Samuel Johnson on letters

In a man’s letters you know, Madam, his soul lies naked, his letters are only the mirror of his breast, whatever passes within him is shown undisguised in its natural process. Nothing is inverted, nothing distorted, you see systems in their elements, you discover actions in their motives.
~Samuel Johnson
British author, 1709-1784

These comments were written in a letter to Mrs. Hester Thrale on Oct. 27, 1777. Many of Johnson's letters, including this one, are contained in "The Works of Samuel Johnson LL.D."

Letter #151 -- Write to a soldier

Today is Memorial Day in the United States, a day for honoring anyone who has died in military service. But, in remembering the deceased we must not forget the living. Today, write a letter to a veteran or a current member of the military. If you don't know of anyone who fits that description, visit the Any Soldier website and see if you can write a letter to someone listed there.

Letter writing topic for May 31, 2010

Letter #150 - Earth laughs in flowers

What is your favorite flower? Do you like roses or daisies, marigolds or silver bells? Do you prefer flowers cut and in a vase or growing abundantly in the garden? At our house, we have fields of wildflowers. We have thistle flowers, greenthreads, cactus flowers, wild onion flowers, evening primroses, and some we haven't quite identified. Write a letter today describing your favorite flower. Maybe even include a photo.

(Note: the quote in the title is attributed online to both Ralph Waldo Emerson and E.E. Cummings. I'm not sure if either, both or neither are correct. Above Photo: © 2008 Carla McKeown Pilkington)

Letter writing topic for May 30, 2010

Letter #149 -- To your sister

Today is my little sister's birthday, and for the first time in several years, I'll be seeing her on her birthday. In honor of her birthday and our reunion, write a letter to your sister. If you don't have a sister, write a letter to someone who's like a sister to you.

Letter writing topic for May 29, 2010

(Birthday cake clipart from http://www.ace-clipart.com. It is, of course, a sugar-free birthday cake, since my sister can't eat sugar.)

Best way to contact your representatives

Have you seen the post over at the Letter Writers Alliance today? It has a great link to a TED video about how to write letters to your governmental representatives. Thanks to the LWA for sharing this with us!

The TED speaker says, "Letters actually work," in regards to getting the attention of the officials in our government.

It's worth watching!

Letter #148 -- Tea or Coffee?

Are you a tea or coffee drinker? Neither? Both? Hot or iced? With sugar and cream or plain? Fresh brewed or bottled?

What do you think your choices say about you? Do you need that extra boost the coffee gives you to get going in the morning? Does your tall glass of iced tea indicate that you're a true Southerner?

What happens if you don't have your favorite drink? Are you grumpy? Headachey? 

Write about your observations in a letter today. Share your ideas, ask for your letter's recipient's opinions. Make it fun.

Letter writing topic for May 28, 2010

(Coffee graphic is from HellasMultimedia.com/webimages/, and the iced tea graphic is from www.freeclipartnow.com)

U.S. Holiday Monday

Don't forget...Monday, May 31, 2010, is Memorial Day in the United States. It's a day for commemorating the U.S. men and women who have died in military service.

It's also a federal holiday in the U.S. That means the post offices will be closed on May 31, and no mail will be delivered. Plan your postal business accordingly.