A Brand New Obsession

   We all have our addictions, things we have to have to endure or cope.  My addictions when I was younger were definitely more self-destructive.  My current ones are definitely better for me.  They don't ravage the body.  They don't as of yet cause me to turn to petty crime to satisfy.  The financial cost, well, yeah, there's that.
   I am addicted to books, coffee, reading, doodling.  And now add to the list:  typewriters.  Collecting vintage typewriters. I just purchased the third one, the 1946 Smith Corona, a few days ago.  It's the beautiful machine on the right.
   Oh, it started innocently enough.  About a year ago, I started noticing an occasional post on Instagram of typewriter poetry.  It stirred something in me that I didn't realize was still present.  Twenty-five or so years ago,  I aspired to be a poet.  I had a few pieces published here and there, nothing major. It was fun while it lasted. However, I put myself into a living situation that caused any creative impulses to just dry up.  I was rudderless and drifting for about five years.
I feel like that wasn't me, that was a different person.  Once I got back on my feet, though, the creative energy was back.
   Sorry, that was some tangent...
   Yes, typewriters.  I forgot where I was....
   Again, about a year ago I felt the poetic urge again.  I scoured Craiglist and other resale venues for a decent, inexpensive, and vintage typewriter.  It didn't take long and soon I became owner of a 1956 Remington Quiet-Riter.  Soon after, I posted my first poem in a long time on Instagram.  
   Nine months or so went by.  Although I still went to work daily (being an essential worker) the pandemic caused Valerie and I, along with others, to stay home more.  To oversimplify, it forced us to read more, watch more movies, and not eat out.  I coped with this pretty well, being a weekend hermit anyway.  And one night while perusing movie choices, I came across the documentary California Typewriter.  And a new facet of life opened up for me. 
    I'm not sure why I felt like having one typewriter wasn't enough.  But here we are.  I have three.  There are so many beautiful typewriters out there, available for purchase.  Some are even restored completely.  I had no idea that is was such a movement.  So yes, I am obsessed with typewriters.  Manual typewriters, specifically. 
    Of course, I can quit at any time.  I also am, at least for now, out of space in the studio.