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Fred Bruning's avatar

Sue -- Cards count -- except those that come with signatures pre-printed. Nope. Cheers/fb

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Fred Bruning's avatar

Gwen -- My mother, Winnie, had beautiful handwriting as it was taught in her youth in NYC public schools. I could never figure out if I should go slanted or straight and still wander between the two. But thanks for overlooking the inconsistency. Cheers/fb

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Ann's avatar
Nov 3Edited

My daughter Emma recently submitted her college essay. The topic? Letter writing. Something she did with my parents—because that’s what they did with each other and with her. 80 years difference between them. Those letters obviously made an impact on her... As a matter of fact, Emma never emails—feels like her generation’s communication is even shorter in “snaps”. So glad she knows how to put pen to paper when it really counts.

Just hope it helps with college too!

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Fred Bruning's avatar

Sweet. Hooray for Emma -- and Mom and Dad. Hope for pen and paper, after all?

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Gwen Young's avatar

Anyone who uses the term "schnook" can be forgiven for not having the foresight in 1997 to know the future impact of email. We do, however, marvel at your lovely, artistic cursive whenever we see it. Not many can pull it off these days, especially since most kids aren't taught it in school anymore.

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Seemi Ahmed's avatar

I tried my best to get my kids to learn good penmanship. Unfortunately, my son's fifth grade teacher didn't agree with me and was only too willing to accept typed homework from my son (who was too lazy to write).

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Fred Bruning's avatar

Don't worry, Seemi. An AI chatbot awaits the next assignment -- probably could deliver kids' assignments in longhand. Student and teacher will be happy. Mom, another story.

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Susan Kaplan's avatar

The mention of fountain pens brought me back to grade school (Notre Dame in NHP). That was all we used except for standardized tests, then we filled in the circles with pencils.

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Fred Bruning's avatar

Unplugged.

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John Jeansonne's avatar

I found this on email and glad I did.

But, yes, there are certainly limitations, especially when one's (mine) older sister does not own a laptop or ever work on a computer. She mostly gets phone calls from me, though the occasional mailed cartoon I drew will find its way to her.

There was a great Sports Illustrated sportswriter named Frank Deford who refused to use computers of any kind. Always worked on a typewriter into the 21st Century. Given his writing and reporting skill, I can't see that his technological reluctance hurt him any.

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Fred Bruning's avatar

John -- Say hello to our sister. Cheers/fb

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Bob Keeler's avatar

You sound as if you have been spending time with Sidney C. Schaer, the great fountain pen enthusiast. I use my only fountain pen once a year, writing Christmas cards. Sadly, writing long letters by hand is not an option for me, thanks to my vastly substandard handwriting. But I share your concern over emails, of which I receive far too many.

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Fred Bruning's avatar

"Bring back the quill." -- Sidney Schaer upon the advent of computers in the Newsday news room.

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Susan's avatar

Sadly, I am hooked on emails and texting but in my defense I am a big card sender ! Birthday, Get Well, Miss You, Hang in There, plus every holiday known to man. All with a personal note included. Plus I always buy only the “ pretty” stamps not the standard . 😂😂

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Fred Bruning's avatar

Sue -- Cards count -- except those that come with signatures pre-printed. Nope. Cheers/fb

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Jamey L's avatar

Gran had the prettiest handwriting. I remember how the pen moved so smoothly when she was writing. I'm still a big fan of cards and thank you notes.

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Fred Bruning's avatar

You do great job of preserving pen and paper -- and always with sweet sentiments. Love/Dad

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Lewis Grossberger's avatar

Hey, Fred--there's this new thing called texting... You're gonna really hate it!

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Fred Bruning's avatar

I heard about txting. Invented by Anthony Weiner. Never last. Thanks.

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