Another really great trip to the past that all of us geezers can relate to. I loved writing cursive with ink in catholic grammer school. I had to learn to print when I went to public middle school and I didn't like it one bit, and I still don't!
Ed I still have a couple of those beauties in my drawer. As you know, my mother was an elementary teacher at the John Horton School next to our Cranston home. One of my duties as a pre and early teen was to finish the production of her gray alphabet tracing cardboards. She would pencil in the letters and their capitals with a space of 1/4 inch between double lines. I would squirt glue between the lines followed by an application of gray graphite. After curing and blowing off the excess graphite powder they were ready for the finger tracing (and muscle memory) of her students. I’d like to think that I did MY best to prolong the life of beautiful cursive. I loved writing cursive with a good fountain pen and did so for 3 jr. high years at the old Henry Barnard School ( now Prov. Mall). A good gel pen helps bring back good memories but …Naah! Tom Donovan. P.S. Tom S. and I were housemates in my 2nd year of med school but I never realized his love for “the lever pump”.
Each week, I tell myself, "self... read, enjoy, but don't comment, just shut up".
Doesn't work.
Actually I have good cursive handwriting, partially result of needing to take a handwriting course as part of core requirements at Bryant college.
How things have changed.
The first thing that popped into my head when you mention fountain pens, was they all had lifetime guarantees! Of course you could never find the paperwork, and the cost to return was likely more than the pen was worth. I had many, including some nice one's from Cross, I thought I tossed them all, but checking found I still have one, a Cross black fountain pen. Not sure why I am saving it, don't use it, no one I know would want it.
I still use Cross ball points, currently have three (3) gold, 1 silver, plus two gold pencils. Used to have several black Cross pens, engraved, appears gremlins took them when they were taking one sock from each pair. Ballpoint Pens are not practical, refill cost more than a ball point costs, but I have few remaining extravagances, treasure the ones I have.
Thanks. Biagio. I suggest you never stop writing. It's educational, therapeutic and forever.
Cross pens. Aha. At every graduation, I was given a Cross, including the first: given to me by Dr. Frank Fratantuono, the man to whom I dedicated my junior high career book. He showed up at George J. West with the pen. I will post the story soon. Thanks for the trigger. That's what writing does, Biagio.
Eddie. What a nice story. I remember the inkwells and the recurrent messes. And I actually did what others have laughed about. The cute girl in front of me did have lovely blond pigtails, and because they were close and the ink was right there, and without bad intent, I dipped a tail in the ink! Well, screams followed and I spent the rest of the standing in the corner! Those were the days… And now they don’t even teach cursive!
Thanks for your very funny comments, Nick. I was tempted but never dipped a pigtail. Rather, I was the teacher's pet and got to fill the inkwells. Ink everywhere!
I see that you have acquired a enviable collection of fountain pens. Although they don't necessarily gare tee good penmanship,, they have a nice feeling between the fingers and to watch the ink flow with each stroke is special. Thanks for reminding me.
Tom, it was you and Brian who tipped me to the fountain pen. That's when I started collecting. If I'm not mistaken, you also told me about Fahrney's. Did you not stop there regularly when you attended the surgical meetings?
Thank you, DR ED, for reminding us of the importance of handwritten notes as opposed to store bought cards. It is so easy to get caught up in sending messages via text or email. Growing up I was always encouraged to have monogrammed stationery and blank note cards to express what I had to convey; my parents believed that commercial cards such as Hallmark expressed what others had to say.
Later in life with painting as a hobby, I created pictures using watercolors as a medium and had them made into small note cards to use personally or for gifts. Placing several cards together and tying with a bow became small hostess gifts or donations to nonprofit fundraisers for use in baskets at silent auctions or favors for the event.
Many years ago, Rick wanted us to invest in rental property because he was retired and loved to fix things. Two properties were purchased near us in Venice, FL and maintaining them was a wonderful project for Rick. Before purchasing, we decided we needed a realtor to guide us and the decision for whom to use was difficult as we had many friends in the business. Then I remembered that an acquaintance from golf had recently obtained his real estate license and he sent out hand written notes with his business card. I recommended that we select this realtor because he had taken the time to send personalized notes. We purchased properties through his support and expertise. This agent went on to do very well in his business and he would always credit Rick and me for his success. He believed we were the ones who helped him get started. My reply was always: "You took the time to introduce yourself through a handwritten note and your success is because of your values."
