Letter Writing--a Lost Art? (Let's hope not!)

I spend a fair amount of time writing: journaling, book projects, blogging...but I am hard pressed to think of the time I actually sat down and penned a letter to someone. Can you think of that time?  Not a message on social media, an email or a text, but an honest to goodness pen to paper.  It can be very rewarding to send and receive an actual letter.  I wish I would write more often to friends and family, but it's just so easy to take the quick and easy way.  Think about the time you sent a letter, wasn't it gratifying and did it make you think..."Gee I should do this more often?"  

There are so many choices on how we communicate today.  Depending on what needs to be said, it may be something as simple as a quick text.  I'm from the generation that if you wanted to talk to someone it was as simple as picking up the phone...that was attached to the wall, of course.  We never had to worry if it was a good time or not...we just called. If they couldn't talk they would let you know, not having to "let it go to Voice Mail"  Granted, it is nice to have options for getting a message to someone.  Yet, sometimes I get nostalgic for a simpler way of communicating. That leads me to the nostalgic art of letter writing. It's sad that writing a letter seems to be "old fashioned" , but writing allows us to express yourselves fully.  A letter also provides the flexibility that the recipient can read at their leisure and take the time to soak in the contents.

I wish I was better about writing letters,  Once I sit down and do it I do find a certain sense of satisfaction and a connection to the recipient.  Several years ago I included in my New Year's Resolutions to write a letter to a family member or friend at least once a month.  A good goal indeed and I started out pretty well, but it fizzled out by the time the tulips arose. I would like to try to do a better job with this goal, but perhaps not strict quotas on how often or how many. 

After my Mom passed, among the photographs and other mementoes were packets of letters she had saved from my grandmother filled with news about things going on back at the farm in upstate New York. It was fun to read what all my cousins were up to as kids. Also, were several love letters that Mom had received from Dad while they were dating.  You just can't have a more valuable treasure.

 I was recently inspired on the topic of letter writing by my reading of the book: The Correspondent by Virginia Evans.  The book was a gift to me by my sister-in-law who thought I would enjoy it. (Thanks Christy!)  I did enjoy the book very much, but it had a slow start in capturing my interest. At first the main character seems like a bitter old woman who was quick to complain about many seemingly innocuous details in her life.  In some ways it prompted me to hold a mirror up to my own life; I hope I'm not becoming a bitter old woman. Yet, reading this book would make many people take a second look at their own lives and relationships and perhaps find a way to create better relationships.  The foundation of good relationships is good communications.

This book is structured as a compilation of letters written by and to the main character: Sybil Van Antwerp, a lawyer and divorcee who communicates with many of the people in her life via letters.  Some of them are emails, but still constructed in such a way as to be classified a letter. Also many of her letters were quite formal.  As the story continues, you begin to realize that some of her indignant attitudes are a mask for her own vulnerabilities.  One of the reviews of the book called it a "...masterpiece in human frailty."  I don't want to say too much more about the book to guard giving it all away.  It is a good read and an inspiration in many facets of one's relationships. 

So there it is...I really would like to improve communications with my family and friends and hopefully with an occasional letter or two.  I have bins full of fancy stationery, cards and stickers that  I REALLY should put more to use!  Keep on Writing!    Julie Etta Smith

Call Me a Cab

 Call me a Cab.....Cabernet , that is. What a delightful little pun that I recently ran across when planning an upcoming trip to Door County, Wisconsin. This terrific little pun is on a label of wine found at Heather Ridge Winery in Door County. I almost always like Cabernet Sauvignon, so it's a sure bet that Hubby and I will make a stop there.  Yeah, you can call it just creative marketing.... but it works on me anyway. I'm still laughing about it. (and writing about it!) And it makes me want to go check it out. I won't be a bit surprised if I bring home a bottle.

It made me realize that not only do (some) wine drinkers, and vintners, have a great sense of humor, maybe after a glass or two, but there is a whole culture around the hobby of wine drinking.  I love a good glass of wine not only for the taste, but also for the amazing sense of calm it brings to me.

