Writing letters! I was nodding in agreement throughout your wonderfully written piece. I love stationary too. Gone are the days of wedding invitations. Everything is online. In the US kids no longer learn cursive. Off my nostalgic soap box now.
It's the thing that concerns me about my grandson's education. That he won't learn correct handwriting, let alone basic literacy and numeracy . Computers are a boon most of the time but I honestly believe they've downgraded so much of finer education.
I agree. I find it hard to keep them on the straight and narrow with writing by hand. And mine dont have homework - whats with that? I dont understand.
Jul 22, 2023·edited Jul 22, 2023Liked by prue batten
Such gorgeous words, Prue - thank you for such a treat of a read!
I was always treated to fabulous letters as a child - Dad would send postcards from far-flung places on his work trips; on an awful two-week-long youth holiday both sets of grandparents and my mum sent me letter after letter which kept me sane; ditto during a long hospital stay; my childhood 'boyfriend' wrote to me weekly from boarding school; my best friend wrote thousands of tiny words on aerogrammes during her gap year to Australia. And I wrote, too, of course, although these days I am more likely to send letters via e-mail instead of handwritten letters by post.
I'm so sorry that your week has been heartsore and tough, Prue, but I'm cheered at your score of 11/10 for your ocean swim, delicious cookies and the glorious scent of daphne. Thank you for cheering my soon-to-be very busy Saturday morning with this beautiful post to wake up to - and for so very kindly linking to my newsletter, which has made me BEAM from ear to ear.
Today I'm unpacking the van after a week-long work/leisure/leisure/work/work trip - seven days, four campsites, long hours, sporadic internet connections - and there's a lot of catching up to do (soooo much laundry, for one thing)! But just for now, with this lovely (second) cup of tea, I'm spending some quality time catching up on reading wonderful words. THANK YOU. xxx
Ah, the letter-writing theme is running high this week. I wonder if anyone has ever studied whether writers are, generally, more inclined to read/write/appreciate/keep letters. Among the boxes I've not yet been able to finish sorting, a percentage of what I brought home after closing out my parents' home, are the ones with letters of all kinds. I love that you've saved the ones between you and your beloved. Treasures, for sure.
When I happen upon an estate sale (is that what they call them there?), I will often find myself sifting through the collection of cards and stationery, usually tucked into a box or two and sandwiched among the cut glass goblets, or stashed in the laundry area, with the leftover cleaning and craft supplies.
And, saving the best for last, I'm always delighted to know that you've enjoyed something in Chicken Scratch enough to want to mention it here, Prue. Kind of like discovering that the person behind the counter at the book store went to school with your best friend. :) Hugs for the heartache. As much as we know darkness and light have to co-exist, it sure is hard when we find ourselves in the shadows.
Ah Elizabeth. You need to know how much I love your words, your observations. It's that clear window on a very special world. Thank you so much for being what you are and for being a Substack friend.
Lovely post Prue, Especially with a difficult week , I bake too when things are tough.
I know what you mean about writing letters to your beloved when he's away, I've kept all of Jeff's tied up with ribbon, and he's kept mine, Compared to many he wasn't away too much, but several episodes of 6 months other's 6-8 weeks at a time, Its sometimes nice to re read . We're lucky to have each other and being married for so long . I always put hand written letters in with Christmas cards (its why it takes me so long to do them :)
You've reminded me I need to read The William Shawcross book On The Queen Mother, its on my bookshelf. xxx
There's always been a reason that you and I connected so well, way back when, Libby, before I even went to Substack. We are kindred spirits without doubt. So much similarity in what we have and do.
That's the curious thing about Substack too - it has the unerring ability to create comforting circles of kindred spirits. People one might never have met. And this week, I find that very comforting indeed.
Do read Shawcross. I took an age. Savouring two or three letters a night before sleep and it too was its own sort of joyful comfort. QE the QM was an astonishing woman with a heart and a backbone of iron.
Thank you so much for your comments and for your bolstering email letter as well. XXXX
A few years ago I put out an offer to my Facebook friends that I would write anyone who wanted a real letter if they wrote me one back. Several people put their hands up, and I wrote and posted their letters. Not everyone replied, but it didn't matter. Those who did reply wrote lovely letters full of news and I noticed how balanced they were – the good and the hard things in life and not just the 'best' moments, which are often what we share to Facebook and make for a distorted view of life. I love Letters of Note too, it's one of my favourite books. Glad you had an 11/10 swim, I'm hoping for one later today.
That's so lovely. I think a lot of us crave a slightly more intimate (and dare I say less dangerous) mode of communication than photoshopped social media.
I know of a woman here (via Instagram!) who is involved in an exchange of postcards. Some of them are delicious collage or print works that the senders have created themselves. Every year, the woman concerned fills a wall in her kitchen and then removes them at the end of that year, stores them carefully and begins again the next year. It's a special and ephemeral thing, this 'actual' communication, as opposed to virtual, isn't it?
