With Pen in Hand

 People used to write letters. By hand. With a pen. Yes, we all know that in today’s fast paced world writing by hand is extremely time consuming.

Writing letters by hand, with a pen is a lost art. It’s from a bygone era.

It takes time and concentration to put pen to paper. It’s a process.

I remember getting letters from my parents when I was at summer camp. Long letters with all sorts of news and sometimes newspaper clippings as well. And remember pen pals?

My grandparents and later just my grandmother traveled the world, sending postcards from everywhere. It was always exciting to receive a postcard from someplace exotic. Even as an adult, my parents would send me postcards from anyplace they traveled to. To this day, my mother still writes letters by hand as she is computer clueless by choice. For her, it’s relaxing to sit and write by hand.

Most folks may not be hand-writing letters, but they are writing. Yes, with pens. And why do I know this? I’ll tell you why (you knew I was going to say that). Every day I sell beautiful pens and journals. In my store, along with the 1000’s of books, we sell journals and pens. Not just a spiral notebook and a ballpoint pen. We’re talking fine paper and fountain pens. There’s something about writing with a fountain pen. It evokes a Jane Austen era. Romance. Seduction. Love. What’s not to like?

So the other day my darling keyboard player, my dear friend and my Italian child Sammy, came up with a stellar idea: let’s send each other handwritten postcards once a month. To tell the truth, I was a bit surprised by this notion. It’s been many years since I’ve received a postcard. Or sent one. I thought, sure, why not? I’m not sure how long it takes to send a postcard to Italy but hey, this could be really fun!

Now I need to find cool postcards. I’m sure they exist. I just haven’t bought one in many years. And no, not Boston postcards. We’ll leave that for the tourists.

This could be a whole new fad. I’ll let you know how it goes!