Birth Year Clubs

Looking for updates to my Birth Year Club listings! Anyone who knows of a club that has ended.. or another editor has taken over the club.. please let me know so that I can keep the website list updated for web surfers seeking Birth Year Clubs! Thanks! Wendy

Write -- for FREE issue of Inky Trail News.

I am looking for articles on your hobby -- what do you do (after work hours or in retirement)?

I will send you a FREE issue of Inky Trail News -- if you'll send me a 500-750 word "article" on your hobby. If you send a photo on the hobby, I'll send you two issues of Inky Trail News. Pick whatever you love to do away from work, and write to me! Be sure to tell me whether you want your email and / 0r postal address shared with readers of Inky Trail News. Some may share the same hobby -- and want to contact you!

-- cooking (baking, collecting recipes, low fat cooks)

-- collections (postcards, dolls, bottle caps)

-- gardening (indoor plants, outdoors)

-- artsy gals (rubber stamping, decorative painting, jewelery making)

Just DO it -- as Nike says! Write about what you LOVE to do.. 500 words will go very quickly if you love your hobby... it really is easy to do. Just pretend you are telling your favorite pal and WRITE!

You can write via email (link at top of this post) or send your article/ photo via postal mail to:

Inky Trail News - Hobby
40516 Schoenherr, #111
Shelby Twp, MI 48315

Now, finally, what will I DO with these articles? Put them on my website, use them in Inky Trail News, share them with gals who might just enjoy the same hobby as you. Motivate the world to show them what fun we find in simple hobbies!

Hope to hear from some of you!

Happy Writing! Wendy

Military Guys 'N Gals Need Your Letters!

Do you have a Military Pen Pal? Why not? Penfriends are letter writers and letters writers simply MUST write to our military folks who are keeping our world free!

I found an article in the November 2006 AARP BULLETIN on "PEN PALS Vets Tell Soldiers, 'I've been there'" -- great article. Kudos to AARP!

Vets -- go to: www.mysoldier.com and find yourself a military pal to write to. Simple letters about your home and life bring them comfort and show we do care. You know this.. You lived it!

Pals -- go to: www.aarpmagazine.org/mailcall - This site is presently being remodeled but should be back up soon. It's the Dear Abby Online message program.

www.letssaythanks.com/Home1280.html - This is an awesome website from Xerox where you send a postcard (art work by school children.. awesome in itself)... to military personnel. I sent one a few months ago, and was shocked to get my own postcard (same one I asked them to send) in my mailbox. Very cool to pass to another pal, or post on your frig, to show you do care! It only takes minutes to send a postcard.. please click and jump on over there NOW!

Thanks!!

The Frederick News-Post : Features

TEACHERS --- check out what this teacher had her first ever class write - a letter! She mailed it to them years later at their graduation from high school!

What a fantastic idea! The student entering adulthood gets a letter from the child student they left behind... they can see who they are and how they've grown. How cool to get a letter from yourself as a child!

I love this idea -- hope some other teachers catch this!

Pen pals meet after 58 years

One more story on pals who spend a lifetime writing letters to each other... true friends, pen friends!

Just have to pass this along!

Pete and Me from Vegas...

Pete (my co-editor for 13 years, now starting our 14th year publishing Inky Trail News!) visited Las Vegas when we were there a few weeks ago. This is Me and Pete at Mom's Condo.

Pete stayed with Terry and I at my the condo.... and we had a ball. We had lots of nice meals out, gambled a bit, yakked our heads off, and did the normal Vegas things (drove through Red Rock Canyon, drove down the strip at night with lights aflashing, etc.).

Oddly enough, our trips to Vegas are like others who go to Northern Michigan for peace and quiet, or Florida Snow Birds.... we don't go to casinos on the strip, we only visit smaller ones (still very large) that are
off the strip, where the locals go. We go to recuperate from the daily stress of our employment just like you.. it just happens to be Las Vegas as thats where Mom's condo is! 

Military Postcards to the Troops!

Thank you Xerox!

They have provided a website where you select a free postcard, drawn by children nationwide for the troops, and you add a message. Xerox does the rest -- mails the card to the military!

Please take a few minutes from your busy day to send a postcard (or several) on to our military guys and gals. They are keeping us safe and doing an incredibly difficult job. Whether you support the war or not, please do your job and support our troops!

Many thanks to Joy Warner, CA for sending this website on to me...

Happy Writing!