Loved writing . I went to a catholic school and penmanship had to be perfect. Most of the boys would get tapped on the knuckles to correct their writing. Everytime someone says you have beautiful penmanship I say that’s the catholic school penmanship. lol
Hey Ed! My right forefinger was always deeply stained with ink! I liked the way my words looked with Palmer Method cursive but almost always forgot to dot my i’s.
When I got to PC I ditched cursive for ballpoint pens and printing!
When I started on the staff of RIH, I noticed some attendings such as yourself, Dr Nick Califano, Dr Tom Shahanian and the late Dr Richard D’Amico to name a few had really good useful notes both in terms of content and also good easily accessible writing style.
Many other MDs whose names I’ll never mention had bad handwriting and some had basically indecipherable hand writing!
Much as I find the Epic EHR and its medical record ilk very frustrating, it has leavened up the game of readable medical record notes.
Thanks, Jim. Great note. I thought I was the only guy with a blue thumb. And fingers. And blue spotted shirts. Thanks for remembering my notes. Years of training at Classical High got me there.
Ed. I love reading your stories every week! If you could send your address to me at dhoule102@gmail.com I have a special card of the Slater Park Looff Carousel I want to send to you and I want to write you a personal note in cursive! Thank you, Donna Houle
Another really great trip to the past that all of us geezers can relate to. I loved writing cursive with ink in catholic grammer school. I had to learn to print when I went to public middle school and I didn't like it one bit, and I still don't!
I was the teacher's pet. I got to fill the inkwells. Ink all over the place.
Ed I still have a couple of those beauties in my drawer. As you know, my mother was an elementary teacher at the John Horton School next to our Cranston home. One of my duties as a pre and early teen was to finish the production of her gray alphabet tracing cardboards. She would pencil in the letters and their capitals with a space of 1/4 inch between double lines. I would squirt glue between the lines followed by an application of gray graphite. After curing and blowing off the excess graphite powder they were ready for the finger tracing (and muscle memory) of her students. I’d like to think that I did MY best to prolong the life of beautiful cursive. I loved writing cursive with a good fountain pen and did so for 3 jr. high years at the old Henry Barnard School ( now Prov. Mall). A good gel pen helps bring back good memories but …Naah! Tom Donovan. P.S. Tom S. and I were housemates in my 2nd year of med school but I never realized his love for “the lever pump”.
Beautiful memories, well written, my friend. Pens and ink have a way of summoning nostalgia. Gel pens . . . agree, Nah. Tom S. is a special guy, eh?
Each week, I tell myself, "self... read, enjoy, but don't comment, just shut up".
Doesn't work.
Actually I have good cursive handwriting, partially result of needing to take a handwriting course as part of core requirements at Bryant college.
How things have changed.
The first thing that popped into my head when you mention fountain pens, was they all had lifetime guarantees! Of course you could never find the paperwork, and the cost to return was likely more than the pen was worth. I had many, including some nice one's from Cross, I thought I tossed them all, but checking found I still have one, a Cross black fountain pen. Not sure why I am saving it, don't use it, no one I know would want it.
I still use Cross ball points, currently have three (3) gold, 1 silver, plus two gold pencils. Used to have several black Cross pens, engraved, appears gremlins took them when they were taking one sock from each pair. Ballpoint Pens are not practical, refill cost more than a ball point costs, but I have few remaining extravagances, treasure the ones I have.
Thanks. Biagio. I suggest you never stop writing. It's educational, therapeutic and forever.
Cross pens. Aha. At every graduation, I was given a Cross, including the first: given to me by Dr. Frank Fratantuono, the man to whom I dedicated my junior high career book. He showed up at George J. West with the pen. I will post the story soon. Thanks for the trigger. That's what writing does, Biagio.
Thank you, Ed. I shall write. As Elie Wiesel said, "We write so we don't forget."
