| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| MaryJanesNiece |
Posted - Jan 02 2023 : 2:33:58 PM
Have you seen the new merit badge for 2023? It is called the Lost Art of Letter Writing. I am super excited for this badge! It's going to be so nice breaking away from technology for a moment and writing letters and cards to other people. I was also thinking this could be a good spot for others looking for a pen pal to complete this badge. A pen pal is needed for the expert badge, so I know I will be looking for one soon.
Here is the link to the badge requirements.
http://www.farmgirlsisterhood.org/badges-eo-lost_art_of_letter_writing.asp
Krista |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| MaryJanesNiece |
Posted - Mar 20 2024 : 1:12:02 PM
Thank you for clarifying that Auntie MJ. I was wondering the same thing. I am glad I will still be able to use it, since I am almost finished.
Krista |
| MaryJane |
Posted - Mar 20 2024 : 06:15:07 AM
Of course you can, Denise. Let us know what you think.
MaryJane, Farmgirl #1 Plowin' Thru ~ giving aprons a good wrap for 45 years and counting ~
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| levisgrammy |
Posted - Mar 19 2024 : 11:47:41 AM
I bought it and am reading it. I hope I can still use it towards the badge.
~Denise
Sister #43~1/18/2007
"I am a bookaholic and I have no desire to be cured." 
"Home is where we find comfort, security, memories, friendship, hospitality, and above all, family. It is the place that deserves our commitment and loyalty." William J. Bennett
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
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| MaryJane |
Posted - Mar 18 2024 : 2:29:17 PM
My vote is to remove it as suggested reading. There are several others that are recommended. Thanks for your feedback!
MaryJane, Farmgirl #1 Plowin' Thru ~ giving aprons a good wrap for 45 years and counting ~
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| MaryJanesNiece |
Posted - Mar 18 2024 : 12:36:10 PM
I am glad I am not the only one feeling this way. Thank you Karen and Debbie for telling me.
Krista |
| Jokamartell |
Posted - Mar 16 2024 : 6:21:35 PM
Krista, I feel the same as Debbie. Sometimes I enjoyed reading it and other times it felt perplexing. I was disappointed as the online reviews, as Mary Jane said, were excellent.
Karen :)
To quote one of my past preschoolers “Not one of those Karens, but a good Karen”! Haha |
| debbieklann |
Posted - Mar 16 2024 : 1:56:20 PM
I also read If You Find This Letter. I really didn't know what to expect from it and at times I really liked it and others, I pushed my way through it. I think by the time I finished it, I would give it a 5/10.
I am probably the world's worst penpal correspondent, but I have a penpal that I have been writing to since probably 2016. We met through MaryJane's forum. It's been fun watching her grandchildren grow up as hers and mine are close in age. I enjoy hearing about life in the south :) It was kind of funny that her birthday and my husband's are the same day and her son, granddaughter and MY daughter all share a birthday. Small world! It's always nice to see a letter in the mail.
Debbie Klann
Farmgirl Sister #770
2018 Farmgirl of the Year
"Well behaved women seldom make history"....Laurel Thatcher Ulrich |
| MaryJanesNiece |
Posted - Mar 08 2024 : 2:07:14 PM
Karen, what were your thoughts on the book? I am curious to see what you think.
Krista |
| MaryJane |
Posted - Mar 08 2024 : 11:03:31 AM
The book, If You Find This Letter by Hannah Brencher is one of several books that are recommended reading for earning our Lost Art of Letter Writing merit badge. It has good reviews online but I should warn you, it might not be your cup of tea. I haven't read it; I delegated that task. I will spend some time with it and might choose to delete it based on feedback we've received.
What do you think? Delete? Replace? If replace, do any of you have a book recommendation for that badge? I think the existing line-up is probably adequate.
Intermediate Level
Read a book on letter writing. Some good options are The Art of the Personal Letter by Margaret Shepherd, 100 Letters that Changed the World by Colin Salter, If You Find This Letter by Hannah Brencher, or A Simple Act of Gratitude: How Learning to Say Thank You Changed My Life by John Kralik.
Send three cards/letters to friends, relatives, or acquaintances who could use a pick-me-up.
MaryJane, Farmgirl #1 Plowin' Thru ~ giving aprons a good wrap for 45 years and counting ~
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| levisgrammy |
Posted - Mar 06 2024 : 6:19:43 PM
You all have piqued my interest in finding out how it is different from what I'm expecting it to be!