"Lake House" movie

This is a movie review of the new LAKE HOUSE Movie. I think pals should see it... why? because it's all about the two characters writing letters to each other and connecting! I hope to see it next week while I'm on vacation... I think you should consider it too. Anyone want to send me a Movie Review on it? Thanks! Wendy

Passion4Pens.com - Selling Quality Fountain Pens, Writing Instruments of Distinction

Passion4Pens.com - Selling Quality Fountain Pens, Writing Instruments of Distinction

Bet you've never been to a Pen Show! I just found this website, Passion For Pens, and thought I would pass it along for several reasons:
-- The Main Page (link above) has a list of pen shows nationwide... just scroll down the page a bit to see the list. Rubber stamp shows are wonderful -- inks, stamps galore and paper like crazy -- so I assume a pen show would be equally exciting for pen pals!
-- Hit the Pen Information and Tips category (left link) and you'll find a lot of information on pens and inks, collectibles, and even how to's on getting ink OUT of fabric, etc.
-- Finally, check out the pens! Unbeleivable to see these beautiful pen sets, and some are reasonably priced. Looking for a really nice gift or a treat for yourself -- this could be for you!

Army Outreach

Army Outreach

Just found this website -- my e-newsletter asked for ways to write to military personnel a few issues back, and this website has a number of website links for letters and messages. Check it out! Wendy

Hobbies for Women - Friendship, Activities, Collectibles, Pets, Etc.

This is my second website... and I am seeking articles from pals who care to share their other hobbies with women worldwide.

To me, employment allows you (whether still employed or retired years later) to enjoy the hobbies of life! Hobbies are what you are all about... if you have no hobbies, and no collections, I wonder... what do you do all day?

Yes, I understand you might be a working mom with no extra time -- work, kids, housework and your day is done. BUT -- what about some "me" time?

I think its very important to surround yourself with things you love... a simple beanie baby collection, or shells you gathered on the beach; hand made rubber stamped swap cards that you received in the mail; house plants or gardening where every new leaf budding out gives you great joy!

Please take time for YOU -- and tell us about it too! Send me a short article on your hobby -- I will print in Inky Trail News and you'll get the issue as a complimentary gift from me, and I will also publish the article on my Hobbies for Women website.

Let's share -- and help women find joy in these hobbies! Wendy

Introverts and Pen Pal Correspondence

Introverts and Pen Pal Correspondence

I am an introvert.. there, I admit it! Grin!

I am very curious how many pen friends would say they are introverts also.

The way I see it, and could be wrong (hey, it happens sometimes.. grin!).... but we like to write more than extraverts so we can THINK inside our head like we always do, talking to ourselves half the day!

C'mon, will you please respond to this? Waiting to hear from you! Wendy

Chase's Calendar of Events - Pen Pal Day

Chase's Calendar of Events - Pen Pal Day

Can you believe this!?!? Pen Pal Day will be included in the 2007 Chase's Calendar of Events! I am so happy to think our hobby is now a real live "event" and Pen Pal Day will be an International Event for all Pen Friends worldwide!

The Yellow Gift Bag with Fur around the TOP!

This smart little gift bag was well travelled also.. grin! It was a simple yellow gift bag but around the top there was yellow fur! ha!

Now, although I hate to "rat" on anyone... but the photos tell the tale. You see, the game participants are not allowed to peek into the gifts. You pass the UNwrapped gift around, and at the end, we all take turns opening them.

Hmmmm, it sure looks like Margie Martin is peeking into the Yellow Fur Bag! Hey Margie - I didn't tell a soul, really, I didn't! Margie is one of the few pals I met this weekend.. and I really liked her.. still do despite the peeking! ha! (Click on the photo to make it a bit bigger!)

Now, I don't know who won the furry yellow bag -- but this is Rosie's feet and I think that is a furry yellow bag hidden between then.. Caught you too, Rosie! ha! Oh darn, Rosie actually WON the bag too!

Name Game - Continued...

Tut tut tut... now how does the guy (aka Bernie Tholl, Rosie's husband) who distributed the gifts end up with MY 2-for-1 gift? He gave himself the double gift? (ok, honestly, probably not.. I only have a few of the photos of WHO took the gift as it was passed around like hot cakes! We ALL wanted it.. for no good reason at all.. grin!) Hey -- does anyone know WHO brought the double gift? (just heard from Rosie that it was Margie Martin!)

Now this is likely a pretty DUMB photo..but believe it or not, this is THE double gift, sitting on MY lap, one of several times that I had posession, before I lost it, once again.. grin!

