Letters in the Mail and in Books

Two letter writing challenges take place in February--A Month of Letters and InCoWriMo.  I've done A Month of Letters before, but not this year.  I have been busy with catching up with mail I owed, some postcards to the grand's, a birthday postcard.  I love getting letters in the mail, and I love decorating envelopes and homemade postcards--it brings out the child in me--to cut and paste, paint, collage, etc.  

Finding a letter in mailbox is a treat I never tire of, and while it is exciting to get a decorated envelope, it is the message inside that means the most.  Some of my favorite letters have nothing on the envelope but a canceled stamp and my address, but inside is a handwritten message that catches me up with what is going on in a friend's life.


I'm interested in this book by Nina Sankovitch after reading Leslie Stahl's comment:

“How sad to think our children may never get a letter from a friend or a lover, the art of both—the sentiment and penmanship—fading away like an old Polaroid. Nina Sankovitch’s lovely, elegant book about the intimacy of letters is rich with treasures from politicians, soldiers, mothers, prisoners, husbands, and wooers. It is a joy to read, savor, and remember.” – Lesley Stahl







I try to write my grands pretty regularly, mostly with postcards, so they will have had the experience of receiving personal mail addressed to them.  Only one of my grands has ever written back, but I treasure those few letters.  It is difficult to compete with technology, which is why I find the InCoWriMo term "vintage social media" especially appealing.

A postcard to my granddaughter.  

This is an excellent article:  9 Reasons Not to Abandon the Art of the Handwritten Letter

Some of  my favorite  books are written in epistolary style:  Dracula,  84, Charing Cross Road, Griffin & Sabine, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, The Historian, Sorcery & Cecelia....  And I enjoy letters written by famous people, and fan letters to authors and the replies, and The Graceful Envelope, and hand illustrated letters on Pinterest, and more mail art on Pinterest.

The next letter writing challenge is in April--The National Card and Letter Writing Month sponsored by the United States Postal Service.  Not that you have to wait to write letters or send cards through the mail.  I like the idea of setting my own challenges--a letter a week or two a month or whenever I feel like it!  :)

Do you write letters or send cards?

Is letter writing really too old-fashioned in the world of email and text messaging?

What are your favorite books about letters or written in the form of letters?

Autumn Leaves and Impermanence

"All through autumn we hear a double voice:

one says everything is ripe;

the other says everything is dying.

The paradox is exquisite."

Gretel Ehrlich, The Solace of Open Spaces

--------

I think leaves are the most evident and beautiful example of this paradox.

Several days ago, I received an email  encouraging a mention of the Andrew Goldsworthy page.  I love Goldsworthy's work that leaves both permanent and transient images on the landscape.   

Source:  Impermanence

Below are more of Andrew Goldsworthy's images of leaves.

source: visual melt

source: visual melt

His stone wall is a more permanent work.

source: euniyah instagramof Goldsworthy stone wall

Projects

I chose pics with leaves

because my latest project is leaf stitching.

Magnolia leaf--

stitched, rolled, and fastened.

Reading:

Recently finished, but not yet reviewed because they will not be published until next year.

I See You by Claire MacIntosh

The Fifth Petal by Brunonia Barry

Swiss Vendetta by Tracee de Hahn

Blood and Bone by Valentina Giambanco

Mail Art

I am still enjoying decorating envelopes and sending and receiving letters.  I found this wonderful post at Little Scraps of Magic by Paula Bogan about exchanging memories with her sister.  

Just an excerpt from the post Do You Remember after Paula received a postcard from her sister:   

 Denise wrote, " Do you remember peeking inside the trunk of the cherry tree near the kitchen? A mama bird would build a nest in a hollow spot in the tree trunk each year. We would wait for her to fly away and then run to steal a peek of her babies."

What a great idea to exchange memories on a regular basis!  Years and years ago, I asked my father and his siblings to send me a Christmas memory from their childhoods.  We read these at the family Christmas celebration that year--the results were hilarious and not all associated with Christmas.   But it was a one time thing.  I wish I'd thought to continue asking for memories, especially now that that generation is gone.

As older generations submit to dementia and death, so many stories are lost.  Copies of those original letters are now in the hands of my brothers and all of our cousins and in the hands of our children as well.  What if I'd thought to continue writing and asking for memories...?

 Halloween

:)

Two Reviews and a Question

300 Days of Sun by Deborah Lawrenson is set in Faro, the southernmost district in Portugal, which boasts 300 days of sun each year.  Jo, a journalist recently made redundant, enrolls in a language school in Faro to learn Portuguese. With little else on her mind but escaping from a relationship that is no longer satisfying, Jo meets Nathan Emberlin, who has a laid back confidence and an interest in everyone and everything.

