My mother will hate that I’m bragging on her, but she has the best penmanship of anyone I know. I’ve always been in awe when watching her create perfect slanted lines all at the same height as she jotted a note or signed her name to a check. It’s an art she’s crafted over time and when I recently found a page of scripture she’d left in a notebook at my house, I pulled it out and put it in a frame. (She doesn’t know this until now.) Plus, it’s nice to have a written reminder about not worrying to see every day while I’m in the kitchen.
It also made me think about how cursive writing, in general, is becoming somewhat of a lost art. Will my grandkids even need to have a signature or will everything be electronic by then? I know there’s less of an emphasis on cursive writing in school now, so maybe we should all frame the penmanship of our parents and grandparents while we can get our hands on it. Mine has progressively gotten worse over the years–from lack of use.
What are you thoughts? How’s your cursive these days?
I love to write. Everything from lists to quotes. I recently attended my high school reunión (45 years!) and a friend said my handwriting is what he remembered about me. I thought that was so funny! My teachers used to think I typed all my papers.
That’s impressive! :)
My mom also has beautiful cursive, I should have her do this so we can frame it!
I went to catholic school growing up, so cursive was mandatory after we learned how to write in it. I have my own “version” of cursive that my handwriting has morphed into (it’s mostly half print, half cursive), but I can make it look pretty when I need to ;)
I love this so much! I, too, think that cursive writing is becoming a lost art. My mother has cursive handwriting similar to yours.. love the idea of framing it!
I love it and I do think it is becoming a lost art. You wondered if your grand kids would need to a signature, I’m wondering if they will even be able to read it! (mine included) You are fortunate to have your mom’s handwritten words to frame. And what a lovely idea <3
Mine is illegible. I gave up on a pretty signature at some point during the process of filling out back to school forms…..
I am so glad you are back. I love your blog and have really missed it. I am not a huge fan of Instagram, so your thoughts are spot on about the some of us is like more old school with more depth and information. Your content is always just right! Breaks are needed and I will always stick around til you come back! So until your next break, I will enjoy!
Hey Emily! I love cursive writing. I learned in school and even though I homeschooled my sons, I still required them to learn cursive writing. I used the Kumon books from Barnes and Noble. I love this framing and I think I will frame my grandma’s vegetable soup recipe written in her handwriting. She was 90 when she passed away 5 years ago.
My children are all in their 20s now, but I was very determined that they not only learn to write cursive but to READ it—so many important documents, including family letters, are written in cursive!
I’m glad you’re back, Emily! I’ve read your blog for years and it’s always been a refreshing spot.
I’ve also thought that cursive is perhaps a dying art, but I was happy to discover it is still taught in our local school district (along with digital literacy, STEM, etc). My third grader just started learning it this year and absolutely LOVES it. :)
For Christmas, my sister gave me a cutting board with a recipe transposed on it in my mother’s handwriting. It is beautiful and hangs in my kitchen. I think Williams-Sonoma offered this one year.
I find that I print more than write in cursive nowadays. I think my cursive handwriting went downhill when taking notes in college many years ago and has gotten worse since. I know that I don’t follow many of the “rules” I was taught in elementary school. I finished my teaching career as a tech specialist in our school district. One of my responsibilities was having new seventh graders review and sign our technology use policy. Most of those kids had no idea how to sign their names and used strange combinations of printing and cursive writing!
My boys go to Catholic school and it is still taught. The children are also required to write in it for their assignments. I LOVE it.
I love this post and I love that you framed your mom’s beautiful note. My youngest just started her freshman year in college and we were just talking over the summer about how she is not great at cursive writing. She was having to work hard on her graduation thank you notes. Ha! It truly is a lost art.
I’ve always loved to write in cursive and it’s still pretty good but some of my 7th grade students can’t read it because they never learned! My mom’s was really pretty and something special. I have to dig through my years of cards from her and frame a few. Great idea