Devoted to technical writing and technical writers

Sometime in my formative years, my father gifted me with a Calligraphy
writing set, complete with a bottle of India Ink. Not knowing what to
do, I engaged in a trial and error ritual of learning said art. Now,
anyone who knows his ink knows that India ink is (a) not easy to
handle and apply, and (b) is quite indelible, leaving large stains in
one's shirt or pants. Thus, the first lessons taught this budding
artist that one should be careful in using calligraphy or earn the ire
of anyone tasked with cleaning up the mess.

After a year or so, it became almost second nature to do fancy
writing, usually in the Old English style that one still sees in
Magazine or Newspaper headings or titles.  Unfortunately, football and
other sports, not to mention a healthy interest in the other sex,
intervened and Calligraphy went out of the window.

Now that I am probably older, with less distractions to fight for my
attention, I am rediscovering many of the finer things I cast aside so
casually when young. For example, in place of the messy old
calligraphy set with its one pen and several nibs to choose from, one
can now go to a good office supplies store and pick from several
permanent writing instruments with different sized nibs. No more
messing with India Ink and getting messed up in the process. So many
brands to choose from, so many nib widths to drive an artist crazy.

I was able to use one pen the other day making a birthday greeting for
a older sister who I knew would appreciate the time, effort, and art
employed in the missive.

Sourced from JMJF.