Nathan, however, has not come to Faro simply to learn the language; he has a puzzle he is trying to solve, and knowing that Jo has a journalistic background, asks how she would go about uncovering the information he needs.

Nathan's investigation into an old child-abduction case intrigues the journalist in Jo, and she joins him in his search for answers.

The answers may lie in a far more distant past than at first expected, and Jo is advised to read The Alliance, a novel that involves refugees from WWII who arrive in Portugal, officially a neutral country but with fascist ties and plenty of Nazis.  A parallel story emerges that will, eventually, explain something about circumstances in the present.  (While interesting, some of the sections from the novel within the novel slow down the pacing.)

Someone does not want the distant or more recent past revealed, and Nathan and Jo's investigation turns threatening.

The consequences of the past, suspense, complex characters, and a captivating setting--I'm certainly interested in reading more by this author.

NetGalley/Lawsome Books

Suspense/Mystery.  May 16, 2016.  Print length:  384 pages.

Oh, how I love good historical fiction!  And Gentleman Captain provides a suspenseful historical tale filled with adventure.  Set a few years after Oliver Cromwell's death, Charles II  navigates the uneasy peace that lies between the Roundheads who supported Cromwell and the Royalists who support the monarchy. The novel covers something I'd never really thought about--the transition involved in the Restoration.  Old wounds are still raw, offenses are not yet forgiven, and politics are definitely divergent; efforts are being made to unite England, but the path is precarious and deciding who to trust is difficult.

Historically, there are some interesting details about the navy and its traditional operation (gentlemen captains with no experience is only one element, lovers of naval history will be more than satisfied with the details of naval operation), but the novel is also an adventure in which Matthew Quenton, a young inexperienced captain (who lost his last ship) is commissioned to accompany another ship captained by a former Roundhead to investigate and foil an attempt at conspiracy in Scotland.  

Fortunately for Matthew, he is accompanied by the man who saved his life when his last ship hit the rocks and sank.  Matthew and Kit Farrell have a deal:  Kit will teach Matthew seamanship and Matthew will teach Kit to read.  One of the most enjoyable elements of the novel is Davies' ability to bring to life so many secondary characters, always a feat to be admired.

The beginning was a little slow, but when the ships set sail, a fascinating tale begins.  Great plotting, compelling characters, and lots of action kept me engrossed.  And yes, I loved the couple of mentions of Samuel Pepys, naval administrator and diarist!

The novel was originally published in 2009, so I'm delighted to learn I can look forward to more of Matthew Quinton's adventures without a long wait.

J.D. Davies is a British historian and writes both fiction and nonfiction.

NetGalley/Endeavor Press

Historical Fiction/Adventure.  2009, 2016.  Print length:  341 pages.

------

Have you ever written a letter to an author?  

I'm considering working up the courage to do so, 

but I'm not there yet.

James Preller, an author of children's books, visits schools and receives a lot of fan mail, and he makes an effort to reply to the children who write to him in such a generous and humorous way!  

I was writing a post about letters and thank you notes on my other blog, and Mr. Preller gave me permission to use one of the letters he received and his reply.  You can check it out here.  A wonderful way to encourage kids write letters and what an experience if the author actually writes back!

Letters and Poetry

I'm always browsing topics I'm interested in, and lately, to no one's surprise, I'm fascinated by correspondence.  Letters written during wars, letters to strangers, letters from authors; they can be delightful and funny, wise and foolish, full of sorrow or joy.  

Recently, my browsing led to The Letter You Always Wanted to Write, published by The Guardian.  These are some "Wow" and thoughtful letters about topics that are extremely personal, but that will have resonance with almost anyone.  I wish I were so articulate in expressing gratitude or in honestly explaining my feelings, positive or negative.

And poetry.  I love poetry, but over the years, my reading and rereading of poems--that was a habit for most of my life--has declined.  I mean to remedy that.  My favorite poems are the ones I've read for decades, since I was a child, really, and reading my mother's poetry books, most of which were beyond my abilities.  No matter, I fell in love with poems.

My knowledge of more modern poets, those who have written mainly in this new century, is more limited, but that's OK.  There are volumes of poems by the poets I love, enough to keep me occupied.  

I know many of you love the poems of Mary Oliver, and I found this article that gives insight into her private life and is a kind of love letter to her partner of 40 years.  

 "Read poetry every day of your life. Poetry is good because if flexes muscles you don't often use enough. Poetry expands the senses and keeps them in prime condition. It keeps you aware of your nose, your eye, your ear, your tongue, your hand, and above all, poetry is compacted metaphor and simile. Ideas lie everywhere through the poetry books, yet how rarely have I heard teachers recommending them for browsing."
-Ray Bradbury

A timely reminder.

I've been enjoying myself lately, choosing poems to include with my letters and lines to include on postcards. 
----------

This morning, I received an email from author Howard Eisenberg, the author of the Guess Who series of poetry books for children.