When I began drinking wine, illegally as a teenager....I would partake in the varietals of Boone's Farm wine. Remember Boone's Farm?! Egad! They produced Boone's Farm Apple then when they came out with Boone's Farm Strawberry Hill we thought we were in 7th Heaven. It was sweet and basically tasted like pop, but we got drunk. And I guess basically that was the goal. Good Times.

Yet, all of our tastes change when we get older, thank goodness.  I am not trying to sound like a "wine snob".... on the contrary.  I have reached the point where I enjoy wine for the taste and fully realize that everyone has different tastes.  Drink what makes you happy. For me it is the drier reds and the crisp whites like Pinot Grigio.  Yet, whatever your preference, one thing that brings all wine drinkers together is the paraphernalia surrounding the hobby. Fancy glasses, funny kitchen wall plaques, ornate bottle stoppers....well, you get the idea.... the list goes on and on.  I have a nice collection of glasses, but am always on the look-out for an additional "souvenir" one.

Whenever I visit a winery, the sampling of the wine itself of course is the highlight. Yet, seeing all the "stuff" in the gift shop is a bonus and even if I don't buy anything it is so entertaining to read the t-shirts and funny little kichen towels.  So here are a couple of examples from my own collection when I succumbed to the laughter that it brought me. Yet, I don't regret buying them, they still makes me laugh. 

Returning to my original premise in this post, the fun with the labels almost always catches the eye of the consumer. If you buy a good wine, and the label is catchy, you are almost sure to find it again in the future.  I bought a wine once just because it had a lighthouse on it, shallow I know...but it turned out to be very tasty and now I can just look for the lighthouse. Nifty.  If the label has a "story" behind it and evokes memories for you....all the better to cement it in your mind as a great wine.  And of course, the bringing to mind a great story is always a bonus. The example I am thinking of is Casillero Del Diablo. Wonderful wines from Chile! My Spanish is not so great, I originally thought it meant "Castle of the Devil", I was close but not quite. I worked with a gal that spoke Spanish (I miss working with Jessica, she was so much fun!) and she clarified that it means "Locker of the Devil". So keep the "devil" locked up. Well, come to find out there is a very interesting legend about this. From the wine maker's web site:

"As the story goes, more than a hundred years ago the founder of our winery, Don Melchor Concha y Toro, hid a prized collection of wines in his personal cellar protected behind a wrought iron gate. However, over time he began to notice that bottles would strangely disappear. It seemed his secret cellar was no longer so secret, and that the townspeople, having heard of his exquisite wines, couldn't resist tasting them for themselves.

Needing a new way to safeguard his treasure, Don Melchor turned to local folklore. Knowing that superstitions and otherworldly phenomena were feared by the local people, he spread the rumor of strange nighttime events that could only be explained by a simple fact: that the devil inhabited his cellar. Fueled by the locals’ imagination, each sound in the cellar—every echo, shadow, and shape—gave weight to the story."

Wow, what an intriguing story...to this day, they still have a little emblem of a devil on the label. There always seems to be stories behind your favorite wine.  With a little bit of digging you can find them and remember:

     "WINE! Because no Great Story ever started with someone eating a salad."

                                                   Cheers!

Julie E. Smith

Are you a Joiner?

 I recently attended the meeting of a local quilt guild and it was such a delight to be in the company of these women that all share the same passion of quilt making and related projects. When I am in the company of very talented quilters I usually am intimidated by their amazing talents, but then I realize we all have to start somewhere.  I remember the wisdom of the advice by Warren Buffett:

"It’s better to hang out with people better than you. Pick out associates whose behavior is better than yours and you’ll drift in that direction.”   I doubt Mr. Buffett was discussing quilt circles at the time, however...the same principle applies.  We can always learn and improve ourselves when we surround ourselves with those we can learn from. I will probably join this group with not only the hope of improving my quilting skills, but to also forge new friendships with people in my community. It's a win- win situation.

