Wrangler Dani

There’s something so satisfying about putting pen to paper, since I spend most of my working time with the illusion of words on a website or Word document. But, the truth is that with a simple backspace, those words disappear, rearrange, reinvent themselves, dancing endlessly together as we humans on the other end try to use their clumsiness to make a point or express a thought.

On paper, it’s different. If I write something down on paper, it’s clear, plain and unabashed. It’s lists, reminders, moments of quasi-brilliance that I fear will flit away if I don’t grab them and make them stay right then and there. You can’t backspace out of a plain note on a notepad – your only option if it turns out to be less genius then you imagined is to crumple it and throw it away; another more thrilling option than the cold, clinical “trash” of a digital disposal.

I mix up my colors, use fat pens and thin ones, scribble math problems (invoicing, the bane of a small-business owner’s existence) and reminders to buy coffee or pick up the dry cleaning. I mark out grammatical troubles with trusty red and leave love notes for my hubby in manly blue. I write notes to my girlfriends and relish new stationary.

Today, I’m grateful that, for a girl who makes a living with words, there are so many ways to express them. A new Sharpie and a clean notepad is a simple pleasure, and for that I’m thankful.