No one is born with their future written in stone; it took me years to find my own path. Looking back I can see now what I couldn’t see then, that the tiniest inspiration, if you love it enough, can be the gateway to a future. For instance, don’t laugh, (and most of you probably already know) but I always got an A in handwriting. At the time, no one got very excited about that (although, when I was around fifteen, my dad did take something I wrote to work to show his co-workers, something the daughter will never forget ♥), but really, how much more insignificant could an “achievement” be? Would you ever imagine there could be a life in handwriting? Me, either.
But yes, it can happen. Which, by the way, means anything can happen! This is the top of my calendar page for March. Musica? Oui! It’s a celebration of good old-fashioned letter writing. I love my grandma’s old letters that all start with “Sue Darling;” my old boyfriend’s 
letters; all the letters from my best friend Diana when I left California to move to Martha’s Vineyard. Our letters flew back and forth and now they’re like little diaries. They never get old; their details capture and hold on to a moment in time like almost nothing else. Except for the photos, everything on that calendar page was either written or painted by hand. The old letter in the upper left was one written by a beau to Joe’s great, great grandmother in 1881. On the right, is the front, inside, and back of a card I wrote to my grandmother when I was eight. As you can see, I was so excited to get to the p.s., I almost forgot to sign my name first! I’ve always been a P.S. Person!
Goodbye cursive? Get outta here! They’ve been talking about taking cursive out of schools. I saw this newspaper in a gas station while traveling last fall and practically cried before I ran to get the camera! My sister says the school her eight-year-old twins go to is no longer teaching cursive! Luckily my little nephews are amazing artists; they want to know how to do cursive and Shelly teaches them.
I think learning cursive was the first connection between my brain, a pencil, and whatever artistic talent I had; moving the pencil just so to form letters, to make a little curl on an E, to bend the top of a T. I don’t know if it happened that way for other artists — but what if it was the same thing for some of the most talented artists, for example, like Monet, or DaVinci (who taught himself to write cursive backwards!), or John Singer Sargent? What if it was??? No pencil, no connection = just maybe, no art.
And for sure, two out of these three books could never have been written if it wasn’t for cursive. Not to mention the Declaration of Independence, which wouldn’t have been half so interesting or informative if it had been written perfectly, on a computer, all mistakes and cross-outs deleted.
I have nothing against a printed book, love love love them in fact, but
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
this kind of book makes me feel history more than any printed book could ever do. Rachel (we met as pen pals and now we are dear friends for twenty years; go say hello if you have time!) sent me this old diary she found for sale in an antiquarian bookstore in England where she lives; she knew it would be my cup of tea, and she was so right!
This diary was written by a twelve-year-old British girl named Alice. She writes about her lessons with “mademoiselle,” about her dog, about teatime and what she ate; and about how much she whistles, which is practically every night. She really loves to whistle! “Dec. 4, 1906 Nothing special today, whistled in the evening.” It’s a little treasure; she might have thought it was “nothing special” but it is to me. I wonder what she was like as a grown woman?
♥ ♥ ♥
I would love to have known Margaret Cavendish! And, just imagine, no this:
I have no doubt at all that Nancy Luce’s writings and little books were inspired by her simple everyday school life here on the island, learning to make her letters. Despite her illness and loneliness, she still managed, through her handwriting (and her heart), to become the most famous person on Martha’s Vineyard in the late 1800’s.
And for sure, this would look very different if it wasn’t handwritten; my favorite book I ever wrote; the diary of our adventure in England. Sure it could be typed, but I love all the mess in this diary, it’s real, with crossed out lines and misspellings and lots of exclamation points!!!! I tried to make this first page neat, within reason, I didn’t have a ruler, but inside it looks more like my other diaries:
This was part of my diary entry for January 19, 1978; the first time I broached the question of how “real” writing was done. Sometimes people tell me they don’t want to use their handwriting in their scrapbooks and on recipe cards because they think it’s so bad. Could it be any worse than this? Would it really matter? Wouldn’t a great, great, great grandchild love seeing any kind of handwriting at all, as long as it belonged to you?
I’ve been keeping a diary on and off since I was nine, and constantly since I was thirty. These are probably the most embarrassing items I own. They’re bare bones, pathetically truthful, “scream of consciousness;” running the gamut of emotional health from A to B and will all have to be burned one day. They know too much. I never thought about “writing” when I wrote them, which is too bad; I would have liked to see myself wax poetic! I left out lots of details and told things that no sane person would ever tell. Because I wasn’t thinking!!! This is the truth, there was no thinking going on!!!
I was a gut-spiller in my diaries, and yet, they are part of me and my life, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, I am married to them. I bought my House of Creativity inside those pages! Our Christmases are there. My kitty, Pooh, died there. I moved to Martha’s Vineyard inside those books, wrote my first cookbook and met Joe. And without cursive, all that important stuff would be lost!
And you know what else? Without cursive, here would be no more of these!!
So I’m declaring this day, March 10th, “I Love Cursive Day,” and in honor of the celebration I am giving away not one, but three, things that will exercise your cursivity and leave a little herstory for the folks in 3012, who are apparently going to need it.
First off, I’ll send the winner of our drawing a package of these How to Be Happy Notecards. So she can send a little note to someone she loves, and put it on paper to last forever. ♥
In addition, the package will contain a signed copy of my new Grandma, Tell Me Your Story book. I wish so much I had one of these when my Grandma was alive; there are lots of family memories lost forever. I would have loved to know more details of her childhood. I never did hear about her favorite dress. ♥
The book is lined, and filled with good questions for a Grandma to answer, the ones I would have liked to ask; “real” ones, such as “Did you ever leave school without permission?” And, “Did you like to dance; did your dances have names? Who taught you the steps?” (That’s where I would write that my first dance partner was our refrigerator door handle!) When finished, this book will be something a family will cherish forever. If the winner isn’t a Grandma, I’m sure she will know one or have one and it will make a wonderful gift!
♥ ♥ ♥
And last but not least, this. It’s my newest recipe keeper, and I’ll be signing this one too. It’s smaller than our three-ring-binder-recipe-keepers which means it would be a quicker project to put together; the letter stickers come with it so you can add a name on the cover; you just fill in the recipe pages with your favorite family recipes, gathered in one place, to save forever, perfect for a newly wed daughter or son.
To enter the drawing for all three items, you have to be actually on my website, which most of you are (some people have the blog emailed to them via subscription, which means there is no comment button; if that’s you, just go to www.162.240.10.175/~susanbs3/susanbranch/) and leave a comment by clicking the word “comment” at the bottom of this post. That’s all, and in a few days, charmingly talented “Vanna,” our in-house random number generator, will choose a winner. Join my quest to save the cursive! And have a wonderful weekend girlfriends!
