Archive for Interesting
Something to Write Home About
I saw this article the other day about a 76 year old woman who just had removed from her intestines a pen that she had swallowed TWENTY FIVE years ago. Once removed, it still worked! Continue Readering »
Disco Fountain Pen!
I found this sign at a local antique co-op and couldn’t stop giggling because what on EARTH does disco dancing have to do with fountain pens? What an interesting marketing idea! I would love to know how many people sent away for this book and whether or not the book helped them to improve their dance moves. (Or writing ability!)
After a little digging, it appears as though the book dates from 1965 and includes dances such as “The Watusi” and “The Hitch-Hiker.” What, no “Hustle?” Additional images of the pen packaging can be found here.
Fond Food Memories
My grandmother used to drink Folgers instant coffee. (The best part of wakin’ up, is Folgers in your cup!) She’s been gone since 2000 and I wonder what she’d think of all of the gourmet coffee available today. She had been a cook in a nursing home for 18 years somewhat of a food snob long before the Food Network started converting us. She’d go on group tours to other countries – to Italy to see the Sistine Chapel, ask her about the trip and she’d describe it by the food she ate.
I remember once sitting on her couch and watching a cooking show where they were making something with portabello mushrooms. I told her I wished I could make that dish but how portabellos (at the time) were pretty expensive. I couldn’t even get that out of my mouth before she is pulling a $10 bill from her change purse and pressing it into my hand. “Buy them” she says…
I really appreciate that she encouraged me to experiment in the kitchen. I only wish that I would have written down some of her recipes. She made a meatloaf that I still dream about – nothing has ever come close.
Is there anything that one of your relatives used to cook that you long for? Something that you have tried to replicate but cannot?
Photo courtesy of Mike Rodriquez.
Most Popular Pads
The most popular Rhodia pads are the No. 11 & No. 12 (3 x 4 and 3 3/8 x 4 3/4 respectively). This has held steady for a number of years–people like the pocket-size ease and convenience. 
But another size is rapidly closing the gap…the No. 16…which is sized at 6 x 8 1/4. So much so, one of the top two may be replaced by the end of this year.
Are you surprised? What is your favorite size Rhodia pad?
Creative Inspiration
A recent Wall Street Journal article – “The Biking Detective” by Alexandra Alter, described how crime writer George Pelecanos gets his inspiration and details: biking around Washington, DC on his road bike, “lingering in back alleys, cemeteries and abandoned parking lots.” “That’s really the time when I’m writing the book,” said Mr. Pelecanos. “In terms of plot, I don’t outline, I kind of search for it when I’m out here.” Mr. Pelecanos has published 17 books and worked as a writer on HBO shows “The Wire” and “Treme.” 
He is working on a new novel called “The Cut.” The main character is Spero Lucas, a 29-year-old Marine who returns from Iraq to find work as an investigator for a Washington lawyer and his shady clients. When a drug dealer wants him to recover a missing package of marijuana, Lucas demands a 40% cut, and enters into a dangerous stand-off with a criminal ex-cop named Ricardo Holley.
The article describes how the plot came together during one of Pelecanos’ daily rides. “One day, he found a squat, dark red brick bungalow near Georgia Avenue that looked like it could house a low-profile criminal like Holley. He rode around back and saw that it was protected only by a cheap, low fence. ‘You could break into it during the day and no one would know,’ he says. The details about the house–the hopable fence and the secluded back alley sparked a break-in scene in the novel that jolts the plot forward.
Reading about George Pelecanos’ creative inspiration reminded me of one of my own. I was hiking along the banks of the Delaware River, when I spotted a bone sticking out of the riverbank. I was sure it was either a relic of the historic skirmishes with the Indians, or the remains of some murder victim. I dug it out and remembering all the crime sitcoms, put it carefully in a plastic bag. I brought it to the local police station to hear it…was…a…sheep bone. Oh, well. But I remember the thrill of discovery, and all the plot lines that began to emerge.
Is your writing or creative inspiration prompted by unexpected discoveries?
Click here to read more about George Pelecanos and “The Cut.”
Maps to where?
I think maybe we all have probably doodled something at one time or another that looked something like a map. The image above is one I found that I made several years ago, but it’s nothing compared to what Jerry Gretzinger’s been doing. Watch his amazing video below.
Jerry’s Map from Jerry Gretzinger on Vimeo.
Yard Sale Pad Cover
One of the favorite summer activities in my area is going from yard sale to yard sale to see what you can find–one person’s junk is someone else’s treasure. I have found antique oil lamps, old first edition books, puppets, inkwells, bookcases, fountain pens, tintypes and more at a bargain. Most of my cookbooks have come from yard sales. It’s especially fun to find old postcards and letters stashed away in the pages.
One of my “finds” this summer was an old leather case. I polished it up as best I could and tried to figure out what to use it for. A No. 10 Rhodia pad fit, so I keep it in my purse to for quick notes and to hold business cards at networking events.
Anyone else enjoy yard sales or flea markets? What’s your best find so far?
