<![CDATA[STATIONÄRY - Blog]]>Thu, 30 Sep 2021 21:03:55 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[What do you Think about Ink?]]>Fri, 22 Jan 2021 18:51:37 GMThttp://longliveletters.com/blog/what-do-you-think-about-inkPicture
A little secret: I've always wanted a tattoo but I could never commit to one image enough to pull the trigger. I thought I'd finally settled on one: a lighting bolt because it incorporates the "M" from my name, and the "Z" and "N" from my boys. Plus, it encapsulates the KAPOW in me but after reading this article about handwriting tattoos, that would seem very appropriate! Now.. what should it say?

Would you ever get a handwriting tattoo? If so, whose handwriting and what would it say? Think ink! 
]]><![CDATA[Bridgerton's handwriting forgery made me wonder...]]>Sat, 16 Jan 2021 18:28:18 GMThttp://longliveletters.com/blog/bridgertons-handwriting-forgery-made-me-wonderI’m currently binge watching Bridgerton (swoon!) and I am thrilled with all the letters flying about! But, what really made me stop and think was when Lady Featherington had her housekeeper, Mrs. Varley, forge a letter. They hold the real and forged letters side-by-side and the two are quite pleased with their work (and, unfortunately, achieve the disastrous results they hope for). 
Picture
It made me wonder… how hard is it to forge handwriting?

I came upon this new software which answers the question: not hard at all. Researchers at the University College London created some quite incredible software that replicates your handwriting based on a sample and then adjusts the spacing, height, and a lot of other technical writing categories I had never heard (you can watch their video to see how it works).

​Aside from the freaky potential of forgery, it promises some touching possibilities like allowing “stroke victims, or those who’ve lost the ability to write, to generate meaningful hand-written notes.” 

Preserving handwriting is a beautiful thing unless, of course, you want to shred a love letter exchange - shame on your Featherington! 
]]><![CDATA[The Beverly Hills Hotel Handwriting]]>Thu, 14 Jan 2021 22:22:11 GMThttp://longliveletters.com/blog/the-beverly-hills-hotel-handwriting
Picture
The Los Angeles Times published the article, “Pioneer of the L.A. look: Paul R. Williams wasn’t just ‘architect to the stars,’ he shaped the city.” It’s quite an amazing story about the impressive life and work of Paul R. Williams. Williams was a largely overlooked Black architect who designed an incredible amount of iconic buildings in Los Angeles, including the Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Co. building, the Al Jolson memorial shrine, and the Modernist Crescent Wing of the Beverly Hills Hotel. 

What makes Williams such an interesting subject for this blog is that the writing on the side of the Beverly Hills Hotel is “a zingy sign crafted from Williams’ own handwriting”! 
​
More, more!
]]><![CDATA[Cycling and stationery come full circle]]>Wed, 13 Jan 2021 22:22:15 GMThttp://longliveletters.com/blog/cycling-and-stationery-come-full-circlePicture
My world just came full circle and I’m spinning with glee! As my Instagram bio states: I ride and I write. Today, cycling and stationery just merged. 

I am addicted to cycling. I use (and love) the app Strava. During the pandemic lockdown, I got a bit insane in my attempt to win Strava virtual trophies. Without being able to go anywhere, cycling miles and miles kept me sane. And, winning Strava’s virtual crowns gave me great satisfaction as each attempt ended with me about to lose my lunch over my handlebars but with a golden crown to show for it. 
​
Just before the new year, I achieved my goal of 1,000 crowns! Today, Strava sent me a box filled with wonderful goodies. Beyond the tasty treats and super swag, they sent a stamped postcard for me to send. 

I’m in heaven! Virtual trophies may strengthen my heart but stamped postcards fill it!

]]><![CDATA[The little trooper's trek]]>Wed, 13 Jan 2021 20:59:36 GMThttp://longliveletters.com/blog/the-little-troopers-trekAs the adage goes, “The best things comes in small packages.” Last week, I opened my mailbox and squealed with joy to find this waiting for me…
Picture
I mean, come on! How adorable is this? The size of a business card (note the quarter for scale purposes), this insanely cute, itty-bitty letter was sent to me by a cousin in Tiburon, California!

Can you believe this little trooper trekked all the way from California to Connecticut?

I asked my cousin how in the world she mailed this little letter and said replied:

"I used a big binder clip to clip it to the outside of my mailbox. Then added a post-it note with an arrow. I should’ve taken a picture."

I wish she did!

I stopped by my local USPS this week to ask how this mini-mail snuck by so many on its cross-country trek and he replied, “Clearly, someone was being very nice to you allowing this to make it through. Consider it a Christmas present.”