Vic Alaya (Lana's husband) was VERY HAPPY to get the double gift! I think he likely took it from me... and then was showing it off to me! Ha! But, he didn't keep it!

Here is the WINNER! He kept the double dippin' gift! Lucky dog!

Ha ha.. it was all good fun, that's why, I think, so many wanted the double gift.. not because we are greedy and wanted two, but because others wanted it too. That made it even MORE desirable! Grin!

The NAME GAME

I would prefer to call this game -- Grab It and Run!

Bernie, Rosie's husband is passing a wrapped gift to each person attending.. even the husbands got one! We all brought one wrapped gift... and Bernie distributed them to all of us. So far, so good.

Then, Rosie called out names and you could keep your gift or you could swap it with anyone -- there were maybe 30 of us playing so that's a LOT of swapping.

It really was fun -- there was ONE gift that was a package of TWO gifts. Normally that would be no big deal, right? But *I* decided I wanted TWO today, not just one.. ha!

The next few photos will tell the story of the 2-for-1 swap gift... but only part of the story sadly enough. I tried to take a photo of every person who got the black and white 2-for-1 gift... but many turned out fuzzy, goofy, and otherwise, not publishable... I am not photographer, sorry!

Pen Pals United Conference 2007

In 2007, the last ever PPU conference will be held - and it will be at the same Best Western Hotel in Grand Rapids, Michigan that we visited last weekend!

There is a link to Rosie Tholl's website further down this blog -- won't you consider attending? I'd love to meet you (well, maybe.. I'm a total introvert, but I did do just fine last weekend... grin!)

I thought I'd post a few photos of the atrium area... this is where we played a few games, had pizza and chatted with pals.

Most of the pals played games here every night ... but Karin and I shopped and slept. Hey, a girl needs her sleep, doesn't she? Grin!



The ceiling is all glass, as you can see, so you see the blue skies above and it's nice and bright inside. The place is rather humid, because there is a pool on one side of this huge room... but it's also warm and cosy for those of you who get chilly! (that's me!)

Just thought you'd like to see where we met daily in case you are thinking about registering for PPU 07!

Butterfly House at Meijer Gardens

Same weekend away.....

we spent a beautiful couple hours wandering the gardens and found the Butterfly House fascinating.

Karin had been in Butterfly houses before, I never had... so it was quite an experience! I believe it was the end of their season, we saw quite a few butterflies, but I think we were lucky to be there in time to see them , as I think their season was almost over.





We aren't sure what these were -- I assume they are the butterfly feeders. They looked like kitchen scrubbies that these gorgeous creatures landed on and enjoyed!



I saved my best photo for last! Isn't she a beauty?
She was smiling right into my camera lens.. say "cheese" Butterfly Beauty!

Meijers Gardens in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hello! I'm posting a few of my photos from last weekends trip to the Pen Pal Shopping Weekend.

Karin and I visited the Meijers Gardens and I took photos like crazy. I have tons of house plants in my home and office.. and LOVE gardening.

There were lots of Spring Tulips on the way into the Gardens so I just had to "take" a few!

I love cacti -- just a totally different look to plants! We see lots in Nevada when we vacation there, but had to photo some while we viewed them at the gardens too.

Photos never do most objects justice -- these were both so awesome in person... memmmmmmmories (yes, I'm singing the Barb Streisand song!)... grin!
We had a great day here! 

Photos on this Blog

Just a quickie on the blog photo's themselves..

(1) you can email to someone if you click on the little envelope below
(2) you can make the photo large by clicking on it
(3) hit the "comment" link under the photo to leave your two cents here!
I'd love to hear from you! Wendy

Pen Pal Shopping Weekend Attendees

Karin and I returned home today from the Pen Pal Shopping Weekend hosted by Rosie Tholl... and this is the group of Gal Pals who attended!
Sue W has helped me with the names below from left to right:

BACK ROW: Betty Miller(NY), Sybil Cummins(NY), Mary O'Daffer(OH), Rosie Tholl(MI), Kathy Reible(WI, Rosie's sister), Lana Ayala(IN), Mary Kugel(WI)
Middle Row: L-R=Jan Stephan(MO) 39's news letter,- Lonna Kay Hill(MI), Connie Gage(MI), Mary Lou Webster(MI), Sue (Me) Washegesic(MI), Row setting on floor=Mary Rampenthal(WI), Karin(MI-Wendy's SIL, Wendy Fisher(MI-InkyTrailNews), Margie Martin(MI),
Laying on the floor: L-R, Delcie Anderson (OH),Melissa Sue Blair ( MI-Sue W's daughter).

