The DU Lounge

karynnj

(60,819 posts)

30. Also old, but I use them, as you do, for things I might want to change

Sun Dec 21, 2025, 11:38 AM

Dec 21

Like you, I use them on a paper calendar that I regularly compare to a goggle calendar. I also create a dinner menu/grocery list before shopping each week. Doing it in pencil, I include anything I am not sure is in the pantry. When complete I check anything marked as unsure if I have it.

Also, there are times I try to figure things out using mathematical/logical skills from my past. Pencil is ALWAYS better for that.

Most lists of things I want to accomplish are in pencil so they can be revised

For complicated, many dish meals, I always use pencil to create a "plan". The plan is written for everything to be ready at T. Each recipe is essentially broken down to prep that can be done earlier, main cooking, and finishing. Main cooking includes when relative to T something should start cooking, where (oven, stovetop, air fryer, instapot), temperature. Finishing is just to have a convenient list of last minute garnishes etc. Doing this in ink would be a mess as I often make changes to make things work better.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

1 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Calico20

72 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Do you still use pencils? If so, for what? [View all] CTyankee Dec 21 OP

If my True Dough Dec 21 #1

Drawing, marking musical scores. Ocelot II Dec 21 #2

That hasn't been updated with computer technology? CTyankee Dec 21 #5

Yes, you can use an iPad and a stylus, but I'm old-fashioned. Ocelot II Dec 21 #13

I've never seen iPads on stands at the symphony, but Ilsa Dec 21 #39

It's fairly common in choirs, and I've also seen it in small instrumental ensembles. Ocelot II Dec 21 #40

I bet it's wonderfully convenient. Of course, I'd be scared Ilsa Dec 21 #46

Yes Thunderbeast Dec 21 #50

manual impact device. AllaN01Bear Dec 21 #22

I have a pencil attached at to my trombone for making notes on music. TomSlick Dec 21 #48

Calendar, crosswords, & artwork SheltieLover Dec 21 #3

Pencil for crosswords? BOSSHOG Dec 21 #6

Sometimes SheltieLover Dec 21 #15

Ah yes, the pencil for the NYT Sunday puzzle! My sense of worth depends on me finishing that puzzle, which I never do CTyankee Dec 21 #8

Crossing off completed rows in knitting patterns. likesmountains 52 Dec 21 #4

Be ever frugal bucolic_frolic Dec 21 #7

Doyou have a pencil sharpener? The old kind with a little handle for your real desk top which is now a computer desk for CTyankee Dec 21 #12

Yes, I have a hand crank grinder 1960s model, state of the art bucolic_frolic Dec 21 #14

Boston Self-Feeder 4 bucolic_frolic Dec 21 #21

I use pencils and a hand-crank Boston sharpener democrank Dec 21 #24

I need a pencil sharpener and can't PoindexterOglethorpe Dec 21 #37

They have them on Amazon. Haggard Celine Dec 21 #52

I looked on Amazon and was horrified at how PoindexterOglethorpe Dec 21 #68

Oh, yes, the booklet calendar! I have one which is the 8/2 X 11". It is a spiral notebook. CTyankee Dec 21 #17

Yes, I still do for artwork, and especially color pencils. Thank you CTYankee and have a great day. debm55 Dec 21 #9

4 and 5 star sudoku. I'm not that good Raven123 Dec 21 #10

drawing, mostly surrealAmerican Dec 21 #11

Yes, almost daily WestMichRad Dec 21 #16

This message was self-deleted by its author CTyankee Dec 21 #18

Making lumber for cutting, you know, 15 and 5/16s, take the line. dem4decades Dec 21 #19

Yes because I make mistakes or change my mind PJMcK Dec 21 #20

My older Rebl2 Dec 21 #23

Here's a pencil joke for you: True Dough Dec 21 #25

OMG, that's funny! Whatta sense of humor he has! CTyankee Dec 21 #42

I use them for drawing. Mr. Diamond uses them for crossword puzzles. Diamond_Dog Dec 21 #26

yes...always carry a few... ret5hd Dec 21 #27

Every day. Mechanical pencils on cryptograms & drawing pencils for sketching. -nt CrispyQ Dec 21 #28

Carpentry! Bobstandard Dec 21 #29

We still use them for that too, Bayard Dec 21 #57

Also old, but I use them, as you do, for things I might want to change karynnj Dec 21 #30

I like the logic of your creating a plan. It's "if this, then that" kind of thinking which I find helpful. After all, CTyankee Dec 21 #43

Yes Sequoia Dec 21 #31

oh yes markie Dec 21 #32

Carpenters pencils, yes. RockRaven Dec 21 #33

A world without pencils? I can't imagine!😁 I use them on my calendar, doing puzzles, KitFox Dec 21 #34

Sketching. GPV Dec 21 #35

Sewing..marking up patterns. BlueWaveNeverEnd Dec 21 #36

Yes, I use pencils mostly for woodworking projects. HappyH Dec 21 #38

Sketchng bif Dec 21 #41

BlackWing pencils Maninacan Dec 21 #44

I am a public librarian. intheflow Dec 21 #45

I use pencils everyday. I still write checks and doc03 Dec 21 #47

I didn't know you could write a check with a pencil! I always thought you had to use a pen. CTyankee Dec 21 #58

No I record my checks in the check book because I make mistakes, don't use a pencil on checks. doc03 Dec 21 #66

In a compass or other scribing tool... LuckyCharms Dec 21 #49

Yes, bamagal62 Dec 21 #51

Yes ! ShepKat Dec 21 #53

Winding cassette tapes. NT mahatmakanejeeves Dec 21 #54

for drawing. nt Trueblue Texan Dec 21 #55

I use a mechanical pencil for everything. Phoenix61 Dec 21 #56

Keeping score at a baseball game Rastapopoulos Dec 21 #59

I use them for my wood cutting projects. Emile Dec 21 #60

Mechanical pencils every day. I'm a list maker: grocery lists, to-do lists, menus, Christmas gift lists, chia Dec 21 #61

I have one that I got at the county fair this summer. Xavier Breath Dec 21 #62

I use them but not as often as I used to LogDog75 Dec 21 #63

Yes...I grab whatever is nearby when I write a list... Tikki Dec 21 #64

I find that the backs of envelopes make wonderful, if disorganized, note paper. CTyankee Dec 21 #65

Notes on Randomthought Dec 21 #67

Always. OldBaldy1701E Dec 22 #69

Sort Of ProfessorGAC Dec 22 #70

Sometimes for a reminder, a list, but Mostly for Drawing... electric_blue68 Dec 23 #71

I bite the wood! It helps calm me. All my wood pencils are branded with Ziggysmom Dec 23 #72