X O X O X O
Susan,
When I was a kid I thought my Dad told me (sternly) that I was not supposed to cursive! So, I print my swear words …I crack myself up!
P.S. I am a P.S. person too!
Oh Susan, that was a very nice post. I have two of my GREAT Grandma’s Diarys, I know just what you you mean, and I HAVE LOTS OF LETTERS IN MY CEDAR CHEST. Love all that paper stuff. Such a nice giveaway. You are a real pal. Also turns out we are about the same age. Ididn’t know that.
Nancy Jo
To me, handwriting is almost as personal as a fingerprint. Just as certain smells immediately evoke memories of a person or a place, the tiniest scrap of someone’s handwriting brings them to life. Something typewritten can say exactly the same words but can’t convey the same feeling as one’s own handwriting. I think that’s what is so appealing about your books-your personality is in every hand-written word.
I remember handwriting in grade school but I never got as good as my mother who had Catholic nuns teaching her. There’s something to be said for discipline! I’ve got all my fingers crossed to win this giveaway. If that fails, I’m hoping for the delivery of my previously ordered “Grandma’s memory book.”
Thanks Susan. Love, Kathy
I too heard this news about cursive handwriting! I can’t understand it. Will they teach the children how to read it?! It’s not like all cursive will suddenly disappear! How sad. I always LOVED to write. It was one of my favorite things to do and I would spend lots of time just writing the alphabet. (Sometimes I still do.) Even now I love to write and enjoy calligraphy. I love, love, love your lettering. It’s just beautiful!
I just had to comment before I got anywhere near a part about a prize drawing!
This is a great blog post. I think it’s a HUGE shame they want to take penmanship and cursive out of the schools. Several years back there was an antique store that had a box of books outside for free. I was thrilled to find a couple of old penmanship books. Looks like a mouse had nibbled on the corners but they were intact. It was so cool to see the old fountain-pen writing and I figured one of these days I was going to practice it, too. 🙂
I am a scrapbooker who uses her own handwriting. Not only do I think it’s easier and quicker than using the computer but I figure that is an important element in a scrapbook, too! Even if I’m not crazy about my own handwriting myself. However, I have gotten compliments on it since I was a kid. But in the end, it doesn’t matter if our handwriting is good or bad – only that we do it because it reflects another aspect of ourselves.
I’m not a fan of email. I enjoy message boards but not email. Letters and cards are sooo much nicer. I’m just really horrible about doing it. LOL Though I have had a very long love affair with stationery.
Good Afternoon~
It would be So sad if cursive writing went away~ like the Card Catalog in the library and learning the Art of the Dewey Decimal System~
Technology is wonderful~ don’t get me wrong ~ but I still love to hold a Real printed book in my hand!
And what about Postcards~ I collect old handwritten ones~ each truly a Work of Art~ not just for the drawn art but the beautiful handwriting as well~ in languages like French ~Danish ~
German~
I will do my part to teach my grandchildren~maybe if I ‘m lucky enough ~I will win your book and tell them about how I entered your contest and that is how their cursive lessons started~ from a blog on a computer that was from a “Handwriting” Artist~ maybe they will say ” I remember computers! That was a Long Time Ago!”
Blessings~
Lynn
I was born a few years before you, Susan, but enjoyed your letter above. I do think cursive is so elegant and yours is near perfect!! I have a 30+ daughter who is a very creative and a natural artist and though she was taught cursive, she mostly has a ‘printed style’ of writing which only has some semblance of cursive within. But…it is hand-written and not computer generated. 🙂
Printing is good too, I didn’t mean to ignore good old printing! I do it all the time and love it just as much!
My mother was born in ’08 and said that she was a leftie but the teachers made her a rightie by knocking on her knuckles with a ruler! Her cursive was beauitful. I treasure some of my old recipes hand written by Mom. It is a sin to quit teaching it. Hopefully that won’t happen. It is such fun to write a person’s address out in caligraphy also and send it off to them! A very sweet drawing, indeed. Annette T.
My father had the most beautiful handwriting. I loved his writing, so much so that I asked him to hand address all my wedding invitations, which of course he did! (and yes, he attended Catholic school his whole life, kindergarten through college). I love to hand write letters to friends, and I also have an English pen pal – we’ve been writing over 20 years now 🙂 Her penmanship is exquisite! Thanks for daily blog, it calms me and slows my pace – sometimes my pace is just too frantic and I need to take deep breaths and slow myself down!! a cup of tea and Susan Branch for me 🙂
XOXO!
Oh, Vanna! Pick me. I’d love to send out the little “How to be happy” cards!!!
I’d love to put one up in front of my desk, to remind me to grow flowers!
Hugs to you Susan… yours is my favorite blog to read.
Today’s blog really resonated with me. I learned the Peterson Method of Cursive Handwriting and was thrilled to receive a certificate for exemplary penmanship. We started learning the strokes by making countless “rainbows” and “spirals,” and I was sometimes impatient, because I wanted to write actual words. To this day, a few months before retirement from teaching in nursing, I am complimented on my handwriting, and I have a sincere smile and thank you when I hear that. Sadly, the young people who enter my program have not learned any cursive other than their signature, and they often say, “May I print that?” Your blogs and Willard’s bring great joy to my life whenever I see them waiting for me. I just came indoors from filling my birdfeeders and checking the signs of spring in my garden. It looks like we will have a lovely Spring in Berks County, Pennsylvania. Thank you, Susan, for the gifts of joy you share every day. 🙂 Blessings to you and those you love!
Hi Susan!
I don’t believe that “cursive” will be added to the endangered species list.
NO! NO! NO! As long as there are people out there like us, we will always have cursive. I am one of those people who still like to write letters to my friends, and will continue to do so. I would rather receive a letter in the mail, than an e-mail. Although I will take either way, if it is from my friends.
I would love to recieve all three gifts, and to be signed by you..what a wonderful gift that would be. Thank You
Your post today reminded me of the most precious thing I have of my mother’s. While I have some jewelry of hers, some pieces of glassware, her sewing tools, photos and her hope chest, a recipe written by her inside the cover of her favorite cookbook is my greatest treasure. She has been gone almost 32 years and I miss her as much today as the first day she was gone. Sometimes I touch her handwriting and remember… Thanks for sharing today.
I was blessed with a dear and precious friend that wrote to me faithfully each week for 25 years, until her death. We always tried to use different stationary and postage stamps with each letter. We always sent little gifts for each birthday and holiday we could come up with, even Ground Hog Day. This friendship started after we shared a hospital shift together and then our family moved out of state. We never saw each other again, except through our letters. Her last letter to me was advice for the rest of my life, which I read each morning. Even though we both had email, we chose the written word to share our thoughts and lives and I am so thankful for that. Thank you for your “letters” blog.
