I got mail!

I was away for a few days at a workshop and came home to find a letter from Angie at Mailbox Happiness and Becky at Leaving a Paper Trail . Both sent me wonderful letters in creative envelopes. Angie made her envelope and Becky used one of her new typewriters to compose her letter. I am fortunate to have such good penfriends!

I like knives!

My last post made me realize that I seem to have another slight obsession about pocket knives.

I purchased this knife at the New Mexico State Fair in 1981 and it has been a faithful companion since then.

This knife is in my pocket, probably, 3 weeks out of every month.

I also pulled out the knives that rotate through my pocket.

These 'junior' trappers, along with the old Uncle Henry, all seem to work really well. I like them

But I have to admit that my every day carry knife doesn't fit in my pocket. No, it rests on my hip.

In case you wondered, this is what a fountain pen using, letter writing husband of the same wife, father of three sons, ag teaching guy uses.

Why Don't He Write?

There is a scene in "Dances With Wolves" where Lt. Dunbar is inspecting a skeleton with an arrow through the ribs. Timmons, the mule skinner, ambles up and says, "Somewhere back east, somebody saying, 'Why don't he write?'" Type the part in single quotes into youtube and you will see something that I thought of this week. Why don't he write?

Sometimes in the frenzy of letter and journal writing, responses just get missed. My favorite Californian Bev reminded me of that this week. So dear friend, a letter is winding the tortured path from Northeastern Colorado to Davis!

I also thought the second half of the video clip was appropriate to me, not necessarily the flatulence (well, ok, the flatulence), but the fact that I am always writing in a journal.

So, specifically for Bev, who is a reviewer of some note, I am an intrepid reviewer now! I entered a giveaway at Goodreads and son of a gun if I didn't win!

This is the first review copy of anything I have received, except for papers from my students.

I am pretty excited to be part of a 'first read' group on this book. I have read to chapter 3 so far. Here is a link to the Goodreads page for this book -----> The Games. It will likely take me a few days to read and then write a review. I will be posting the review sometime soon.

Anyways, I know this review won't be nearly as exciting as some of the 'things' that Bev has seen, but, hopefully, I can write it up well.

Why do I penpal?

Sorry, no pictures today.

I have been blessed with a few new penpals in the past month or so. Sometimes, it almost feels like I have too many. But I spent a little time today thinking about the number of penpals I have. I realized I don't have too many.

I live in a little farming town in northeastern Colorado. I am a broke school teacher. I will likely never travel this country, let alone the world. However, because of my penpals I can travel. I can travel through their words.

I've never been to Pennsylvania but I know what that state is like because of Becky and Rachel. They let me in their lives so I know what cold, damp snow looks and feels like. I know what it takes to be a veterinarian and to be a student in college is like. Thank you!

Ilona keeps me apprised as to what is happening in the Northeast, albeit only a couple of times per year, but stories of chasing possums are eternal. Bev is my favorite Californian. She is a theater critic and has reviewed some interesting things! My friend Roger is due back from Florida, tanned, rested and happy. Rob is my fine friend from Italy. Lucas is a kindred soul who has passions for music and fountain pens. Elle and I have invented history together. My new friend Jim and I are sharing a trans-Atlantic spiritual quest to read the entire Bible during 2012.


I have other pen pals that don't have internet personas. Steven and I have have been corresponding for almost 2 years. Bill has become a trusted spiritual mentor (not bad having God and a lawyer on your side). Jane and I share a love of fountain pens and the early American West. Shona is my favorite Scot. Sarah is my sister from another mother (jeez, that doesn't sound as cool as brutha frum anutha mutha) from Great Britain.

I know I have missed some in this tribute. Sorry, I am not the most organized when it come to keeping track of who, what, when, etc. Some of my new acquaintances have been 1 and done, some have been 2 and done, we don't always connect. But each letter is kept safe and occasionally brought out and reviewed.

My life is so much richer because I decided to start using a fountain pen and tried to improve my handwriting.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention my main dealers, Goulet Pens and European Paper gladly fuel my obsession. Check them out.

Thank you all for that you have shared with me.

Settling On A Brand...for now

I've noticed that I enjoy writing on Rhodia paper. I seem to have several versions of their products. So, I post these photos for you.

To heighten the interest in Rhodia products, Stephanie at Rhodia Drive has a huge Rhodia Give-Away going on right now! Enter to win a pack of 3 Rhodia items (technically 4) and discover for yourself how nice this paper really is!

Little Pennsylvania Owls

In an effort to not alienate my almost (well not quite) dozens of followers, I have decided to only post letter stuff here and bicycling stuff on Two Wheels On The Dirt So if you want a little bicycle touring OCD, go there.

Cool letter this week from Rachel.





The letter was covered with little owls. She said I would have to have them staring at me until I wrote back. So, I guess I had better un-cap a pen and write back

Any of my penfriends that expect anything creative from me must be sorely disappointed. My idea of creative mailing is to use a non-USA flag postage stamp and any ink besides blue or black.

She also sent a nice postcard of the Delaware Canal State Park. I would love to see a canal park. Over the years, canals have fallen from use as modes of transportation, but the canals were so well built that they still carry water. The older canals were designed so that horses or oxen could pull the loaded barges. So, the "tow paths" were pretty flat. Many of these canals have been converted to walking or biking paths and some run for many miles.

One day, I will ride my bicycle on a tow path!(You just knew that I couldn't resist getting a little bicycle talk in here!)