Yup...I'm a joiner...as are many of my fellow human beings are.  The significance of this has really become evident as we still are seeking ways to connect with each other in the era of COVID. It is so refreshing to meet face to face beyond the realm of "Zoom land". 

So I was thinking today about all the different groups I belong to and how our group affiliation changes throughout our lifetime.  Currently I belong to a church, a women's Bible Study at another church, a craft group, two writer's groups, two National Parks organizations and soon to be a member of a quilting guild.  Then I could also mention several on-line groups with my targeted interests and geographic location. The Facebook group for my town has proved to be a very valuable tool for finding everything from which restaurant to choose to the best mechanic. So my predisposition of joining groups fits in with my extroverted personality.  So there are those that would prefer to keep to themselves.  This reminds me of this clever meme that really brought a chuckle to me while coping through the COVID isolation:

So what groups do you belong to and how have they impacted and changed your life?  It's kind of fun to think about and it's also a specific way to define your interests and count your blessings. Sometimes when we stop to think about the characteristics of our personality and interests it helps to provide goals and a framework on how we can improve our participation with those groups. 

Our group affiliations definitely change over our lifetime. Probably the first group I joined (that I can remember)was the Girl Scouts. I hold so many fond memories of camping, great songs and believe it or not...I do remember the work and skills I learned working on various merit badges. 

Fast forward to college days: my freshman year I joined a social sorority. I have to confess I originally pursued joining a sorority not so much for the camaraderie and the social aspects, but I wanted a nicer place to live than the dorms.  I had heard many stories about dorm living and I wanted a better (and er...cleaner..) place to live while I pursued my degree.  Although, in hind sight it was a great decision and many of the friendships I forged at my sorority: Alpha Chi Omega have endured. I will be an Alpha Chi for life and I was pleasantly surprised that it became so much more than just a place to live. To this day, I am still in touch with several of my sorority sisters.

Also, during my college days I joined the Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi. At the time it was awesome and wonderful training for a career in journalism. I also went to their convention in Washington, D.C. and was truly inspired to plunge into work as a journalist. Well, the path of life takes many turns and I ended up not pursuing a "traditional" role as a journalist. So this is one group membership that I let lapse, however I don't regret my experiences with them.

So life milestones and stages of our life can be marked by the groups to which we belong.  One of the biggest shocks for me, feeling like a splash of cold water in my face, was the letter I received stating I was eligible to join AARP.  For all you youngsters out there that don't have to even think about this...it stands for the American Association of Retired Persons.  Now I needed to rationalize this with the simple thought the requirement for membership in AARP is only 50.  Most people don't actual retire until age 65. Still....it made me feel OLD.  Nevertheless, I am not knocking AARP. They do great things to help "older" people and I really enjoy the monthly magazine.

I have learned so much from the variety of groups that I have had the pleasure of calling myself a member. My hope is that I can give back and enhance the group in some small way. And how can I forget support groups, they are an important facet to help us with some of the difficulties that life might throw our way. I wanted to end this blog with this great cartoon about support groups. Brought a smile to my day:

The Joy Of Sex.....I mean the Joy of the "To Do" List .....

 Oh, now that I have your attention....there is a wonderful satisfaction from making a list and completing everything on said list.  Granted it may not be as great as sex but there is wonderful sense of accomplishment when I successfully complete my list.  Admit it...if you saw a title of a blog just about List Making....ho-hum..but Sex always sells. Maybe they should make grocery lists with provocative pictures. That would liven up the trip to the store for a sometimes mundane task.