What a lovely friendship!
I stopped writing in cursive sometime in high school in the mid-1960s, and started doing all my work in printing. When I got my first checking account, my printed signature became my legal one. Now, all these years later, I barely remember how to write cursive except when I need to write something in cursive on an apron, tea towel, so I can embroider it. Then I really have to think about it. I’m not sorry I made the change, though, because my cursive was very ordinary and my printing is distinctive.
I do love to write and receive long, real letters, but long emails can be nice too, and I have friends I exchange both with.
The giveaway is fabulous and generous (as always!) and I would simply love it if Vanna picked me. Thanks for the opportunity!
Don’t forget to “spring ahead” tonight!
Ooooo, tonight’s the night!
Add me to the “Vanna” box!
I love having some samples of my parents’ handwriting – they have been dead for many years now. My father had beautiful writing – I have a letter he wrote to me when I was young – he was away at police college. After his signature he drew a dog in kisses – he knew I loved our dog. My mother often sent me recipes when I was at college & when I was newly married. I’m so glad now that I didn’t copy them into a book, but kept the pages she wrote. Each time I make one of the recipes, I think of her fondly.
Dearest Susan…I am a future Grandmother and love that fill-in diary that you wrote. It would have been so wonderful to have one from both my grandmother’s
so I could know more about their lives. I remember the stories that they told me…..but the ones about their really early years would have be enlightening.
Please Vanna pick me…so I can leave a book of memories for my grandchild.
Love all my blog girlfriends.
Kathie from Limerick, Pa
Sometimes I feel so old fashioned and don’t want to live in the past but I just enjoy the thoughts and memories of those by-gone days so much-it is hard to give them up. I don’t want to lose them.
Susan, when my grandmother died I wanted two things: her recipe box and her cook books. I love seeing her handwriting, knowing she wrote it out, touched it and then made something fabulous and with love for her family to enjoy. When I first heard the news about cursive writing going away it made me very sad. I hope parents will still take the time to teach their children this very important and personal skill.
Love all your rambling words & thoughts-
nothing is sweeter & purer,
than shaking your head & letting the words, spill & fill out, an empty page
and
nothing is better, than finding a handwritten envelope, in the mailbox-
nestled, between all the “Bed, Bath & Beyond” circulars & credit card bills.
Handwriting is a lost art,
that’s why it’s so special,
the writer takes a restive moment, to put thoughts on paper
and the reader takes a restive moment, to enjoy them.
More than, a tangible note,
it gifts each, with a few moments of lingering peace.
You are sort of like “Anne of Green Gables”
with that diary collection, you should publish them, as a series,
believe me, NOTHING will shock, any of us gals-
maybe, your adorable Dad, but not us !
Do you recall, ever having any “imaginary friends”,
or were you too busy, taking care of all those siblings, to want one ?
The youngest one, of the eight, juvenile delinquents, in my family
had an imaginary friend-
I guess ’cause everybody else was too busy & “ignored” her.
She would say,
“I’m going out in the backyard, to play with Chili Sauce”.
Half-hearing her, my mother would yell,
“What…who…..huh……well, have fun……..& don’t get your clothes dirty”.
The kid had play-dates with “Chili Sauce”,
until she was about 17……….no, not really, just kidding-
but, that “Chili Sauce” was around for a long, long time-
hangin’ out in the backyard, always, near the Pear tree.
We still, don’t know if “Chili” was a boy, girl, animal, prince or pervert.
Whenever, we bring it up, at family pow-wows,
she claims “WE” made it all up.
Imaginary friends ALWAYS have funny names.
Why not “Charlotte” or “Josh” –
we put on our Psych 101 hats & figured it out,
My mother always canned homemade Chili Sauce-
that’s where the little rugrat, rummaged the name.
Kids love funny words, she was desperate for a funny friend
and in the end, she created a legendary monster.
This kid just turned 50 & still DENIES….any acquaintance.
If only, she would have kept a library of diaries, like you, Susan-
we could have come up,
with concrete proof,
that the funny, but oddly creepy
“Chili Sauce” DID exist !
Thank goodness,
for the power of the pen-
Diaries do have a way, of correcting history.
Hope you baked yourself….a happy, “I Love Cursive Day” Cake
to celebrate your special day.
It’s a keeper….in another year, you can do it, all over again !
P.S.
Re: Rachel
First-time, at your girlfriend’s blog-
lovely, lovely, lovely….so day-dreamingly restful !
I had an imaginary friend who’s name was “Brakey” ~Lord knows where that came from!
Ha-hah….
Achy “Brakey” heart-
maybe someone, in your family
was a Billy Ray Cyrus fan ?
Hello Ladies, I think that children that were the youngest were most likely to have imaginary friends…I had 2 when my siblings went off to school and left me home alone…the names were “Candy” and “Marilyn” and it also gave me a chance to be the boss and the oldest of the group?? So, no harm done and when I went off to school 3 years later my new real friends replaced my temporary imaginary friends. Thats my take on the subject and I haven’t thought of that for ages until all of you brought it up.
I couldn’t imagine life without cursive handwriting! My kids are homeschooled and have all been excited to learn to write in cursive. I have cookbooks that used to belong to my mother and one from each of my grandmothers–all written in their own cursive handwriting. When I look through them, I find myself paying more attention to the handwriting than the recipes!
The loss of cursive is a loss to all as you so beautifully expressed in your blog. How well I remember sitting at my desk learning to write – feet flat on the floor, paper at the proper angle and hands placed correctly to practice and practice uppercase and lowercase letters on the lined paper. The Palmer method!
I think you will get 5000 comments for this post today!! It was wonderful reading it. I have kept little thank you notes from my co-workers young children for all the times I bought girl scout cookies, contributed to reading marathons, raised money to make the principal of their school dye his hair bright red for charity, and the list goes on. Now that they are all starting to graduate from high school, I give them their hand-written notes back along with their gifts and they are very surprised and we all have a good time remembering!!
Carol (Daisy) S.E. Wisconsin
In our family my brother won the prize for his beautiful handwriting skills, he could sit down and write in Old English style with ease and his cursive writing was so beautiful and easy to read. Mine – – – on the other hand has always been chicken scratch, I simply admire others abilities in that department, but please, I hope cursive will be here throughout our lifetime – – although he is gone now, his beautiful handwriting is something I close my eyes and see. After a phone call, what have you got?? But after reading a beautifully written letter, it is a present you can open again and again. Thanks again for your wonderful blog,
Kathy B
I love handwriting things… When I was about to start second grade, I learned that I would have Mrs. Lobb as my teacher. “Oh, no! Not Mrs. Lobb!” She was said to be the hardest, meanest teacher at South Shore Elementary. What was Mrs. Lobb really like? She was a tough taskmaster, but a kind one. She encouraged us in so many things, not least of all penmanship. Mrs. Lobb was a stickler for perfect penmanship. And, because of her, there are countless adults who, even after all these years, have excellent handwriting. I ended up having Mrs. Lobb for both second and third grade and she was the very best teacher I ever had.
