Consistent Cursive

Is anyone out there actually satisfied with their life? Don’t answer so quickly. I mean truly satisfied – no need for anything more than what you already have.

You ever think about why cursive looks the way it does? Every style comes from a culture and is born out of the needs and traditions and stylistic preferences of the culture.

It’s late and I’m upstairs in my office writing. Inside it’s quiet and outside I can hear the crickets. Everything is done for the day, so I sit and I write.

Last week, I told you I was composing a book of these letters. It’s true and I supposed I must follow through now that I’ve opened my mouth.

I must confess I am in the process of putting a book together of my letters. They will be based on the letters I’ve sent as well as many that I have not. [The book] will be entirely about penmanship, but will focus much more on the questions of what and why then of how.

I only have a few moments to write this week’s letter, so I’m writing as fast as I can. I should be able to finish this in 1 or 2 minutes, then it’s straight to the printer to be scanned and posted online.

If you really need to figure something out, the best way is to write it down. Digital devices can be convenient, but there is something special about the pen.

Before I started studying penmanship, I had terrible handwriting (proof enclosed). Four years later, I was featured in the Speedball Textbook. I don’t bring this up to brag; it’s not that great of an accomplishment. I bring it up because I stopped writing after that. I got into penmanship to do things and I felt I had done enough.

Recently, my family was in town and on the last night of their visit during dinner, someone thought it would be fun to go around the table and say three things we were grateful for.

Three years ago, I burned some Spencerian books on my YouTube channel. Every other week or so someone stumbles on that video and leaves an angry or scolding comment.