MoreLoveLetters is a grass roots organization that encourages people to give handwritten letters of love to strangers all over the world. Yes, you read that right. They encourage people to write love letters to others in need, people they've never met but who need a little more love than what the world is dishing out.
On the site, you can subscribe to the newsletter to find out just who needs your love. You can also learn about anonymous love lettering. The idea behind leaving anonymous love letters in public places gives me the warm fuzzies just as much as Operation Beautiful and Letterboxing do because I'm all for anything that brings smiles and a sense of hope.
Really, if you haven't gotten involved in MLL you should. After all, you love to write and send letters and what's better than sending letters to someone who needs them?
Saturday, January 5, 2013
A pretty good mail day Friday
After work yesterday I went to the post office to drop off a nice stack of letters. I forgot to take a picture of the outgoing but have more to write and send today so I'll snap a picture of those. I had three things waiting in my postal box and not one was a bill. Yaaay for no bill days, right?
The top envelope contained a slightly late Secret Santa gift from someone presumably on Google+ but that's just a guess. It's a hot pink keyboard skin for my laptop. One of my nieces got me one early last year and I wore the thing out so it's great to get another. The other two envelopes are from letter writing bloggers kind enough to send to me and one contained two sheets of pretty stickers. Thank you for the letters and stickers - they'll definitely be used and enjoyed!
I'm off work today and have a lot to do. Enjoy your weekend and I hope you have good incoming and outgoing times!
Friday, January 4, 2013
LetterMo, my father the postman, and Kevin Costner
Yesterday, I finished making my list of folks to send to during LetterMo. It looks as though I'll be sending a lot more than 23 pieces of mail and I'm okay with that. Hopefully I'll have a good response rate and the more mail sent and received, the better.
On Pinterest last night I saw a vintage photo of a mail carrier. I thought it looked familiar but couldn't place it so I clicked and lo and behold it led to Delivering the Mail, a short but lovely photographic recap of how mail delivery used to be. I had that bookmarked a few years ago but lost it in a crash. Rediscovering it was a wonderful end to my evening.
On Pinterest last night I saw a vintage photo of a mail carrier. I thought it looked familiar but couldn't place it so I clicked and lo and behold it led to Delivering the Mail, a short but lovely photographic recap of how mail delivery used to be. I had that bookmarked a few years ago but lost it in a crash. Rediscovering it was a wonderful end to my evening.
Speaking of vintage and postal, my father was a postman. He started working for the postal service in Dallas soon after we moved there in 1962 and took medical retirement sometime around 1982. I grew up seeing him in his blue uniform, carrying the then common leather mail bag. When he came home in the afternoons, the bag was usually empty but if it held a surprise for me, he'd plop the leather bundle on the living room floor, inviting me to look through it. Sometimes I'd find a piece of candy or a small toy and on special occasions a postcard or bookmark. To this day, I can't see a leather mail bag without wondering what's in it!
On top of Daddy's chest of drawers was a collection of paper clips, thumb tacks, pens, pencil stubs, stamps, and rubber thumb covers. Remember those thumb covers? They weren't the very thin kind you find now in office supply stores. They were thick and didn't easily fold or roll. There was always a stack of three or four of them, discolored and worn from use, ready to grab as he headed out the door before the sun rose. He would occasionally let me play with them and I remember well thinking they smelled not like rubber but like paper, ink, and the adventures of some kind of hero.
Yes, its no surprise I'm a mail loving gal. I have "The Postman", one of my favorite films, sitting by my television and this evening Sammy and I will curl up on the couch and watch it. He'll purr with contentment to be toasty warm on the down comforter and I'll purr with contentment to see Costner and crew bringing hope through precious letters. There's no doubt I'll think of my dad several times as I watch the movie and there's also no doubt I'll be thankful letter carriers still deliver hope.
Yes, its no surprise I'm a mail loving gal. I have "The Postman", one of my favorite films, sitting by my television and this evening Sammy and I will curl up on the couch and watch it. He'll purr with contentment to be toasty warm on the down comforter and I'll purr with contentment to see Costner and crew bringing hope through precious letters. There's no doubt I'll think of my dad several times as I watch the movie and there's also no doubt I'll be thankful letter carriers still deliver hope.