I treasure all of the handwritten letters that I have from my grandmother, the recipes in my sister’s and mother’s hands, and every love letter my wife sent to me. There’s nothing to beat the personal, and personality bearing, touch of the handwritten letter. I still love to write them myself – with my fancy fountain pen, my favorite cheap Bic ball points or just a very sharp pencil (Ticonderoga, No. 2). And, like you, my wife keeps a daily diary. Year after year of all sorts of things I am not allowed to read spilling through the pages of lovely, fabric-covered journals.
Wonderful post, as always.
Oh Sue – how bittersweet your post today. I did something heartbreakingly regretable a few months ago. I threw away (standing at the recycle bin with tears running down my cheeks) my 10 journals, covering the past 8 years of my life. Why? An impulsive thing as, like for you, they represented the good, bad, and ugly about my life – but it was MY LIFE. All the laughter and tears, emotional melt-downs and growth. But alas, I was not blessed at the time by such a great guy as your Joe, and I was afraid of the pain it would cause a certain loved one if he ever read them (as had and would have again). But the sweet ending – just this morning I was cleaning out boxes in the garage and found my first 2 journals – they’d somehow survived the purge (as the ex had not) Then coming in to read you post…… Awwww…life is sweet and God is always there if one is looking – He’s in the small stuff. Oh yeah…LONG LIVE CURSIVE!!!!
I am a second and third grade teacher and I still teach cursive. I always tell my students there is something to be said for being personal. Their handwriting is personal. Besides they may not have a computer nearby. I also have all my journals since I was 13 until now…I write daily…my whole heart… prayers etc. I can’t imagine not having a journal. I am proud that there are a few of us teachers who still teach cursive. Have a blessed weekend.
Me too, proud of you, and all teachers with that spirit of giving!
Susan,
Thank you for publishing on this great site. Today, after several times
reading your blog, finally found the pages to shop! I’ll stay tuned…
I remember a few years ago I went into a greeting card store looking for some stationary. You know actual stationary to write a letter? Well go and look you’ll see there isn’t any! They only sell note cards now. I actually still have a box of Susan Branch letter stationary left that I hold on to and am too afraid to use up. I wonder if my kids will look at it one day and wonder what its for?
You warm my heart each day!! THANKS, brenda
Hello Susan and Everyone,
Happy Saturday!!! I just realized that I have been sending my blog comments as a reply from the emails!!! Anyone else?? LOL! Ok, so I think I am in the right place (just kidding!) I too love handwritten things. It just is so personal. While saying this though I love the blogs, the pics, etcetera I want it all!!! Loved the goodbye and heart in the sand! Warms my heart!
Peace,
Doreen
So glad you are here Doreen!
As a former grade school teacher, I am horrified at the thought of cursive not being taught in our schools. At the moment, I am spending a great deal of time on ancestry.com researching my family history. I cannnot believe the resources I am finding with the hand written notes. I find them beautiful and of course a real keepsake. How sad to lose this precious resource.
Love real letters, cards, notes. After my mom passed away, we found hundreds of blank note cards (she believed in writing) and her postcard collection: little notes from her and to her, love from all over the world. We laugh, because she always wrote what she ate to us, but not to everyone. There’s a lot of her story on those little postcards.
Thanks for your giveaways. Lynn.
I too am sad to see cursive go. There is something to be said for a long hand written note or letter that you can’t get from a text, e-mail or even phone call. My mother who passed away 5 years ago copied in cursive a book of daily wisdom readings (365 days). I treasure having something in her own handwriting. My nine year old boy hasn’t been taught cursive and can not write or read it other than signing his name. If I don’t teach him, he will never be able to read my mothers hand. I would love to make something for my two boys and girl in cursive that they can treasure when I’m long gone.
I love cursive too. As a teacher I continued to write my letters to parents when everyone else was typing on the computer:) Then, when I became the dyslexia teacher, we skipped print in my class and went straight to cursive. We practiced each letter. We traced them with fingers, wrote them in the air, traced with a pencil, and even wrote them with our eyes closed. (lots of giggles here!) No more cursive? I think not Virginia. Just like Santa Clause, I hope it lives forever. Thank you for your wonderful blog. And!!! I will be a grammy in June!
What a beautiful poem your mother wrote! I love the imagery of each day of our lives being a page in a book. When you think about wanting neat handwriting for our journals it should give us pause to think what is “written” with our lives each day–not just how pretty it looks but what’s “on the page”.
Oh! I love your posts! Its always a nice surprise when I check and you have another new and wonderful subject. I think what I love about reading the old letters and diaries and things we keep is the time between and as life goes on we tend to forget exact moments, people, places we love. It is so dear to bring them back and reminisce. Thank you, Jillene
Susan, I LOVE this post! Just this week, I was re-reading my grandma’s letters. How sad for people today, who don’t know the excitement of getting a letter from home. Now that my grandmothers, and ggmothers are gone, I’m so glad I have bundles of letters, keeping them alive in my heart. We must not forsake handwritten letters, diaries, & teaching cursive! How are people supposed to sign their name, if they haven’t learned cursive.
I’ve started keeping journals of my quilting, knitting and weaving. It’s a pleasure to look back at the plans, the drawings, and see progress I’ve made. I do love keeping my blog too, but print out pages of that and keep a hard copy & disk of past posts.
I too will be adding your grandma’s book to my journals, so my grandchildren will have answers to the questions I wish I’d asked my own grandmothers.
Dear Susan…I love ALL your blogs, but today’s was even more special…
I have been the fortunate recipient of many old postcards, letters, and diaries given to me by various family members. As a genealogist I am especially interested in all the wonderful “stories” they tell as well as having so many treasures handwritten in my parents’, grandmothers’, and husband’s own hand.
A special item is my Dad’s diary that he wrote at 18-19 years old as he grew up in the middle of the Pacific Ocean on the US Enterprise right after Pearl Harbor.
He turns 89 on the 21st!
ALL these treasures are close to my heart and tell me about the people I love.
Thank you for reminding us all how important it is to continue to write in cursive, and tell the world who we have become since our first attempt at “connecting all the letters” of each word.
