Write On
paper with a pen
Remember Hallmark scented stationery? I had forgotten all about the 70s nostalgic gem until I was rifling through the card section in my church thrift store’s rumble-room. I call it the rumble-room because this is the room where you will fawn over vintage Halmark birthday and thank you cards housed right next to the used swimwear, books for teens, yarn, notions, women’s shoes, and women’s pants. Somehow, the children’s clothing and toys and the men’s clothing (and tools) each have their own room.
When you think about it, the gender segregation of those rooms - something I am in full favor of - makes sense because mostly women (not men or children) write letters and cards. Mostly women (not men or children) knit and sew.
I think those of us who are part of generations who can read and write in cursive still appreciate the kindness of a handwritten note, birthday, or thank you card. And I think we should bring back letter-writing. Do you have a favorite pen? I sure do. I’ve even used a pencil recently.
When I spent four months of my 23rd year in New Zealand, I remember writing to my parents on airmail stationery - the red, white, and blue-bordered foldable kind - no envelope needed! - that you would purchase at the post office. The postage was even built right in. To get to New Zealand in the first place, I wrote to many different organic farmers throughout the country who were doing and growing things that I was interested in learning about. Whoever wrote back to me got on the itinerary - marked with a pin on a wall map. I still have those letters and those maps.
Vintage Airmail Stationery Set
My stationery as a girl was the American Greetings Holly Hobbie one. But mostly, I remember a lot of pink. I had a pink room with pink curtains, a pink bedspread, pink-painted furniture, pink wallpaper, and pink stationery.
Personalized Modern Stationery for Women: The Modern Pink Paper Store
My favorite cards, Post-its, letters, notes, and musings on scrap paper are from my Yoga students. During the 17 years of operating my Yoga studio, Bhadra Yoga, I saved every single written scrap of paper or card anyone ever gave me. I have it close at hand at home (rather than in my storage unit, where I know the airmail letters and maps from New Zealand are in a box), and cherish every single one.
In high school, we passed notes back and forth to each other during class. It was so exciting to get those notes from your friends, classmates, or someone you had a crush on. Back then, it was the Gen-X form of texting. Getting away with doing it in the open during class made the notes even sweeter. I have kept many of those notes and cards as well. Mostly from a few select Italian people who know who they are…
Gen Z never learned to read cursive
Letter to You by Bruce Springsteen
Blessings & Love,