Nevertheless, I am a strong believer in the power of To Do lists.  First and foremost the most obvious advantage is that it organizes your thoughts and helps prioritize what really needs to be done and what can be postponed.  Then a list creates a sense of accomplishment when you can cross each task off the list. Even if our list is comprised of tasks that you do every week, it feels like getting a pat on the back when you cross "Clean bathrooms" off the list.  And if by some miracle you complete the whole list? Victory!! Throw it out and start the cycle again for next week.  I say next week, because I think it is a whole lot easier to do weekly lists. Even though my husband and I are not in the traditional 9 to 5 routine, it became ingrained in my psyche to do the bulk of the household chores and projects on the weekends. Back in the day when I worked 40 hours a week, many things were saved for the weekend...hence the weekend list. Funny how things like that stick with you over time. I probably wouldn't think of vacuuming or cleaning the bathrooms on a day other than Saturday. I know...kinda weird.  Sometimes we are creatures of habit. However, I bet I am not the only one who enjoys the functionality and goal setting joys of list making!

Some folks use their phones for lists...Not me, no way...I love the simple joy of taking pen to paper. I have oodles of notepads around the house and I never hesitate to buy more. It is truly amazing that any place you travel, little gift shops have souvenir notepads to help as a remembrance of your journey. How lovely it is to write "Dust Living Room" against the backdrop of the majestic mountains of Glacier National Park. So lovely to remember trips when you use a notepad for routine tasks.  I even was given  a notepad from Greece from when my Sister-in-Law visited there. Thanks Christy!

A sampling of a few of my favorites

So an article in Forbes magazine about time management (published 0n 7/20/20 by Kevin Leyes, Forbes Business Council) lists the top 9 ways for efficient time management. While trying not to sound too smug....just guess what was at the top of the list: "Prepare a task list." Here is the excerpt from that article that confirms my assertion and lets me know that I'm not obsessive....just trying to get my life organized. It also has some helpful pointers:

"1. Prepare a task list. Whether daily or weekly, preparing a task list will help you identify all the activities you need to accomplish or situations you need to solve. Every morning before you start the day, go through your list and try to adjust your time for each item. Making this list will make it easier for you to outline the tasks assigned for the day and plan to get them done. Eventually, you can get into the habit of spending a healthy amount of time on work."

I will say that as a writer I have suffered from writers block and perhaps it seems lame, but I am starting to feel all my list making counts as writing. Why not? It allows my mind to focus on tasks that need attending to and many times working on my blogs or ideas for my next book is often on my To Do List. And when it's on my list....by golly it gets done. Finishing this blog was on my list, guess that helped me "Git er done!" (author's note:must be spoken with Texas drawl)  Perhaps the book wouldn't be completely done by the end of the list, but work on it would transpire.  All Hail the Power of the List!

"Aging Gracefully" ?? Not sure I have perfected that yet...

 There is a quote from Hunter S. Thompson (the ultimate  cool "Hippie", I think ) that proclaims: 

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!” 

 I have always loved that quote and perhaps I don't ascribe to it quite literally, but it does paint a pretty good picture of a life philosophy that I can get behind.  I really abhor the concept of "slowing down" as we age unless it means literally walking a little slower....I can see that. Yet, if it means doing less and not exploring new things in life, well THAT I don't agree with. Things get "tweaked" along the way, but to me it is such a good feeling to remind myself that just because I am "older" doesn't mean I have to rein in my actions and "act my age". Rather, I have learned from past mistakes and the wisdom that comes from living. For example, the best cure to prevent a hangover is to drink lots of water and aspirin before you hit the hay. Good luck to you if you are too drunk to remember this one, you probably deserve a little pain the next day. Yet, of course age and experience tells us that moderation is the key for maximum enjoyment. That holds true for many things in life other than just alcohol consumption.

It has been said that "Youth is wasted on the Young" There is something to be said for that, because there are things that I was able to do easily as a younger person, that I wish I could do now. That brings me to the "re-inventing" idea. Yes, there are things that we can't do that we did when we were younger, but many doors open up to as life circumstances change. 

Betty Friedan, one of my favorite feminist writers, said it well when she reminded us: "Aging is not lost youth, but a new stage of Opportunity and Strength"   She had a wonderful way of opening our eyes and bringing clarity to things right before us. That statement on aging brings to me a sense of joy and also a sense of resolve. As life circumstances change, so do new opportunities. A perfect example of that from my life is the start of my writing career. When my husband retired from the corporate working world, I "retired" too and started to embark on my passion of writing. I was too young to retire, but nevertheless was delighted that I could delve into my passions: writing and photography. And I'm not dead yet....but what What A Ride it has been so far!

