Monthly Archives: February 2025

More typewriters!

Posted by terip on February 23, 2025 None comments

I am having so much fun. It really rewires your brain to spend time typing. I have several new ones.

Underwood 18

This is my first one. I love these. They come in a travel bag and are portable. I have this one under my desk for quick access.

Adler J5

This really is a great machine and I don’t usually like plastic machines. It’s solid and a joy to use.

Remington Letter Riter

Haven’t decided about this one. It has a stiff action and may not be a good fir for me.

Another underwood18

This is the nice Underwood 18 that I bought for number two. I like this one a lot but it is a bit noisier than my first one. And I have a third one. I am not sure yet if I will keep all three. I could use one for partsor hand it off to someone that needs a lightweight machine. And I do have more typewriters incoming. I am about to start cleaning them all up and getting my collection settled in. I type a page a day on a different typewriter. I need to start doing drills again as I am getting rusty. I hate virtual keyboards like I have on the phone. The iPad is the worst.

The cold snap broke and it is so nice to have warmer weather. I am set to start putting in a garden. I may start some seeds this week. I need to do this just to get all this stuff out of the house. Time for spring cleaning!

Typewriters!

Posted by terip on February 1, 2025 None comments

I am starting new projects. I am getting back into typewriters. I did this back when Jeffrey was alive. I even finished NaNoWriMo on my Silent Super. But I fell away from it and Lon was never interested in them. Last year, I found the You Tube channel Just My Typewriter. And it seemed that there was still lots of interest in typewriters. I picked up a 60s Galaxie and an electric Coronet. They work well but all the typewriters I had were Smith Coronas. People kept telling me I needed an Olympia, so I got this:

Olympia SM3

It’s a gorgeous machine and just needed minir cleaning and a ribbon. But then I learned there was an Everest typewriter. I was binge reading mountaineering books and I found an Everest K2:

Everest K2

And then I found another:

Everest K2

These are Italian machines. If you read the forums, some people don’t like the feel of the action. It’s a bit soft and I do enjoy using them. Then I found an AMC:

AMC

This is a French machine and the one that does need work. They are simple machines and I think I can get it sorted out. I bought some tools to use, which can also be used with sewing machines. My treadles are another project waiting for me. And lastly, for now, I bought this Remington 5. This is the oldest machine I have. It’s from 1948. The others are from the late 50s.

Remington 5

This machine is really fun to use. I take a different machine out every day and type one page. I expect at some point, that I may decide something is not a keeper. I am starting to do TypePals. It’s a group of folks looking for penpals and you type letters. It’s a fun way to use your machines.

Next project will be putting in a garden. I am determined to do this. I am forcing myself to do a small one, although I will be putting in some berry bushes and strawberries. I had a guy do some yard cleanup and he thinks he will have time to work on this. I am just waiting to make sure the ground is softened up. I am trying to use my rowing machine to get in better shape. I also want to take the trailer out again.

Animals are all doing well. Mr Troubles has adjusted to being in the house part time. Jake and Fanny are fine. I have a stray cat I call Hank that comes over for food. He looks pretty rough. I set up a warm shelter for him and he seems to like it. I am trying to get more done around the house but still have stuff everywhere. It’s retirement procrastination. Nothing has to be done today.