Pens in Use - June 21, 2024

[@barbarah-p8661]

I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one who has had color change issues with Noodler's ink. I don't like ink that starts to oxidize when it's in the pen. Because of that, I don't use Noodler's inks anymore. After seeing your Kaweco V16, I started looking for one. I found a black one on eBay that had been completely restored before I bought it. It's not red but black, and does have an nib. I love it. Mine was a bit of a dry writer, so when I put in a wet-writing ink, it's been writing like a dream. Thanks for a good video.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

I used to buy a lot of Noodler's inks. That's part of what I need to declutter/use up. But some of them are almost unusable. So why am I trying to use them? Congratulations on the v16!. Kaweco made some wonderful pens!

[@impish22]

I am loving that Blue/Green Sailor

[@WaskiSquirrel]

So am I! Wonderful pen!

[@sathishrao7926]

Just googled to figure out that “Kanikonna” is the name of a flower (in the local language) and it also happens to be the “state flower” of Kerala, India where Krishna inks are made (and also my neighboring state). I use mostly Krishna inks (because they’re reasonably priced around $3 a bottle here in India). I didn’t know about this ink and bought their “yellow valley” which is so light that I didn’t use it more than once. I love Ghat green (ghat is ‘mountain pass’ in India) and I use it often with my beautiful Cross Wanderlust Borneo ! I mostly lived in apartments in the US which used to have a dedicated area for residents to discard/dispose their house hold items and I used to laugh at my friends/colleagues who furnished their houses with disposed chairs, tables etc (during the initial few months of their stay before they ‘settled down’) Come 2013, I was on a long term visit and I did the same for my house ! The only project I’ve got going is to collect Casio watches and Cases to organize them - I already have 4 boxes of 12 slots each !

[@WaskiSquirrel]

The Kanikonna is a beautiful flower. They're such happy-looking trees! Krishna has a number of great inks. Writer's Night is another favorite. I really enjoy that their inks are inspired by their landscape, like Iroshizuku. If I ever wanted to start an ink company, that's how I would do it! Nothing wrong with used furniture. A lot of people get rid of it before the use is out of it. I grew up in a family where we used things up. So our stuff is usually not worth giving away when we're done with it. When you're living in a temporary situation, it's even more important not to invest in furniture.

[@davidanderson3425]

I've never tried any Noodler's inks. They used to be a bit difficult to find in the UK. Less so now. One day I'll order a bottle but, like you, I have more than enough inks to last me well into the future. This edition of PiU was interesting. The vintage Parker Duofold produced a lovely line and the Pelikan Style is now working much better than before. The whole de-cluttering thing is most satisfying. The great danger is procrastination. Don't delay, don't put things off. Grab some boxes, grab some plastic bags and just get on with it! When it's all finished try and avoid creating clutter all over again by filling your virtual shopping cart and collecting even more "stuff". We live in times when storage doesn't have to be a problem. I used to collect vinyl records, cassettes and CD's. Nowadays I subscribe to a music streaming service. No need to store a physical format. Same for books. I have many real books but also own a Kindle. We no longer have to store VHS tapes or DVD's as there are so many TV channels to watch. I even store photographs in "the Cloud" rather than boxes of prints and photo albums. Of course, for some people, collecting can easily get out of control. I tried your idea of leaving something at the curb side for a passer by to take. It really works. I had two old adult-size bicycles that I no longer wanted. I stuck a sign on saying "Free" and they were gone in less than an hour! I hope the new owners enjoy them.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Noodler's are a difficult. They don't sit well in a pen, and you can never predict their properties. I'm having a great time clearing my house. I had three surprise guests a few minutes ago and I wasn't humiliated. It looked right for a house in the middle of cleaning. Meanwhile, I've done a lot of decluttering. I might be in trouble with the garbage people this week for how badly I exceeded the garbage bins! You're right about physical vs. virtual. The only thing I like to have physical is my books. Otherwise virtual is fine. And, yes, the curb is an awesome way to get rid of stuff! I hope to soon have a house I'm proud to have people visit!

[@rinaeperron7746]

I always look forward to your driving/ touring videos... timing isnt important to me... i will watch them whenever you post them :-)

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Glad you like them! I'm hoping to publish some fun ones this summer!

[@MissMarilynDarling]

I'm glad my suggestion helped I live to serve

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Yes! Thank you!

[@MrAndrew1953]

How do you mow your lawn? I use a hand mower for the front lawn. I think I could get into collecting,using a few hand mowers,scythes for exercise,lack of noise.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

I used to use a reel-type mower. But it just couldn't handle the rough lawn that I have and I was left with too much that I had to go over again with a machete. Now I use an electric push mower. Still quiet, but better able to handle this lawn.

[@edwardstaats4935]

Happy Juneteenth. And yes, worthy of celebrating. There is an excellent book on the subject.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Indeed, very worth celebrating!

