In the coming weeks we'll be forced to hunker down. There will be no sporting events or new entertainment to distract us; Hollywood and television productions have shut down. We'll get bored and, even worse, some of us will feel isolated. Humans are social animals and without interaction, we suffer.
Here's my suggestion: write letters. Not e-mail, real letters. Pull out some paper, think about family and friends you haven't spoken to in ages and write them. Tell them what you've been up to, ask about their lives and share fun facts. Then drop the missives in the mail. You'll be rewarded with happy phone calls and other responses from people you like, all grateful you reached out to them.
I wrote several friends today. For amusement, I used my 80-year old Royal, built in 1939. It's a manual typewriter so it doesn't need electricity, just heavy strokes. I signed the letters with a snazzy Montblanc rollerball. Write letters YOUR way. Express your individuality and enjoy the process. Everyone benefits!
Great photo for the times. Back in 1987, for the first time in my life, I had a little money and went to Merrill Lynch to see if I could ride the bull. Some money was put in their mutual funds which I later learned paid a decent kickback to ML. THe ML guy also convinced me to but a big chunk of my money into the Smith-Corona company. The crash of 1987 combined with the fact that the cyber age was coming and that stand alone typewriters would soon be obsolete was a double whammy that wiped me dry and kept me out of the market for many years.
ReplyDeleteYour photo of the "CORONA" typewriter was perfect
Thanks. Nice story: it reminds me of a similar experience I had wading into the market back then. I lost everything and stayed away from investing for decades.
DeleteThat typewriter is the bomb, Ralph! That idea is even more tops. I love your approach to an obstacle we can overcome with some love and ingenuity.
ReplyDeleteI've got a Corona typewriter from the early 30s, which used to belong to my paternal grandfather. I once did a post about it, called My Corona. That typewriter is one of my most treasured possessions, but lately I've been giving it dirty looks! xxx
ReplyDeleteI just told Ollie this yesterday, we need to draw pictures and write letters and send them out to people! Love it!
ReplyDeleteYesssss, good idea! I owe nearly all my penpals a letter so I should just get on and do it! And send them to others I love too! And get stamps as prices go up here next week!
ReplyDeleteThat's such a great idea, Ally. I have a project I've been working on that I really need to get back to, and then I'll mail it away too. I know the recipient will love it.
ReplyDeleteI miss Old School Letter Writing, I used to write virtual Novelas to my Friends! I have replaced my Love of Writing with Blogging, but I think your Idea during this Shelter In Place precaution is an excellent suggestion.
ReplyDeleteDelighted to see you're entertaining yourself with clothes, color and kindness! This letter writing is an excellent idea for reaching out to elderly friends who don't go online or use smart phones.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful idea! We are definitely living in a wild, scary time. Staying in touch in the classic way of being pen pals is a great idea!
ReplyDelete-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Uncannily apt typewriter brand. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a splendid idea! For those who are not leaving their homes at all (myself included) for at least a few weeks (much longer, if needed), we can simply let the completed letters pile up and pop them in the post when doing so becomes a lesk risky prospect.
May you be safe, healthy, well and filled with reasons to smile even in these very difficult times, my friend.
Autumn Zenith 🎃 Witchcrafted Life
Great idea! And it gives me an excuse to finally send your nail polishes...I'm so grateful the mail hasn't shut down (yet, anyway!) Glad to see you're hanging in there. Stay well.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea. Its great to the the USPS works still. Here the postal system is not working.
ReplyDeleteHope you are staying safe.