It's been such a week and today is a clear blue sky day with more than a hint of spring, so I may follow your example. May even try in just swimsuit, radiator top and booties. It may end up as just a swimble, though...
What a fabulous post, Prue. Firstly, you've really captured the excitement of opening a letter, starting with the stamp. I even get a thrill when the taxman writes to me (the only person who does these days). I used to love stationery shops too. I must have spent a fortune in Heals, a London store, on things like Conqueror paper and Pentel pens. I used to love writing letters too. (My letters were mini works of art, with pictures and imaginative scenarios!) The only people who didn't relish my letters as much as they should have were my parents, possibly because when I wrote to them from university I would address them as Dear Ancestors. Your post reminded me of some of the mad kinds of letters I used to write, so I'll write about that subject soon. Thanks!
But I would seriously LOVE to receive mail with artwork included. I'm just debating doing my next letter to Anna as a kind of 'Griffin and Sabine' homage. Rather partial to Nick Bantock.
I sent letters home every day from my Grand Tour back in the day and I think too many letters were exchanged with boyfriends - still, it was all good practice for when I finally write to The One.
Thank you so much for commenting, subscribing AND recommending. Cheers.
As a small child I loved stationary stores. We only had one in our small town but it had everything: writing papers, cards, pens, pencils, desk accessories, and so much more. It eventually closed once the big box stores took over. I still enjoy perusing the long aisles of a nearby Staples, amazed by what creative minds have done with sticky notes alone! Sadly, letter writing is another victim of technology and a world that moves too fast for my liking. I suppose it's an age thing. (I seem to say that about a lot of things these days.)
I hope the challenges for your family have positive outcomes and you're able to find solace in the familiar activities that typically bring you peace.
There was something magical about stationery stores, wasn't there? I wonder if because the very act of picking up a pen or pencil and drawing a line on paper was the actual magic. I couldn't wait to own my first box of Derwent coloured pencils.
And thank you for your kind wishes - it's a tough time for a family member and we have an uneasy month approaching, so time with grandson and time walking on the back roads and beaches will be cherished. XXXX
Oh how I love to write letters. I have a small handful of friends who will still indulge in this pastime with me and I cherish them, and the words they send. Thank you for sharing this.💛🙏🏻🌼
Writing letters! I was nodding in agreement throughout your wonderfully written piece. I love stationary too. Gone are the days of wedding invitations. Everything is online. In the US kids no longer learn cursive. Off my nostalgic soap box now.
It's the thing that concerns me about my grandson's education. That he won't learn correct handwriting, let alone basic literacy and numeracy . Computers are a boon most of the time but I honestly believe they've downgraded so much of finer education.
If I had little ones today I would home school. Sigh.
I guess for many reasons in the States - guns being one of them. XXXX
I agree. I find it hard to keep them on the straight and narrow with writing by hand. And mine dont have homework - whats with that? I dont understand.
Such gorgeous words, Prue - thank you for such a treat of a read!
I was always treated to fabulous letters as a child - Dad would send postcards from far-flung places on his work trips; on an awful two-week-long youth holiday both sets of grandparents and my mum sent me letter after letter which kept me sane; ditto during a long hospital stay; my childhood 'boyfriend' wrote to me weekly from boarding school; my best friend wrote thousands of tiny words on aerogrammes during her gap year to Australia. And I wrote, too, of course, although these days I am more likely to send letters via e-mail instead of handwritten letters by post.
I'm so sorry that your week has been heartsore and tough, Prue, but I'm cheered at your score of 11/10 for your ocean swim, delicious cookies and the glorious scent of daphne. Thank you for cheering my soon-to-be very busy Saturday morning with this beautiful post to wake up to - and for so very kindly linking to my newsletter, which has made me BEAM from ear to ear.
Today I'm unpacking the van after a week-long work/leisure/leisure/work/work trip - seven days, four campsites, long hours, sporadic internet connections - and there's a lot of catching up to do (soooo much laundry, for one thing)! But just for now, with this lovely (second) cup of tea, I'm spending some quality time catching up on reading wonderful words. THANK YOU. xxx
Bless you! XXX
Ah, the letter-writing theme is running high this week. I wonder if anyone has ever studied whether writers are, generally, more inclined to read/write/appreciate/keep letters. Among the boxes I've not yet been able to finish sorting, a percentage of what I brought home after closing out my parents' home, are the ones with letters of all kinds. I love that you've saved the ones between you and your beloved. Treasures, for sure.
When I happen upon an estate sale (is that what they call them there?), I will often find myself sifting through the collection of cards and stationery, usually tucked into a box or two and sandwiched among the cut glass goblets, or stashed in the laundry area, with the leftover cleaning and craft supplies.