Just Friday morning ramblings, my friends. I hope your day is full of smiles and your mailbox is full of goodies!
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Yes, it's horrible but what can I do?
I read a blog entry today from Jackie Flaherty at Letters & Journals. It touched me in a way few have.
A lot of people have forgotten already about the Sandy Hook tragedy but if you've ever lost a beloved, whether that person was a child, a parent, a sibling, or very dear friend, you know the ones left behind haven't forgotten. As someone who has lost two children, a sister, a parent, and a few friends and co-workers, I know that even as time passes, the grief will stay. It will change and hopefully be less sharp and less destructive but it won't leave.
From day to day it will be different. Sometimes it will be so intense the bereaved will think they can't function and perhaps they really can't. Other times they may smile and laugh and the realization that they're almost happy again may bring guilt. They'll learn to live with the grief, guilt and other feelings and will incorporate those feelings into the person they are, the person they become. To some, it will look as though they're "moving on" but in reality, they're just surviving, managing each day, each hour, each moment as it comes.
When my daughter died in 1998, for months going into years I received notes, letters, and cards from people I "knew" via the Internet. Most of those people I'd never met but the mail meant so very much to me. I still have each letter and card and occasionally I remove them from their resting place and read them, savoring the feel of the paper, each postmark, each scribbled or beautifully written line. Every one of those pieces of mail is a tangible reminder that my daughter mattered, that she lived, that she died, and that she isn't forgotten.
Jackie's idea to send a card and short note to each family of the victims at Sandy Hook is a lovely one. I'm going to use her idea, including sending the mail over a period of time so I don't feel hurried and I can spend a bit of time thinking of each victim and their family.
Thank you, Jackie, for such a heartfelt way to let the families know they and their loved ones aren't forgotten.
A lot of people have forgotten already about the Sandy Hook tragedy but if you've ever lost a beloved, whether that person was a child, a parent, a sibling, or very dear friend, you know the ones left behind haven't forgotten. As someone who has lost two children, a sister, a parent, and a few friends and co-workers, I know that even as time passes, the grief will stay. It will change and hopefully be less sharp and less destructive but it won't leave.
From day to day it will be different. Sometimes it will be so intense the bereaved will think they can't function and perhaps they really can't. Other times they may smile and laugh and the realization that they're almost happy again may bring guilt. They'll learn to live with the grief, guilt and other feelings and will incorporate those feelings into the person they are, the person they become. To some, it will look as though they're "moving on" but in reality, they're just surviving, managing each day, each hour, each moment as it comes.
When my daughter died in 1998, for months going into years I received notes, letters, and cards from people I "knew" via the Internet. Most of those people I'd never met but the mail meant so very much to me. I still have each letter and card and occasionally I remove them from their resting place and read them, savoring the feel of the paper, each postmark, each scribbled or beautifully written line. Every one of those pieces of mail is a tangible reminder that my daughter mattered, that she lived, that she died, and that she isn't forgotten.
Jackie's idea to send a card and short note to each family of the victims at Sandy Hook is a lovely one. I'm going to use her idea, including sending the mail over a period of time so I don't feel hurried and I can spend a bit of time thinking of each victim and their family.
Thank you, Jackie, for such a heartfelt way to let the families know they and their loved ones aren't forgotten.
Monday, December 31, 2012
No New Year's resolutions but I do have letter writing goals
I don't make New Year's Resolutions because I fall flat on my face within a very short time and I dislike setting myself up for failure. Also, although I understand the appeal of the "It's a chance for a fresh start" concept, the reality is that every day, every minute, every second of my life gives the opportunities for fresh starts.
For several years I pondered why I failed with the shiny, sparkly resolutions thing and finally decided knowing why I failed wasn't necessary. What mattered was that I failed so I set out to create a system for myself to make improvements with regular goal setting and evaluation. It took a few years but I eventually succeeded.
