Snip, erase, erase.

These days, I find that the opportunities to write letters have decreased significantly.

For someone like me born in the Showa era (the pen pal generation), the act of writing a letter is something very familiar, yet I find myself increasingly relying on emails and LINE messages.

It is a bit sad, isn't it?

Sometimes, when I exchange letters with old friends, I find myself getting a bit teary-eyed at the sight of their nostalgic handwriting. Is it because of my age? (´-ω-`)
Everything is becoming so loose and relaxed that it's frustrating.

But you know, I think it's amazing that you can recognize someone just by looking at their handwriting.
Even though their writing has become more mature since our middle and high school days, their personality still shines through in their letters.

Even for a friend who supposedly practiced the 'Nippen no Yoshiko-chan' calligraphy course (so nostalgic!!), while their writing has become neater, their unique quirks haven't completely disappeared, so I can still recognize it immediately.
That is also a part of them that I find very lovable.

I reflect a little on how I tend to handle even minor things easily via LINE.

Letters arrive in a day if they are nearby, or in a few days even from far away.
If it's not something that needs to be communicated in a split second, I thought it might be nice to take a moment to write a letter to share how things are going.

At my age, sometimes a letter that arrives after a long time isn't always happy news (especially if it's from a family member).

For nothing in particular, just in everyday life,“I felt like writing a letter to you”—I wish I could write letters more casually for just that reason.

Yes, I will pick up a pen a bit more this year.

Sure, LINE messages are neater and easier to read, butlet's stay properly connected with people where we can both say 'Ah!' just by seeing each other's handwriting.

That is what I thought about this morning.

And you know, it's not just about those private letters; we receive all sorts of letters in envelopes, don't we?

I used to cut them open with scissors, but sometimes I would accidentally cut the contents too (lol).

I had been wanting a letter opener, but I rejected the knife-type ones because I once stabbed my fingertip with one and had a 'whoaaaa' moment in the past.
(Please don't take this as a reference, as normal people probably won't have that happen. It's just my personal rejection. An absolute rejection.)

After searching for various options, I discovered an opener that also includes a personal information deletion function, which allows me to roll over and erase addresses and such.

I wonder how long it's been since I started using it.

I've used it enough that I've already replaced the cartridge three times.

With this, you just insert the top of the envelope where the ◀ mark is, slide it across, and—surprise! The top part gets cut right off.

So, it means there are no scraps left over like when opening with scissors, so in that sense, it's close to a letter opener. Though it won't poke your finger. ← That's just my personal opinion... (´-ω-`)

It takes a little practice at first, but once you get used to it, you'll get used to it (obviously).

And, before throwing it away, you can take off the cap and use the roller to erase personal information like addresses!

Two benefits in one device.

I'm impressed by how well thought out it is.

Right! Choco!

"Mom, why did you choose this photo!!"

No, it was just a coincidence. I thought I'd let everyone know how Professor Choco is doing.

"I only feel malice again..."