Thursday, August 27, 2009

Pen Pals

    I am not quite sure what to write about; therefore, I am going to write about writing.

     You see I realized that I do this (blogging) because of many reasons, but primarily because of the writing and the subsequent fellowship it brings.

     This transplants me back to the age of the pen pal and that time when communicating with others through writing created friendship and fun.

     Responding to my mother’s  request of “Laura Ellen- would you go out and get the mail?” brought on all sorts of moments of hope and excitement. Maybe I will get a letter today.

     I crave the writing, even when I can’t think of a starting point.

     The thoughts of what I could write about are a wild jumble and completely unrelated. I find myself writing ideas on the backs of envelopes and within the pages of whatever notepad I am using.

     This list currently includes ideas about pan de polvo (a traditional Mexican wedding cookie), my four years at boarding school, wide ruled notebook paper , and even a to do list (because by making it public, I will feel more compelled to do it).

     The writing that I am doing is devoid of perfect, finite grammatical structure. I am claiming my run-ons, fragments, and comma splices.  They are all intentional ,and they are all mine.

     To the purists, may I say that as an English teacher, I know that. 

     Trust me; I know that.

My response? I don’t really have one.

     I may even write a book on how I think grammar is really just another form of manners and courtesy and that sometimes we do the right thing and sometimes we do not.

     Sometimes we want to say, “Hello, it is so good to see you,” and sometimes we want to say “Hey! Oh my gosh!”

     So this morning, for those pen pals of mine that are out there , thank you for going to your mailbox and reading my letter to you today.

    

17 comments:

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Thank You -- for your letter! It's always a delight to hear from you -- hoping all is well with your husband's treatment. Keep on writing!

Debra@CommonGround said...

"Hey" Laura! Loved reading your letter, because I feel the same. Grammer and structure are helpful, but I guess I'm just a "run-on sentence" kind of gal! So much more expressive.
Hope everything went well with the surgery.
Debra

Cottage Rose said...

Hi Laura; I really enjoyed reading your letter. And I feel the same as you do I am not great with my grammar, but I still write what is in my heart.. I too hope your husband is doing well, still praying for him and you too.

Hugs;
Alaura

Stacey said...

Very well said, Laura. I'm so glad the grammar purists don't visit me.

Joy Tilton said...

Dear Laura,
Hope this finds you well and enjoying these fine end-of-summer days! I've been busy lately putting up some pear preserves and weeding the flower beds. Saw Mrs. Wilson the other day at the grocery and she sends her best. Her daughter and family have been here for a visit recently.
Sending love your way!
Your pen pal,
joycee

blushing rose said...

G'morn, Laura ~ I love reading your notes. They are so full & wise. Have a beautiful day. TTFN ~ Marydon
PS I am a real stinker on grammar, so was Mother.

LPC said...

Laura, I've also been thinking lately about why I write. I mean sure, partly it's because I am not working at the moment so have time on my hands:), but in the end, I agree with you. It's for the writing. Sure, I have other, hopeful goals. Which I will move toward in little steps. But really, it's to write and hear what other people think. Particularly those people who share a certain perspective. I hope you keep writing.

Joanna said...

I know what you mean about being compelled to write. It's happening to me too. Blogging has released this in me and it's a big part of my life now. I also have notes scribbled on the backs of envelopes as reminders of things I could post about. Plus it pushes me to use my camera to record just about everything of note I see in my day.

Karen said...

Laura, this strikes a favorite note for me. Why we blog. We all have some reason and for some of us the reason takes us way, way back. I'm going to address this topic on my blog today as it surely fits my mood. I'm working on quite a lot of family history research and of course with that comes the opportunity to reminice. Ahhhh... those College Station days, Billy Goat's Gruff, "Maw and Paw Kettle", Monopoly, and most memorable... Post Office.. a game that five little girls developed so they could color, cut construction paper, use glue and write for our dear friends. We didn't know Ya-Ya Sisterhood back then, but it coulda, shoulda been. Thank you for taking me back.
Karen

Marsha said...

Laura, so enjoyed your post today. It thrills me to hear an English teacher say that grammatical errors are okay. :) I try not to make them, but I know many times I do. I hope my blogger friends understand. If I had to worry about that every time I post, I would never take the time to write anything!! I agree with you and relate to your reason for blogging.

Elizabethd said...

I so remember the days of pen pals, and the excitement of having a real letter! I had a pen friend in Australia and one in France...that one was difficult as I didnt really write well in French.
Even now, a real letter, as opposed to a bill/advertisement/promotion is still an event!

Pam @ Frippery said...

Writing a blog is reaching out,writing as conversation. Grammar is for school days and resumes! (I'm a poet and don't know it. OK sorry , I better not start rhyming) Have a lovely day, Pam

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Great post. I am sure my English teachers would cringe if they read my posts.

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Good morning! I enjoyed this post so much. I guess I will always notice grammer to some extent, not to criticize but because it just makes it easier to read..at least for me. Mostly, I like capital letters where they are supposed to be and sentences that end appropriately. I make mistakes. We all do, probably because we don't write enough. You have to use letter writing skills I think and I wrote very few of them over the years. Comma's are my problem. I don't think I get them in the right places....and have a habit of using dots....see? :)
What a wonderful idea for a post this was.

Sandy aka Doris the Great said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sandy aka Doris the Great said...

I too had penpals as a young girl. Check out my post today on the same topic and hear how fortunate I was to be able to find a new penpal through another blog. I just got my first letter this week!

Amy said...

Nice post Laura! I had a pen pal once when I was very young. I wonder what happened to her? I too am a dot....person.

 

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