I took the occasion of Shawn’s deciding to update his portion of the What We Use page to update mine (which had not been done since 2018!). I’ve found that I’ve simplified quite a bit since then.

A strong nation, like a strong person, can afford to be gentle, firm, thoughtful, and restrained. It can afford to extend a helping hand to others. It is a weak nation, like a weak person, that must behave with bluster and boasting and rashness and other signs of insecurity.

— Jimmy Carter

Cultural Offering — Memories of The Blue Book

I always felt a sense of relief when I turned in my test, dropping it on the desk and exiting room. I don’t remember trying to check on how well I did by looking up details. I couldn’t change the result so I waited for the verdict.

Those of us of a certain age remember essay portions of exams taken this way. This sure brought me back.

A journal is the path of pebbles you leave behind you, so you have the security of knowing you can always return.

— Samara O’Shea

handwritten moods – The Homebound Symphony

One of things I most enjoy about doing archival research on writers is the discovery of their handwriting.

Some wonderful notes on the handwriting of many famous writers and what it tells us.

Through a Love of Note-Taking, José Naranja Documents His Travels One Tiny Detail at a Time — Colossal

From postage stamps to jetliner specifications to items he packed for the journey, José Naranja’s sketchbooks (previously) capture minute details of numerous international trips. “I’m lost in the intricate details, as always,” he tells Colossal. Everything from currency to noodle varieties to film references make their way into small books brimming with travel ephemera and observations.

These. Are. Breathtaking.

Typewriter Repair Costs and Valuation: Professional Shops versus Collectors versus First Time Buyers | Chris Aldrich

For the sake of clarity, I’ll be addressing the majority of the typewriter sales in the secondary market which are broadly the most common typewriters made for the commercial market after about 1925. Most of these were manufactured in the realm of hundreds of thousands to several millions each and are thus decidedly not rare.

In celebration of International Typewriter Day (which is today), Chris has put together this very useful guide and consideration for anyone interested in purchasing, repairing, and maintaining one.

In Praise of Pencils – MacSparky

Overall, there’s an appealing simplicity to pencils. There’s no cables or batteries or sync issues—you just pick it up and write.

An advertisement for Royal Typewriters from Life Magazine, January 6, 1941.