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.
I need a barber (US Virgin Islands)
Apparently the story is that Jason swapped this postcard out for the one my mom originally thought she was sending. It's pretty funny - although I have to suspect that a person who's gone through the trouble and lengths (ha!) to grow their hair out so much would want nothing to do with a barber!
Miyazaki series 75/100 (California)
Not my favorite film, but Julian and Salvo had a great time doing a Bordeaux wines tasting (with a few lovely surprises thrown in)!
East End (US Virgin Islands)
The message on this postcard is remarkably cogent, given the level of drinking the whole family was engaging in (or so I hear). Jason and Mary are whom we have to thank for the great experience had by all! Add to the thanks this great postcard.
Miyazaki series 74/100 (California)
And this may be an actual photo of me waking up after we've over-celebrated (is there such a thing?!) with our chosen family!
Cruising the Caribbean (US Virgin Islands)
So many of my family members were all on the same cruise to the Caribbean, and I received a flurry of their postcards. What a beautiful view this is from our niece Lauren and her boyfriend Liam!
Miyazaki series 73/100 (California)
Julian and Salvo are planning a terrific party to celebrate their marriage and they had just been tasting some of the wines that will be on offer. This is an actual photo of the two of them after the tasting. <3
“Beach at Point Conception” (British Columbia)
This is part of the birthday wishes that my penpal Ray sent me. It's funny, because I may have sent this same card (purchased in New York City) to him a few weeks ago! Well, at least I know he'll like it, too!
Yale University (Connecticut)
We had the opportunity to see, among others, my Aunt Patti and Uncle Bill a few weeks ago. I'm not sure when I last saw them, but I think it might have been back in 2005!
Miyazaki series 72/100 (California)
This postcard arrived in advanced of some great meals we had planned together. What a great group of friends we have - chosen family, really.
Miyazaki series 71/100 (California)
Julian and Salvo write that they recently took down the scaffolding on their house from the painting that was done. It had been blocking the light which was particularly frustrating because it was during the summer. I wonder though whether it would have been worse during a dark, rainy winter (not that you paint during that time, but anyway)?
Exposition Galerie des Artisans-Créateurs (Switzerland)
Dominique a acheté un horloge pour sa nouvelle maison, un horloge suisse “bien sûr"! :-)
Bari (Italy)
Even without the label, you'd know exactly what part of the world this postcard pictures, wouldn't you? What could be more iconic than the sun-bleached walls of a Mediterranean port town? It looks truly idyllic!
Miyazaki series 70/100 (California)
There is something about the extra-large noses on some of the Miyazaki characters. I wonder what a large nose signifies for Japanese people?
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.