Here is an example from Guess Who Zoo: 

(a little sample…)I sun myself upon the rocks
I wear no shoes. I need no socks.
The only school I ever see
Is a school of fish.
That’s lunch for me.

My furry skin’s so warm, it’s said
That I can make icebergs my bed
The circus puts me in its shows
To spin beach balls upon my nose.

Grownups applaud and children cheer
When I do back flips on my ear
For me though it is no big deal
It’s really easy for a __________.

The poems are enjoyable and fun for children and adults and would make great gifts.

Parents' Choice Award      

And from Adorable Scoundrels:

Mothers will certainly appreciate these short (and totally accurate) poems!

• Holding Pattern
  Why am I pushing this stroller
  Holding my toddler? Looking harried?
  I had no idea when I bought it
  She’d prefer to be carried.
• Emily Postscript
  Can’t find it in Miss Manners’ book
  But I’ve a hunch
  You should leave a very big tip
  When you take a toddler to lunch.
• Unholy Roller
  He will not use the potty.
  He is stubborn on this issue.
  But loves going to the bathroom
  To unroll the toilet tissue.

You can find out more about Howard here.  

The Man with the Golden Typewriter: Ian Fleming's Bond Letters

The Man with the Golden Typewriter:  Ian Fleming's James Bond Letters edited by Fergus Fleming

I've been interested in Ian Fleming since reading about his role in Naval Intelligence during WWII.  When NetGalley offered this collection of letters, I was interested, but certainly didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did.  

Nor did I expect to find Fleming, the man, so likable and charming, so generous, and so appreciative and kind to his fans.  The man who wrote thrillers was friends with Evelyn Waugh, Noel Coward, Somerset Maugham, and Raymond Chandler.   

Fleming biographical info.

I had never heard of the Studillac before reading the letters, so I had to Google to discover that the Studillac was a studebaker with a cadillac engine.

Although I had never been previously much interested in James Bond (books or films), I thoroughly enjoyed these letters and fell half in love with Ian Fleming.  Highly Recommended.  Yes, I mentioned the book in previous posts on this blog and on my other blog while reading because it was so fascinating.

Read in August.   A Garden Carried in the Pocket review scheduled for Oct. 19, 2015.

NetGalley/Bloomsbury

Letters/Memoir.  Nov. 3, 2015.  Print version:  400 pages.

Determined, Courageous Women

Letters of Note always gives insight into both individuals and events.  

from Letters of Note

(written in 1913)

Sir, 

Everyone seems to agree upon the necessity of putting a stop to Suffragist outrages; but no one seems certain how to do so. There are two, and only two, ways in which this can be done. Both will be effectual. 

1. Kill every woman in the United Kingdom. 2. Give women the vote.  

Yours truly,Bertha Brewster

On Letters and Computer Errors

Those are my principles. If you don't like them I have others. --Groucho Marx

I love letters and The Groucho Letters is a collection of letters to and from Groucho Marx. Correspondence with his brothers, T. S. Eliot, E. B. White, James Thurber...doesn't that whet your appetite?


And Frieda Kahlo's letters to her friend and doctor Leo Eloesser have been unsealed and published in Mexico as My Beloved Doctor. Kahlo and Diego Rivera are always interesting...

The above items are via Maude Newton and Laila Lalami.

Just for fun:

Haiku Error Messages -- just the first one:

Three things are certain:
Death, taxes, and lost data.
Guess which has occurred.

A Little ...

More Flannery:

on religion: "The only force I believe in is prayer, and it is a force I apply with more doggedness than attention."

on Freud: "As to Sigmund, I am against him tooth and toenail but I am crafty: never deny, seldom confirm, always distinguish. Within his limitations I am ready to admit certain uses for him."

on reading her work aloud: "I do it whenever I go to Nashville or anytime anybody asks me, which is not often. Usually it works very well; however, the funnier the story, the straighter the face it should be read with and I am the kind who laughs heartily at my own jokes. This weekend I read the first story in the book and disgraced myself in this fashion."

Excerpts from The Habit of Being: Letters of Flannery O'Connor.

Your turn, Susan!

My disappointment in Avi's book may be related to the book that was, I think, a turning point in my reading career - The Secret Garden, which I read at about nine or ten, either the summer before or after the fourth grade. I was an avid reader early, but TSG whetted my appetite for more involved stories. From then on, I was not a hungry reader, but a voracious one. While not all books will capture our imaginations, it is important to have a book like TSG to turn young readers into lifetime readers.

Very tired as...

I have spent nearly 12 hours today in the yard: weeding, trimming, cleaning up, planting a few marigolds for their lively color. Kept books outside for reading during my breaks, which became more and more frequent as my neck began bothering me. Nevertheless, I've accomplished a great deal and have two wheelbarrows full of junk for the trash people tomorrow. Old plastic pots, old stakes, tree trimmings, weeds. Lots and lots of weeds.

