Letter #198 -- What do you write with?

What writing utensil do you use when you write letters? Ball point? Rollerball? Fountain pen? Pencil?

I almost always write letters with a pen, sometimes a ball point, sometimes a fountain pen, occasionally a dip pen (the old-fashioned stick pen that you dip in a bottle or jar or well of ink). One of my favorite pens is one that few other people like, a narrow, silver Cross pen. It has a Cross, medium-point blue ballpoint refill in it. It writes smoothly and effortlessly across just about any piece of paper. Another good thing about this pen...other people don't like it. It's too narrow, too smooth, too "slippery," they say. That suits me just fine. That means they don't "forget" and put my pen in their pocket.

However, when I'm making lists for myself (to-do lists, menus, plans, etc.) I like to use a sharp No. 2 pencil. There is just something thrilling about taking that sharp pencil and writing on a crisp, white sheet of paper. And, I always keep a good eraser close by.

What do you write with? Why? What is your favorite pen? Pencil? Do you prefer an old-fashioned yellow No. 2 pencil or a fancy, multi-colored mechanical version?

Think about your writing tools and write a letter about it. Maybe even include a little gift of a pen or pencil to your letter's recipient.

Letter writing topic for July 17, 2010

(Pencil clipart from  http://www.free-clipart-pictures.net)