How in the world does anyone have the dexterity and eyesight to be able to do these?

@CinnamonGirlE back in the day, all middle schoolers in UK were taught to write in italics (#calligraphy) with a flat nib fountain pen. Before we got our pens, we practiced for weeks with chisel sharpened pencils.

@bfgreen
How fabulous you were taught calligraphy! We stopped teaching cursive for quite a while in the US, but I think some have returned to it.

@CinnamonGirlE somewhere I have my old school book where I wrote the entire thing for every class in italics with my fountain pen. Eventually that was too slow, but I kept the book as a reminder. I’ve taught both my kids calligraphy and cursive handwriting from early age. It’s sad that it’s not taught here anymore. BTW cursive in UK and US are very different.

@bfgreen
I didn't realize there was a difference. I love cursive and calligraphy. I like to experiment with the fountain pens and play with it. I am not necessarily good at it, but self-taught.

@CinnamonGirlE same, I'm not great but I am proficient. It's a meditative action for me to slow down the digital world and put deliberate thoughts/words to paper.

@bfgreen
I enjoy the meditative and quiet nature of putting pen to paper. Or painting. I just have set it all aside in recent years. Taking it back up might be good.

@CinnamonGirlE as long as it isn't a burden or requirement. I've just started a "daily morning page" ritual. As I sip my morning #coffee I write down on one page (by hand) all the things in my head - total stream of consciousness. Nothing fancy. In the two weeks I've been doing it I've found that just getting it out of my head has freed up space for me to think less (and carry those inner voices). I'm liking it so far

@bfgreen I have always loved journaling for that very reason. I usually do the stream of consciousness thing at night. Have put that aside in recent months, maybe I need to try in the am like you.