Turned again to The Habit of Being and during my breaks indulged in more letters. O'Connor received many "fan" letters:

to a man who had not read her stories: "[he] doesn't really see how I can say a good man is hard to find. he is an industrial engineer, likes to play bridge, is the active type, 31 years old, single etc. etc. I wrote Mr. Semple that I didn't think I'd like him a bit but he would be crazy about me as I had seven gold teeth and weighed 250 pounds." ("A Good Man Is Hard to Find" is one of her short stories)


on religion: "I believe that there are many rough beasts slouching toward Bethelem to be born and that I have reported the progress of a few of them, and when I see these stories described as horror stories I am always amused because the reviewer always has hold of the wrong horror."

and

"Dogma can in no way limit a limitless God.....For me a dogma is only a gateway to contemplation and is an intrument of freedom and not of restriction."

Her religion and the Catholic Church were paramount to O'Connor so reading some of her thoughts in the form of nonfiction is revealing.

Flannery O'Connor...

was 23 in 1948 when she wrote the first letters in this book, and already in the process of writing Wise Blood. She won the Rhinehart-Iowa Fiction Award for a first novel, with the incomplete manuscript and was recommended for a place at Yaddo, where she worked for a few months with the likes of Robert Lowell. Pretty heady company!

The $750 prize from Rhinehart gave them the option to Wise Blood, but they weren't really pleased with it and suggested that O'Connor revise the parts of the novel that she felt were the strongest. She refused. That must have taken courage, don't you think? At 22-23 years old to stand up to a publishing company with that kind of confidence in her own work? She told John Selby that she would "listen to Rinehart criticism but that if it didn't suit me, I would disregard it."

In a letter to Paul Engle: "Selby and I came to the conclusion that I was 'prematurely arrogant.' I supplied the phrase."

That absolutely delighted me when I read it, and I highlighted and flagged it immediately because this book isn't going anywhere. This is one that will stay on the shelves all highlighted, flagged, and annotated. For me. (I know many of you don't mark your books, but I have a number of nonfiction books that I've marginalia'd to death.)

In 1951, she was reading "Dr. Johnson's Life of Dryden. Dryden 'embraced Popery' but Dr. Johnson is very lenient with him about it and says the measure of his sincerity was, he taught it (Popery) to his children..." That quote is to show Dorothy how well-rounded Miss Flannery was because I'm enjoying D.'s updates on Dr. Johnson.

When Wise Blood was published in 1952, O'Connor wrote Robert Giroux asking for extra copies (that she could get for 40% off) to be sent to several people because "My nine copies have to go to a set of relatives who are waiting anxiously to condemn the book until they get a free copy."

She tells Sally Fitzgerald that her mother is "composing you a fruitcake."

and "My mamma & I are on the way to the polls to cancel out each other's vote."

To Ben Griffith: " Merrill, Lynch, Pierce, Fenner, and Bean [ducks] are slated for the deep freeze in August but Clair Booth Loose Goose is going to live a natural life until she dies a natural death."

OK, OK...enough already! This is like having someone read the newspaper to you.

I know there is a copy of Wise Blood (or maybe of Three) boxed up in the garage somewhere, but it might be easier to buy another copy--

O'Connor was strongly influenced by Faulkner (no surprise there), and Bookfoolery and Babble
has several posts and pictures of Off-Square Books in Oxford, Mississippi and here.

Flannery O'Connor's Letters

Yesterday, I had to go over Laddie's and wait for the locksmith to arrive, wait for him to re-key all of the locks, and pay him. He was a nice, shy, and efficient young man. During my enforced wait, I need something to read, so I grabbed Letters of Flannery O'Connor: The Habit of Being. I've hesitated to begin this because there are so many books in the various stacks, and this one is over 500 pages, but for some reason, I grabbed that particular book before starting out.

I've fallen in love with Flannery O'Connor! Will have to reread her works with a fresh, new outlook when I've finished. Sometimes I read the introductions before reading a work, sometimes, after. Usually, I glance at the first two paragraphs and make a decision, and this introduction seemed necessary as a review of O'Connor's life before getting into the letters themselves. Fitzgerald's introduction is a pleasure; a useful and necessary preface to the letters.

And the letters! Oh, I have so many little portions marked already...so funny, so dry, so Southern! O'Connor has absolutely charmed me with her wit, her view of life, and her relationship with her mother.

This will be my April biography, as I plan to enjoy this a little at a time and will not likely finish it this month. It is the perfect thing to read as counterpoint to all of the fantasy that I'll soon be delving into. Like short stories and essays, you can read a little, put it down and come back later without losing a narrative thread.