The path to understanding..

 

 

 So the hunt is on.  I have posted a few requests to Reddit and FB for some new folks to write to.  It's interesting some of the folks you come across on these different sites.  I swear it's like more of people looking for a long reply tinder site.  Nope not interested.  I have picked up a few younger folks, which is interesting.  I'm very curious to find out some social questions.  Anxiety, being one of the main questions.

Maybe it's the old fart in me, the Gen X coming out.  But I have a real want to know what's in the heads of the younger generation.  The thing is, my (gen x) is so not easily offended/put off, that it may come off that way.  It's not intentional, but a feat in navigation.  

Bear with folks, were all in this together.  Communication needs to start somewhere.  Why not a simple letter...

Oh to start over again (Writing that is)

 

 

 A few new trips in the books from last year, a few new pan-pals.  If you haven't heard form me.  Drop me a letter or postcard.  Would like to reconnect.  

Started writing again.  We forget the simple pleasures of sitting down and putting pen to paper. The process of slowing down and composing a thought. 

It's that time of year again (or REALLY close to it)

It's that time of year when those of us who have them, start preparing our spawn for back to school.

This year the Dodson household has decided to up our game a little bit and dive into the fray with a bit of a bonus for a few kids we know as well as some school teacher that could use a little help in the supply dept.

Here is request to all of my readers and to other writing blogs.  DONATE to your local elementary school!

I found excellent deals at our local Staples that I could not find anywhere else.  We have decided to outfit 1 classroom with 30 students. 

Here was the shopping list we went a little bit overboard with, but will give you an idea of how cheap you can do this for.

ALL items can be purchased up to 30 packs of each item before the prices go up.  Want to save ANOTHER 25%  buy a cheap backpack.  This worked well for us as we setup 2 kids with backpacks as well and knocked even more off the final tab.

Glue sticks - 4 pack - $1.25  8 packs = $10
Crayola Crayons 24 - $0.50   30 packs = $15
Pencils - 12/pk  $0.68  10 packs = $6.80  (4 pencils per student)
Comp notebooks (wide ruled)  $0.50
Crayola markers
wood rulers $0.25

Binder paper (120 sheets-wide ruled) $0.82
One subject notebooks - $0.17

Now I don't know about you folks, but I have stock piled up on a lot of this stuff just for Kaylee to have on hand for the year.  Great for summer tear through art/drawing projects (she has burned through 2 notebooks since last week).  For a notebook costing us 17 cents - GO FOR IT.

Here is the link to the "less list" STAPLES CHEAP SCHOOL SUPPLIES

So there you have it folks.  Please support your teachers.  Support your schools.  Support the kids who's families don't have it as good off as you might have it now. 

I our case I worked a concert at work that gave us some overtime dollars.  We put it out for this project.  Please pass this on.  The student that has the basics to learn will thank you.

D

When the kids start writing..

Kaylee is now in kindergarten.  5yrs old and now that she has started to spell, write and draw everything she can think of, I am trying to find some ways of not only encouraging this behavior (monkey see monkey do) I am trying to find some great pencils pens that will promote good penmanship.

I thought about a Lamy student fountain pen and might be getting her a few next year (hey it's less than a month away and mommy and daddy have already blown their wad on Santa).  I have been looking for some good pencils.  She has a heavy hand and the regular #2s are snapping like dry twigs.

She is a perfectionist in that she gets frustrated when she sees my handwriting (No comments from the peanut gallery) and wants it to be like mine (PRINTING!!  not the scribble I send you folks :).

Numbers are getting better the 5s still tend to look like S's. and the 3's look like E's  b and d get confused.  But over all she's doing great.  Papa couldn't be prouder.  Letters/Cards written by her are starting to go out.  Some may have already received a few.

So, here is my question to you folks.  Do you have little ones (preferably under 8)? Do THEY like getting mail, small trinkets?  Are they interested in letters?  How/Do you encourage their stories/writing?

She is now writing books with stories/drawings, so I have been assembling a few pages and stapling them together, a cover and 3-4 interior pages.  She is getting a sketch book and some colored pencils for Christmas.  The crayons are just not holding up, and she wants to use what I'm using.

On the other end, I have Kims nephews who have taken an interest in letter writing.  What did "they" want for Christmas?  STATIONERY!!

So I went online to one of my accounts and let them both pick what they wanted.  They chose this.

With matching envelopes. and what would stationery be without something to write with??

What can I saw they want what I use.  This was my first fountain pen and I now have a few of these loaded with different inks.  This is a habit this Uncle will happily support.

With that, don't forget the giveaway I'm doing for December.  A Very nice box of Original Crown Mill and Arpa Handmade letter set.  Only 19 days left to enter!!

Till next time..

Derrick