tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53937048363640195152024-03-06T03:33:26.459+11:00I love lettersLove from Kazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422359607097037290noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393704836364019515.post-33309942799386183842016-01-08T01:35:00.002+11:002016-01-08T02:29:43.001+11:00HelloHello...
I've just spent this evening re-reading this entire blog and all the comments. I feel kind of overwhelmed, awed even; I had something really special here, and I let it go.
Unfortunately - and I am ashamed to admit this - not long after I stopped writing this blog, I stopped replying to letters as well. I went from writing 30 + letters a month to none.
There were reasons why; I took onLove from Kazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422359607097037290noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393704836364019515.post-9588196311926840502010-12-21T15:48:00.000+11:002010-12-21T15:48:08.338+11:00Signing offHere's the thing: rather than blog about writing letters, I really want to just write more letters. This is why I am hanging up my blogging cap, at least for now.
I have enjoyed hanging out here so much. I have made innumerable friends - most of them now pen friends - through this very blog and am grateful for everyone who has stumbled on this little place and decided to write to me. Your Love from Kazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422359607097037290noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393704836364019515.post-61593042258831505062010-12-01T21:55:00.000+11:002010-12-01T21:55:54.042+11:00We have a winner - at lastAh, 'Better late than never' is a saying I am grateful for as I often draw upon it. This is one such occasion. I have FINALLY drawn my give away (only one week and two days late).
Here is the result:
True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:71
Number 71 is the lovely and talented lady behind 365 Letters. Congratulations! Your prize will be winging its way to you shortly.
Love Love from Kazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422359607097037290noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393704836364019515.post-87373858446798273662010-11-30T21:37:00.000+11:002010-11-30T21:37:08.856+11:00101 Things I love about letters #9 Living historyI had the great fortune recently to get to write a story about the connection between a man that lives near Yass and the late great Australian aviator Sir Charles Kingsford Smith. Kingsford Smith and his co-pilot Tommy Pethybridge went down in mysterious circumstances over the Bay of Bengal 75 years ago, while making a world-record attempt of the fastest flight between England and Australia.
TheLove from Kazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422359607097037290noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393704836364019515.post-7370356954670825452010-11-27T18:28:00.000+11:002010-11-27T18:28:18.492+11:00Postcrossing dreamingA wonderful card from a Postcrosser in the US.
After working Monday to Friday for the past few weeks, I can totally relate! Why can we put men on the moon, send digital messages around the world in seconds, find cures for all kinds of disesases... yet we can't invent houses that clean and tidy themselves while we sleep?. Really, what are scientists doing with their time??
Have a great weekendLove from Kazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422359607097037290noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393704836364019515.post-7148156289093826712010-11-25T17:25:00.000+11:002010-11-25T17:25:11.220+11:00A case for shorter intro lettersI'm going out on a limb here but I'm going to declare my preference for shorter first letters.
What do I mean by shorter? Well, not super short. Probably about two pages. or the inside of a card plus a sheet of writing paper... roughly speaking. Less can work well, too... because sometimes less is more.
Prescribing the length of a letter is always a controversial area, so I want to make it Love from Kazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422359607097037290noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393704836364019515.post-84323405002470581492010-11-23T00:42:00.000+11:002010-11-23T00:42:15.801+11:00A bygone eraI picked this book up on ebay recently. I couldn't resist it. I think it must have been part of a series called 'Australian Knowledge' that probably went out to primary schools everywhere. Judging by the hair styles, etc, I would have placed this in the 1970s, but the publication date says 1985. Funny... I remember the 80s being much more 'modern' than this.
What a happy young postal worker, in Love from Kazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422359607097037290noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393704836364019515.post-40863900607854474602010-11-19T22:46:00.000+11:002010-11-19T22:46:26.785+11:00Well-travelledSometimes you get a letter and you just know it has had a long and tiring journey. Of course, I had a hint about this particular letter, as Angelia had already blogged about its adventures here.
Still, when it arrived today I took one look at it and wanted to give it a cup of tea and a good lie down.
Do you see the chunk that the sorting machine took here?
And a nibble here?