Memories have flooded my mind as I read this blog…and of course I immediately was back in high school or jr. high when I heard Pat Boone! : )
Enjoy the rest of your weekend with your honey…mine is also close by…I wanted to tell you that he usually reads your blog each day before I do! He enjoys it too!
XOXOX Sherrill
P.S.
Susan…I forgot to mention that I am also a grandmother of six…ages 7-17!
Sherrill
Tell him I said a special hello to him! I forget sometimes there are guys reading this — I know the girls like it, but never really thought guys would like it too!
I love today’s post! I was appalled when I heard that they were talking of not teaching cursive writing in school any more. For one reason, I believe that some occasions still require handwritten notes; not everything should be typed on our computers and sent off with the click of a button.
I, like you, have a love of writing. I have many days where I will copy recipes, make lists, anything just for the excuse to put pen to paper and write. The subject is unimportant, I could just as easily be writing random letters, but it feels so good! (I want to be artistic, and am anything but; yet, I have this very strong urge to create…writing at least allows me to do that to some degree).
I love all things Susan Branch, and secretly wish that I could be just like you when I grow up. I turn 55 this St. Patrick’s Day, maybe that will be the day I actually grow up.
Thank you for finding your artistic side and sharing it with the rest of us!
I didn’t until 60 and I’m still not sure on some days!
What a generous giveaway- and in such a good cause! When I was training to be a teacher in England we were going through a “teach cursive from day one” stage. The theory was that the regular letter patterns written in cursive become one automatic muscle movement and therefore aid the aquisition of spelling. Now, raising my own children in Norway, schools teach printed uppercase letters only in first grade. Second graders learn lowercase printing and then in third grade they all learn cursive. By fifth grade, assignments are sent in online, and project work is presented as a powerpoint over the interactive screen that has replaced the blackboard. The effect on some children (my boys for example ) is that they struggle to master three different alphabets only to abandon them before competent in any! The idea of actually writing a letter, for many children, is a thing “they used to do in the old days”…before texting!
Wonderful post! Your handwriting is so pretty–no wonder your father was proud. Mine is a little lacking, but I can’t imagine not learning cursive–so sad.
Karen in Breezy Point
I love looking at old writings, especially those of my family. It’s a connection that cannot be broken even though they have been gone for years. My grandmother’s handwriting was so beautiful, but alas, I did not inherit that gift. It makes me sad that they no longer teach cursive in some schools. I think our personality shows in how we make those little curly-cues. Thank you for your thoughtful give-away!
Dear Susan,
Your gifts would feel right at home with me. They would see your cookbooks and Prayer for a Little Home in the kitchen, fifteen years’ worth of Celebrations and Days in the bookshelf, your Home Cooking Equivalents, monthly shopping list, and down-loaded Birthday and Anniversary chart on the refrigerator, your Jams, puddings, teacakes printed towel on the oven door handle, your Herbs print, recipe box, and glass jar with red rooster in the dining room, your Address Book on my correspondence shelf, and all your Country Living prints in a binder. I have a husband and four daughters who know your presents are the best!
Thank you for the work you do with your talent and vision.
So true….so true! Who could say it better! Seeing your handwriting is like discovering a dear friend in a bookstore. I still have several friends who write me notes. It is like getting a gift in the mail. What could be so important to teach in school that cursive must be left behind? We used to have time for cursive and for PE classes….what happened? Off my soapbox now!
Such a charming and lovely post in so many ways. I have always loved cursive too, perfecting it over the years. I’m not artsy but I still love good penmanship! My Mom’s handwriting is beautiful. I treasure anything old that is handwritten. I got a special kick out of the newspaper from Rockford, IL! I lived there for several years and loved it. I had some of my best girlfriends in my adult life while I was there. I still miss them a lot. Isn’t it too bad we can’t post a comment in our own handwriting? It would be so much fun to see everyone’s. A little downside of computer usage. Thanks for you always lovely posts.
What a beautiful post! I would love the chance to own these lovely gifts, sign me up:>) I have all my husbands love letters to me (when he was my boyfriend) and they are beautiful. He didn’t write in cursive, but he wrote faithfully and his draftsman trained printing is beautiful in it’s own way.
Love your blog!!! Thank you so very much!
Found a box in my mom’s garage last week chock full of five decades of clippings and family photos, invitations and birth announcements that were my grandmothers. One birth announcement from the 40’s was about a three inch cube…didn’t know the post office would handle such small envelopes! I spent 2+ hours walking down memory lane. Thinking of giving to family members to treasure or maybe I will keep the collection intact…You are so right…familiar hand-writing from my childhood takes me back. Love that we have yet one more link of friendship.
Yes! Save cursive! It is a lost art. Students now barely even print and sadly, I don’t actually “write” anymore….. I’m inspired to “write it down”.
Thank you : D
Tanya
When I was in first grade in Columbus, Ohio I won an award for penmanship. I was so proud of that award. I think I still have it tucked away somewhere after all these years. I don’t think as well when I type, I do my best thinking with a pen at the end of my fingers. Enjoyed your post today very much.
Today’s blog was especially sweet…your blogs always take me somewhere else and it’s always a nice trip.
It is so sad that they will not be teaching cursive penmanship anymore. The younger generations will lose so much creativity by not writing. Our diaries, letters and all are becoming so very important and precious to us. I’m hoping to be able to share your special cards with my friends or had write recipes for my kids to have or write my memories im your Grandma’s Book. I so treasure handwriting of my grandmother and my mother!!!
I too lament the dissing (sorry it seems to be the best word choice) of cursive and the whole passing of personal correspondence. So I would love to win your note cards and other lovely gifts. If I win the Grandmother remembrance book I will give it to my Friend Barbie, with whom I have shared years of correspondence, and who is soon to be a first time grandma – provided she comments on my comment here. : ) She is after all the one who introduced me to your blog Susan. And as she reads it faithfully I’m sure she’ll read this comment. Long live cursive – especially when it’s as beautiful as yours!
A beautiful early spring day here in MN. Sunny with a temperature of 62! Usually this time of year is snowy, slushy and with a chill in the air.
As a former 3rd grade teacher who loved teaching cursive I say, “Yeah, to cursive day!” I scrapbook and realize that even though my handwriting isn’t always perfect it is mine. Thanks for sharing your joy of writing, Susan.
I love old diaries and hand-written letters. I have been working on genealogy for a while and have some lovely momentos from relatives of long ago.
I also have an new granddaughter, Finley, and would LOVE to write lots of things to her in the grandmother book.
Hope Vanna picks me! Regardless, I enjoy your blog – they feel like hand-written letters from a good friend (a very talented and witty friend). Thank you.
