Letters are some of my favourite kind of reading, or Day 1.

I've been wondering for months exactly what this blog is, or should be, or could be.  I had just a vague vision when I started it - words and pictures, yes, but which words and what pictures?

In that alchemical way things have of coming together from little bits and pieces of nothing, I have arrived today at a plan, a project, a mission, a statement of intent.  From now until my 37th birthday, I'll be writing here (most days, if not every day) a letter to you, my very lovely (beautiful, talented, exceptionally witty etc.) internet friends, whomever and wherever you may be.  It's my aim to keep it short (without making that a law), to include some very specific detail of something in my world today (such as now, writing to you on my bed, sitting under a duvet and propped up with a multitude of cushions and pillows because it's warm and I can), to avoid any and all self-indulgent melodrama (if I start wallowing you absolutely must slap me) and hope that the year unfolds as some sort of coherent narrative. 

Maybe even, sometimes, you might write back?  I'd like that - I always enjoy your company.  And after the year ends, who knows what?  That, to use a favourite quote, is another story and shall be told another time...

(A big shout out to Beth, who first interested me in the concept of blogs as letters.  Hope things are less crazy for you these days, friend.)

Comments

[Frogdancer]

I don't know if I wrote a letter as such in my blog today, but I certainly mused out loud about a part of my life that is very important to me.
I guess what I like about blogging is that it gives us an avenue to get things 'out' on the page, and we can see by the feedback that we're not alone. (I'd love to be able to gussy up my thoughts with beautiful photos like you have, but sadly my talents seem to lie elsewhere...) I think a letter phase is a great idea. I hope you enjoy bringing it to fruition.

[Lucy]

There were a series of eclipses that made Leo's (myself, included) re-think, re-adjust and re-align their purposes in life at the beginning of August.

I've done exactly the same thing this month. Almost spooky.

Writing in bed is divne. Utterly so.

[Ali]

Great! Who doesn't love mail. But I have to warn you, I am an extremely slack correspondant.

[julia]

That's a beautiful idea. I'll write back and I promise to look up any unknown words before I write.

[justine]

i'll be reading and writing back
and hey happy birthday ;)xx

[bluemountainsmary]

Well this will be lovely.

I am looking forward to this next year of yours!

[lexi]

A belated Happy Birthday! I hope this year is extra good to you.

Bring on the letters, let them roll. I love opening mail (the sort that doesn't come in envelopes with plastic windows). And I am a reliable correspondent.

[LeeAnn]

I'll be hear to read what you write. :) Happy belated Birthday! I hope it was a great one.

[Blue Castle]

I haven't commented before, but I just had to say that your blog is one of the highlights of my list of must-read blogs. I love the simplicity of it. The way you blog with a large picture and then your post beneath is very captiviating. What you have to write is worth reading. I enjoy stopping here very much.

[katiecrackernuts]

Welcome back. From where I don't know. I guess only you do. To where. That's just it, isn't it. No one actually knows.

[marianne]

Looking forward to reading the 'mail' each day.By the way you are the only person who has described me as 'exceptionally witty'.I like it.

[Zelia]

now that's wonderful.
i love letters myself.
I love posting them in the REAL post office, and i love getting them to.
Congrats on a great idea!

[Ann]

I love this picture.

[victoria]

Just caught up on all your latest Letters and enjoyed them immensely.