neat! I have some note cards all ready to begin writing on, too.

    Hi Estrella! No, I didn't receive your e-mail. I'm glad you liked the card so much!!

    Hi Clarissa! Yes...join in! Even if you just send one note to someone! You can send it to me, if you'd like! :D

    Hi Michael Lee! Wonderful to hear from you! And that's so neat your mom still writes letters.

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  31. Oh, thank you, Anonymous! You must've left your comment, as I was posting mine....Now, tell me who you are!! Did you forget??

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  32. I've seen this going around the blogs, and it looks fun. I used to say I'd always hand write letters, but alas technology has swayed me over to the other side and most or my correspondence now is via email.

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  33. I too, have posted about the lost art of letter writing. There is no thrill in getting the mail anymore. I have to say, I do get letters, ok. maybe these are more "notes" from my grandsons, which I cherish and they go on the frig. I am a huge supporter of our military and have sent packages to www.anysoldier.com for years. I think that was the last letter I wrote or received, was from a soldier I didn't know.

    I love technology, but a letter in the mail is the best "warm fuzzy" there is.

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  34. I'm glad that letter writing is not on the way to becoming a lost art. It certainly won't happen while there are writers around!

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  35. What a great idea! I was just thinking about this myself last month. I am missing receiving letters. My grandmother used to write to me many years ago, and I loved getting her letter so much!
    I would love to write back and forth with someone. I know I couldn't do everyday though! Yikes!
    I would also like to improve my handwriting.
    Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts.
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  36. I love this idea, Becky! Now I wish I knew about it ahead of time. I'll share the idea at the writers group tomorrow night.
    And by the way, extremely late Happy Birthday! I went to VA to visit my daughter the day after my birthday and spaced on everything when I got back!

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  37. I just noticed that you were posting the cards and letters you are sending this month! maybe I'll do that, too! Hugs! ♥♥♥

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I'm still getting quite a few spam comments that are Anonymous, so I'm trying "User with Google Accounts." If anyone tries to comment that I know, and it won't let you, send me an email, okay? Thanks so much.