Ah! A perfect “official” adoption day: Feast of the Presentation! Congratulations.
I’ve been wanting tell you my Blackwing story.
You introduced me to these pencils for the very first in your earlier post, and I immediately became obsessed. I was actually reading Stienbeck’s East of Eden that very week, of all things! But being a poor writer, post-holidays, I could not justify an order for myself. After pouring over the website, I tucked it away for another day.
Three night later my husband and I went to an improv show and a member of the troupe was a long lost friend we’d worked with 15 years ago. As we hugged and caught up after the show, our friend pulled out a small sketch book and showed us his visual journaling, page after page of deep, slow attention to his life. As he closed the cover, I saw the Blackwing logo on the journal and let out an “Oh, my!”
He bubbled over how much he loved the pencils and asked if I gotten any. Learning I had not, he said, “Stay right here!” and ran backstage.
He returned with an unused Blackwing Matte. “For some reason tonight, I brought a new one with me,” he said. “I just felt like maybe someone would need it.” Then, with a small touch of ceremony, he presented it to me saying, “I believe there is something a little sacred about pencils, that in their graphite they already contain the words and images released by the person who holds them. So, I believe this pencil, somehow, was meant for you.”
Magic.
Turns out the Matte is a little soft for my handwriting and the drafting I always do long hand. Since then, I have ordered an audition set and sharpener for my husband’s birthday next week, so I’ll eventually get to try the rest and see. But regardless, this gifted pencil feels ever-so-slightly like a sacrament.
I thought you’d like to know.
Prayers and cheers on your poetry collection, the completion of your MFA, and ongoing writing~
What a great story! That's one thing I love about pencils--they can show up just about anywhere. And yes, the Matte is our softest graphite. It's popular with visual artists but requires more sharpening than some writers prefer, including me. For long-hand writing I love the Blackwing Natural (extra-firm core) or the 602 (firm core). But I'd love to hear your thoughts once you've tried the audition set, assuming your husband will share ;)
Ah! A perfect “official” adoption day: Feast of the Presentation! Congratulations.
I’ve been wanting tell you my Blackwing story.
You introduced me to these pencils for the very first in your earlier post, and I immediately became obsessed. I was actually reading Stienbeck’s East of Eden that very week, of all things! But being a poor writer, post-holidays, I could not justify an order for myself. After pouring over the website, I tucked it away for another day.
Three night later my husband and I went to an improv show and a member of the troupe was a long lost friend we’d worked with 15 years ago. As we hugged and caught up after the show, our friend pulled out a small sketch book and showed us his visual journaling, page after page of deep, slow attention to his life. As he closed the cover, I saw the Blackwing logo on the journal and let out an “Oh, my!”
He bubbled over how much he loved the pencils and asked if I gotten any. Learning I had not, he said, “Stay right here!” and ran backstage.
He returned with an unused Blackwing Matte. “For some reason tonight, I brought a new one with me,” he said. “I just felt like maybe someone would need it.” Then, with a small touch of ceremony, he presented it to me saying, “I believe there is something a little sacred about pencils, that in their graphite they already contain the words and images released by the person who holds them. So, I believe this pencil, somehow, was meant for you.”
Magic.
Turns out the Matte is a little soft for my handwriting and the drafting I always do long hand. Since then, I have ordered an audition set and sharpener for my husband’s birthday next week, so I’ll eventually get to try the rest and see. But regardless, this gifted pencil feels ever-so-slightly like a sacrament.
I thought you’d like to know.
Prayers and cheers on your poetry collection, the completion of your MFA, and ongoing writing~
(Nicole Parsons, SPU MFA, Aug 2022)
Nicole,
What a great story! That's one thing I love about pencils--they can show up just about anywhere. And yes, the Matte is our softest graphite. It's popular with visual artists but requires more sharpening than some writers prefer, including me. For long-hand writing I love the Blackwing Natural (extra-firm core) or the 602 (firm core). But I'd love to hear your thoughts once you've tried the audition set, assuming your husband will share ;)
Happy writing!
Cameron
Love the Chinese takeout story ... very funny and heartwarming.