Just popping in quickly to say that I’ve posted another newsletter on Substack — apologies to those of you who are getting duplicate notifications because you’ve subscribed in both places. (And thank you — I really appreciate your support!)
I’d love you to pop over to Substack to read it (and you really need to see the postcard my Then 5-year-old grandson sent me during the Covid lockdown). Here’s an excerpt:
I’ve been thinking about hand-written, letter-box-deposited, carried-by-post messages. Both in tandem with, and in contrast to, the instantaneous messaging — texts or emails — we’ve been using over the last few decades — even as we’ve increasingly abandoned or surrendered or limited our use of phones to connect voices and ears across distance. Even as we pay amounts that would once have seemed outrageous for the potential privilege (among many, I concede) of speaking on those same phones (for which not inconsiderable sums have also been spent).
First, my thinking was jostled when my sister and my daughter texted me last week, separately; each text included a photo of a postcard I’d sent from Marrakech mid-November, last year. Let’s not assume that the tardiness had much, or anything, to do with the Moroccan postal service — rather, a Canada Post labour dispute had begun a day or two before I mailed the cards and shut down mail processing and delivery for over a month. Don’t assume, either, that I’m complaining about the tardiness. Rather, I’m embracing it for the purposes of today’s letter to you because it emphasizes that gap of time and distance between the Writing Sender and the Reading Receiver.
I’ve written elsewhere about my predilection for hand-written missives that travel via the postal system to arrive in my mailbox (this post on my old blog, for example — more posts if you click on the blog Heading (Materfamilias Writes) and then enter “snail mail” in the search box/magnifying glass icon). Retirement, followed within a year by a move away from longtime community, brought me back to the satisfactions of letter-writing, but it was the year or so of Covid restrictions that had me averaging perhaps a letter or postcard a week. I’ve slowed down as life returned to its busier pace, but being away from home for four months last year, I sent cards and postcards as never before!
I’ve included snippets from correspondence with grandkids and a sketch from my Moroccan travel journal, descriptions of memories that got squeezed into postcards. I hope you enjoy it and perhaps share your own experience in the comments over there.
In other news (trying my best to ignore the horrible News, because it almost shut me down this morning) it’s bread-baking day today, and then we’re going to take our new car for a drive. I was very comfortable behind the wheel of our 23-year-old Honda Civic, and I’m anxious about adapting to an all-digital experience. I’m an analogue-preferring, window-winding, heel-dragging dinosaur who has driven only Standard Transmission/stick shift for about 50 years. Now we’ve gone electric (but no worries, we did not purchase That electric car!), and there’s a big learning curve ahead. . . .
ok, that’s the best I can do today, my darlings,
xo,
f
p.s. If you, like Dottoressa, are unable to leave comments over at Substack, feel free to come back and leave them here. But also, if you have any suggestions that might allow others having this problem to leave their comments and likes over on that platform, we would much appreciate the help.
Hi Frances: an apology from one of your devoted readers and American cousins. I apologize for my countrymen/women who voted for the Current Disaster In the White House.( I apologize if I offend any of your readers). Your last blog on snail mail and email really struck a note with me, especially because my close friend (about 3 1/2 hour drive from me) lost her internet for a few days. She and I are childhood friends and we email each other at least once a day. Keep up your brilliant work.
Author
I know that many of you did your best to obviate this situation and that you continue to do your best to mitigate the damage. No apologies needed, but oh, it’s going to be tough, isn’t it?!
Losing the internet for a few days would feel drastic now! We’ve become dependent so quickly . . . How great to have such a long friendship and to still be in touch so regularly — interesting to think of the many ways in which you’ve communicated over the decades. . .
Another Luddite here! I love cars with crank windows, and they are very hard to find. I had to be dragged kicking and screaming to a Smartphone, but texting works well when I want/need to be in touch with a grandchild.
A few years back I bought a small writing desk from a consignment store. Why? I write a letter every day. Sometimes that ‘letter’ is just a quick note; sometimes it is lengthier. For a number of friends I will enclose an occasional reading list, which is always appreciated. I love stationery stores! Invitations to my quarterly ‘jazz soirees with theme’ (and an occasional gathering for women–also with theme) are always delivered through snail mail.
Author
I love! picturing you at this sweet writing desk penning your daily letter! Do you pop each one in the mail? Canada Post has recently (after a prolonged strike) had to raise the postage rates, and in my travels I find that mail service is costly enough to push many to the e-version. But it’s such a pleasure to get a “real” letter in the mail! Thank you for keeping the practice alive so creatively and generously!
Thank you very much for posting part of your newsletter here, Frances,together with an adorable postcard
I’m the one who keeps postcards,too. If there would be an easy way to buy stamps when I travel,I’ll write them as I did before But,unfortunately,it is rare
I hear you about your new car ( yay!!!)-it was all very complicated for me for a couple of drives,but than I ceased overthinking and it became so simple and wonderful actually,and I never looked back (I have a hybrid ). So,fingers crossed-enjoy it!