Such memories this post brought back to me of my years in parochial school and all the lessons in handwriting using “The Palmer Method” in elementary school. My best friend, Arlene, of 61 years???!!! (we met in kindergarten) had the best writing …it was perfect. Mine was not so perfect but as an adult, people always comment how nice it is! I bought your first cookbook in my collection because of the art and the handwriting and continue to do so. Thanks for the memories, Susan!
Oh Susan you are so sentimental! And I simply love you for it!! Your post today made me think of the old love letter I have from my grandfather to my grandmother from the 1920’s. I also have letters to me written by my father on special milestones such as my birth, my 16th birthday, my wedding day, etc.
And I also have almost every letter, note and poem written to me by my husband! These are all handwritten and I wouldn’t trade them for anything. I keep alot of the little notes my husband has written to me taped inside my kitchen cabinets, so that when I reach in to get a dish I can also read about how much he loves me!
Thank you so much for writing about things that are so “romantic” and “old-fashioned”. I JUST LOVE YOUR SITE….and you too (smile)!
Have a great weekend and don’t forget to set your clocks back!
Spring forward! Thank you, love the notes taped to the cupboard door!!
I too always got a A in handwriting. People still tell me they love the way I write. I even addressed by bosses daughters wedding invitations because they loved my handwriting so much. Thanks for the chance to win. I would love to have my mom complete the Grandmothers book for my son. (and me too!)
I enjoy your blog too!
aloha susan! your blog is like a ray of sunshine after one week straight of rain, hail, thunder, lightning, flooding, high winds, crazy surf, and snow! thanks for being that “ray”!
i’d love to have my 95 yr-old gramma share her stories with generations of my family yet to come with your “granny… tell me your story!” she has seen so much in the almost century she’s lived! through the depression… through pearl harbor and WWII… through losing loved ones to cancer… heart disease… diabetes… through the births of children… grandchildren… great grandchildren… and great great grandchildren… through marriages and divorces… gramma has lived it all! i treasure EVERY moment i spend with her as i know every moment is a gift!
blessings, thanks, and so much aloha to all the grammas out there! and to you, too, susan!
aloha!
This was one of my favorite of your blogs. I am always attracted to hand-written books (and though I have reduced my book collection, I have most of the Susan Branch books because of the handwriting). And letters. And handwritten diaries. You covered all my favorite things.
Reading your blog posts is one of the favorite parts of my day, and I can’t pick a favorite reason why! I love your handwriting, your thoughts about anything and everything, your artwork – it’s the beautiful colors and shading you do. It’s a little present when I open my email and there’s a “Susan Branch Blog” delivery 🙂 Thank you dear, you are a joy!!
Thank you back Kathy!
Susan….I so love receiving your posts and the lovely artwork. They really cause me to think about things like handwriting and inspire me to add my own art to letters and notes to friends. Just yesterday I drew & colored some birds on notes to bird loving friends. I know they’ll love them and will bring their minds to thoughts of Spring. Thanks, Susan.
Hugs…….Nettie
Another wonderful, inspiring and interesting Blog today! I too was shocked to learn about the eliminating of cursive writing in school…..my granddaughter was taking her SAT’s over a month ago and told me that one of the students was having such a hard time finishing one of her tests as part of it included writing a paragrah in cursive and she didn’t know how to do it!! Amazing! (in a sad way) I’m 5 years older than you and cursive writing was very important in my school too. I went into nursing and we had to print everything so my “writing” has become a connected print! Sadly, I only use cursive to sign my name! I do have to tell you that one of the things (and there are many!) that attracted me to my husband is his writing…historically doctors have terrible writing and one can hardly decipher their orders, but it was always a JOY to see his for a patient! We’ll be celebrating 49 years of marriage this summer so one never knows how important good writing can be!! 😉
I did take up calligraphy some years ago and love doing invitations/envelopes for friend’s weddings. Your beautiful calligraphy was part of the reason I was so in love with your books…….but everything that you do is beautiful too! Thanks again for sharing today……a very rainy day in Austin, Tx. (our winter home)
Dear Susan,
Oh how I loved learning cursive!!! I would practice constantly in my little pink bedroom with chenille spread and ballerina curtains; I would do this for hours. I have two grandbabies that I would fill the memory book up with all things “Meme” (their name for me)!!! One of my prized posessions is a postcard from France from my aunt who has since passed away. Her handwriting, like her speech, was still so “French” even though she had been in the USA for a long time. But my most special treasures are anything with my dear Mama’s most beautiful handwriting; she wrote poetry and is showed in her cursive and printed handwriting; I do miss her so.I have been a fan in Florida since your first book was published and I still have my first edition. Happy Spring from a Happy Meme, phyllis
My mom died at age 89 this past August, and going through her things at her home were a box of letters I had written to her while I was in college in the 70’s.
I love reading my handwriting and all of my thoughts while I was 17-21 years old. I feel like everything that was going on in my life were in those letters.
I love that she saved that box of letters from me and I wish I could tell her thank you. I send many cards and letters to all of my friends and have for the past 35 years. : )
LOVING THIS! you even inspired me to
write…and i mean hand write…my own
post! LONG LIVE CURSIVE!!
m ^..^
THE WRITE STUFF
Oh my Susan what an awesome blog. I grew up when you had to learn cursive and you blog was beautiful in pointing out on what a generation of children are going to miss and hate for not learning. I’ve been told my writing is pretty, but my mother had the most beautiful hand. I don’t expect you to visit my little blog, but I am adding you as a read. It is most delightfully done. Congratulations to whoever wins those adorable prizes. God Bless
Oh, Susan, you inspire me every time I stop by. Thank you for the years of joy you’ve brought me, from your very first cookbook which I bought as a new bride 20 years ago, to the 8 baby books I’ve joyfully filled. I am thrilled you have published a book for Grandmas, and I hope I get to write many of them to give our grandbabies!
Busy in the middle of writing the story of our three children who nearly died within 18 months of each other. I began writing the story just for us- for them- but a publisher wants to publish it and I am beyond humbled. Stories of others move, encourage, and inspire, and I hope ours does the same.
As alway, your words inspire and cause me to think about my own treasured pieces of family writing, letters and recipies from my mom and gramma, both gone now. I do still write letters and send cards and my friends do appreciate it. Thanks Susan for the gift of your blog, it is always a day brightener for me. Mary Anne in Salem, OR
Cursive is more than a “lost art” — I too have saved my lost relatives letters and there penmanship spoke for itself……sometimes I just sit and gaze at the beauty!!
I worked in the school system for 9 years and retired a year ago because it was so depressing!!!
I love cursive, too! I wrote a longer comment but it’s lost in the internet so I’ll just declare my love for the handwritten word.
