gymnasts have to eat (California)

This terrific postcard arrives from my penpal and friend Janie who wondered if I might like this for my collection. I absolutely would!! It’s a bit strange, very funny, and it overall nice to look at! Thank you, thank you!

the Sea Ranch Chapel (California)

This is an iconic image of one of the most beautiful parts of coastal California: Sea Ranch. We were lucky to spend a few days there with our friends several years ago and it was truly magnificent. The craggy coast and crashing waves with the tall, proud trees and the San Andrea Faultline that runs clearly and evenly through the forest. There’s a great discovery trail you can walk, which I highly recommend! We even saw some elusive river otters on our walk, and of course plenty of banana slugs. What made it so fantastic was the complete and utter lack of cell phone service.

Thanks to Greg and James for this memory of a great weekend now so many years past.

Glenn Bishop (California)

This thank-you postcard comes from our friend Julian and Salvo! It’s really terrific for a number of reasons:

1. the man is truly beautiful - apparently Glenn Bishop was quite the model in the mid-20th century and could be found in many magazines

2. the setting is Grand Haven which is not far from where my little brother lives, and is of course in my home-state of Michigan

vin du Collignon (Ohio)

This style of advertising posters is so iconic and charming. I wonder what the world looked like when all advertisers were looking for something so unique and vivid to get the word out about their wares? This postcard comes from a person in Ohio who shared a great toast with me, which I’m sharing here:

Here’s to your enemy’s enemies; may their triumph be complete.

And may their foes - thus your foes too - soon fall beneath their feet!

galette charentaise (France)

Voici une carte de mon ami Dominique qui pense aux cartes postales même pendant ses vacances! Ici vous voyez une recette pour la galette charentaise, très fameuse de la région. Il faudra que j’essaie à la préparer!

wine country (California)

This fantastic postcard arrived from our dear friends Matt and Katelyn, who took a recent trip to wine country to celebrate their wedding anniversary. We often enjoy tasting wine with them, both locally in San Francisco and further afield in wine regions nearby. We’re looking forward to a return to such outings very soon!

Alde Gott (Germany)

Moi, j’organize numériquement les cartes postales premièrement par pays et puis par expéditeur. C’est pour ça que cette carte postale ne parait êttre que la quatrième de mon ami Dominique. Par contre, j’en ai reçu plus de 60 cartes postales de lui!

Celle-ci vient de son dernier voyage en Allemagne, juste à l’autre côté de la frontière avec Alsace (qui, avant - bien sûr - n’était pas de tout la frontière, mais là c’est un leçon d’histoire pour un autre moment). Il m’écrit qu’Alde Gott et le nom d’une coopérative viticole très connue. Il y a très longtemps qu’Andy et moi pensons voyager en Alsace et Allemagne, Suisse, et l’Autriche pour la dégustation de vins. Donc, j’ai bien aimé recevoir cette jolie carte postale.

“Opera & Ballet” 2007 (Russia)

This postcard comes via Postcrossing, but the really great thing is that it is a print of a painting done by the sender himself! This depicts the Opera and Ballet Theater in Novosibirsk, which is the largest theater building in Russia. Fantastic!

l’Hermione (France)

Voici une carte postale du bateau l’Hermione, qui est très célèbre non pas seulement dans sa France native, mais aussi parmis le monde entier. Elle a déjà visité plusiers pays, les États-Unis inclus. Il y a une marina ici à San Francisco mais on ne voit presque jamais des bateaux comme ceci. On peu bien les voir dans la Parque Nationale Maritime à San Francisco où se trouve la Balclutha.

two views of Giovinazzo (Italy)

These two postcards arrived a few weeks ago from a new penpal of mine named Lino who lives in Giovinazzo, in the province of Bari in Italy. These views look absolutely stunning; I’d love to visit some time! It reminds me a bit of the Greek islands we visited a few years ago, especially the seaside postcard.

Since they were tucked into a letter that he wrote me, I wasn’t sure what to do with them; keep them with the letter or display them in my postcard collection? On the one hand, if they’re in the envelope with the letter, I’m unlikely to see them again for a long time. On the other hand, if I incorporate them into my postcard collection, they’ll get separated from the letter they came with. What to do?