~Denise
Sister #43~1/18/2007
"I am a bookaholic and I have no desire to be cured."
"Home is where we find comfort, security, memories, friendship, hospitality, and above all, family. It is the place that deserves our commitment and loyalty." William J. Bennett
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
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| MaryJanesNiece |
Posted - Mar 06 2024 : 12:11:48 PM
Denise, that is what I did with mine. I think I found mine for around $4. I am not really a fan of this book. I pictured it being way different than it is.
Krista |
| levisgrammy |
Posted - Mar 05 2024 : 02:25:49 AM
I just ordered a used copy of If You Find This Letter.
Hope it arrives soon.
~Denise
Sister #43~1/18/2007
"I am a bookaholic and I have no desire to be cured."
"Home is where we find comfort, security, memories, friendship, hospitality, and above all, family. It is the place that deserves our commitment and loyalty." William J. Bennett
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
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| Jokamartell |
Posted - Mar 04 2024 : 8:07:29 PM
Debbie, I will do my best to remember to pull the book off the shelf and drop it in the mail to you! :)
Karen :)
To quote one of my past preschoolers “Not one of those Karens, but a good Karen”! Haha |
| Blessed in Colorado |
Posted - Feb 28 2024 : 7:01:31 PM
I would love to borrow your book. Thank you Karen.
Big Hugs,
Debbie
#1582
Blessed in Oregon
With Colorado on My Mind
Farmgirl of the Month September 2012, February 2018, September 2022
“My altars are My Mountains
and the Ocean.” Lord Byron”
When I am Old I Shall Wear Purple, I am Old now!!
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| Jokamartell |
Posted - Feb 28 2024 : 6:29:39 PM
Debbie, I have the book…
Karen :)
To quote one of my past preschoolers “Not one of those Karens, but a good Karen”! Haha |
| MaryJanesNiece |
Posted - Feb 28 2024 : 1:12:21 PM
Debbie, I have the book but I have not finished reading it yet. I am only half way. I am happy to send it to you once I finish if someone else doesn't have it available first.
Krista |
| Blessed in Colorado |
Posted - Feb 28 2024 : 10:33:23 AM
Does anyone have the book If You Find This Letter I can borrow please? I will pay the shipping to send it to me. Thank you.
Big Hugs,
Debbie
#1582
Blessed in Oregon
With Colorado on My Mind
Farmgirl of the Month September 2012, February 2018, September 2022
“My altars are My Mountains
and the Ocean.” Lord Byron”
When I am Old I Shall Wear Purple, I am Old now!!
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| AndreaPA |
Posted - Jun 07 2023 : 4:10:46 PM
Emily I am about 30 minutes north of Scranton.
Andrea
Farmgirl# 8166
FGOTM May 2023 |
| citychick03 |
Posted - Jun 05 2023 : 7:06:04 PM
Hi Andrea!
I am near Philly! Are you near Scranton?
Emily |
| MaryJanesNiece |
Posted - Jun 05 2023 : 11:44:55 AM
I agree, Emily! The letters make the bills not seem so bad. You actually want to check the mail box!
Krista |
| AndreaPA |
Posted - Jun 04 2023 : 4:02:38 PM
Hey Emily! I'm in Wyoming County, PA. Are you near Philly?
Andrea
Farmgirl# 8166
FGOTM May 2023 |
| citychick03 |
Posted - Jun 03 2023 : 8:21:38 PM
I've really enjoyed working on this merit badge. Having a penpal, and getting snail mail instead of bills all the time, is really nice.
I really enjoyed learning about my penpal's area and about her daily life.
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| MaryJanesNiece |
Posted - Jan 20 2023 : 3:41:54 PM
Thank you for your input! I will stick to reading that book then.
Krista |
| Jokamartell |
Posted - Jan 18 2023 : 6:32:57 PM
I would agree with Laura and Debbie. Not what I thought but easy to read and I’m enjoying it. :)
Karen :)
To quote one of my past preschoolers “Not one of those Karens, but a good Karen”! Haha |
| LauraBell |
Posted - Jan 18 2023 : 6:29:38 PM
I think it's an easy read - just not as focused on letter writing as I expected. It could surprise me in the end though.
Laura
Happy to be Farmgirl Sister #7286
Farmgirl of the Month October 2022 |