Sometimes we have to re-invent ourselves through the years with both careers and on a personal level.  Change is seldom easy, often quite hard. Yet one's attitude towards change can soften the blow if you view it as an opportunity for growth.  Ever been fired from a job that you thought was just perfect for you? I have, and in hindsight it was NOT perfect and getting fired forced me to move on to bigger and yes better things. This is another example of how wisdom that comes with age, and experience, really does make you grow as a person.

Yes, this is a pretty philosophical post, perhaps even a note of encouragement. But young or old at this point we could all use a little encouragement and it might be good advice to Enjoy the Ride!  CHEERS!          Julie E. Smith

Perpetual Student

You would think when I completed my formal education, I would have stopped taking notes and scribbling interesting bits of information on any nearby paper I could get my hands on. Yet, alas...it is a habit that I have carried outside the classroom. Granted, usually it's for ideas for my two blogs and/or a potential article I have been "meaning to write."

Although sometimes the note taking is not for quite such a concrete purpose, but rather just to clarify my own random ramblings in my brain. Like many people, it helps me to remember things. This concept of my propensity for frequent note-taking came to mind today at a Weight Watchers meeting. A  fellow meeting attendee inquired, "You're taking notes?" I explained: "Yeah, I know it's weird...but it really helps to remember all the pointers and great ideas that are shared at meetings."
She seemed to think that made sense, or maybe she was just being polite, but it really doesn't worry me. That's just who I am...a journalist and a note taker. I don't trust my memory and it really does help to highlight what I view as important. I have even been known to jot notes on the church bulletin when a particular sermon has inspired me to pursue further discussion or reading. I have generated several blog topics that way...(Thanks Pastor Barry for your inspiration.) So I just keep on taking notes and hopefully keep on learning new things. One can never live long enough on this earth to know everything...there is always something new to learn.

So I keep writing, reading and learning as a perpetual student in a variety of areas of study. Of course I have my favorites, and I doubt I will ever go back to studying Algebra or Trigonometry....Argghhhh...scary thought!! Yet having the opportunity to always learn something new is a blessing.  Albert Einstein expressed this well by saying: "Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it."

My mother is truly an inspiration to me. And to her grandchildren as well. She always finds something new to discuss and to learn about with other people: always ready to embark on new learning adventures.   She is a "newspaper article clipper" and has an uncanny knack for knowing just what the people in her life are interested in. Any article on the National Parks (one of my passions) always finds its way to me. One of my sons is a civil engineer living in Alaska and working to assist with reliable energy sources. You can bet Mom always finds energy development and Alaska articles for him. Well, you get the idea and the list goes on for her finding new information that affects the lives of those she loves. She obtained her undergrad and Masters degree quite some time ago....but the learning just keeps on going.

When I travel and have a brochure in hand, its funny that additional notes always end up on the side margins. I have little tid-bits of information that I know I will forget if I don't jot them down. I own several journals that I take such joy in filling up the pages. Some are used for story ideas, some just for the sheer joy of writing. I know we are still in the peak of summer...but the Back to School sales will be upon us soon. Every August (sometimes even late July) I delight in the crisp, white pages in the spiral notebooks and packets upon packets of pens and pencils. All waiting to be used.  My husband has to keep me away from those aisles in the store...I probably have enough journals, spiral notebooks and pens to last at least five or six years....I better get busy.          
                                                                                       Julie Etta Smith

Just because it's FREE, Doesn't mean it's Lame.

We Americans frequently adhere to the adage: "You get what you pay for." Sometimes in certain circumstances this is true, no denying that. Yet I am here to lift up the virtues of seeking out and enjoying FREE STUFF! Of course there are the many free things in life like love, friendships, holding a soft puppy, enjoying the sounds of soft spring rain and....well you get the idea. These things are all well and good, but I'm talking about less esoteric things, like entrance to a free museum.