[@edwardstaats4935]

Here it is officially winter. But no comparison to winter in North Dakota (or Wisconsin). And I love that the days will start to get longer.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Mine are starting to get shorter, but summer heat is coming. With the 5 cm of rain we just had, that should help the garden take off!

[@alanpareis734]

I love that DuoFold Jr. If you caught Hemingway Jones’s post this week on pens Ernest Hemingway used, the only one ever mentioned by Ernest in print was a Parker DuoFold Jr. And the pen showed by HJ was his green one like yours! Yes by all means, post the SD driving footage from earlier this year. -other comments on this video in the letter I’m working on to you. Glad you published the outro footage, watching that next.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

I did see that video! I'm glad Mr. Jones keeps track of that kind of thing because it slips by me. I look forward to putting up that video. The waterfall is amazing....

[@Calcprof]

Sure, include the SD footage

[@WaskiSquirrel]

I will!

[@weezyfaz7]

What could be the components in this that would cause that to change color or alter like it has for you?

[@WaskiSquirrel]

I'm not sure. I'm guessing something is oxidizing.

[@awesomebeautiful8782]

I have only 10 pens, and four of the most expensive ones are up for sale. I don't really enjoy consumerism and collecting feels wasteful to me personally. I have been doing my own version of Swedish death cleaning since I turned 60; I've had cancer for 5 years. I have no children to go through my crap, and I wouldn't want to burden them even if I did. I think it's the responsible thing to do to try to leave a small footprint when I pass.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

I agree with that. I'll keep my treasures that I use and enjoy, and get rid of the rest. If I don't, I'm only delaying that and making it someone else's problem. I'm not done yet, but it's amazing how much more spacious the house feels. Since my kitchen is the staging area, that's really pushing me to get this done!

[@honnony]

Hope all went well putting in your garden. If you want any advice on your book collection, let me know. I'm a Boomer librarian with way too many opinions (like most librarians behind the reference desk). Safe travels on your journeys West.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

The garden went very well. A few crops never went in, but there is always next year. Now I have a tool to gradually expand the size of the garden, and kind of a visiion for the land. i may ask you about books!

[@MrAndrew1953]

Are you getting into squirrel merchandise with your t-shirts?

[@WaskiSquirrel]

No. I wear them because I really do like squirrels!

[@teresaharris-travelbybooks5564]

I would love to see your hike. NEVER get rid of a bookshelf! Furniture companies aren't really making them anymore and those that are available, are very expensive. Make a video about your typewriters. And a bookshelf tour; once it's organized. I can't believe someone got offended by the Burnout video. Good Lord...

[@WaskiSquirrel]

Good point on the bookshelf! It's a nice one. I don't like it in front of the window. But I'll be painting that room this summer. That might be a good chance to unload it and rethink where it is. My "when I get rich" plan is a lot of built in bookshelves. I'm not sure what created that E-mail. It wasn't a name I knew. I did express a few things badly, so I can see how my intention could be misread.

[@teresaharris-travelbybooks5564]

@@WaskiSquirrel I understood you perfectly.

[@christophermckellar1352]

Thanks. Enjoyed. Wyoming and Montana? Yellowstone? Glacier? Haven’t been to either wonderful place for a few years. I live in Utah and am proud of our Parks, but they have gotten way too crowded. I ask people to say that the people are awful, the food is disgusting, and the pictures you see are all PhotoShopped. And as a Minnesotan I met in Glacier asked me, “What do you do about the heat?” Enuf said.

[@WaskiSquirrel]

I don't know if I'll get that far west. But maybe if I only visit one? I'm driving a 24 year old car, so I have to think about that. I loved Utah when I visited. The small towns were all clean and well kept, which is not the case in a lost of western towns. And the scenery was beautiful. Monument Valley was probably my favorite thing on that whole trip, with the Moab area a close second. Funny about the Minnesotan: I stayed with a friend in Minneapolis for a week a few summers ago. It was so miserable, hot, and humid at night. Where I live, it cools off at night, and we don't get the humidity. I think it's the same for Utah...at least it was during my visit.

[@christophermckellar1352]

@@WaskiSquirrel If you get to Yellowstone be sure to visit and tour (free) the Old Faithful Inn. Amazing huge log building. There is a mezzanine walk-around balcony equipped with writing desks sporting those green shaded lawyer lamps. Great place to sit and write something with fountain pens or typewriters. Left over from when more people actually did that. I’ve never managed it. Next time! I love Monument Valley, too. Both visits I have taken the all day canopied truck tour hosted by a local Navajo. They have cooked me the best hamburger I have all year. Glad you enjoyed Moab. It has been taken over by the loud and fast people so I rarely visit. Maybe I was wrong about the Minnesotan, and he was really from Wisconsin? The look in his eyes was one of near panic when he asked about the heat. But we reply with what is almost a punchline, “But it is a dry heat.” Safe and joyous travels.