Backyard Art

Recent sunshine has got me outside painting and soaking in the vitamin D. The changing smell of my backyard has put rivers, forests, and burning wood on my mind.

Where did the past week go?

It probably won't be spring in North Bay

Guess what the Globe and Mail was writing about March 11 2011... Reviving the lost art of snail mail!!! This article references letter writing parties in Toronto, on the first Monday of each month at the bar Avro Queen East. The event is hosted by Pal-Sac (new favourite website) a letter writing social activity club! The founder Angel Chen may get a non-creepy admiration letter from me.

"To send a letter is a good way to go somewhere without moving anything

but your heart." - Phyllis Theroux

Much-Needed Break

This week, all of the Nipissing Bachelor of Education students are enjoying a much-needed break from practice teaching and lesson planning.

My goal for March Break: Play more cards! Aside from getting outside (as the snow melts, my bike is probably itching to break free from the shed) I hope to play many card games and board games with friends and family. For me, this is the true sign of a relaxing break.

I've decorated the envelopes above with some of my own playing cards. Personalizing your own deck is a fun (and time-consuming) way to blow off some creative steam.

The Art of Manliness includes writing letters!

This blog, titled 'The Art of Manliness' has described what we are trying to so well.

"The writing and reception of letters will always offer an experience that modern technology cannot touch. Twitter is effective for broadcasting what you’re eating for lunch, and email is fantastic for quick exchanges on the most pertinent pieces of information. But when it comes to sharing one’s true thoughts, sincere sympathies, ardent love, and deepest gratitude, words traveling along an invisible superhighway will never suffice."

I agree with the entire lengthy post, and hope to keep blogging this message.

I also love how hilarious it is that a blog about manliness quotes this

1821 publication:

"in your correspondence, of using always the most chaste and beautiful language it is possible to command, consistent with ease and naturalness of expression. Especially in the long letters of friendship and love – those missives that reveal the heart-the language should show that the heart is pure. Let your letter be the record of the fancies and mood of the hour; the reflex of your aspirations, your joys, your disappointments; the faithful daguerreotype of your intellectuality and your moral worth."

My letters would not hold up to these standards, but i try...