So many people have the impression that things can't be very good, or worth taking the time to look into, unless you have to pay an admission fee. I am here to strongly denounce that misconception. I have seen so many interesting museums and "freebies", yet have also seen ones that were indeed lame. It's always a gamble, but look at it this way, you haven't paid money up front so you are not out anything. Yet, if it turns out to be an interesting and worthwhile place, you can almost always donate money on your way out the door. Museums and centers need donations to keep places running and also appreciate positive feedback....tell your friends, they might enjoy the place too!

Polk County Museum

 In my area, there is a county museum that has an amazing collection of stories, artifacts and documentation on the settlement and growth of several communities within our county. The Polk County Museum in Balsam Lake, Wisconsin is housed in a majestic, red brick courthouse. The building itself is quite a sight to behold. Originally built in 1899, it was used as a courthouse until 1975 when it was converted to a museum and is operated by volunteers. It has been included in the National Register of Historic Places.   Inside the museum, there are three floors of galleries with some of the exhibits dating back to the Revolutionary War.  There is an impressive exhibit about the logging industry and it's impact on the area. Logging and lumbering were the primary attractions that brought early settlers to the area in as early as 1837. I never knew that the logs were "branded" (just like cattle) before being sent down the river...neat.

The building also has unique and beautiful stained glass and interesting architectural details on every floor. Here is a stained glass window that is beautiful, but also informative: it shows a map designating the townships within Polk County. I thought this was so beautiful and I bet it looks very different depending on the time of day.

Polk County in Stained glass depiction

Not only do they have an impressive permanent collection, the museum also hosts traveling exhibits. One coming up that I will NOT miss is an exhibit about John Muir, the conservationist and one of the men instrumental in founding the National Park Service. John Muir spent much of his youth in Wisconsin. The exhibit is on loan from the Wisconsin Historical Society and runs from Aug. 10-Sept. 2, 2018. The Museum has limited hours in the summer time, and frequently hosts private and school tours the rest of the year. The museum is at 120 Main Street Balsam Lake. For more information you can contact them at: (715) 485-9269

Another free and very interesting museum that I had the pleasure of visiting is the Bayfield Maritime Museum. Located in Bayfield, Wisconsin near the Apostle Islands, it is a treasure trove of cool stuff all related to the maritime industry, the history of the area and the wonders of Lake Superior.  Many topics are covered including boat making and the development of the maritime industry, shipwrecks on Lake Superior, lighthouses, and an impressive collection of historical photographs and artifacts related to the area. It is staffed by very helpful and knowledgeable volunteers, who are happy to answer any questions.

They also have a small amount of books and souvenirs about the area and the Apostle Islands. I purchased a nautical print of  Bayfield and the Apostle Islands and another print showing all the Lighthouses of the Apostles.  Both prints were very suitable for framing and it made me feel good knowing that my purchases went towards helping to operate the museum. This museum is only open during the summertime and is staffed by volunteers. For more information, check out their website at: www.bayfieldmaritimemuseum.org

My Son Dan by a favorite spot in the SPAM Museum~ Austin,MN.

Some FREE museums, like the SPAM museum in Austin Minnesota, have an ulterior motive like promoting and extra marketing of their product. But so what?!....if it provides an entertainment value and a diversion for weary highway travelers, more power to them.  Many people react with the comment: "There's a SPAM Museum, seriously?" Yes, seriously. If you are passing through southern Minnesota, don't forget to go. However...I'm kind of embarrassed to say I have been to the SPAM museum three times, with various family members so they do can enjoy that fun place. I'm not even a big fan of SPAM (except with mac&cheese), but it really is a fun place and a lovely gift shop too! (One can never have too many SPAM refrigerator magnets.) For more details about the SPAM museum, there website is: www.spam.com/museum

So next time you are out and about, or even in need of a local excursion, don't forget the local small museum. You may be surprised of what new wonders await within.  JES