This set of challenges delves in to an oft-under-appreciated realm of skills - the art of the written word.
In order to earn the badge, complete five of this month’s challenges. ♥ Oh, and get ready to make friends with your friendly local postal workers this month. (;
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✧✧✧ ONE ✧✧✧
Visit a stationary shop and try out some antiquated/classic writing tools. Wax seals, fountain pens, soft lovely papers... Alternatively, here are some instructions to make your own quill pen from a feather. http://www.stormthecastle.com/paper-making/how-to-make-a-feather-quill-pen.htm Old school. Once you’ve created it, try it out!
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✧✧✧ TWO ✧✧✧
There’s a lot of new information coming out about antiquated privacy methods. “Letterlocking" is the technology of folding & securing an epistolary writing substrate to function as its own envelope.
Here’s an article about it from Atlas Obscura: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/what-did-people-do-before-envelopes-letterlocking
Learn about letterlocking directly from the team who uncovered it at http://letterlocking.org/categories/. Try out a few letterlocking methods, and send a locked letter to another Adventure League member in the mail.
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✧✧✧ THREE ✧✧✧
Sonnets and Haikus and Limericks, oh my!
Check out this useful reference on fifteen different types of poetry, A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF POEMS, and write a poem or two in a way that’s fun for you.
https://bookriot.com/2018/05/08/different-types-of-poems/
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Did you know that chain letters have been around for centuries? CENTURIES!?! Some glorious fool has been cataloging them. There are so many categories. Take a look here: http://www.silcom.com/~barnowl/chain-letter/archive/%21content.html#Exchange
The category we are concerning ourselves with right now is “exchange”. In this catalog, there are examples of chain-letter-exchanged postcards, handkerchiefs, quilt squares, stamps, recipes, tea towels, and dog toys, among others.
Start one. It can be spreading the gospel of sourdough bread, books, underwear, recipes,the sky’s the limit… (But please, for the love of all things holy, none of that share-this-with-forty-seven-people-or-else-an-anvil-will-crush-you-in-your-sleep crap.) Follow the general formula, and unleash your masterpiece upon the world!
General Formula:
1) Greeting! Introduce what you are exchanging!
2) Instructions - Send the item to the top person, move the second name to the top, and add yourself in the second slot.
3) A brief note about why it’s so much fun and how exciting it is.
4) Two names and addresses, the second of which is yours. (You’re going to have to find a volunteer for the #1 slot, since you are creating these from scratch.)
< If this happens to be your particular flavor of geekery and you can’t get enough of this stuff, here’s a super fascinating research paper by one Daniel W. VanArsdale http://www.silcom.com/~barnowl/chain-letter/evolution.html >
< It’s also worth noting that in the US these structures are "illegal if they request money or other items of value and promise a substantial return to the participants… Chain letters that ask for items of minor value, like picture postcards or recipes, may be mailed, since such items are not things of value within the meaning of the law.” Let’s keep it legal, folks. https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/investigations/MailFraud/fraudschemes/sweepstakesfraud/ChainLetters.aspx >
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✧✧✧ FIVE ✧✧✧
Want to fall into a different rabbit hole? Try calligraphy and penmanship. There are so many ways to geek out about this (or simply spend an afternoon dabbling and creating something pretty). Find a calligraphy pen and try your hand at a delightful new script!
The International Association Of Master Penmen, Engravers, & Teachers of Handwriting (IAMPETH) hosts a huge collection of resources, including digitized rare books https://www.iampeth.com/rare-books , and lessons https://www.iampeth.com/lessons .
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Write a love letter. And mail it.
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Become a volunteer pen pal, and make a real difference in someone’s life. There are so many great directions you can take this one, so many people who would be touched by receiving a letter from someone who cares. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
✧Reach out to a senior community or nursing home, and offer your services as a volunteer pen pal for one of the residents.
Here’s an article with advice on becoming pen pals with a senior citizen: https://www.caregivers.com/blog/2016/04/become-a-pen-pal-to-a-senior/
✧Immigration detention is a lonely experience. A kind word in the form of a letter can make a huge difference. Writing letters is an easy and meaningful way to be a compassionate presence to those in immigration detention – to remind them that they are not alone or forgotten. Connect with someone in immigration detention: https://www.lirs.org/connect-with-a-pen-pal-in-detention/
✧SWODIA is a Community-based organization in Uganda supporting vulnerable children, youth, and women. You can find most of their work at www.Facebook.com/SWODIA. If you’re interested in becoming a pen pal for one of the children, email: sarahswodia@gmail.com
✧If none of these options pull your heartstrings, consider creating a volunteer pen pal connection with a prison, halfway house, recovery center, military organization, hospital, hospice, or similar organization in your community.
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✧✧✧ EIGHT ✧✧✧
Next time you are feeling mischievous or misanthropic, try out some Shakespearean Insults. No one penned better insults than our favorite bard.
Some folks put together a well-rounded compendium at this website: https://www.litcharts.com/blog/shakespeare/top-shakespeare-insults-of-all-time/ Make sure you scroll down, as there are links to MIT’s Insult Kit and some fun Insult Generators.