It's another gloomy day here ... the sky is grey, the rain falls, the wind kicks up its heels and makes a rukus. 

In such weather there's really only so much you can do.  Thankfully, it includes lighting candles, pouring some tea, and writing a note or two.  

And what could be more appropriate for these April showers than a pup donning bright yellow galoshes?  Yeah, I can't think of anything either.  You can purchase one or a set at Rifle Paper Co.   

The members of my family share a sense of humor that's a bit askew - I'll be the first to admit. I'll also admit that I'm thankful for it.  Hilarity, you see, has seen us through a tough patch - and it's certain to see us through many more.  

If you know someone who could use a good laugh, check out Look Mama!  The cards of this Australian company are bound to produce at least a chortle, if not a gaffaw! 

Seems as though many of my friends have been having a hard go of it lately; there are sick kids, job losses, and dreams deferred.  Not only are they tired of heartache, they're tired of platitudes.  They need a brighter day.  At the very least, they need a smile. 

And I think this card from PaperWheel's Etsy shop just might do the trick...  

I hope you had a fabulous Valentine's Day ... and let's not forget Chinese New Year.  In the US we've now moved on to Presidents' Day.  Doesn't mean much to most - except perhaps an extra day off.  Still, whether good or bad, I think it's important to remember those who've lead our country ... be it in praise or to learn from their mistakes. 

Speaking of learning, you can learn a lot about a man from his letters; you can also learn a lot about writing letters.  Take this one, for instance, written by the 33rd President of the United States of America, Harry S. Truman, to his wife, May 7, 1933:

Dear Bess:

This has been a very dull Sunday. I came up here last night to a Legion affair and stayed all night and I'm still here at noon. It was a good party but I had to leave it. As usual they got too rough and I'm still in politics. I was supposed to go to the Lake of the Ozarks yesterday with Neild, Boxley, and Luzier, but Neild had to go home so that party was called off. I went out to the farm and had dinner and the phone began its usual tatoo and I came up here. I'll leave for the farm in a few minutes because the room at home has wet paint on the floor.

Tomorrow I'll be forty nine and for all the good I've done the forty might as well be left off. Take it all together though the experience has been worth while, I'd like to do it again. I've been in railroad, bank, farm, war, politics lose (only one and it still stinks) been busted and still believe that my sweetheart is the ideal woman and that my daughter is her duplicate. I think that for all the horrors of war it still make a man a thief, a roue, and a pessimist of everyone but I don't believe I'm any of them and if I can get the Kansas City Court House done without scandle no other Judge will have done as much and then maybe you and the young lady can take some European and South American tours when they'll do you most good; or maybe go to live in Washington and see all the great and near greats in action. We'll see. I'm counting the days till I see you.

Lots of love to you both
Harry

This letter proves you don't have to write a novel, nor do you need big news.  For the most part this letter speaks of the mundane - a very dull Sunday.  Still, there are gems: "Take it all together ... I'd like to do it again" and "[I] still believe that my sweetheart is the ideal woman and that my daughter is her duplicate."  Now I don't know a thing about Bess - but something tells me those two lines made this letter pure poetry. 

See more Love Letters from the President here. 

Groundhogs and woodchucks and whistlepigs ... oh my!  Yes, February is upon us - and for those in the US and Canada, it begins with a furry fellow who predicts the weather.  Personally, I'm hoping for an early spring!   But shadow or no, this card - available at the Rasilisk Etsy store - makes me smile ...

Have you made your resolutions for the year? I may be biased, but I certainly hope they include keeping in better touch.  Not only is it a fun way to brighten someone's day, but it's so easy to keep. 

Just think:  if you wrote nothing but emails last year, and drop a note in the post today, you've already accomplished your goal.  So impressive! 

To get you on your way, be sure to check out the Resources page - there are all sorts of treasures to be found!  Speaking of treasures, take a look at these adorable notecards.  Bright and whisical, they'd be the perfect hello for someone you love.  Wouldn't you agree?