Love is the only sane and satisfactory answer to the problem of human existence.
Erich Fromm
Yep, the world’s best
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Storm Clouds
Setting sun and storm clouds over the Colorado Front Range – June 2012 There is nothing more beautiful than living a simple life in this complex universe!
Mehmet Murat ildanI awoke to a dusting of snow and cold this morning. After my quiet time I checked the election results. I am unable to express the feelings I experienced at such a deep level within me. So, my task today, and maybe for some time, has been to journal in hopes of uncovering my feelings, thoughts, and the words to express them. At this moment I find it amazing to accept that in this divided nation I find myself a minority in my beliefs and values. I will do my best to continue to live a simple life, yet also be true to myself, my beliefs and my values. May all who can allow the love and light within them shine in our world, no matter the storm clouds on the horizon. And, may we all find inner peace.
And, outside my window a cold wind blows indicative of our nations emotions.
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Favorite cannot be singular
Someone asked me today what my two favorite fountain pens were. After several years of using fountain pens I am still unable to answer this question. The best answer is that favorite cannot be singular or limited to two. I will share with you some of the pens I enjoy writing with and my experiences with fountain pens .
The three pens I’m carrying today I began using Pilot Metropolitan fountain pens. They are reasonably priced and have a good selection of colors and nib sizes to select from. Then for many years, I journaled with Pelikan M200 and M205 series pens. Not sure how I discovered these but I found they are a perfect size for my hands. I have 8 of them. However, the past two years I’ve been using 14 carat gold nibbed pens made by Pilot. I would not recommend any of these as first pens for beginners because of their cost. The pens I primarily use now, and ones I consider favorites, are a brown marbled Pelikan M200, a blue marbled Pelikan M205, three Pilot Custom Heritage 92, two Pilot Custom 74 and two of Pilot Custom 823. Again, these pens are rather expensive, especially for beginners. It’s also important to find a nib size and style that works for you. There are several nib sizes and styles, calligraphy for instance, depending on the manufacturer. So, the fountain pen’s style, its shape, nib, and ink filling systems are all about personal taste. The world of fountain pens is a world of its own, it’s a science and can (has) easily become an obsession. If you’re a photographer you’ll relate. We also need to make sure we have the right type of paper for fountain pens because fountain pen ink flows through capillary action. And the multitude of ink colors is just mind boggling. Enough from me. May you have a wonderful day!
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Then…
Scattered Clouds I sit up on my porch to journal as the sun and a blue sky of scattered clouds give way to predominate gray clouds. Then… a trash truck picks up one of the dumpsters and loudly shakes its contents into its hungry jaws; a dog barks it’s lonely plea for attention but their pleas are ignored, so it barks louder; a car engine starts up then is quickly overpowered by the blast of an earth shattering stereo, silence seems impossible; a screaming ambulance rushes by as it hurries to the aid of someone in need, maybe it’s silence they need; a demon possessed leaf blower starts up, eager to join in on the noise pollution parade. I find myself annoyed. I let out a silent sigh and begin taking much needed breaths. Eventually, a moment of external silence arrives, the gray clouds move on and in this silence words begin to flow. Then…
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Something New
The material came bubbling up inside like a geyser or an oil gusher. It streamed up of its own accord, down my arm and out of my fountain pen in a torrent of six thousand words a day.
C. S. ForesterThis is my new Pilot Custom 823 fountain pen. It has a translucent clear cap and barrel which shows the visible ink supply. I have it filled with Namiki Blue ink. It also has a 14k gold nib. My first one I purchased in February is a translucent Amber color. Probably the nicest writing experiences for me, ever. Thus the reason I have two now. I do not expect a torrent of six thousand words a day but at least a page or two in my journal. And, because it is a nice experience I’m more prone to pick it up. Happy World Chocolate Day!
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Winter Wonderland
You were born to occupy a particular place within the community that ecophilosopher David Abram calls the more-than-human world. You have a unique ecological role, the way you are meant to serve and nurture the web of life, directly or through your role in society. At the level of soul, you have a specific way of belonging to the biosphere, as unique as any maple, moose, or mountain.
Bill PlotkinI awoke to a beautiful winter wonderland this morning. More snow than I expected. I would guess 7-9 inches at my place but I know the mountains and down south received much more. After cleaning the car I headed to a coffee shop for a latte with some journaling time. I took the long way home so I could search out this winter wonderland, finding photo opportunities almost everywhere I turned. I felt that giddy feeling inside my soul! Scenes in nature do that to me. This scene is a row of trees along Overland Trail. I did not see that many tree branches damaged as it is a very wet and heavy snowfall. Weather app says we’ll see sun this afternoon so this will melt quickly and soak into the parched soil. It’s about 10:30 am and I think I have done well occupying my particular places this morning. Enjoy your Friday!!
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Maybe a blankie
Writing by hand is thinking on paper. Thoughts grow into words, sentences and pictures. Memories become stories. Ideas are transformed into projects. Notes inspire insight. We write and understand, learn, see and think – with the hand.
The above quote is from the packaging in my newest Leuchtturn1917 journal, which I have been using for several years. It seems that the first sentence can be attributed to a writer and teacher, named William Zinsser. Not sure where the rest of the quote comes from. I relate to his idea that writing by hand is thinking. And, writing by hand also has a way of slowing my mind down. I’m posting this image because it goes along with the quote and I began a new journal today. It’s also a new color of journal for me as I have exclusively used black. It is hardbound, has two ribbons, and 251 lined pages. I average around 6-9 months of journaling in a book. In one strange period of time, where I had a lot on my mind, I filled one journal in three months. I find having a quality journal with 80 gsm fountain pen friendly paper and a quality fountain pen will inspire me to pick them up more often and use them.
As some of you know my dad now lives in the warmer climate of Arizona, so I sent him the following message this morning: “Good morning! It is cloudy, 23 degrees, 84% humidity and expected to snow later today. It seems like a wise choice for me to stay inside, making it a day to read and journal.” And he responded: “That is what I would do with maybe a blankie.” Stay warm!!!
