Tag Archives: handwritten letters

Sunday Notes and Letters for Week 19

Today I want to share a letter I received this week. You may remember that three weeks ago on Day 100 I wrote to Dr. Ellsworth Wareham, the 100-year-old cardiologist that was interviewed recently by Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

He wrote me back! How cool is that. You should watch the link above with Dr. Sanjay Gupta – you’ll be inspired by Dr. Wareham.

Dr Wareham letter

Dear Read-

What an achievement – to write a letter a day!

Concerning prevention of coronary artery disease, I refer you to 2 books: Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease by Caldwell Esselstyn and The China Study by Colin Campbell. In summary – you must not eat animal products. 

I think the material in these books is scientific and highly reliable.

Remember all tastes are acquired except for breast milk. Your taste buds can be changed in 3 months, so you can learn to like what is healthy. Just start eating healthfully.

All the best,
Ellsworth W.

Day 122: Amy Wilkinson

It’s been ten years since I moved into my apartment in Dupont Circle here in Washington, DC. For much of that time, my neighbor Amy Wilkinson has been working on a book. In the last couple of years, as I started working on my book about the Year of Giving, I began asking more questions to her about the process she went through to take her book to publication.

You caught me rereading Chapter 5, Networking Minds, recently to help inform some planning for a project that I'm working on.

You caught me rereading Chapter 5, Networking Minds, recently to help inform some planning for a project that I’m working on.

It’s been a long five years – she’s had all kinds of surprises along the way and often tells me the things that she would do differently if she writes another book. As a rookie author, I have listened intently to her advice.

Her book finally came out in February – I preordered it so I had it on my doorstep the day it was released. It’s easy to say that The Creator’s Code should be required reading for anyone interested in entrepreneurism, but that lessens the value of the book frankly. I would say that anyone passionate about making a difference, achieving an aspirational goal, or just being more effective in an area of their life will benefit from the book – we can all be “creators.”

The moving truck came today to move her belongings to California – Amy is headed to teach a course at Standford. My loss – Stanford’s gain. Join me in wishing her continued success and get your copy of her book here.

122-2

Amy,

Congratulations on The Creator’s Code. It’s such as terrific book and I’m ecstatic to see it doing so well. And while I know that I don’t even know the half of it, I know that you worked tirelessly on it and that your journey to publication wasn’t without its share of challenges and pitfalls. But as a creator, you managed to keep your eyes on the horizon.

A handcrafted card I made at Paper Source's workshop Thursday night.

A handcrafted card I made at Paper Source’s workshop Thursday night.

Sadly it seems that all this success also means I lose a great neighbor! Best of luck with teaching your course at Stanford and I look forward to following all the exciting places you will go.

This is just the beginning!
Reed

Day 121: Ed, Brian, Jena, Aprill, Sam, Tyler and others

121-2I’ve become a huge fan of Paper Source – especially my local store here in Georgetown. It’s been a lifesaver for the Year of Letters. I don’t know of any other paper retailer with the level of quality and variety as Paper Source that beats their reasonable price point. And the staff is extremely helpful.

I’ve become a pretty regular face in the store since starting my letter-writing project – enough so I guess that they kindly invited me to a workshop that they had recently to teach cardmaking and giftmaking techniques. It was great – and they even had some snacks and wine for everyone.

I probably should have incorporated some of the new techniques I learned into this letter to them, but stay tuned, you’ll see some new things in my cards in the coming days and weeks.

 

I used one of Paper Source's bags to make a liner for the envelope.

I used one of Paper Source’s bags to make a liner for the envelope.

Ed, Brian, Jena, Aprill, Sam, Tyler and others,

121-3Thank you very much for your kind invitation to attend Crafter’s Night Out last evening led by Aprill and Sam. I learned several new techniques – like how to apply gilded edges, use washi tape and even make my own gift bags. Your entire team is exceptional and it is always a pleasure to be in your store.

Thanks again,
Reed Sandridge

P.S. I also bought the marbling set…keep a look out on YearOfLetters.com for some marbling!

Day 120: Rhonda

I’m the proud father of a baby rhino. Yep, check’em out here.

I didn't have a rhino stamp, but I embossed an elephant on her card. In Nepal, you can see rhinos, elephants and if your lucky, tigers.

I didn’t have a rhino stamp, but I embossed an elephant on her card. In Nepal, you can see rhinos, elephants and if your lucky, tigers.

Day 120-4

The rhino on my screen saver was happy to have some new company.

My boss just came back from a trip to Bhutan and Nepal and brought me back this little guy. Although she felt the earthquake, she had already left Nepal to travel to Bhutan when the 7.8 magnitude quake rocked the small Himalayan nation. I can only imagine how eery it must feel to realize that places you visited just days ago, monuments that you photographed and people whose eyes you looked into are no longer with us.

My thoughts are with all the people of Nepal right now.

Day 120-3

Rhonda,

Thank you so much for the hand-carved rhino – that was very thoughtful. I’m glad that you and the other travelers are all safe – what a devastating earthquake. I look forward to hearing more about your travels.

-Reed

My coworker Jake also received a rhino from Rhonda. He put his to work guarding some Trader Joe's Chocolate Covered Almonds. Sadly I have to report that two almonds were poached under his watch on the first day.

My coworker Jake also received a rhino from Rhonda. He put his to work guarding some Trader Joe’s Chocolate Covered Almonds. Sadly I have to report that two almonds were poached under his watch on the first day.

Day 118: Yunel Escobar, Washington Nationals

escobarLast night the Nationals started a three-day series with the Atlanta Braves. The Nats have been slumping, but one of the players who has been producing both in the batter’s box as well as on the field is utility infielder Yunel Escobar who the Nats picked up in a crazy multi-team deal that sent pitcher Tyler Clippard to Oakland.

In the fifth inning Escobar had to leave the game after suffering an injury due to an aggressive slide by Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons into third base. I thought I would send the Cuban-born ballplayer a letter and wish him a speedy recovery.

Day 118

(Spanish translation)

Dear Yunel,

Welcome to Washington! We are very happy to have someone with your talent on our team. 

Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons knocked Yunel Escobar’s glove off, and the Nationals third baseman out of the game. . (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons knocked Yunel Escobar’s glove off, and the Nationals third baseman out of the game. . (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

I’m writing you to wish you a speedy recovery – I was watching the game last night when Simmons hurt you. I hope that it’s nothing serious and that you can get back to the field in the coming days. 

Warm regards,
Reed Sandridge

P.S. Also, thanks for being a part of the deal that sent Tyler Clippard to Oakland – he drove me nuts!