New Pen Photos!
I recently received a number of new pen pictures to add to our Favorite Pen Photo gallery. I’ve always been of the mindset that a good pen makes you want to write more. If you’d like your pen added to the gallery, simply send a nice clear shot to: stephanie@rhodiadrive.com with “My Favorite Pen” in the subject line. It doesn’t have to be fancy, it just needs to be what you most enjoy writing with.
Our Official Rhodia Drive Mascot – Rhody!
If you’ve ever entered one of our contests, I always include a space for any comments or feedback you’d like us to see. That’s how I found out about this sweet little girl named Rhodia Ruth or “Rhody” from her owner Kelly. Rhody is a 10 week old “Jug” – a Pug/Jack Russell mix. Continue Readering »
NOFO Rhodia
For one of the last treats on my Greenport vacation, I went to Aldo’s for a double expresso and one of his great pecan scones. 
Heading outside towards the back patio, I spied a large Rhodia pad with “NOFO” sketched on the cover.
Of course, I went over to say “hi” and asked, “How do you like your Rhodia pad?”
The man looked up and said he liked them, loved the feel of the paper, and wrote all his music in them. He bought them in bulk at Dunkerley’s in Southampton.
He looked familiar, and then I realized I was talking to Josh Horton, the former Supervisor of Southold Town. While he was in office he helped to save more than 1,000 acres of open space and farmland, which makes him a hero in my book. He is also a staunch advocate for the preservation of the area’s maritime heritage.
Josh Horton also plays in a band, Corky Laing & The Memory Thieves, and for the last two years has organized the NOFO Rock and Folk Fest, held at the Peconic Bay Winery in Peconic, NY. This year it will be held July 30-31. The lineup includes Foghat, Elvin Bishop, Corky Laing & The Memory Thieves, John Sebastian, Commander Cody, and several more national and local talents.
We chatted for a bit, including how much we both missed having a Dunkerley’s store in Greenport. A Staples and Office Depot were built in nearby Riverhead, and their business dried up. Happily for us, Dunkerley’s continues to boom along in their Southampton location.
Josh said he would send me a photo of his NOFO Rhodia pad, but I forgot to give him my card. Anyway, if any of you will be out on the North Fork at the time of the weekend festival, please be sure to go hear Josh and his band, and say hi to a fellow Rhodia aficionado.
NOFO Rock and Folk Festival 2011
Corky Laing & The Memory Thieves
Aldo’s -
Rhodia and Clairefontaine Paper Colors
Taken on a sunny day with slight editing for contrast. From left to right these are, Clairefontaine 90g, Clairefontaine Triomphe 90g, Webbie 90g, and “R” 90g.
A closer look at the Webbie paper and the paper in the new “R” premium pads. (Note – Webbie 2.0 paper is the same color as the 3.0. 3.0 version removed the Rhodia logo at the bottom of the page.)
Do you prefer white or off white paper for writing?
New Favorite Pen Fan Photos
Edison Nouveau Premiere LE
We have received a few new additions to our “Favorite Pens” fan photo page including this Edison Nouveau Premiere Limited Edition.
Want to show off yours? Send us a photo of your favorite pen: stephanie at rhodiadrive dot com
Friday Link Share
My r-Pad at Consider the Lilies
Beyond the Pen: Fountain Pen Ink as Watercolor Wash at Ink Nouveau
Sketchbooks at Drawing with a Squirrel
Simple Woman’s Daybook at Harvest Moon by Hand
A Magic Dinosaur at Feed Your Soul Art
Rhodia Dot Grid Webnotebook at Blinkidoo
Rock Paper Scissors at La Vie Graphite
Writing is…Escapism at Icy’s Blunt Pencil
Rhodia Pad Holder No 16 with Pen Hook at Pocket Blonde
Jardin Flambeau on Flickr Blog
All Azure: The Monochromatic City of Chefchaoen, Morocco on Web Urbanist
Chive Blossom Vinegar at Cooking with Anne
Bloc No 11 Graph Paper Pad at Pens ‘n’ Paper
The Chagalls, Joined in a sketchbook at The Jewish Daily Forward
Sketchnotes Channel at Core 77 at Notebook Stories
Product review: Rhodia Dot Webbie at Planet Webbie
Art above by Gentian Osman
The Ultimate Rhodia Writer Getaway
This is Joyce Pepos’s writing retreat in Mount Hood, Oregon. (I *LOVE* this!)
From Joyce: “This sweet writing space is located on an old logging deck of 40 years back – which we have turned into a meadow of wild flowers and a large outside fire pit – we also have built a Labyrinth which is dug into the ground five feet deep and 35 feet wide… awesome! Continue Readering »
Cover your Webbie with Ink Leaf Leather!
Looking for a leather cover for your Rhodia Webnotebook?
Ink Leaf Leather Co.’s Webbie covers are made out of of 4-5 ounce of vegetable tanned leather. Everything is hand tooled, hand dyed, and hand stitched with waxed Irish linen thread. Continue Readering »
