Heidelberg (Germany)

You may have been wondering where all the lovely postcards from my penpal Dominique have been - they’ve been on their way, but were unfortunately held up in the mail due to some errors. However, I’m happy to report a lot of lovely postcards finally were delivered after many days or weeks of delays.

This beautiful image is really a great one, and it depicts Heidelberg Castle, which I’ve sadly never visited. But I do love the multiple colors of stone and brick here which I assume depict the various additions that were made as the castle grew and evolved over time.

multilevel Minsk (Belarus)

This postcard arrived from Minsk some time ago, but unfortunately I was having trouble with my mail delivery. A hold we’d placed during some travel somehow got extended for two more weeks, so I was without my beloved postcards and letters (and bills!) for ages. I love the artwork here, though!

Baden Baden (Germany)

This postcard arrives from Germany courtesy of my French penpal Dominique, who was working at a hospital along the border and so took the opportunity to send this. He writes that this building is a former train station now converted into the second largest concert hall in Europe, after the Bastille Opera in Paris. Sad though I am that a grand old train station might no longer serve such a purpose, I’m happy to hear it’s living on in new and exciting ways to serve the public!

questionnaire de Marcel Proust (France)

Usually I write in French when I receive a card from France, but this one I think merits an English translation — shaky though mine will be — for those who might not read French. Here goes:

• my main personality characteristic

• what I want in a man

• what I want in a woman

• what I love most about my friends

• my biggest flaw

• my dream job

• my life’s dream

• what would be my greatest sadness

• what I would like to be

• the country where I would like to live

• my favorite color

• my favorite flower

• my favorite bird

• my favorite novelists

• my favorite poets

• my favorite fiction protagonist men

• my favorite fiction protagonist women

• my favorite composers

• my favorite painters

• my real life hero men

• my real life hero women

• my favorite names

• what I hate more than anything

• characteristics that I hate the most

• the military event that I admire the most

• the reform that I appreciate the most

• the gift of nature that I would most like to have

• how I would like to die

• the present state of my soul

• flaws that you’re willing to overlook

• my motto

United Nations flag (Indiana)

This card comes from my penpal Nozomi, whom I met when we were both in grad school back in Pittsburgh over a decade ago! It was during that time that she got this postcard on a trip to New York City, and the United Nations. She writes that she’d been saving it for a special occasion and figured my birthday was one such (and it arrived right on time!). I’m flattered that I might receive such a beautiful postcard from so long ago. What a real gift! Thank you, friend!

South Shore, Lake Tahoe (California)

I’m not posting this lovely vintage postcard until just now, but I received it in advance of my birthday from my friend Alex! What great timing! I have only been to Lake Tahoe once and it was in winter when it certainly looked much like this. I have always wanted to revisit, especially in the summer. Maybe next year!

morning cup of joe (Washington)

Of all the icons of Seattle, coffee must be among the very first or second (behind the Space Needle, I suppose?). It’s perfectly fitting then that I should receive this postcard from someone living not far from Seattle. It’s a great city and I highly recommend a visit!

Men’s Quadrangle (Indiana)

I’m not sure why it never occurred to me to seek out vintage postcards of Stanford, but this postcard from my penpal Nozomi was a great reminder to do so! This feature of the University of Indiana is currently called “Wright Quadrangle” but in days past it was known as the Men’s Quadrangle. I wonder when it made its gender-inclusive transition and what prompted it? Of course, I also wonder whether there was a Women’s Quadrangle?

marriage equality (Australia)

These three postcards arrived in a plastic envelope; at first I thought they might be damaged, as this is a technique the USPS uses when a postcard has been damaged during transit. However, I found instead that this was a clever technique from the sender to include more than one postcard in a single mailing!

junk mail (Indiana)

I wonder if I care less about junk mail because I receive so much genuine mail that’s addressed to me by a real person? I truly think that most Americans receive 95% junk mail and bills, and so the mail is offensive and a hassle, or at best, boring. But for me, I can easily deal with the junk mail because I know it’ll be outweighed by the real stuff.

So that my penpal and former classmate Nozomi would send this postcard is a true delight. I laughed out loud when I received it. Maybe this postcard is made specifically for snail-mailers like Nozomi and me? In any case, it’s a real gift.

Wagner Falls (Michigan)

Recently, two of our niblings traveled to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to visit some waterfalls and go camping. I haven’t been to the UP since my penpal came to visit way back in 2000, so it’s been absolutely ages! They write that they did some hiking and visited Pictured Rocks (which I’ve never visited). Maybe Andy and I will take a summer drive through the UP some time?

Black Forest Cuckoo Clock Shoppe (Oregon)

Continuing her fine tradition of fantastic cards not from her home area, Linda has sent this beautiful card of the Black Forest Cuckoo Clock Shoppe. I’ve never been, but I’ll bet it’s a fun place to visit!

This card reminds me of the Black Forest Cake I earlier this summer, which I might make a return to. It was really delicious, and I’m still putting the left over boozy cherries in my cocktails.

Opavian Silesia (Czechia)

This extra long postcard arrived via PostCrossing but unfortunately the sender didn’t write much in the message. It seems like a waste of real estate? Sometimes there’s so much to say but a postcard only has so much room (sometimes this is a feature - pro tip: if you host a big event and expect to send thank-you notes, such as a wedding or graduation party, print up postcards with your image! You can save on time in writing the thank-yous by getting right to the heart of your gratitude, and save postage if you’re sending the postcards domestically).

Groeten van Texel (Netherlands)

Comme Dominique, mon ami à cartes postales, écrit bien: plein de PostCrosseurs collectionnent les cartes de phares. C’est pour ça qu’il m’en a envoyé une et je l’adore! J’ai déjà écrit ici que mon état de jeunesse a le nombre le plus grand de phares de tous les états américains. En plus, il y a quelque chose de très romantique quant aux phares, même si la vie là-bas n’est pas de tout un cadeau.

Merci à Dominique pour m’envoyer cette carte qui me plaît beaucoup. Elle est aussi la première carte des Pays-Bas que j’ai reçue de lui.

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!