I set realistic goals for myself throughout the year then break down the steps needed to succeed into small bits, giving each bit a general time limit. I'm not too hard on myself in regard to the time because life really can, and does, get in the way. I even allow myself to slide on the minor details once in awhile and I don't punish myself for sliding.
I have several goals for the first quarter of the new year. None of them are impractical, impossible, or lofty. In fact, they're very simple goals. However, each one of them requires discipline and I see that as a good thing. They also require regular time outs to take note of where I stand on them and re-evaluate if needed. Again, I see this as a good thing.
My first letter writing goal is to improve my cursive handwriting. This is an ongoing project for me and it's one reason I write letters. I used to have beautiful handwriting but as I got older and busier and using a computer replaced or minimized time using pens, pencils, and paper my skills slipped. It's the old "use it or lose it" thing and now I try to focus on bettering my handwriting. Corresponding with others helps. I also use a practice sheet I found online.
This is very similar to what I learned in elementary school and it comes fairly easily to me, but I get sloppy. I print several sheets a week and when I have a few minutes to spare I work on them. Those of you who've received correspondence from me are probably very surprised that this is akin to what I was taught. I told you I get sloppy! ;-)
My second letter writing goal is to participate in and successfully complete the A Month of Letters Challenge. I send and receive quite a bit of mail but I want to follow the easier-said-than-done-in-my-mind guidelines of the challenge and I'll need a bit of discipline to do so. Sometimes the last thing I want to do after an eight hour shift on my feet is write a letter. This is where sliding a little will come in handy. I just have to keep from sliding into the abyss of not writing!
My third letter writing goal is to improve the quality of my letter content. Writing interesting letters, especially to strangers, isn't that easy for me. I sometimes feel stumped and find myself writing to just fill the page. I don't like that and I don't think the recipients like it, either. I'm capable of so much more and I know it.
Finally, my fourth letter writing goal is to make new friends. This one really needs no explanation, I think. I just enjoy communicating with people from places and lifestyles different than mine.
So there you have my letter writing goals for the first quarter of 2013. Each of the goals is achievable but will take "sticktoitiveness". I'll most likely chart my progress and share my self-evaluations here. I definitely would like feedback on the goals and on the progress I make or don't make.
Have you set letter writing goals for yourself? If so, what are they?
Enjoy your Monday and make it a wonderful last day of 2012!
For several years I pondered why I failed with the shiny, sparkly resolutions thing and finally decided knowing why I failed wasn't necessary. What mattered was that I failed so I set out to create a system for myself to make improvements with regular goal setting and evaluation. It took a few years but I eventually succeeded.
I set realistic goals for myself throughout the year then break down the steps needed to succeed into small bits, giving each bit a general time limit. I'm not too hard on myself in regard to the time because life really can, and does, get in the way. I even allow myself to slide on the minor details once in awhile and I don't punish myself for sliding.
I have several goals for the first quarter of the new year. None of them are impractical, impossible, or lofty. In fact, they're very simple goals. However, each one of them requires discipline and I see that as a good thing. They also require regular time outs to take note of where I stand on them and re-evaluate if needed. Again, I see this as a good thing.
My first letter writing goal is to improve my cursive handwriting. This is an ongoing project for me and it's one reason I write letters. I used to have beautiful handwriting but as I got older and busier and using a computer replaced or minimized time using pens, pencils, and paper my skills slipped. It's the old "use it or lose it" thing and now I try to focus on bettering my handwriting. Corresponding with others helps. I also use a practice sheet I found online.
My second letter writing goal is to participate in and successfully complete the A Month of Letters Challenge. I send and receive quite a bit of mail but I want to follow the easier-said-than-done-in-my-mind guidelines of the challenge and I'll need a bit of discipline to do so. Sometimes the last thing I want to do after an eight hour shift on my feet is write a letter. This is where sliding a little will come in handy. I just have to keep from sliding into the abyss of not writing!
My third letter writing goal is to improve the quality of my letter content. Writing interesting letters, especially to strangers, isn't that easy for me. I sometimes feel stumped and find myself writing to just fill the page. I don't like that and I don't think the recipients like it, either. I'm capable of so much more and I know it.
