What a delightful and informative installment today! I've listened to it three times already and appreciate the option of having you read it to me, because I was out running errands earlier and wanted to hear it the moment it was published. While I write in a more casual tone, there is something compelling about the formality, tone and style of correspondence written 30+ years ago. I tend to do a quick posture check and feel a bit more elegant when reading notes and letters from bygone days. As to the types of notes listed in the referenced etiquette book, I would add "Sympathy, Thinking of You and Get Well Soon," as I just wrote one of those cards for someone today. I eagerly await your next newsletter, Elizabeth. Thank you!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Lisa, and appreciate that you like the audio recording. It takes a bit longer to add that, but it gives everyone more flexibility in how they read or listen. I think there’s still a place for more formal writing, and the trends certainly don’t tell the whole story. I totally agree with your additions to the types of notes — I’ll post a list soon of the list of types I use in my correspondence journal.
Wow! I enjoyed reading through your post, Elizabeth. Especially the comparisons between notes written 1950s style to today. And there's something about a 'before and after' or 'then and now' comparison that draws us in. Your mention of the annual January letter/note writing event prompted me to remember having a penpal back in the early 1970s at age fourteen. She, I remember her name as if it was yesterday, lived in Cincinnati, Ohio. For a kid growing up in the suburbs of Melbourne, Australia - getting her letters in the mail was such a treat. In one letter she included her artistic creations using Spirograph. I kept those little ball-pen coloured drawings for years! I mean - a really long time. It was 2021 when I finally discarded them to the trash - and it felt like I was committing a sin 😄. I sometimes wonder what came of Carol Hoover of Cincinnati, Ohio who shared notes with a boy Down Under - penpal style. Thanks again for a great post - and a pleasant little trip down memory lane.
Thank you, Mike — for your great comments and the sharing of your pen pal memories. I, too, remember those teenage years when the postman’s delivery was the highlight of the day and I couldn’t wait to purloin the anxiously-awaited letter to open and read it in the privacy of my own room. I totally understand how those letters and drawings could have felt too precious to discard. Have you tried to find Carol Hoover? I know it’s a long shot, but that would make a wonderful Heartspoken story!
Thanks, Elizabeth. Yes, I tried finding Carol about 10 years ago by writing to the local Cincinnati newspaper in the hope they might publish something - but nothing came of it. Maybe this will serve as a prompt to try harder? I'd love to connect with her again (if she was willing) and then write the story.
Excellent review of note writing then and now; really appreciated the side by side examples.
I'm so pleased you found it helpful, Denise. Thanks so much for reading and commenting!
I thoroughly enjoyed this. Listening to the audio version was a delight!
That makes my day, Jarilyn! Thanks so much for reading and letting me know.
What a delightful and informative installment today! I've listened to it three times already and appreciate the option of having you read it to me, because I was out running errands earlier and wanted to hear it the moment it was published. While I write in a more casual tone, there is something compelling about the formality, tone and style of correspondence written 30+ years ago. I tend to do a quick posture check and feel a bit more elegant when reading notes and letters from bygone days. As to the types of notes listed in the referenced etiquette book, I would add "Sympathy, Thinking of You and Get Well Soon," as I just wrote one of those cards for someone today. I eagerly await your next newsletter, Elizabeth. Thank you!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Lisa, and appreciate that you like the audio recording. It takes a bit longer to add that, but it gives everyone more flexibility in how they read or listen. I think there’s still a place for more formal writing, and the trends certainly don’t tell the whole story. I totally agree with your additions to the types of notes — I’ll post a list soon of the list of types I use in my correspondence journal.
Thank you, I’m looking forward to it.
Wow! I enjoyed reading through your post, Elizabeth. Especially the comparisons between notes written 1950s style to today. And there's something about a 'before and after' or 'then and now' comparison that draws us in. Your mention of the annual January letter/note writing event prompted me to remember having a penpal back in the early 1970s at age fourteen. She, I remember her name as if it was yesterday, lived in Cincinnati, Ohio. For a kid growing up in the suburbs of Melbourne, Australia - getting her letters in the mail was such a treat. In one letter she included her artistic creations using Spirograph. I kept those little ball-pen coloured drawings for years! I mean - a really long time. It was 2021 when I finally discarded them to the trash - and it felt like I was committing a sin 😄. I sometimes wonder what came of Carol Hoover of Cincinnati, Ohio who shared notes with a boy Down Under - penpal style. Thanks again for a great post - and a pleasant little trip down memory lane.
Thank you, Mike — for your great comments and the sharing of your pen pal memories. I, too, remember those teenage years when the postman’s delivery was the highlight of the day and I couldn’t wait to purloin the anxiously-awaited letter to open and read it in the privacy of my own room. I totally understand how those letters and drawings could have felt too precious to discard. Have you tried to find Carol Hoover? I know it’s a long shot, but that would make a wonderful Heartspoken story!
Thanks, Elizabeth. Yes, I tried finding Carol about 10 years ago by writing to the local Cincinnati newspaper in the hope they might publish something - but nothing came of it. Maybe this will serve as a prompt to try harder? I'd love to connect with her again (if she was willing) and then write the story.
It would be a wonderful story!
Thank you for the support. I'll pursue it again.