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Post by motsamicaux on Jul 12, 2020 19:25:52 GMT
I write the name of the sender on a little calender, in the little box for the date it was received.
Generally, I place the letter on the bottom of my reply pile. But...
...when my reply pile is large, letters from pen pals who respond more promptly usually get moved closer to the top of the reply pile, above any letters from pen pals who tend to respond less promptly. So, for example, if I receive a letter from a pen pal who usually responds within a week, I'll position that letter above a letter from a pen pal who usually responds in six months even though I've had one of the latter letters sitting around for a week or so.
As for when I read a received letter, that's all over the place. Sometimes I'll read it immediately and then put it in its place in my reply pile, sometimes I won't read it until it appears at the top of my reply pile, and sometimes I'll read it... some other time.
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Post by allanorn on Jul 12, 2020 20:16:24 GMT
First - if the correspondent is on Instagram, or if they’re currently in a country or location where the mail’s taken a while to get to me - I’ll message them electronically notifying them their letter is in my possession. I may post here if they are a forum member. I’ll read it once I get home just to enjoy the letter and then file it in a napkin holder that’s currently the letter inbox. Actually, that napkin holder is better for letters than napkins.... When I’m ready to reply, I’ll pull the letter and read it again. Sometimes I’ll write notes on an index card if it’s a long letter with lots of topics, so I can see if there’s a line of reply or a sequence I can use to thread everything together. Pre-pandemic I was writing a lot in cafes where the tables can be smallish, so I’d rather save the letter away to conserve space and to prevent coffee stains. Once the letter is replied to (or if it doesn’t need/warrant a reply), it goes into a box for safekeeping. I may send an electronic note here or via email if the letter is queued for pickup.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2020 9:01:03 GMT
Absolute glee when peer down the stairs and see a letter on the mat Skip downstairs to retrieve it and excitedly peruse it for clues as to who it's from *address labels tend to be a giveaway but a few folk are instantly recognisable by their handwriting* Take all mail back upstairs. Sort through other mail....junk/leaflets go straight into recycling, magazines subscribed to get opened and put on table next to chair to read later and letters are taken into the kitchen and carefully opened with a sharp knife (keep meaning to get a proper letter opener) and I then retire to my chair to read the letter properly. I always leave letters until last....keeping the best till last kinda thing Mentally make notes as I read through it but these are generally completely forgotten when it comes to writing a reply I really like the idea of making a few notes on a sheet of paper or index card as I read and tucking the sheet/card into the envelope so I have something to jog my memory when I reply. So simple and obvious but I've never thought of it. Brilliant tip guys....thank you I write the received date on reverse of envelope 'IN: 13th July 2020' for example and underneath that I write 'OUT:' so when I reply I can jot down the date it was sent. It then goes into my disorganised reply pile on my desk. I like to reply in the order I received a letter and when I know I have a couple of hours spare...otherwise it takes me two/three days to write a reply and I feel like it's really disjointed and I've forgotten to mention something I meant to Reply pile is currently at 12 letters which isn't disastrous in the grand scheme of things but I still have this niggling feeling of 'could do better'.....or howaay Gill, pull ya finger oot woman! I'll try to have a nice fat zero replies to do on my desk by the end of July
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Post by michelleg on Jul 14, 2020 10:26:59 GMT
Reply pile is currently at 12 letters which isn't disastrous in the grand scheme of things but I still have this niggling feeling of 'could do better'.....or howaay Gill, pull ya finger oot woman! I'll try to have a nice fat zero replies to do on my desk by the end of July Oh whew - glad I'm not the only one with a huge reply pile!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2020 11:40:13 GMT
I've just fell a bit behind as my writing mojo wandered off Feeling a lot better now though and got to wait in for a parcel tomorrow so will write then
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Post by Mia on Jul 15, 2020 12:27:25 GMT
12 is not a lot!
My postie didn't bring me anything today, sniff. However, when he does, I open almost straight away - I need to have a cuppa and to find a letter opener.
I read the letters, then put them in my letter rack to respond to. I record in my filofax the date/sender.
I should make notes, have done in the past, about things I want to tell. But I thought I would remember. Forgot to tell one penpal about a change in cricket captaincy and about the monologues in a certain radio series. Maybe next time.
Replies, generally written in order of receipt but there are exceptions. I use wax seals most of the time. Washi tape too. Sometimes it feels I take so long choosing postage, longer than writing the missive (true for Postcrossing postcards!).
When the letter is posted, that gets put in my filofax. I'm trying to be more organised this year!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2020 10:54:53 GMT
I should make notes, have done in the past, about things I want to tell. But I thought I would remember. Forgot to tell one penpal about a change in cricket captaincy and about the monologues in a certain radio series. Maybe next time. Now have you made a note of that Mia so you don't forget it for your next letter to that penpal?
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Post by distractedmom on Jul 16, 2020 18:19:28 GMT
This thread has made my day. I’ve been sitting here, eating my Mac-n-cheese, giggling. I strive to be like penguy, but the truth of the matter is that I am more like Gary S. When a letter arrives I squirrel it away for a time when I can read it without being around the rest of the family. It’s hard these days because they never seem to leave. . I do have my daughter trained to announce when she discovers letters for me in the mailbox, and there are several senders that she knows by name now. I have a small notebook where I log each letter as it comes in with name, address and date of arrival. Sometimes I note the postmark date but more often than not, I can’t read that. Then I read the letter, nodding and giggling. I will make a note on the envelope occasionally to remind me about something that I want to respond to. Then the letter gets filed and I respond in the order in which they were received. When I respond, I overthink my stationery choices and washi tape options. Then I respond *as* I reread the letter, going paragraph by paragraph, more often than not setting distracted by shiny things or whatever is on my mind. I usually try to tell my penpals when their last letter arrived. I also use a candle to rub wax over the addresses on the envelope. Sometimes I use a wax seal. Sometimes I don’t because I am in a rush to get the letter out the door. I then log the letter in the notebook with the date I posted it. Someday I’ll put all of the data in a spreadsheet and track how quickly I respond. Newsflash: it’s not quickly. (My reply pile is currently sitting at 24)
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Post by emeraldscribbles on Jul 23, 2020 12:21:52 GMT
1. Check my mailbox and happily retrieve any incoming letters 2. Take the mail inside and immediately read any letters 3. Stick the letter into my reply pile 4. After some time (sometimes months...oops...), reply to letter(s) by first in, first out 5. Read over a letter again while working on a reply to make sure I cover all points in the sender's letter...replies are either written at home or during downtime at work. 6. Also while writing the reply, regularly consult my laptop, where I keep files telling me which stationery and pictures/extras were previously sent, to help prevent any duplicates 7. Decorate the envelope with stamps, if necessary 8. Photograph outgoing letter, pictures sent, etc. to add to my files 9. Seal and stick into the mailbox to send
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Post by hoyabella on Jul 24, 2020 6:57:05 GMT
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Post by tramplingrose on Jul 24, 2020 15:02:01 GMT
I read mine as soon as I get them - or as soon as I have a break after getting the mail, since I'm working from home these days. Then it goes in a stack until I have the time to reply. With few exceptions, I reply to everything in the order I received it. I also do like distractedmom, rereading as I reply, paragraph by paragraph. I typically wait until late in the evening to reply, just because there are less distractions and I'm a night owl. With some penpals, I will take a full day (or more) to write their replies, and I usually reserve those for the weekends.
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