FD makes envelopes (a form of “mail art”) and uses them for handwritten — usually not even word processed — letters to a small circle of friends. FD hears that “everyone” just texts and tweets these days, and that even using email is a sign of decrepit old age. But why not write letters? When you write a letter you become part of an ancient history that has survived the invention of the telegraph and the telephone, and perhaps will survive the internet, too. Writing letters is a highly pleasurable activity, with huge opportunities for creativity. FD likes to coordinate letter paper, topic, and envelope, and sometimes is even able to add an appropriate postage stamp. Of course, the real creativity comes in the actual writing; a good letter is like an essay for a single reader. Some blog entries (though not FD’s) are like letters from and to unknown friends, and the occasional holiday letter can reach near-“real letter” interest, but nothing really compares to an actual letter.
A great source of information on letters and letter writing can be found here. FD, on and off at various times over the last 20 years, joined LEX, the Letter Exchange. LEX issues a magazine three times a year, with listings by those looking for letter writing opportunities. It’s a sweet community of people who are interested in real correspondence.