Here are the postcards!
I’ve been collecting postcards since 2008. Since then, I’ve sent and received over 1800 postcards from all over the US and dozens of countries. I respond to every postcard I receive, so I’m always open for private swaps.
My origin story: Back when I was a young boy, I got the idea to write a letter to several world leaders, but I only ever ended up writing the US president and the Queen of England. I was so tickled to receive responses from President Bush and then Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II! Well, they weren’t directly from the world leaders, but rather from their staff members. President Bush sent me an autographed photograph (which I lost later in a show-and-tell accident).
One of the Queen’s ladies-in-waiting sent me a very detailed letter, typed on Buckingham Palace stationery, answering all of my questions about the Queen’s horses and her corgis and her favorite foods. I marveled at the strangely-sized paper, the texture of the embossed coat of arms centered at the top of the page, and the stamps on the envelope. A real person had spent time reading my letter, responding to it, folding it and placing it in an envelope, and then more real human beings had taken the time and effort to transport it from London to some mail distribution center, to an airport in England, to an airport in the US, and back through the various USPS chains until it arrived in a plastic mailbox at the foot of my driveway in southeast Michigan.
I’m still fascinated by this process today, and all for less than the price of some chocolate! So I maintain correspondence with about a dozen penpals across the world, and send and receive postcards. At last count, I have a little under 2,000 postcards that I’ve received. Keep scrolling to see the most recent postcards that have arrived in my mailbox.
Miyazaki series 66/100 (California)
It'll be interesting to go back and see which films get the biggest footprint in this set? Could it be determined based on the popularity or the relative recognizability of the artwork?
Miyazaki series 65/100 (California)
I recognized this one right away! Julian and Salvo inquire about our state, having just returned from vacation. Sometimes you need a vacation from your vacation before jumping back into work!
Moby Dick (California)
It's so appropriate that this should come from Kimee and Michael, the two most avid readers I know. Confession time: I've tried to read Moby-Dick twice but I haven't made it through it.
Miyazaki series 64/100 (California)
This witch is one of my favorite characters, aesthetically speaking, although I remember finding her very scary (especially her familiar)!
poetry contest of zodiac animals (Isle of Man)
This image is from a free museum in Dublin featuring an exhibit on the history of books and writing. Lauren chose this one to send from the Isle of Man featuring her favorite exhibit.
Miyazaki series 63/100 (California)
This is one I haven't seen, but it was sent on a dear friend's birthday so let's celebrate even if it was a Monday! It's hard to celebrate as we might want to when we have to go to work in the morning.
come be my friend (California)
I love these vintage book covers; not much really needs to be changed (although I suspect this one has been changed a bit) because they're so zany and campy sometimes. Thanks to Kimee and Michael for sending this delight!
culture vélo - vélorution (France)
Voici une carte que Dominique a trouvé chez son bike-shop avec un néologisme “vélorution” qui combine “vélo” avec “révolution” pour le mouvement d’encourager des gens d’utiliser des vélos et les autres moyens de transport sans pollution.
Miyazaki series 62/100 (California)
I'm glad I'm not the only one who often writes the wrong year; sometimes it takes me until February before I stop writing the previous year!
Australian sheep dog
As someone who was once interested in bringing his dog through Agility, I have a sour taste in my mouth every time I see an Australian sheep dog or a border collie because they dominate the field so much! Who can compete with their drive, speed, and intelligence on the agility field?!
real regions of the US (Oregon)
What's great is the map on the back of this postcard showing areas of the US that were “pro-slavery” and “open to slavery” which correspond very nicely with “Dumbfuckistan.” Also, lest the print be too small, let me reproduce below the quote printed by H.L. Mencken (1880-1956)
“As democracy is perfected, the office of President represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.”
Miyazaki series 61/100 (California)
This postcard is from my husband's favorite movie, and Julian and Salvo are memorializing that on the same date, we ate at a vegan restaurant while they ate at a very meat-forward restaurant on opposite sides of the country! What a great life!
Miyazaki series 60/100 (California)
Julian and Salvo are celebrating so many things this month: birthdays and an anniversary. As part of that, they had a great dinner at one of my absolute favorite restaurants: Saison!
Miyazaki series 59/100 (California)
I think this must be one of the most famous of all Miyazaki stills, and I'‘m pretty sure this is the image on the box of postcards that Julian and Salvo bought. I can't believe I haven't seen this movie yet.
Isle of Man illustration
My friend Lauren was on the Isle of Man and took the time to practice her conversational skills in Manx. She even wrote half of this postcard in Manx, too!
Miyazaki series 58/100 (California)
Julian and Salvo were celebrating the long awaited emergence of the sun when they wrote this postcard! I like the cooler temperatures, but I also know that the sun is a huge balm to our moods.
la fleuve à Strasbourg (France)
Ici Dominique écrit sur la visite en bateau qu’on peut faire à Strasbourg. Après le train, je trouve un bateau de rivière le transport le plus civilisé.
Miyazaki series 57/100 (California)
In advance of their big trip abroad, Julian says that of course work is getting crazy. Isn't that always the way?!
Miyazaki series 56/100 (California)
I think this is the first card from this movie as I'm not sure I've ever heard of it!
Miyazaki series 55/100 (California)
I don’t think I like this art style as much. It looks computer-generated in a way that's unpleasant to me.