Finally, my fourth letter writing goal is to make new friends. This one really needs no explanation, I think. I just enjoy communicating with people from places and lifestyles different than mine.
So there you have my letter writing goals for the first quarter of 2013. Each of the goals is achievable but will take "sticktoitiveness". I'll most likely chart my progress and share my self-evaluations here. I definitely would like feedback on the goals and on the progress I make or don't make.
Have you set letter writing goals for yourself? If so, what are they?
Enjoy your Monday and make it a wonderful last day of 2012!
Sunday, December 30, 2012
New Year's Greetings
Since I'm off this weekend I've been working on a homemade desk organizer and writing my New Year's correspondence. This morning I have the base of the organizer almost finished and only three letters written because this here interwebz holds me captive!
There's always shiny bling calling to me from the web. Whether it's a newly found blog (this one makes me a bit misty-eyed), reading about or preparing for a writing project that's about to begin, or email from a friend I've missed, it seems distraction is usually afoot and I often fail at ignoring said distraction.
To help combat that on this, a rare-for-me weekend off, I've tried to ignore my computer. I've done fairly well but this morning I want to share links for a few of my favorite New Year's letters and greetings. These aren't things I've sent or received but are just pretties that make me smile.
I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
A 1908 Austrian New Year's postcard
A Soldier's Illustrated New Year's Greeting - sent in 1917, this letter shows the artistic talent of a solder of World War I.
Postcard from the Past
Postcard from the Road - A very pretty vintage French New Year's postcard shared by Tara Bradford.
Vintage New Year's postcards from Russia... with love, of course!
Another vintage French postcard
For so many, 2012 has been a difficult year. The economy, job losses, and national tragedies break our hearts but we keep on keepin' on. Human beings are a very resilient bunch and we do what we can to not just manage but overcome and make our way to the top of the heap, looking forward to the good things a new year might bestow upon us.
My wish for all of you is that 2013 be a marvelous year that brings plenty of smiles, a lot of laughter, as little sadness as possible, and a very full mailbox!
There's always shiny bling calling to me from the web. Whether it's a newly found blog (this one makes me a bit misty-eyed), reading about or preparing for a writing project that's about to begin, or email from a friend I've missed, it seems distraction is usually afoot and I often fail at ignoring said distraction.
To help combat that on this, a rare-for-me weekend off, I've tried to ignore my computer. I've done fairly well but this morning I want to share links for a few of my favorite New Year's letters and greetings. These aren't things I've sent or received but are just pretties that make me smile.
I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
A 1908 Austrian New Year's postcard
A Soldier's Illustrated New Year's Greeting - sent in 1917, this letter shows the artistic talent of a solder of World War I.
Postcard from the Past
Postcard from the Road - A very pretty vintage French New Year's postcard shared by Tara Bradford.
Vintage New Year's postcards from Russia... with love, of course!
Another vintage French postcard
For so many, 2012 has been a difficult year. The economy, job losses, and national tragedies break our hearts but we keep on keepin' on. Human beings are a very resilient bunch and we do what we can to not just manage but overcome and make our way to the top of the heap, looking forward to the good things a new year might bestow upon us.
My wish for all of you is that 2013 be a marvelous year that brings plenty of smiles, a lot of laughter, as little sadness as possible, and a very full mailbox!
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Logging mail is a priority on my To Do list
I've never been one to log incoming or outgoing mail but from what I read on blogs, a lot of letter writers keep this practice.
I have quite a bit of mail coming in and going out and think it might be help me stay organized. I worry about dropping the ball and not replying in a timely fashion or, heaven forbid, forgetting to reply all together!
So, in light of that, do you log the letters/mail art you receive? If so, how do you do it? I'd love to know.
I have quite a bit of mail coming in and going out and think it might be help me stay organized. I worry about dropping the ball and not replying in a timely fashion or, heaven forbid, forgetting to reply all together!
So, in light of that, do you log the letters/mail art you receive? If so, how do you do it? I'd love to know.
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