I have my little Girl Scout tablet that I used as a Patrol Leader. My mother wrote a little note in it that said, Practice writing! Make your letters nice and round and slanting all in one direction. Do this over and over and soon you will be able to write like this naturally. Mommy
She has been gone now for two years but I got my tablet out when I heard about ending cursive writing. Thank you for reminding me Susan.
Susan, this post was delightful! I remember telling my mom in third grade, when we began learning cursive, that I would never be able to write as fast as I printed…and it’s true! When I was in college in the ’80s, studying to become a teacher, we were required to take manuscript writing lessons from Zaner-Bloser as part of a course. You were supposed to do each lesson, all 20 pages, as practice first, and then repeat it in the lesson you sent in. If the lesson didn’t pass, you got it back and had to do it over till it did! I never did the practice lessons and I got an A, but some of my classmates really struggled. My grandfather was an artist and an exquisite letterer…I think I inherited it from him, I’ve always loved to letter and everyone always gives me the things that need to be hand-printed “because you have the best handwriting.” I have my great-grandmother’s autograph book from the 1800s, and her father’s New Testament, which contains his soldier’s eyewitness account of the battle of Gettysburg. I treasure anything written.
Forgot to say, I have kept a journal since I was 13…lots of notebooks! Yesterday would have been my dad’s 98th birthday, and today it is 19 years since we lost him to melanoma. I had sorted a bunch of letters he wrote to his mother when he was away working in the ’30s, planning to keep them, but he must have thrown them out when we cleared out my childhood home. He had beautiful penmanship.
I love seeing my Dad’s handwriting, he passed away over 25 years ago, his handwriting IS him and very precious. My mom, still living, has beautiful, small handwriting. I went to Catholic elementary and I can remember practicing those linked ovals. Unfortunately my handwriting suffered in middle school, where it was so cool to be different. My husband has distinctive handwriting that is HIM too and I love seeing his inscriptions in the cards that he gives me. I still have a few love letters from him, we corresponded for about a year while he finished up his service in the Coast Guard, then we got married. I think it should be mandatory that all engaged couples write to each other, but then I think a lot of things….
Thanks, Susan, for another sweet blog.
I have alot of recipes that different people have given me over the years all written out in cursive! I cherish them!! I would hate to see it go!
oh my gosh! That Rockford Register Star newspaper is from my hometown! And yes that school disktrict is in very serious trouble, so I cannot imagine why they would ever even consider doing away with cursive. Kids now days need all the education they can get.
Thank you for another chance to win a giveaway.
I love that you have made March 10 cursive writing day. I was shocked to read that so many schools will no longer be teaching this valuable skill. My granddaughter attends a private Christian school and she began learning cursive in first grade there. I am so proud that she writes cursive beautifully. I like to think she gets a little of that from me. I dearly love to write and will write and doodle any time I have a pen or pencil in my hand and there is something near me to write on. I have always loved your sweet books and calendars. You are a treasure.
I learned cursive in, I think, the 3rd grade, and we used real pens we dipped in ink; my favorite color was aqua (but do you think I can recall the exact name?) I later taught cursive in third grade, and a Reinhardt teacher would come monthly, with the classroom teacher filling in with weekly lessons on the particular letter(s) of the month. I have saved a lot of letters, and have a collection I wrote my senior year of college when I was engaged, that my mother saved. In college and beyond, I wrote weekly letters to my parents, aunt and uncle, and grandmother. I still write letters, snail mail, and send greeting cards, but I also email (too much) and as a result, my handwriting has gone downhill…..
We are kindred spirits! I too have kept a journal since I was the crazy age of 14! I still write in it at least 4 times a week and when I go back and re-read some of my entries, I just have to smile and cringe a little bit…LOL I would love to receive the lovely items your are offering. Yay, for cursive! Kit
Dear Susan,
I am new here. Silly me, I only discovered your website with the start of this year, by way of an on-line search for more of your stationery. I have found it to be a gilded treasure trove, just at the time I had among my new year’s resolutions to renew my spirit by intentionally putting more things of beauty in my daily round.
My dearest girlfriend for more than forty-five years introduced me to you, dare I say decades ago, by giving me gifts of your books. First was Heart of the Home, then Christmas from the Heart of the Home, and after that Girlfriends Forever. No offense, but as part of its celebratory presentation she overlaid a few old photos of her and me on your inside cover pages of photos in Girlfriends Forever. It seemed appropriate, because she got a yellow VW Beetle for high school graduation and from the back, we two looked like the two forever girlfriends in “your” car–she a bobbed brownette and me a shoulder-length blonde back then.
Our birthdays are just four days apart, and we marked a whopper this week. Although late to the SB website party, I was thrilled to discover and shop your web-store for her birthday presents–and to indulge myself, too.
The instant recognition of my sweet girlfriend’s pretty cursive script on an envelope or box in my mailbox prompts the warmth of very personal connection with many fond memories attached, just as you described. I agree: Let’s keep cursive for the generations that follow.
I so enjoy savoring your blog. Thank you for all the creativity and delight you pack into each edition!!!
Gloria
I’ve done booksignings with others that have covered the end papers of Girlfriends Forever with pictures of their own friends, and I have to say, I just love it. It makes me feel wonderful!! Nice to see you here Gloria!
Susan, thank you for sharing your talents with all of us. I look forward to your blogs, checking your website and hearing from “Willard”. Peg does a great job keeping us informed on Facebook. Thank you! Years ago I had my Mom write in a book answering a lot of the Grandma Book questions. Mom is 94 years old now and the little book will be a treasure to her great-grandchildren. I enjoy keeping a journal using stickers, quotes, and pictures to remember my days. It would be great to win your prizes or a visit to your store for stickers will be my next shopping stop. Thanks again!
hat an interesting, thoughtful post. I am a recently retired teacher, as is my husband (who was handwriting champ) of his elementary school. Believe it or not, we have talked about the dismissal of cursive handwriting in school amany times. We love technology but what happens if the computer goes down? In fact his last boss (before retirement LOL) criticized him for doing penmanship practice with his students–despite the fact that each practice was tied into science and social studies stories and facts of interest to children.
In our house we have always enjoyed the written word–both in books and letters written to each other. Both of our kids are accomplished in the written word, and our daughter is also an illustrator. I like to think we helped shape their interest through reading books together and our many hand-written scavenger hunts (in poetry and rhyming clues).
I cherish the diaries my dad recently gave me. They give insight into his life as an Air Force pilot and young husband during WW2. Eventually I will pass these on to my children.
So, I hope that everyone takes heart in your blog post. How true it is!
If I were to win your drawing, I will make excellent use of your book and notecards. And though not a grandmother yet, I will be thrilled to put my memories to paper.
