Stone Soup by Jan Eliot for September 25, 2011

So, your electric pencil lost its charge?

Every morning I go to my deck with a cup of coffee, notebook and pen and start my day. Still works….and can hear the birds while watching the sun come up………………

most probally ran it down out on the patio.

Lap tops do not last long unplug. Also if no internet on phone can not use computer via lap top.

I still write a lot by hand, and that includes taking notes in class since most teachers don’t allow electronic devices to be used in the classroom, unless you have permission to do so.

I’d rather do PC stuff on my desktop and listen/watch TV at the same time. And I bought a new book this month that will probably be my new read when outdoor temps cool off enough to enjoy reading outdoors (probably mid October).

Even if they teach penmanship in schools, everything is done on the computer and printed. My college freshman can’t read the notes I send him… could I print please!

I write for two hours every morning with an old fashioned journal and pen.

Which, to be fair, has it’s advantages and disadvantages. I do like writing in a journal. There are fewer distractions, I can do it anywhere, it’s just plain a pleasant experience. But then, later, I have to type up everything I write, it’s harder to edit, and if I jump around at all in the story I’m writing it gets confusing.

If some schools stop teaching cursive writing, how will their graduates sign their names? I have my slide rule from high school, and I have an abacus. And I know how to use ‘em both. AND, I spent part of last evening and this morning cleaning one of my fountain pens, and its italic nib. Now I’m off to read the calligraphy lists I subscribe to.

LOVE this.

My computer lasts 5 hours doing office tasks on battery, and about 3 web browsing.

I too am old school. I write my journal using a spiral notebook and pen. I practice my penmanship that way.

Paper & pencil forever! Electromagnetic Pulse you do the math…

Redheads & Blonds especially have to watched the sun. My husband got sun burned in May this year; on vacation in San francisco wasn’t real sunny or hot either.

“If some schools stop teaching cursive writing, how will their graduates sign their names?”

However they like, same as it ever was. Your signature doesn’t need to be decipherable to be legal, it only needs to be distinctive and reproducable. If you were to see my signature, you might only be able to figure out my initials, but it’s legally “me” and I’m the only one who can produce it. Your signature is basically no more than a grafittist’s “tag” (or, for the Old School, it’s your “mark”).