Dottoressa
Author
I took your advice (Paul read your comment while he was out having coffee and texted me to say “that’s a wise comment our friend Dottoressa left for you”) . . . I enjoyed a short drive in it yesterday and I think later today I might go down to our basement parkade and practice backing it into our narrow spot. I’ve always been good at parking but using that screen offers a whole different experience — lucky me!
Author
Here’s a comment I left for Gloria, who’s having the same problem you are with leaving comments on Substack: “I just had my husband try to comment from his phone — he only got a Substack account to follow me, but so far hadn’t commented although he was able to “like.”
We puzzled for some time about how to “Enter” the comment once he’d written it — there was nowhere obvious to click, until he randomly decided to click on the circle to the left of his name (for some, there will be an avatar/photo) in this). And then the option to Post appeared! Hope this works for you and for anyone else having this problem. I am going to persevere with Substack for now and I’d hate to miss all your encouraging and insightful comments!”
Crossing my fingers this will do the trick!
I learned to drive in Alaskan winters with a stick shift…so I know of what you speak. Now I am a happy driver with my 2001 Honda, no bells and whistles. My husband bought a plug-in Kia hybrid and it is really great…just plug it into a normal electric outlet…but I still prefer to drive my little Honda. But guess what? We had a few flakes of snow in the Seattle area and when we ran errands it was my trusty 4 wheel drive Honda that did the job.
Author
Yes, we were really comfortable with our Honda (not 4-wheel-drive) for snow driving and not sure what this new car will be like. Paul’s planning to head up the mountain for some snow-shoeing soon and we only have the one car now, so I guess he’ll find out! 😉
I’m sure your correspondence with your grandchildren is a source of great joy for senders and recipients alike. Unlike electronic communication, letters can endure for decades and are tangible reminders of events, warmth and love. Your illustrations make the correspondence even more special.
Author
This is my hope for the cards and letters I send the kids, that they might have something of me and my love for them in decades to come. And the notes and cards they send me make me smile long after they’ve grown past those kindergarten spellings!
Snail mail is historical record of relationship, love and the time of history they were written in. Years from now that record won’t be there in the same way as our email and texts seem more ephemeral. Historians won’t have them to ponder on, seek to understand and seek connections with people and events. In transferring our communication to digital platforms there are obvious advantages but there is also loss.
Snail mail is historical record of relationship, love and the time of history they were written in. Years from now that record won’t be there in the same way as our email and texts seem more ephemeral. Historians won’t have them to ponder on, seek to understand and seek connections with people and events. In transferring our communication to digital platforms there are obvious advantages but there is also loss.
I enjoy reading your weekly posts but find even though I get emails for your sub stack account that I can’t read or access the comments there. There are other sub stacks that just open with comments at the end like your instagram. I don’t know how to fix this & must admit it is much harder ( substack) for me to enjoy. Sorry.
Author
Thanks for the feedback, Gloria! I just had my husband try to comment from his phone — he only got a Substack account to follow me, but so far hadn’t commented although he was able to “like.”
We puzzled for some time about how to “Enter” the comment once he’d written it — there was nowhere obvious to click, until he randomly decided to click on the circle to the left of his name (for some, there will be an avatar/photo) in this). And then the option to Post appeared! Hope this works for you and for anyone else having this problem. I am going to persevere with Substack for now and I’d hate to miss all your encouraging and insightful comments!
Lovely water color to introduce this post. I’ll try to get over to Substack to read the full post soon.
Some days we cannot read all of the news. As an American, I am beyond dismayed about our politics, sometimes angry, sometimes fearful, sometimes sad. I’m embarrassed at our behavior toward our neighbors and the rest of the world. Things are not good and they will get worse. However, I hold onto hope.
Your beautiful art and the cheerful color are making me feel better right now.
I’ve commented on the snail mail topic of your post over on Substack (where I’ve no problem commenting, but I was once unaccountably blocked for a week from an account), but just to chime in on the new car theme – I hope you’re getting to grips with it. I too was hesitant about moving from a manual to an automatic, and a very digital automatic at that. I learned to drive on a manual (as did everyone in the UK at that time) and had done all my driving since then on manuals. So the whole “car in control” thing was not something I greeted with enthusiasm. The only thing I haven’t liked is driving on snow in it, where our choice of gears to suit the conditions differs, and especially when I would rather be using gears than brakes for slowing down. I do also find having to dab at a screen to change the heat setting for example while driving is less secure than just twiddling a knob, as you have to take your eyes off the road for the former. The reversing and parking cameras are a joy, tho!
Good news – sales of That Make of Car are down nearly 60% in Germany, 63% in France, but sadly only 12% in the UK. Come on Britain, we can do better than that!
Author
I’m glad you found the adjustment manageable — I understand your response to the snow driving (in fact, I slow down with gears rather brakes quite regularly . . . change that to past tense, whoops!)
Our car isn’t only automatic, though, it’s also electric — so at least the little adjustments I have to make in driving habits are paying off in saved $$ and definite eco benefits. (So far, not loving the reversing or parking cameras — they remind me a bit of docking the boat! 😉 But I imagine I’ll get to enjoying those as well).