Next Week, Pals Shopping Weekend!

Karin and I are ready to go! I'm packing my bag today.. or at least, putting aside the stuff I'm taking! The week will fly by and I want to be ready on Thursday so that when I leave the house on Friday morning for work, I take my bag with me!

We will leave Mt. Clemens at Noon... Taking half day off work to get a head start. We think there may be construction/road detours, so this will give us the extra time we need.

Here is the link for the Frederick Meijer Gardens, for your review. I want to get printed directions now so I know where we are headed after we arrive! It looks fantastic... wonder if its too early in the season to see much? http://www.meijergardens.org/

Hopefully we have a nice relaxing weekend of Shopping, Chit Chat and some Good Food too!

Happy Easter.. done!

Easter Evening already... and Terry's family has gone home. We had a good weekend, doing some spring cleaning, and readying the house for Easter dinner here. We ate, chatted, and Easter is now officially over in this household. Grin!

Hope you and yours had a great day! Wendy

Students learn lessons, develop friendships through correspondents

Students learn lessons, develop friendships through correspondents

This is a great article on 3rd grade students writing letters to high school students... and in the end, they MET! The teacher feels letter writing is a lost art. I certainly hope not! Write Kids, Write!

Auntie Amy Stamps! Conventions

Auntie Amy Stamps! Conventions

Karin, my sister-in-law, discovered that there is a Rubber Stamp convention in Grand Rapids -- the same weekend we will attend Rosie's Pal Shopping Weekend! We've attended Auntie Amy Conventions in the past so it will be fun to do this again!

I've purchased so many stamps, paper, cardstock, inks, and all the trappings over the years -- and I've never really done much with any of it. With Inky Trail News, my spare time is pretty much consumed with my newspaper, website, etc. At some point, I would LOVE to use my artsy self to make cards and wall art. But for now, I'm a Craft Collector!

At conventions, demonstrators are everywhere showing the newest techniques for their companies new products. Often you can try it yourself, but even if you can't, watching someone demonstrate a new product is fantastic as you can see the finished product and what it does instead of trying to figure out how it would work. You can usually take stamping classes too (check them out at the bottom of the linked website!) and that's a lot of fun too!

Art stirs my soul... this should be a great weekend!

Pen Pals United 2007

Pen_Pals_United_2007's Home Page

This is Rosie Tholl and Mary Kugel inviting all Pals to join them for Pen Pals United 2007 Convention. This is the last PPU convention ever! I thought I would put the link out here for visitors to check it out! Wendy

Spring Shopping Pal Weekend

Rosie Tholl is hosting a Spring Shopping Weekend for Pals. It will be held in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on April 28-30th. This is the location for the last Pen Pals United convention... and I hope to attend that too!

Karin, my sister-in-law, and I have registered for the Shopping Weekend. Shopping, dinner, a little chit chat and games with pen friends... sounds good to me! Karin is my support -- she travelled with me to Frankenmuth last summer to meet Rosie's group for the first time. Now, we travel again and hope to have a great weekend (we will.. we always do!)

I met a pal!

I met a Pal! Yes, I did... and I don't meet folks easily. If you know me, I'm an introvert and love communications via email and postal letters, but having lunch is scary as anything to me! I don't like roller coasters, but I'd prefer riding one to meeting someone. Grin!

On Friday, I met a Beth G., a new reader and pal from my local area. I was surprised to find a pal who lives so near me, after publishing all these years. This never happened before! So, I got gutsy -- I wrote on the envelope mailing of Inky Trail News -- "Let's meet for Lunch!"

We met at the Salad Garden in Mt. Clemens on Friday... and she was delightful. We talked pals, homes, employment and the hour lunch flew by. I'm sure we'll get together again!

Beth writes to foreign pals, my biggest interest (before ITN as I have no time for pals now),... and so it was very interesting to chat as we had something in common.

Thanks Beth for a nice lunch hour! Hopefully, we'll get together again soon!

Pen Pal Profiles

Pen Pal Profiles

Hello! I am looking for pals who'd like to be featured on my website. I want to show the pen pal world about pals from the USA or Foreign Countries! Please consider submitting your information! Check it out here!

If you have questions, please feel free to email me! Thanks! Wendy, Inky Trail News

American Idol

Hey --

Do you watch American Idol on TV? They have Kenny Rogers coaching them tonight and Barry Manilow coached last week! I love seeing the BIG Stars working with these new wannabe's!

Who is your favorite and WHY?

Wendy