My daughters and I finally went to see the illuminated manuscripts at Lewis & Clerk College today! Thank you for writing about the exhibition! Such a treasure! It's surprising how bright all the colours are after so many centuries.
Ok cool ty. I will check it out. Looking forward to an epic jaunt for my 1st cortado at your recommendation.
I'm dissapointed about the 70 too. Thats my usual route. Infact, that is where we met out at the Correctional facility ;-) except we were not behind bars!
Sending prayers to Jennifer. What a kind & beautiful poem for her.
My word of the year is Courage. YES!! Physical, moral and emotional courage.
I enjoyed the pencil and pen story. I too have a well loved pen. Its a Le Blanc.
A favorite store where I get refills is Oblation Papers & Press. I always covet the vintage type writer section and the currently used press in the back!
More drool-worthy typewriters at Ace Typewriters on Lombard in St. Johns. Also, Francis printers on Hawthorne has an old press on display. They did my business cards for a fraction of what Oblation wanted to charge.
As for courage, they are always saying in operas: “Coraggio!”
I see TriMet is going to stop the 70 line at the Rose Quarter Transit Center, eliminating the norther part.. Dang! I like that route.
Today. I make note of saying hi to a young boy returning home from school with his satchel. His parents I’m sure said don’t talk to strangers. But he nodded to my question. Are you walking home from school? And he nodded. I gave him a thumbs up.
Fran after reading that post I’ve been chewing word association as in triplets. I should made a note on paper of it but I should have added, ‘ I love what you do with the meanings of words!
This framing of confidence as permission to take up space is pretty brilliant. The Cary Grant anecdote captures something that I dunno many writing guides miss - that the mechanics of publishing matter less than believing you deserve the floor. I spent years thinking my first draft had to be polished perfection when really I just needed to post the awkward version and let it exist.
Yes! Fear of imperfection stops too many writers from developing their craft. Your readers value and respond to awkwardness, because they are that also.
Wonderful post and as usual, great pics. Love those skeletons. Have you tried Platinum Caron Ink? Made for fountain pens and waterproof when dry. I use it in my drawings when I want to use watercolor after.
Talked to Lyza about it. She talked me out of it. Sapiently noted that a spill could be catastrophic. She also said if it dries in a pen, that’s a mess, too. Did you have that experience?
No, I keep it in a Safari Lamy and my Sailor and have never had a problem. The bottle it comes in is chunky and not liable to tip over. That said, I keep my inks in a box on a shelf and put them back after filling my pen(s).
Really looking forward to the ancient books exhibit next week. Thanks for the reminder. And the Substack writing community is supportive and helpful. Jump right in!
My daughter who does a lot of calligraphy is left-handed. I found her a book, “Left-Handed Calligraphy.” Love the author’s name, Vance Studley. Even better if his first name were Lance.
I couldn't agree more with your reflections on the confidence writers must find (or manufacture). Find your voice, flex the muscle (write!), and repeat! Thank you, as always, for your astute observations and for how deftly you convey them.
You are so right! Write and repeat. Do not pass Go, just stay on the path. Except when you stop to admire the little plants bravely poking out from the pavement.
Oh Fran, I love your offerings. I imagine it’s only a matter of time before you discover a skeletal gnome on the streets of Portland. May they always be smooth and ADA compliant. ❤️
My daughters and I finally went to see the illuminated manuscripts at Lewis & Clerk College today! Thank you for writing about the exhibition! Such a treasure! It's surprising how bright all the colours are after so many centuries.
Ok cool ty. I will check it out. Looking forward to an epic jaunt for my 1st cortado at your recommendation.
I'm dissapointed about the 70 too. Thats my usual route. Infact, that is where we met out at the Correctional facility ;-) except we were not behind bars!
Sending prayers to Jennifer. What a kind & beautiful poem for her.
My word of the year is Courage. YES!! Physical, moral and emotional courage.
I enjoyed the pencil and pen story. I too have a well loved pen. Its a Le Blanc.
A favorite store where I get refills is Oblation Papers & Press. I always covet the vintage type writer section and the currently used press in the back!
More drool-worthy typewriters at Ace Typewriters on Lombard in St. Johns. Also, Francis printers on Hawthorne has an old press on display. They did my business cards for a fraction of what Oblation wanted to charge.
As for courage, they are always saying in operas: “Coraggio!”
I see TriMet is going to stop the 70 line at the Rose Quarter Transit Center, eliminating the norther part.. Dang! I like that route.
Thanks Fran. Great words, great photos.
Today. I make note of saying hi to a young boy returning home from school with his satchel. His parents I’m sure said don’t talk to strangers. But he nodded to my question. Are you walking home from school? And he nodded. I gave him a thumbs up.
Fran after reading that post I’ve been chewing word association as in triplets. I should made a note on paper of it but I should have added, ‘ I love what you do with the meanings of words!
This framing of confidence as permission to take up space is pretty brilliant. The Cary Grant anecdote captures something that I dunno many writing guides miss - that the mechanics of publishing matter less than believing you deserve the floor. I spent years thinking my first draft had to be polished perfection when really I just needed to post the awkward version and let it exist.
Yes! Fear of imperfection stops too many writers from developing their craft. Your readers value and respond to awkwardness, because they are that also.
Lovely writing. You’ve managed to make me completely nostalgic for fountain pen ink.
Wonderful post and as usual, great pics. Love those skeletons. Have you tried Platinum Caron Ink? Made for fountain pens and waterproof when dry. I use it in my drawings when I want to use watercolor after.
Talked to Lyza about it. She talked me out of it. Sapiently noted that a spill could be catastrophic. She also said if it dries in a pen, that’s a mess, too. Did you have that experience?
No, I keep it in a Safari Lamy and my Sailor and have never had a problem. The bottle it comes in is chunky and not liable to tip over. That said, I keep my inks in a box on a shelf and put them back after filling my pen(s).
Oh, swell! Just as Lyza has given me what’s probably a lifetime supply.
Hey, everyone, make sure you look at Catherine’s drawings on Instagram, @corkrainbow.
Really looking forward to the ancient books exhibit next week. Thanks for the reminder. And the Substack writing community is supportive and helpful. Jump right in!
Loved you encouraging poem to Jennifer. I hope she mends well and carries your poem in her heart forever.
As for pens, I love gel pens and the way they feel on newsprint paper: word puzzles books, for instance.
Just got a new thick/thin pen last week and getting back into calligraphy. If only I wasn't left-handed!
Welcome to Calligraphy: Expert Mode!
Welcome to the club! @James Hart and I are both left handed! Have fun.
My daughter who does a lot of calligraphy is left-handed. I found her a book, “Left-Handed Calligraphy.” Love the author’s name, Vance Studley. Even better if his first name were Lance.
Fran--
I couldn't agree more with your reflections on the confidence writers must find (or manufacture). Find your voice, flex the muscle (write!), and repeat! Thank you, as always, for your astute observations and for how deftly you convey them.
You are so right! Write and repeat. Do not pass Go, just stay on the path. Except when you stop to admire the little plants bravely poking out from the pavement.
Prayers for Jennifer's healing. What an awful accident!
Strange about the removal of those pavers. Someone at a desk justifying his/her salary.
Much enjoyed your meanderings!
Fran,
Another great edition that explores the mind, the heart, the city within & without. Your matter-of-fact voice is both refreshing and comforting.
One phrase (among many) really resonates: "the competency of confidence." I want to say more but for now I will say: I feel this.
With gratitude,
Drew
Oh Fran, I love your offerings. I imagine it’s only a matter of time before you discover a skeletal gnome on the streets of Portland. May they always be smooth and ADA compliant. ❤️