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.

Noodler's Flex Nib Fountain Pen

I took leave of my senses last week and ordered two new Noodler's Flex pens from Goulet Pens. They arrived yesterday. So I patiently unwrapped the package and got those bad boys out.

This is a green demonstrator.

This is a simple black pen.

I thought I would begin by writing a bit with my older Noodler's Flex Nib pen. I believe this was made in 2010.

These are not expensive fountain pens. They retail for $14.00 each. I know that may seem expensive to non fountain pen users, but trust me, this is dirt cheap. Plus, I can change the ink and feel like I have a new pen every time that I refill.

Wow, mail!

I was so excited as I plowed through the pile of catalogs, junk mail and bills to find FIVE letters!

I looked through and found 2 penpal letters and 3 letters from A Month of Letters writers.

Becky from Leaving a Paper Trail sent me a neat little envelope book with a letter and a few sheets of pretty stationery.

She hints that I, even if I don't do mailart, I just might jazz it up a little with pretty stationery. So she gets a letter back, on pretty stationery, with stickers and written with (gasp) a gel pen! ;)

One of the treasures of this mail haul comes from Bernard in Six-Fours France. I don't know how he can tear himself away to write a letter if he has that to go out and be in. Anyhoo, Bernard is a fellow fountain pen geek and his letter was a lively montage of pen and ink!

Now, if you don't think that cacophony of color and line variation is fun, well, then, you just don't get it!

I have more to post, but, I have letters to write. So I will cease with the electronicalbloggery and get back to the pen and paper. Maybe, just maybe, I will use this:

and this:

along with this:

to produce this:

Cheers!

Happy Valentine's Day! (does that need an apastrophe? ;) )

My grandfather Wilson Mayfield's middle name was Valentine. He was born on Christmas Day in 1902. So Valentine's day is pretty cool in my house.

My Wilson Mayfield (he of the blue tongue) gave me and Carla the best little Valentine surprise this morning!

$1.10 and 5 kisses and the greatest note ever!!!!!!!
Later in the day, a few cookies were delivered to Holyoke School 3A.

When I got home, I found a couple of great letters in the mail!

Tami always sends great letters. She always asks the right questions that cause me to respond with many answers. So, I immediately sat and wrote a response, this time with many of my own questions!

Also, I received a fantastic letter from Vicki! Vicki and I have so many interests in common and well, we both have teenagers and young adults in our lives. So we have ALOT to talk about.

Vicki is one of those mail arty types. Her handmade envelope is outstanding!

And lest you think that I spent this romantic day writing to other women...this is the first thing I wrote this morning.

Carla said it was much better than flowers! I guess old EBB knew what she wrote about.

Whoa, handwriting

I came home today expecting the normal pile of catalogs and junk in the mail. Imagine my surprise to see this!

Joel is a fellow participant in lettermo and also a member of The Fountain Pen Network. He sent me a fantastic introductory letter, written with a fountain pen and with an ink that gives great shading and in some of the most amazing cursive handwriting I have ever seen!

Isn't that just great? Thanks Joel!!!

Oh, and in case you forgot about the weirdness I deal with on a daily basis, here is another shot! That's a pretty big blue tongue!

Bad Blogger Recovery - Thanks Angie

Have I mentioned that I am a bad globber? I am. I don't take photos of all of the mail I receive and immediately post it. Sorry.

No, I am much more obsessed with handwriting and handwriting MY responses to the many letters I receive. And I am proud to say that I hope to pass on the handwriting to my youngest.

Wilson takes his cursive very seriously!

I received a letter today from Angie, who kindly mentioned me in her blog last week.

Everyone loves Snoopy. You can't help it!

For those who think I have decent handwriting, well, I just want to share what I aspire to! (yes, I am a member of The International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers and Teachers of Handwriting

And this is what happens when you leave a camera in reach of an 8 year old.

Write me a letter or send me a card! You know you want to!!!!!!