Kindest regards,
Gail G., from Port Jefferson, NY
Oh, Susan…..you have stirred my memories again. I still have my grade school “writing class” papers with gold stars pasted on them by none other than the Handwriting Teacher, Harriet Hartman. I remember how painful it was to hold that old wooden burgundy ink pen (the kind with the metal point that you inserted into the slot) in just the right “tunnel” position as she walked around the classroom, looking over our shoulders as we struggled to maintain that coveted position and arm swing….and dipping the pen into that corked bottle of ink sitting in the “inkhole” of the desk….and the pink blotter we each had. My poor blotter was usually stuck underneath my sweaty hand as I tried so hard to keep my paper neat. Thank you, Susan, for helping to recall those elementary school days, almost 65 years ago! Mrs. Hartman would be proud of you!!!
Dear Susan……..how much I look forward to your latest blog. My fingers are always crossed everyday when I check to see if there is a new one posted. The current one is filled with so many issues I want to comment about…..however, I’ll just select the “no more cursive” item! I agree with you…….how can this be? I watch my grandchildren just writing willy-nilly with no heart or interest. How very sad that the end of an era of cursive instruction has come to an end.
Your blogs always make me smile, giggle, and LOL.
I so appreciate your creativity!
Vanna………pick me, please!
I love writing hand written letters. I always buy stationary when we travel to different states, I think it is still so pretty. I taught all six of my children cursive and printing. I still believe a hand written thank you is the proper thing to do even though we can easily email or text. I love how you saved all your early letters. My youngest (10) started a pen pal program last year and we have saved every letter. I am hoping to start a binder to keep them all in for her. I enjoy all of your lovely painted illustrations and writings, it always brightens my day!
Yes, yes, Susan, I most enthusiastically join your quest to save the cursive! My nephews in France were taught cursive in school before they were taught to print! You would love to see the swirly embellishments on these little boys’ written work! Thank you for your beautiful post today. You keep us inspired, as always. Sarah
I’m a cursive lover as well. Because our family home educates, I had the privilege to teach it to each of my four children. 🙂
Susan, your words and creativity inspire me with each blogpost. I, too, being a retired Pre-K teacher, cringe at the thought of cursive being removed from the curriculum. Even at the age of 4, I had students trying to make little tails on their crooked letters so that they could write like big people. We all need to raise the consciousness so this art is not lost. Ever thought of “writing” a book on world peace? With your precious gifts, I believe you could spark the interest of world leaders! (P.S. Enjoyed the Country Living recipes in the last post. I still have mine that I tore out saved in an old album beside my cookbooks!)
Oh if only one person could spark world peace, it would be so done by now I think, everyone on this blog would stand up for that! xoxo I like the idea though!! 🙂
So! When cursive does become a lost art, we will be a”little older”, and won’t we be the the smart ones to still have the ability to demonstrate the art of writing! They will probably have workshops and tutorials and even clubs for learning this charming skill from the past! Can’t wait to teach the great-grands, ha!
As a teacher we feel incredible pressure to make sure our students are ready for the state test and there just aren’t enough hours in the school day to cover everything so… something has to give. Unfortunately, it has been handwriting. But, after reading your post and thinking what cursive has meant to you and what it could possibly mean to my students, I am going to make sure I schedule time to practice. Thank you so much for making me realize this…I can’t wait til Monday to get started!
What a wonderful teacher you must be! Lucky students.
This is my daughter’s first year of public school, what an eye opener, really sad, that state tests and money rule the what gets taught to our kids. We have to raise money, for such things as art and music, I can just see that in the future cursive might be on that fundraising list. Thank you for changing, and your students will thank you , maybe not on Monday but one day. PS MA is a beautiful state!
I’m all for “I Love Cursive Day,” I love things in cursive far more then in type…..
I expect that we will see on next years calendar that “March 10th 2012″ will be ” I Love Cursive Day” :0)
p.s….. I too am a p.s. kinda gal….when I was younger I had all kinds of pen pals…loved sending and receiving letters…..
p.s.s. I am sometimes a p.s.s. person too……hugs to Jack and Girl Kitty♥
Only decided we need an “I Love Cursive Day” this morning! The 2013 calendars are at the printer now, but I’m for sure going to remember to do it for the 2014 calendars! Thanks Cindy!
I really enjoyed this post. Makes me wish I had saved more things over the years. I guess I never realized how important they would come to be. I do have my mom’s handwritten recipes which I will pass down to my daughter, those I cherish.
Wonderful post – I’ve always kept a diary and notes and cards are so important – Thanks for all you do.
Hello!
What a wonderful blog! And also a little sad, because of no more cursive writing being taught! The other subject that isn’t being taught is art and the kids so love it! I worked as a teacher’s aide for many years and because I could draw and paint the teachers usually asked for my help in teaching art! The kids got so much out of creating something of their own. But, going back to handwriting my Grandmother would write me letters and cards with her very elegant writing! It was so fancy with all the flourishes and curlicues not everyone in the family could always make out what she wrote! No one in my family writes like she did, but my Father, brother and one of my sisters handwriting lookes like a machine printed it out, it is so perfect! And then there is Susie Branch’s writing, which is so wonderful, especially when she decorates all the borders with her whimsical drawings!!!And once again the give away is so special!
I will put my wish out in the atmosphere for the Grandmother book, but especially anything that you have signed, dear you!!!
Hugs, Cocoa from San Diego
Thank you Cocoa, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised about no more art, but I really am! I guess we were very lucky. Probably no cooking classes anymore?
It would indeed be a great loss if cursive went by the wayside…
When our house burned down, I literally went through the ashes in search of special notes and cards dear to me. I was able to find a few treasures and for this I am grateful. Words speak to us, and words from the heart speak to the heart. Save cursive writing!
Yes, you don’t go looking for the melted computer!
I loved reading your post about cursive handwriting. I particularly related to your description: “my first connection between my brain, a pencil, and whatever artistic talent I had; was moving the pencil just so to form letters.” I still enjoy forming letters, it seems to help my brain think… not so much with the computer. Thank you.
What a lovely post! I, too am a cursive fan and very proud to have beautiful, distinctive handwriting. I hope my grandchildren will love and appreciate all the handwritten journals I will leave behind for them.
Loved reading all about letters!! It just happens I have a special box of letters I wrote to my parents and sister back in the early 70’s. There are a few they wrote back to me. I wrote them while on a cross country trip with 6 friends in a converted school bus that looked somewhat like the Partridge Family bus!!! We spent three and a half months traveling the country meeting all sorts of wonderful people. I sometimes pull the box out and retread the letters. You see my parents and my only sibling, my sister, have all passed on so it means a lot to read those letters. I will cherish them forever!!!!!!❤