sutton007

Growing up my folks would often drag us to visit their aunts and uncles.  Dreading the thought, all I wondered was 'what am I supposed to do there?'  After all, this was before the days of Nintendo DS Games, iPods and cellphones.   Why couldn't I just stay home and play with my friends? How BORING ! My Primary Sources: My Dad, Aunt and Mom While traveling into the city I would mope displaying a sour look on my face and wear it the whole time as my mom visited with Auntie Mare.  Sitting by the window I'd watch the pigeons land and waddle on the ledge, while in the background I could hear the soft voices of my mom and great aunt.  There would be clinking tea cups intermingled with laughter.  It never occurred to me to join in the conversation or actually listen to what they were talking about. Other times the Great Aunts and Uncles would visit us.  Retreating to another room I could escape interacting with those people who I considered 'old'....

"The past is never dead. It isn’t even past"...William Faulkner. I agree with Faulkner and, today, I think there are 21 ten year-olds who might be of the same opinion as well. While these fourth graders are still in the elementary stages of cursive writing, they braved the challenge of writing a letter with a quill pen. Simulating their peers of over 250 years ago, students used real feathers, parchment paper, ink and blotting paper to 'pen' a letter of thanks to their parents. They were given instruction in the "art of the beautiful hand" or penmanship of Colonial Times and one hour to complete the assignment. The challenge : writing on paper without lines; manipulating a delicate tool without breaking it; using (washable) ink from a pot The reward: concentrating on a not-so-easy task; putting their learning into practice; a beautiful, endearing letter. The comments: "I like writing with the quills!" "It looks easier than it is!"...