What if … we encouraged letter writing?

Photo by MF 

I love letters, writing them and receiving them.  I’ve got two penpals – proper pen pals, those who write old-fashioned letters with pen and ink and go to the post office, buy a stamp, stick it on the envelope and send their letters to me.  Thank you penpals; it’s very much appreciated.  Long live letter writing of the old fashioned kind.

What I like about letter writing is the way a person writes, how they express themselves and share news and ‘goings-on’ of family and friends.  I enjoy hearing stories about nieces and nephews particularly as I don’t see them regularly. I enjoy hearing of how events turn out, who was there and what happened.  It’s lovely to be able to read a newsy letter again and again. Often, we don’t provide such detail and description in the speedy email or the 40 character tweet.  Too busy, busy, busy.  Not enough time.  Busy being busy.

I particularly enjoy letters from my travelling penpals, describing new countries in depth and detail.  I enjoy hearing about the various exploits planned and unplanned!  Journaling, while travelling is a pastime of mine.  It is an ideal way to recall enjoyable times and places.  I have been known to write long letters ‘home’ on my travels and read them years later!

For me, letter writing is an excellent form of communication.  I’m planning a ‘Bring Back Letter Writing Campaign’.  Care to join me? No requirement to tick the boxes just a simple note to start the process and it goes something like this:

            Dear Maire Rua

            I’m happy to support your ‘Bring Back Letter Writing Campaign’

because …

Now, over to you.   I invite you to make someone’s day and write a letter.  You never know where it might lead!

                                                                                                                                    

Where do you find time to blog?

The road ahead - Photo by MF  

From London to Belfast …

Sometimes one can be forced to write – well not exactly pushed to put something on paper but when a strong gust of ‘airplane delay’ blows its way into the airport lounge then I read it as a message from the Universe. It says, ‘I’ve stopped the hustle and bustle to give you time to blog for The Attract Readers’ Blogging Challenge’.  I mean what else is a girl gonna do when she she’s stranded at Terminal 2?  I know, there will be those among you whopping with glee having extra time to do some duty free shopping but having crammed my carry on luggage so full of ‘essentials’, there isn’t much room for anything else.  Bemused husband wondered why I hadn’t bothered to pack the kitchen sink this time. Reason - I’m flying ‘no frills’ during the Easter vacation. 

Airports are great places for people watching.  I’ve never seen such a selection of mobile devices, smart phones and i-Pads.  Occasionally, I noticed some people having one of those old fashioned conversations with each other – remember those? I guess the tablets and touch screens keep the little folk entertained, children, not the leprechauns  … for it is to the Emerald Isle I’m bound this time.

I’m watching the information board, my flight is delayed again and again but I am clam.  In fact I’m quite delighted that the writing muse has come out to play.  Others aren’t, I can see it in their eyes and actions – busy, busy, busy, - got to be there, somewhere else.

As for me, well, I’m feeling really chilled out.  For now, I’ll scribble a blog post or two.  For now, I’ll watch the guy near me take yet another ‘selfie’.   For now, I’ll stop and let the world go by.  How might you pass the time?