OH, I DO!!!! Thank you, Marj. Your little letter filled my heart big-time! Now I'm going to have to get very clever in order to get its tiny twin to make trip back to you!
]]><![CDATA[The NYT's Wirecutter reviews paper and I do cartwheels]]>Tue, 12 Jan 2021 17:33:30 GMThttp://longliveletters.com/blog/the-nyts-wirecutter-reviews-paper-and-i-do-cartwheelsPicture
Last week I ordered a new Filofax notebook. Did I need a new notebook? No. Did I want one? Yes! I got this adorable one with a “find a word” cover because it reminded me of my grandmother.

On the same day that I ordered this new treat -but only after I ordered it- I saw Wirecutter reviewed paper planners. Now I want about 20 more! 

I’m thrilled the New York Times sees enough value in paper to review it. I bow to Jackie Reeve for her exhaustive review and awesome suggestions. And, most importantly, I wonder where all the 110 reviewed/unused planners go and can I sneak into the NYT alley and go grab a few out of the garbage?

Here’s her extensive review. I need to explore Hobonichi much more!! Drool!
]]><![CDATA[Change your handwriting, change your life (!?)]]>Mon, 11 Jan 2021 20:32:14 GMThttp://longliveletters.com/blog/change-your-handwriting-change-your-lifeIn other handwriting news today (seems to be a big handwriting news day - who knew?!)... Pittsburgh's channel 2 CBS News hosted handwriting expert Michelle Dresbold who claims you can improve your life by changing your handwriting. Big claims with small changes. Here’s her advice:

  1. Underlining your signature is like saying “Hey, look at me!”
  2. Fully cross your “T” to show confidence.
  3. Rounded handwriting is very maternal.
  4. Dresbold told the female host her big loop on her signature shows she’s a busybody.
  5. She told the male host that because his signature matches his handwriting, “what you see, is what you get.” If your signature is very different than your handwriting means they are putting on a show/airs.
  6. Both hosts had right slanted handwriting which means they are emotional people. They agreed.
Picture
5 Red Flags to watch out for:
  1. A bee stinger looks like a little bee stinger inside letters O or A. This means that person is celibate or if they do indulge, they can’t stop . (Wait, is celibacy dangerous? I mean, unfortunate maybe but dangerous?)
  2. Heavy punctuation = aggressive, angry and/or obsessive people.
  3. Felons’ claw = you feel guilty, or you keep setting yourself up in bad situations
  4. Ambiguous numbers you’re dealing with an embezzler or con artist.
  5. Devil’s fork = worst sign to see. (I do believe that if someone takes the time to make a devil's fork in their letters, one should be wary! ;).

The one thing the Dresbold did not address is if changing these five flags will save all your problems?
]]><![CDATA[77-year old love letters discovered in an attic crawl space]]>Mon, 11 Jan 2021 16:37:29 GMThttp://longliveletters.com/blog/77-year-old-love-letters-discovered-in-an-attic-crawl-spacePicture
Boston’s News 7 reported that in the midst of a Rhode Island home renovation project, two workers found a purse filled with love letters in an attic crawl space.

The letters were written by Army-Air Force Pilot Lt. John Jack Bowen in the mid-1940s, during WWII, to his fiancee, Nancy Allen. In one letter, Bowen tenderly writes, “‘I can’t wait to come home and marry you.”

Sadly, Jack did not make it home alive. Nancy never married and never stopped wearing her engagement ring until the day she died.

Nancy treasured her love letters. What a treasure for us discover them 77 years later. 
]]><![CDATA[Write me!]]>Thu, 07 Jan 2021 14:02:50 GMThttp://longliveletters.com/blog/on-bended-kneePicture
National Handwriting Day is just over two weeks away - January 23, 2021!! I know, contain your enthusiasm! And, if that’s not thrilling enough, National Handwriting Day shares it’s “day” with National Pie Day! Okay, to be honest, I’d be even more thrilled if it shared the day with National Chocolate Lava Cake with Homemade Whipped Cream but… I’ll take a pie in second place. 

https://content.blubrry.com/thenationaldaily/NDC_January_23_2020.mp3

​I am pleading on bended knee - PLEASE HANDWRITE ME A NOTE!!!
]]><![CDATA[We should all be so blessed to have a Zelma]]>Thu, 07 Jan 2021 13:34:56 GMThttp://longliveletters.com/blog/my-quest-for-my-zelmaPicture
In my daily search for relevant articles on handwriting, I came across Zelma Hooper’s obituary. I don’t typically read random people’s obits but I wondered why Zelma came up in my search... Oh, how I wish I’d known Zelma! 

This dynamo was a Renaissance woman, noted not only for her beautiful handwriting (I’d love to see it) but also for her crocheting, painting, beautiful afghans, and for being an accomplished piano player. On top of all that amazingness, she read her poem "Her Babe" written for her husband of 60 years at his memorial service. You know I’m a sucker for love letters!

Zelma passed away on Monday at the age of 95. We should all be so blessed to have a Zelma in our lives.
]]>