And thenLove from Kazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422359607097037290noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393704836364019515.post-72516987542121861522010-11-14T21:27:00.000+11:002010-11-14T21:27:25.572+11:00Crazy lettersAs I was hanging out at my friend's cafe today, making the occasional chai latte or cappucino and penning a few (long overdue) letters, a friend dropped in who works for the Defence Department. I've never really gotten into what he actually does there, except I know he wears a uniform and travels from time-to-time, but today I got a little more of an insight.
He asked me about how my Love from Kazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422359607097037290noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393704836364019515.post-92081055024752143442010-11-13T17:59:00.000+11:002010-11-13T17:59:25.998+11:00I love Sundays... and this week I love Sunday more than usual, because I get to hang out in one of my favourite places and hopefully write some letters.
My good friends Chris and Sally have a little place in town that is sort of a gallery, sort of a cafe, but neither 'officially'. Really, it is a community space. They always open it on Saturdays. Last Sunday, I ran it for them for a few hours because there Love from Kazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422359607097037290noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393704836364019515.post-59539908450744159512010-11-10T17:32:00.000+11:002010-11-10T17:32:53.573+11:00A quickieSeeing as things have been a bit busy lately and I am missing having the luxury of writing long, luxurious blog posts, I've decided to do a few quickies just to keep things ticking along.
Like the previous post, this is a postcrossing postcard. It arrived a few weeks ago, and was sent to me from Kaella in Massachusetts. I love it! I was a Nancy Drew fan as a girl and now my daughter is an avid Love from Kazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422359607097037290noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393704836364019515.post-50337368320356115232010-11-08T18:45:00.000+11:002010-11-08T18:45:45.278+11:00Lost mail foundIf I needed any proof that life has been a bit too hectic lately, I found it today.
I was scrabbling around in the back of my car for a pen - I'd dashed out to interview someone and in my haste forgotten a pen; luckily I always have a few lying around - and in the seat pocket back there I found a postcrossing postcard from Portugal, postmarked Oct 19.
The thing is, I don't even remember gettingLove from Kazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422359607097037290noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393704836364019515.post-82932324116009723542010-11-03T20:43:00.000+11:002010-11-03T20:43:17.899+11:00SnowedLife is good, the sun is shining, kids are happy, lots is happening. I have been receiving some beautiful letters lately... so grateful for these wonderful gifts through my letterbox. I haven't blogged much lately as I am at the pointy end of a short course I took on. All the assignments are suddenly due and - as life would have it - I have also been asked to work more days at the paper lately.
Love from Kazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422359607097037290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393704836364019515.post-19284791227491120152010-10-30T14:28:00.000+11:002010-10-30T14:28:45.688+11:00ContemplativeI have been feeling very contemplative the last few days, which is juxtaposed with the busy-ness of my days. Every time I have a few minutes to myself I find myself slipping into deep reverie. Ponderous... that's another good word for it.
My kids and I were frazzled the other day and we all argued. One of the things my daughter said in the heat of the moment was that instead of spending time Love from Kazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422359607097037290noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393704836364019515.post-48738127183546580722010-10-28T07:50:00.000+11:002010-10-28T07:50:42.070+11:00Giveaway #2 winnerThe winner of my second ever giveaway is Donna in the UK!
I'm a little behind schedule as I was away camping on Monday, got back late on Tuesday and worked til 8pm on Wednesday... that's my excuse anyway! But the next draw will happen on Monday 15th October - sharp. Promise.
Donna has won a package of paper goods from my collection of bibs and bobs. For those who didn't see my earlier post Love from Kazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422359607097037290noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393704836364019515.post-31055437827249489952010-10-26T21:37:00.000+11:002010-10-26T21:37:57.634+11:00Letter richJust home from a lovely camping trip with very special friends. Of course, I took letter-writing supplies so - along with swimming, eating, roasting marshmallows, bushwalking and nipping into the nearby small town for op-shopping, hot chocolates and book-browsing - I managed to get a few letters written. And quite a few postcards, of course!
