When I was a kid, I loved shopping for new school supplies. It was the best part of going back to school in August. I made good grades, but generally didn’t like going to school all that much, other than enjoying math and English, writing, reading interesting books (and going to basketball games).

But, sorting through big notebooks and colorful folders and dividers, crayons and new pencils and pens, composition books and paper and organizing them all was a joy, not a chore. Even though I’m way, way, way past my school days, I like to write down thoughts and lists and quotes, so buying myself a brand-new, good-quality, refillable fountain pen is still one of life’s simple pleasures.