57126--labyrinth

[zyzyly]

I mentioned recently that I got a letter in the mail from a friend I met here on LJ. He isn't on LJ anymore but we have kept in touch through Facebook. He's a priest in a Chicago suburb now. Anyway, he wrote me a real paper and pen letter and invited me to write back. So I did--wrote it today.

It was interesting. It has been years since I wrote an actual letter. I had a pad of paper and wondered if I would even fill a page. I ended up writing three pages, and could have kept going. I decided I better stop before I use up whatever I might write for the next one.

At one point I was telling him about being in Chartres, and about a French guy asking if I had ever seen the labyrinth at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. I had, because that was where my friend was ordained to the diaconate. I told him and felt like I should insert a picture at that point, but it was paper and pen. So I printed a picture and put it in the envelope with the letter.

I'm thinking about how I can write more letters now.

Comments

[duccio.livejournal.com]

What is that strange abstracted image in the center do you think... perhaps a star chart with big dipper? Maybe just the random ravages of time. The old stonework and the classic French wooden chairs: ooo-la-laa, beautiful! Did you get to hear the pipe organ at Chartres?

The 2 labyrinths, inside and outside at Grace Cathedral. These pictures were taken in 2006 and at that time the inside labyrinth in the nave was a large carpet. In 2007, a stone labyrinth was installed in the floor of the nave.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

I suspect it is as you say--simply the ravages of time. I have a book on Chartres somewhere. I will find it and see what it says.

I like your labyrinth images. I took photos of an outdoor labyrinth in Davis once for a newspaper story.

When I was in Canada, I came across a labyrinth carved into a wheat field, with a chair in the center.

[duccio.livejournal.com]

A black windsor armchair?

[randomdreams.livejournal.com]

I love that picture.
manintheboat has an LJ penpal. They postcard back and forth about once a month. It's pretty cool.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

That is cool--I like the idea of postcards too. I think I sent postcards to LJ friends on a trip I took once, and have received them as well. There is something about being able to touch something that makes the person real.

[howeird]

When I was in grade school I had many pen pals around the world. One was the neighbor of a cousin in London. She married my cousin, and we mostly keep in touch on Facebook and email, but once in while we'll use paper. My handwriting is illegible so I use a script-like font and print it on the inkjet.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

There was a guy who lived around the corner who became pen pals with a girl in England when they were both in grade school. They kept it up and eventually met, and eventually married. I imagine if you correspond regularly with someone over a period of years, you would get to know them.

[thoughtsbykat.livejournal.com]

The art of letter writing has all, but disappeared. It's great that you wrote to your friend and enjoyed it. I hope you continue. I use to do a lot of letter writing. Last year my sister & I wrote a few letters to each other.
The labyrinth intrigues me. I would love to walk it.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

They are all over the place--there is probably one near you.

I have never walked this particular one. Twice I have been there, and twice it was covered with chairs. Apparently you have to go on a friday between April and October.

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

I like to support the post office. Perhaps we all mail more things.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

I still have a kazoo that you mailed me once. I like the idea of receiving things in the mail from LJ friends. It's something tangible.

After I came back from Vietnam the first time, I sent you a book of short stories about Vietnam, but the address was sketchy, so maybe you didn't get it.

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

I don't think I got it. how cool!

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

It was something I though you would appreciate. I am going to find another copy, reread it myself, and send it to you again.

[athgarvan.livejournal.com]

Letter writing; will it ever return?

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

It could, if we all tried very hard.

Interesting coincidence

[tinyprayers.livejournal.com]

Remember how I said in my letter than I don't check LJ any more? That's not entirely true. Once in a while.

I'm glad I checked it tonight! Looking forward to seeing what all is in those three pages.

You will get a response from me, by the way.

Re: Interesting coincidence

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

Haha!

It is going out in the morning mail tomorrow.

[neptunia67.livejournal.com]

I have been sending cards to friends now and then. I enjoy it, but my hand hurts when I write. I guess I need to do it more often and build those muscles back up.