By walking my dog three to four times a day? No.
By training my dog to walk and behave and do a dance move or two? Also no.
(can't even train her not to jump on my face while I'm doing yoga)
By conscientiously tracking my workout, budgeting, correspondence and other goals, like a conscientious adult? Are you quite mad.
(Okay, I have actually started tracking my exercise in the notebook on the table in my yoga room, when I remember.)
Mostly, I have been sending snail mail ("You mean... mail?" my smart-ass daughter asked. "It's a useful retronym" I retorted. She maintains that if I don't say email anyone would know I mean mail mail. Hmph).
I had just gotten into a really good routine of writing a postcard or card four or five times a week, then stamping and addressing them all to send on one day. And then Canada Post went on strike again. *sad trombone*
Oh, first I sent a really cool Octopus postcard to Matt's uncle's wife, who was with us at the Vancouver Aquarium when we saw the most active and charismatic octopus ever.
Then I got it back because I forgot to put a stamp on it.
THEN Canada Post went on strike again.
Sigh.
BUT Canada Post has now gone to rotating strikes, and Suzanne got a postcard I sent, so things are moving.
Did I get really into this idea and buy way too many postcards?
No, I don't think so.
I love email. My hands are weak and painful at this point in my life and I can type so much faster and longer than I can write. But a paper letter or postcard is a precious thing, and I want to put more of them into the world.
Oops, forgot to link to Engie's blog.
19 comments:
Love this journey for you!!! I have also wanted desperately to be more like Engie, and I have in fact purchased a good number of postcards... but have I mailed them? No, I have not. Someday, perhaps.
I do love RECEIVING mail, though, terrible as I am about sending it.
Yep, Engie got me started on the postcard thing as well. I would never have predicted in one million years that I would have started sending snail mail. Also, Team Useful Retronym here! Sheesh you *can* just call it mail, but why would you? Kids these days.
Anyway, postcards are fun to send and fun to get, plus it gives you a chance to play Canada Post Roulette.
You mean...mail. Haha. I always call is snail mail now, but of course years ago would have just called it...mail!
I love getting (snail) mail. Such a refreshing hit of dopamine, plus I usually walk to my mailbox so I get those feel-good chemicals after walking in fresh air. Far more satisfying than e-mail!
Oh jesus, this is first thing in the morning and I was like NO THEY ARE ON STRIKE AGAIN. Then I realized you were talking about BEFORE. I just finished addressing all my cards, frantically, so that they would go out soon. Engie also inspired me to send more mail, I now try to buy and send postcards whenever I can!
About a year ago I was thinking I'd like to start sending cards to people, for no reason other than I was thinking of them, and I did not follow through. But knowing you value them, I will send you one if I ever do it,
NO ONE NEEDS TO BE LIKE ME. For Pete's sake. I'm holding on to my sanity with a very thin leash. But snail mail is rather nice to send AND receive.
I do feel sort of proud that I have inspired others to send postcards. You just have to write a sentence or two! That's all! Easy!
But the rest of it? The dog walks? The well-behaved dog (this is a lie)? The documenting of stupid things? That's autistic, OCD behavior NO ONE ELSE NEEDS TO DO.
Sigh. I get so irritated with The Mail. I mean, I support the postal service and I still think it's wonderful and all, but honestly, it is painfully slow, at least here. It's only gotten worse. BUT--they come right up to my front door six days a week even to deliver junk like an advertisement from a realtor offering to sell my house that I've lived in for 40 years.
retronym-- I LOVE THIS TERM
omg Canada Post Roulette THAT IS IT!
Oh, totally agree. A real personal missive amongst all the bills and ads? Gold!
Eep, I'm so sorry! I'm about to start on mine also.
You will totally get a Christmas card from me assuming Canada Post does not pull their bullshit again.
Oh Engie, I was trying to convey that I find all of that really aspirational, no matter how you feel about it. My own autistic OCD behaviour is much less productive.
It is lovely and pleasing, isn't it?
Our mailbox is around the corner, which is fine - it was always a nice short walk to do with the kids when they were little, and they thought it was magic. All the junk mail is annoying, I agree. When they said they were doing rotating strikes so the mail would be slow I was like "slowER?" I sent birthday cards to people in my own damn city and it took over a week.
I also have a lot of postcards waiting to be written and mailed... right now I've shifted my focus to Christmas cards. Speaking of which- please email me with your address! I'm getting my Canadian cards mailed out first.
I have a ton of postcards, I should send them out soon. First priority is going to be Christmas cards though.
you might enjoy reading The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. it has made me eager to write some real letters.
I love snail mail. Always have. I also still love email (not many people seem to write emails anymore, though. LOL).
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