When our own personal worlds spin out of control, sometimes its nice to have the consistency and comfort of our familiar routines — the things that bring us joy. This week, that’s what Link Love is for me. There has been a slew of emotional upheavals this week among myself and my friends. Between my home and my closest friends, we’ve lost a combined three dogs and a cat in less than 10 days. At least we know that our pets have friends wherever the pet afterlife might be. There have also been a series of lay-offs that have left some of my closest friends unemployed and many at my company concerned that there may be more lay-offs to come. To say we all need comfort food, comfort tv and comfort links would be an understatement. I hope that however your week has gone that these links bring you a little joy. If you have pets, give them a good snuggle for me too.
Pens:
- Ohto Flash Dry Gel Pen Refill Review (via The Pen Addict)
- Karas Kustoms Vertex (Acrylic): A Review (via The Pen Addict)
- Sailor Pro Gear Slim Sapporo Demonstrator Sparkling Wine Fountain Pen (via Gourmet Pens)
- The joy of ink (via Bleistift)
- Pen Review: PenBBS 308 Fountain Pen (via The Gentleman Stationer)
- Spoke Pen Review (via The Poor Penman)
- Sailor for Montegrappa – Limited Edition (via Inked Happiness)
- The Osprey Scholar: A Frankenstein Dip Pen/Fountain Pen (via The Postman’s Knock)
Ink:
- A Beginner’s Guide to Fountain Pen Inks: What Inks to Buy? What Inks to Avoid? To Clean or Not to Clean? The Ten Rules. (via Fountain Pen Follies)
- The Current State Of Fountain Pen Ink (via Fountain Pen Love)
- Vinta Initiative: Fountain Pen Ink for a Good Cause (via Rediscover Analog)
- Best Fountain Pen Inks for Everyday Writing: Lamy Inks (via The Gentleman Stationer)
- Ink Review #865: PenBBS 177 Beaten Path (via Mountain of Ink)
- Ink Review #863: Vinta Bronze Yellow La Paz (via Mountain of Ink)
Pencils:
- Review of Moon Futura, CWPE Reboot. (via Pencil Revolution)
Notebooks & Paper:
- Fabriano EcoQua Notebook Review (via Fountain Pen Love)
- Journaling for Mental Health. (via Pencil Revolution)
- Mr. Paper! Hobonichi 2020! (via Anderson Pens Blog)
- Planner Problems (via Nero’s Notes)
- “Old notebooks that open a window on lost world of Wensleydale cheese” (via Notebook Stories)
- Bullet Journal Applications for ADHD
- The Strategist’s 100 Best Notebooks (via Notebook Stories)
Why Every Bullet Journalist Should Go Back to Basics (at Least Once) (via Rediscovering Analog) - 700-Year-Old French Mill Still Cranking Out Handmade Paper (via Kottke)
- Field Notes “Autumn Trilogy” Edition (via Tools and Toys)
Art & Creativity:
- Looking Back on the Art and Media of 1919, the Year World War I Ended (via Hyperallergic)
- Special Announcement! Clairefontaine Rhodia Acquires Stillman & BirnRhodia Drive (via Rhodia Drive)
- CREATE COLLECTIONS – victoria johnson (via print & pattern)
Other Interesting Things:
- Video: Apple Pencil Review (via Wood and Graphite)
- USPS releases deadlines for holiday shipping (via USPS)
- U.S. Postal Service Announces New Prices for 2020 (via USPS)
- The right book (via Austin Kleon)
- TwoPoints.Net presents its Bookshelf highlighting the importance of studying other disciplines (via It’s Nice That)
- Adobe is blocked in Venezuela following new US sanctions (via It’s Nice That)
- Greta Grotesk is a typeface in homage to the teenage activist’s handwriting (via It’s Nice That)
- The Moog Cookbook (via Kottke)
- How giving yourself ‘Employee of the Month’ every month could keep you happy and motivated (via Creative Boom)
- Before The Computers: Looking Back On Typewriters Era (via Design You Trust)
- The Dolce & Gabbana typewriter bag (via The Typewriter Revolution)
- How to make typewriter ribbon ink (via The Typewriter Revolution)
Just wanted to write and say I am sorry for your losses and challenges. I think this is a season of them for a lot of people (including me). Be good to yourself. And thank you for being good to us by continuing with Link Love. It truly brightens my day when you publish it.
I am so sorry! That’s too much in such a short time. Yes, please be kind and gentle with yourself and loved ones. Losing pets is just the most acute kind of hurt. xo
I’m so sorry for what you’re going through right now. Wishing happier times for you soon and comfort for losses that can never be replaced. My four-legged companions will all get extra snuggles. I sometimes take them for granted, and you’ve reminded me that I shouldn’t.
Sorry to hear about all these losses and trials. Thinking about you all.
Ana, I’m so sorry I missed this when it was posted and didn’t know you lost your Django. Late in 2017 I lost my two twins, Merle and Angus, just a month apart. Merle greatly resembled Django; Angus was always a little rumpled. Both were big snugglers and I miss that. My remaining cats are fond of me, but nobody wants to sleep on my head to make sure I don’t float away while I’m asleep.
My heart goes out to you. Our pets are our babies, our confidantes and our companions in ways that is so hard to explain to others. I hope that new furry friends find their way to you someday.
Exactly. <3
Exactly. <3