I also found myself, at one point, trying to explain Love from Kazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422359607097037290noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393704836364019515.post-40710862121785733062010-10-22T00:33:00.000+11:002010-10-22T00:33:34.410+11:00Post office riddleI'm a big fan of post offices, mine in particular. The staff are (usually) friendly and helpful and they are starting to get to know me now. At first I was shy about offering up my pieces of mail art... wondering if there would be a comment, or some scathing remark about the problems my glued-on bits or unusual addressing style would sstuff up the mail sorting machines. But there's been nothing Love from Kazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422359607097037290noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393704836364019515.post-73469207890522495752010-10-19T22:38:00.000+11:002010-10-19T22:38:50.076+11:00A note about holiday cardsRecently Missive Maven wrote a really interesting post about Christmas cards and I thought perhaps I'd add my two cents worth to the topic as well. You can read her post here.
My stand on holiday cards is this: I don't send them. Not because I don't celebrate religious holidays, or whatever. There's two reasons I don't send them and they're pretty simple:
1) I basically see Christmas cards and Love from Kazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422359607097037290noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393704836364019515.post-37279052205149349342010-10-18T01:00:00.000+11:002010-10-18T01:00:00.363+11:00101 things I love about letters: #8 The life they have afterwards"... and by the way thank you for the cheesy postcard :). It funnily enough looks even more cheesy with the hole in it. A poor snail took refuge in my letter box during a deluge and snacked on the card, luckily it had the decency to eat the address part first, heh."
Huey is an old friend living in Melbourne who I send little notes and postcards to often. I loved hearing about that snail inLove from Kazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422359607097037290noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393704836364019515.post-44992585919269299142010-10-16T00:03:00.000+11:002010-10-16T00:03:00.290+11:00Beautiful things in my mailboxI'm always a bit torn about putting up pics of the beautiful mail art I receive. The reason? I feel like there is no hierarchy of mail and I don't want it to look like I value these any better than the sprawling letter on plain white paper in a plain white envelope that Kerry sent me, or the chunky letter that Geoff folded four times before it fit (just) into the little teeny envelope he used. Love from Kazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422359607097037290noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393704836364019515.post-695592381790165052010-10-13T07:34:00.000+11:002010-10-13T07:34:07.802+11:00Taking over my lifeI have been a busy bee lately. For a woman who normally has a bit of time on her hands (the way I like it), the last few weeks have been busy, busy, busy. I have been called into work on extra days. I have just had a weekend away, hot on the heels of a holiday with the kids, and it's possible the kids and I will be camping with friends this weekend.
I am not complaining at all. I LOVE my job andLove from Kazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422359607097037290noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393704836364019515.post-21547505585410332782010-10-08T11:02:00.000+11:002010-10-08T11:02:51.195+11:00101 things I love about letters: #7 The soundsA couple of days ago I went to check my post office box and realised I'd left my key at home. No problem, I would just pop into the post office (I needed stamps anyway) and ask them for the spare key.
The woman on the counter was in a cheery mood and after sorting out my postage, she offered to check my post box for me. She was gone a minute or two and then handed me three pieces of good mail - Love from Kazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422359607097037290noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393704836364019515.post-60210483506279668052010-10-07T10:18:00.000+11:002010-10-07T10:18:42.418+11:00And the winner is...I put all the names are in a hat (my son's Zoro hat).
My son helped with the drawing and here he is closing his eyes tight so he can't cheat. :)
His hand goes in...
And the winner is....
Jackie Flaherty!
Jackie, I was hoping to get in touch with you first (sent you a message). Hopefully you will see this and get in touch.
Love from KazLove from Kazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422359607097037290noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393704836364019515.post-2579883989645778112010-10-06T21:22:00.000+11:002010-10-06T21:22:51.628+11:00I got your beautiful postcard today
Dear Suki,
I got your melancholy postcard today. Such a beautiful card, such sad words. I would so much like to write back... please let me know your address and we can correspond. You have sent me on a search now to find a beautiful postcard to send back. I just hope I can find the words to say what I want to say...
Love from Kaz
PS I have drawn the giveaway and notified the winner... I Love from Kazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422359607097037290noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393704836364019515.post-24352916401218421402010-10-05T23:03:00.000+11:002010-10-05T23:03:10.719+11:00GiveawayI'm a little behind schedule, as I said I would do this yesterday. School holidays have been eating into my 'me' time. However, this evening I have been putting together an envelope of goodies for the giveaway. It's been so much fun putting it together and I hope the recipient will enjoy receiving it just as much.
It's not quite ready so no pic yet...
I have an assignment to finish tonight so ILove from Kazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16422359607097037290noreply@blogger.com2