Mythos & Marginalia

life notes; flaws and all

j.g. lewis

original content and images ©j.g. lewis

a daily breath...

A thought du jour, my daily breath includes collected and conceived observations, questions of life, fortune cookie philosophies, reminders, messages of peace and simplicity, unsolicited advice, inspirations, quotes and words that got me thinking. They may get you thinking too . . .

I'm like a pencil;
sometimes sharp,
most days
well-rounded,
other times
dull or
occasionally
broken.
Still I write.

j.g. lewis
is a writer/photographer in Toronto.

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No Better Than A Letter
Posted on August 22, 2022 by j.g.lewisLeave a comment

Before the Dear,                                                  before the date,

a letter is nothing more than a receptive, yet vacant, page; nothing
there except intention and will to communicate.

All those thoughts, where you were, what you sought, a point
of view, daily news, perhaps of no consequence to someone who
was not there, and that may be the whole point of a letter.

Handwriting, immediate, as it was, scratches steadily across the
paper. An occasional pause, yet the mind flows freely. Topics 
appear out of nowhere; the weather, where you are, how is it there?

Of course you write, of course you care, you tell it like it is, you’ve
got something more to say, and no better way to say it than a letter.

Your Truly
j.g. lewis

Do you write letters, collect stamps, and maintain a relationship with a penpal across the globe?
I do. Monthly-ish letters from a gentleman across the waters, over the past couple of years, have broadened my perspective and enriched my personal life.
We are looking to form a small, yet effective, letter-writing group with an international flavour. There are two of us, right now, but we are looking for a few more dedicated souls who will, with some regularity, share words and thoughts, memories, and a little bit of themselves.
I tried setting this up a number of years ago but, perhaps because of the number of people who were first involved, the exercise dissipated to what it is now: two guys sharing life stories from the other side of the globe.
Both of us believe it could be more. We envision five or seven people responding or replying, writing among ourselves, and sharing a connection that surpasses the theme-like groups you find of Facebook.
This will be unlike electronic communication. Letter writing takes time. There is always a wait for the postal service (some countries are swifter than others) but when a personally addressed enveloped arrives in your mailbox you get a feeling that simply cannot be matched by an email or text message.
We have no real expectations of the group (other than a bit of commitment), but seek writers who will respond, by hand, to letters they receive. We intend to let this unfold as it may, and hope it will take on a life of its own. We hope to begin group activity in the fall.
This will be a non-judgmental group where courtesy is respected and respect is expected.
If this interests you, send a few sentences telling us why you think you would be a good fit to soultalk@mythosandmarginalia.com
This initial email will be the only “electronic” communication we anticipate being required in getting this group off the ground.

Write On
Posted on August 20, 2022 by j.g.lewisLeave a comment

Ah, the joy or letters: good old-fashioned communication.
   We are looking to form a small, yet effective, letter-writing group with an international flavour. We are looking for four or five dedicated souls who will, with some regularity, share words and thoughts, memories, and a little bit of themselves.
   We have no real expectations of the group (other than a bit of commitment), but seek writers who will respond, by hand, to letters they receive. We intend to let this unfold as it may, and hope it will take on a life of its own. We hope to begin group activity in the fall.
   This will be a non-judgmental group where courtesy is respected and respect is expected.
   If this interests you, send a few sentences telling us why you think you would be a good fit to soultalk@mythosandmarginalia.com

08/21/2022                                                                                j.g.l.

What It Means
Posted on August 19, 2022 by j.g.lewisLeave a comment

Is it a word we say enough
for favours, for occasions, for
gifts of time and kindness?
   Thank you.
   To strangers, family, friends
and lovers, do we express all
the gratitude we feel for both
the significant and the simple
everyday experiences we are
truly thankful for?
   Thank you: two words that
mean more than you know.
   Are we thankful enough?
   Gratitude and generosity go
hand in hand; do you express
what it means to you to the
people who need to hear it?
   Sometimes ‘Thank you’ is
not enough, but it is a start.
   Thank you.

08/19/2022                                                                          j.g.l.