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.
California sights
Leave it to Kimee and Michael to find a delightfully illustrated card of the many natural sights of California. How many have you seen? Me, I've seen: Muir Woods, Lassen Volcanic, Big Sur, Point Reyes, Yosemite, California poppies, Golden Gate Park, Lake Tahoe, Pinnacles, Mount Shasta, banana slugs, and redwoods. Not bad for 12 years!
Miyazaki series 69/100 (California)
This postcard is my notice that the project will be taking a brief break while J&S are out of the country. I can totally understand that. They write that they'd “hate for [me] to only get 93 cards!” Too thoughtful!
Château d’If (France)
Je pense que Dominique m’a déjà envoyé une carte postale du Château d’If, car le nom est très mémorable. Ce château est connu pour avoir été la prison du Comte de Mirabeau du Marquis de Sade parmis d’autres très célèbres aussi.
Miyazaki series 68/100 (California)
This postcard comes hot on the heels of Julian and Salvo's trip to Stag's Leap (note the apostrophe, please) to celebrate Salvo's birthday! What a great way to do so, especially under the beautiful August sun of Napa.
sea star or star fish? (California)
I overheard a discussion last night between two friends about whether one should call these animals “sea stars” or “star fish”since they're not really fish. I like the idea of accuracy in naming for sure. In any case, this postcard arrived from our own dear Pinot who was vacationing in Monterey while we were off on the East Coast. He wrote:
“Dear Bà & Daddy, I am having a very good time at camp. There are lots of good smells here. Mira is a great buddy. I get treats for just being a pretty boy, too! Pinot (wet kisses too)”
Miyazaki series 67/100 (California)
This postcard brings greetings from sunny, hot Napa where Julian and Salvo are enjoying — to their bones I read — pool, wine, champagne, and incredible food!
Coco-Mat Hotel Athens (France)
Dominique writes that you can also buy bedding here! What a strange, but special place it must be.
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!