Grab A Pen and Jump In!
“Writing and reading decrease our sense of isolation. They deepen and widen and expand our sense of life: they feed the soul. When writers make us shake our heads with the exactness of their prose and their truths, and even make us laugh about ourselves or life, our buoyancy is restored. We are given a shot at dancing with, or at least clapping along with, the absurdity of life, instead of being squashed by it over and over again. It's like singing on a boat during a terrible storm at sea. You can't stop the raging storm, but singing can change the hearts and spirits of the people who are together on that ship.”
Dear One,
Have you read The Correspondent yet? It's a novel by Virginia Evans that tells its story exclusively through letters and emails. I highly recommend it, if it isn't already on your reading list. I won't reveal the plot, but I will say that it left me feeling inspired to be a better---and more prolific---letter writer. The main character writes to friends, colleagues, a neighbor, and even a few of her favorite authors (some of whom write back)!
And just last week, I learned about the Sunday Letter Project, an effort started by a couple in the UK to get each of us to write one letter every Sunday and pop it in the mailbox. It's brilliant in its lack of overwhelm: one letter isn't scary or difficult or big. One letter, one stamp, one recipient. I can manage that. Are you in?
When I am inspired, I love to write a full-on, tell-all, catch-you-up letter. But sometimes I want to stay in touch without pouring my entire heart onto the page. I want that friend to know I'm thinking of them, but I only have 10 minutes for the note, the address, the stamp, and the lifting of my mailbox flag.
For those occasions, we've created a whole new department in the front of Yarnology: greeting cards, and more greeting cards (plus stickers...because stickers are fun and fit into cards).
We keep the cards with naughty words on the top rack, so small people can't see them. But you, as a full-fledged adult, may make your own choices.
Stop in (or pop online) if you need a laugh at some point in the day. As we were shopping for this department, it was our goal that every single greeting card would tickle someone's funny bone.
Add an item to your to-do list this week: stop and get postage stamps---so you're ready to write a letter on Sunday. And if you're short on paper and envelopes, think about kicking off this new letter-writing habit with an easy greeting card.
Warmly,
Gaby
P.S. It's not until the end of the month, but it will be here before we know it: Local Yarn Shop Day is Saturday, April 25. Add it to your calendar, phone a friend or two, and plan to visit a LYS near you!
On-Going Opportunities:
Makers Mornings -- typically the 3rd Saturday of each month
Beginning Crochet Class -- usually once per month on a Thursday afternoon
Beginning Knit Class -- usually once per month on a Thursday afternoon