And, saving the best for last, I'm always delighted to know that you've enjoyed something in Chicken Scratch enough to want to mention it here, Prue. Kind of like discovering that the person behind the counter at the book store went to school with your best friend. :) Hugs for the heartache. As much as we know darkness and light have to co-exist, it sure is hard when we find ourselves in the shadows.
Ah Elizabeth. You need to know how much I love your words, your observations. It's that clear window on a very special world. Thank you so much for being what you are and for being a Substack friend.
Thank you, Prue. Mutual gratitude for you!
Lovely post Prue, Especially with a difficult week , I bake too when things are tough.
I know what you mean about writing letters to your beloved when he's away, I've kept all of Jeff's tied up with ribbon, and he's kept mine, Compared to many he wasn't away too much, but several episodes of 6 months other's 6-8 weeks at a time, Its sometimes nice to re read . We're lucky to have each other and being married for so long . I always put hand written letters in with Christmas cards (its why it takes me so long to do them :)
You've reminded me I need to read The William Shawcross book On The Queen Mother, its on my bookshelf. xxx
There's always been a reason that you and I connected so well, way back when, Libby, before I even went to Substack. We are kindred spirits without doubt. So much similarity in what we have and do.
That's the curious thing about Substack too - it has the unerring ability to create comforting circles of kindred spirits. People one might never have met. And this week, I find that very comforting indeed.
Do read Shawcross. I took an age. Savouring two or three letters a night before sleep and it too was its own sort of joyful comfort. QE the QM was an astonishing woman with a heart and a backbone of iron.
Thank you so much for your comments and for your bolstering email letter as well. XXXX
Kindred spirits indeed xxx much love
A few years ago I put out an offer to my Facebook friends that I would write anyone who wanted a real letter if they wrote me one back. Several people put their hands up, and I wrote and posted their letters. Not everyone replied, but it didn't matter. Those who did reply wrote lovely letters full of news and I noticed how balanced they were – the good and the hard things in life and not just the 'best' moments, which are often what we share to Facebook and make for a distorted view of life. I love Letters of Note too, it's one of my favourite books. Glad you had an 11/10 swim, I'm hoping for one later today.
That's so lovely. I think a lot of us crave a slightly more intimate (and dare I say less dangerous) mode of communication than photoshopped social media.
I know of a woman here (via Instagram!) who is involved in an exchange of postcards. Some of them are delicious collage or print works that the senders have created themselves. Every year, the woman concerned fills a wall in her kitchen and then removes them at the end of that year, stores them carefully and begins again the next year. It's a special and ephemeral thing, this 'actual' communication, as opposed to virtual, isn't it?
It's been such a week and today is a clear blue sky day with more than a hint of spring, so I may follow your example. May even try in just swimsuit, radiator top and booties. It may end up as just a swimble, though...
XXXX
What a fabulous post, Prue. Firstly, you've really captured the excitement of opening a letter, starting with the stamp. I even get a thrill when the taxman writes to me (the only person who does these days). I used to love stationery shops too. I must have spent a fortune in Heals, a London store, on things like Conqueror paper and Pentel pens. I used to love writing letters too. (My letters were mini works of art, with pictures and imaginative scenarios!) The only people who didn't relish my letters as much as they should have were my parents, possibly because when I wrote to them from university I would address them as Dear Ancestors. Your post reminded me of some of the mad kinds of letters I used to write, so I'll write about that subject soon. Thanks!
Dear Ancestors! Honestly Terrry, you're wicked!
But I would seriously LOVE to receive mail with artwork included. I'm just debating doing my next letter to Anna as a kind of 'Griffin and Sabine' homage. Rather partial to Nick Bantock.
I sent letters home every day from my Grand Tour back in the day and I think too many letters were exchanged with boyfriends - still, it was all good practice for when I finally write to The One.
Thank you so much for commenting, subscribing AND recommending. Cheers.
That's another author and trilogy I need to check out! You're most welcome, Prue, and thank you for subscribing. Wicked? Moi?
As a small child I loved stationary stores. We only had one in our small town but it had everything: writing papers, cards, pens, pencils, desk accessories, and so much more. It eventually closed once the big box stores took over. I still enjoy perusing the long aisles of a nearby Staples, amazed by what creative minds have done with sticky notes alone! Sadly, letter writing is another victim of technology and a world that moves too fast for my liking. I suppose it's an age thing. (I seem to say that about a lot of things these days.)
I hope the challenges for your family have positive outcomes and you're able to find solace in the familiar activities that typically bring you peace.
There was something magical about stationery stores, wasn't there? I wonder if because the very act of picking up a pen or pencil and drawing a line on paper was the actual magic. I couldn't wait to own my first box of Derwent coloured pencils.
And thank you for your kind wishes - it's a tough time for a family member and we have an uneasy month approaching, so time with grandson and time walking on the back roads and beaches will be cherished. XXXX
Oh how I love to write letters. I have a small handful of friends who will still indulge in this pastime with me and I cherish them, and the words they send. Thank you for sharing this.💛🙏🏻🌼