Ed, ya gotta have a tome worth of stuff. Need a title? "Markward Mania"
Eddie. What a nice story. I remember the inkwells and the recurrent messes. And I actually did what others have laughed about. The cute girl in front of me did have lovely blond pigtails, and because they were close and the ink was right there, and without bad intent, I dipped a tail in the ink! Well, screams followed and I spent the rest of the standing in the corner! Those were the days… And now they don’t even teach cursive!
Thanks for your very funny comments, Nick. I was tempted but never dipped a pigtail. Rather, I was the teacher's pet and got to fill the inkwells. Ink everywhere!
I see that you have acquired a enviable collection of fountain pens. Although they don't necessarily gare tee good penmanship,, they have a nice feeling between the fingers and to watch the ink flow with each stroke is special. Thanks for reminding me.
Tom, it was you and Brian who tipped me to the fountain pen. That's when I started collecting. If I'm not mistaken, you also told me about Fahrney's. Did you not stop there regularly when you attended the surgical meetings?
Wow what a memory!
Your patient notes in liquid ink are indelible memories for me. And you rocked the Palmer method.!
A Palmer rock star. Aw, c'mon, shucks . . .
My first rock star accolade. HaHa
Thank you, DR ED, for reminding us of the importance of handwritten notes as opposed to store bought cards. It is so easy to get caught up in sending messages via text or email. Growing up I was always encouraged to have monogrammed stationery and blank note cards to express what I had to convey; my parents believed that commercial cards such as Hallmark expressed what others had to say.
Later in life with painting as a hobby, I created pictures using watercolors as a medium and had them made into small note cards to use personally or for gifts. Placing several cards together and tying with a bow became small hostess gifts or donations to nonprofit fundraisers for use in baskets at silent auctions or favors for the event.
Many years ago, Rick wanted us to invest in rental property because he was retired and loved to fix things. Two properties were purchased near us in Venice, FL and maintaining them was a wonderful project for Rick. Before purchasing, we decided we needed a realtor to guide us and the decision for whom to use was difficult as we had many friends in the business. Then I remembered that an acquaintance from golf had recently obtained his real estate license and he sent out hand written notes with his business card. I recommended that we select this realtor because he had taken the time to send personalized notes. We purchased properties through his support and expertise. This agent went on to do very well in his business and he would always credit Rick and me for his success. He believed we were the ones who helped him get started. My reply was always: "You took the time to introduce yourself through a handwritten note and your success is because of your values."
Beautiful stories, Lora. Personal notes can, and do, make a difference. Thanks for sharing.
Thoughtful and beautiful.
Thanks again.
Thank you, Mike. You are kind
Loved writing . I went to a catholic school and penmanship had to be perfect. Most of the boys would get tapped on the knuckles to correct their writing. Everytime someone says you have beautiful penmanship I say that’s the catholic school penmanship. lol
Thanks for bringing back these memories.
Yes, great, Cindi. I went to a public school. My Catholic school friends, especially the girls, had much better penmanship!
Hey Ed! My right forefinger was always deeply stained with ink! I liked the way my words looked with Palmer Method cursive but almost always forgot to dot my i’s.
When I got to PC I ditched cursive for ballpoint pens and printing!
When I started on the staff of RIH, I noticed some attendings such as yourself, Dr Nick Califano, Dr Tom Shahanian and the late Dr Richard D’Amico to name a few had really good useful notes both in terms of content and also good easily accessible writing style.
Many other MDs whose names I’ll never mention had bad handwriting and some had basically indecipherable hand writing!
Much as I find the Epic EHR and its medical record ilk very frustrating, it has leavened up the game of readable medical record notes.
Thanks, Jim. Great note. I thought I was the only guy with a blue thumb. And fingers. And blue spotted shirts. Thanks for remembering my notes. Years of training at Classical High got me there.
Because of you I have renewed my love of pens, ink, and writing!! Thanks for your encouragement.
Yep, we both love our pens, Bob.
I have to ask : address, please?
My home address?
Ed. I love reading your stories every week! If you could send your address to me at dhoule102@gmail.com I have a special card of the Slater Park Looff Carousel I want to send to you and I want to write you a personal note in cursive! Thank you, Donna Houle
I'm eager to see it. Thanks, Donna.
Dr. Jim Crowley, thanks for reading all the notes.