Mushballoon (France)

Voici une carte postale de mon ami Dominique, qui me décrit ses plans de voyage pendant l’été. Séparés en trois, il compte visiter plusiers pays dans la région. Il écrit sur les restrictions de CoVID, et je comprends tout à fait le soucis. Ce n’est pas de tout clair qui peut voyage, où on peut voyager, quand, ni comment. Je lui souhait des très bons voyages!

Port Angeles octopus (Washington)

This postcard was sent by… me! I sent it to Andy as a thank-you since he always takes the time and effort to send me postcards when he’s away. Even though we took the vacation to Seattle together, I wanted to thank him for always thinking of me and my weird hobby.

It was a strange experience to buy this postcard, write it, and send it while maintaining the surprise. Further, I usually collect the mail, so getting the mail and then putting the postcard somewhere that he’d notice it was a bit of a trick. Still, he was very pleased with the octopus, which may be his most favorite animal.

Cuckolds Light (California)

It was a banner week for late postcards with this arrival from my dear friend Jennifer. She has long spent summers with family in Maine and picked up this postcard for me but I hadn’t given her my new address. Instead, she brought it back with her to California and sent it after I finally got her our new mailing address.

She describes this as “Maine Zen” because of the simplicity, peace, and purity it evokes. I can absolutely see that! Maine is one of the few US states I haven’t visited yet but it is certainly on my list.

towers everywhere (DC)

Voici une carte postale de mon étudiante antérieure qui actuellement voyage parmis les États Unis. Je lui avais envoyé une carte postale du Tour Salesforce ici à San Francisco, donc elle a répondu avec cet image des Tours Petronas à Kuala Lumpur.

Si tu lis mon blog régulièrement, tu sais bien que j’adore les cartes postales en retard… elles qui ont eté achetées il y a très longtemps, oubliées dans un placard ou tiroir, demi-écrites et jamais envoyées, ou même avec les timbres mais perdues avant les avoir mises dans la boîte aux lettres. Faith écrit ici que cette carte postale date depuis l’année 2011 au moins, dans un de ses derniers voyages en Malaysie pour rendre visite la famille. Incroyable! J’adore!!!

Pride Month woes (Germany)

This postcard comes from a PhD student in Germany who’s studying criminology and saw my request for LGBT-related cards. According to her translation, it says “My marketing department says this is modern…” which I absolutely love. Even Death would attempt to get those pink dollars and capitalize on Pride Month! Come July 1st, however, like all other companies, Pride is over finally and they can go back to ignoring LGBT people again.

the best letter (Maryland)

I love the stylized letter “K” here, no doubt chosen as it’s my initial! It’s a shame it was a bit beaten up in the mail, but I guess it just adds character!

intergram (Taiwan)

This postcard comes from a Korean person living in Taiwan. I really love the funny play on the popular social networking app! The art itself is quite nice, too, especially the detail in the eyes and the great scarf!

golden mountains (China, via California)

This terrific postcard comes from a former student of mine who made time to see me for ice cream before returning home to China for a while! I’m so touched that she took the time on her last full day in San Francisco, including rushing back into town after missing a train.

The message on the back is heartwarming and so touching; not only was i impressed with her work and her very strong language skills, but with her heart and motivation, her openness and kindness. I will really miss having her around, and we are the poorer on campus for not having her with us. Still, another university or organization will be very lucky to have her!

Calella de Palafrugell (Catalonia)

Esta postal fue una verdadera sorpresa, llegando desde nuestra amiga Maribel quien vive en España. Hace muchos años que no nos hemos visto, pero seguimos muy amigos y pensamos mucho en ella y su familia. Nos hizo mucha ilusión recibir saludos suyos - ¡me toca ya responderle y quizás visitarla también!

Korfu (Greece)

Voici une carte postale de mon ami Dominique que est de voyage avec son boyfriend à l’île grècque de Korfu. Il m’a envoyé cette carte postale car il sait que j’aime bien cuisiner au four. Quand j’étais en Grèce aussi dans les îles (mais une autre: Tinos) avec mon mari et quelques amis, nous avons tellement adoré la nourritue, surtout les végétaux et le baklava. Incroyable!