Hand Writing

[Vicky Davis]

I think this may be of more interest for the Fiber Book players, but I will post it here for all.

Somewhere in blogland, I came across a reference to "hand writing" [can't even remember what it was referring TO as I have sieve-for-brains] and that got me thinking about how I almost never write by hand anymore.

So I got a journal, glued some fun stuff into it and mailed it off to some online friends for them to "hand write" in. They can add what ever they want [including a picture of themselves with my 'flat vicky'] but they have to write something also, by hand.

Thats all.

[Magpie Sue]

I'm not necessarily into the book arts but this comment brings to mind an experience I had recently.

My Darling Daughter came over to help clean out our garage. At one point I discovered that she had thrown out a shoebox full of old cards and letters I'd saved for at least 15 years. I chastened her for not checking with me first and then went to the recycling bin to see how deeply they may have been buried. Fortunately, they were right on top and the bin was nearly full! (Yes, dumpster diving in my own driveway - LOL) I was able to quickly sort through the uppermost layers. I rescued a couple of photographs but most of it stayed right where it was, primarily because I couldn't justify keeping any of it since I hadn't missed it in decades. There were some lovely Christmas cards, and letters from people I've since lost touch with... but, oh well. What I realized later was that it was not the contents of the cards or letters I wanted to save, it was the samples of handwriting. Each person's writing style was distinctive and unique. For me, just seeing evidence of their hand on the envelopes was enough to bring them to mind. If I had realized that a little bit sooner I could have snagged a few envelopes and made a collage or scrapbook or something. Now it's too late for that batch. With any kind of luck I may yet come across another box. This time I'll know what to do with it!

[Vicky Davis]

And maybe, by telling your story, you will save other letters from the recycle bin. I know what you mean about seeing someones handwriting. It used to be so lovely seeing that someone took the time to write out my name and address, vs having the printer spit out the envelope, besides bringing them to mind as I see the handwriting.

I think this year I will keep the envelopes and cards I get...thank you!!

[JoWynn Johns]

I don't write letters by hand anymore, much preferring the speed of the keyboard. But I find that I have to write my personal journal by hand. I tried doing it on the computer but the words wouldn't come. I can document my work as a journal on the computer, but not my personal thoughts.

A few years ago my mother sent me a note in the original envelope that I had written to a friend of hers when I was 12 years old. Mother's friend had recently found it and sent it to her. It was such fun to see my adolescent script, not to mention the current slang words I used. My grandson has that note now. He got a big kick out of it.

[Vicky Davis]

Wonderful! I saved my kids' first library cards, with their early signatures. But I too prefer the keyboard, if for nothing else but to make my handwriting legible!!

I get a kick out of the kids txt msg [I think that's the shortcut for 'text messaging] wording, wish I could see it on paper, they have created a whole new language.

[Vicky Davis]

oh I agree, my mother has lovely handwriting, script or hand, still at 87. Always the same even after writing out a whole page, mine becomes goes from lumpy to straight lines in about 6 words ;^)

[Mieke Noor]

What a good idea! Come to think of it, I only write little scribbles for my shopping, to remember something, for my family and so on; I never write a proper letter anymore. That's why those siggies are so popular, I guess?

[Vicky Davis]

And do you notice your words are getting shorter? Your list reads:TP, PB, cott ch, HB. Of course I have also had a live long habit of shortening words/names. ...
T. P. & the H. B.'s has always been a fav.....

[Toilet Paper, Peanut Butter, cottage cheese, HamBurger]
[tom petty and the heartbreakers]

[Vicky Davis]

Oh boy, I hadn't thought about handwriting for little ones...I would think that the schools would continue with that because it's great for manual dexterity, right?

Text messages are just another version of chat room 'speak' I suppose....but it amazes me to watch my kids use their thumbs to fly across the tiny phone keypad to create words...well, parts of words.

[Judy B]

I was browsing through the forum a few days ago and read this discussion, and today I found a recent post card from our daughter, who turns 30 early next year. She had printed message and address, and so I asked the question (via email), and she cannot write cursive fluently, nor read it unless it is the beautiful hand writing like my mother had. (Let's face it, no one can read my scrawl.)
The next genertion may not even be able to scribble a shopping list if their phone isn't working or lost. If that daughter makes me a grandmother, my mission in life will be to teach him/her to love reading, and to WRITE, with a pencil, pen, maybe even a fountain pen if I can find one.
So, stitch samplers with a variety of lettering styles, and show the children inyour circle how to communicate with the hand written word.

[Gina E.]

I've just found this discussion and read the whole way through it. I think it is sad that young people have to shorten everything, and I despair when I think of how the English language is being mutilated and shredded...But I'm 60, and a long-time hobby calligrapher, so my opinion is somewhat biased I guess.
JudyB - yes, fountain pens are still available at shops specialising in paper and pens. If you don't have one of those shops in your area, you might have to invest in a calligraphy box set at a newsagent or craft shop. A good investment if you are serious about showing kids how to write nicely.

[Vicky Davis]

After reading Judy B's response yesterday, I was writing a note to include in a gift, and realized the reason my handwriting has gotten so bad is because I don't do it enough. Notes and lists are just scribbled out, most things are typed....no wonder my granddaughter is more interested in the keyboard than a pencil!

[Judy B]

Vicki,
I am going to find my old fountain pen and start writing hand written notes again, and use hand writing and post real letters, even if they are short, not just emails ........
I have printed a Christmas newsletter every year for many years, and have always added a short individual message to each one, and will try doing it with a fountain pen this year.
I was reading Pat Winter's blog yesterday and she had received a parcel in the mail with little scribbled messages all over it, and is going to save the paper!