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.
David mit dem Haupt des Goliath (Germany)
This is Dominique's favorite painting, by Caravaggio. I knew immediately what the story was, although I didn't know the artist off the top of my head. I probably should have!
Miyazaki series 79/100 (California)
Who could confuse this look of determination on Sen's face?
Storm King (Pennsylvania)
Oof! T did not like this place at all. They wrote: “Have you ever wanted to travel to the Hudson Valley, pay $25/p to wander around a few 100 acre art center & wonder over about 80% uninspired sculpture & 20% interesting, so much so that the gift shop only has one postcard showing any sculpture? Then Storm King is the place.” Honestly, a review like this makes me kind of want to visit? Is that crazy?
Miyazaki series 78/100 (California)
Julian and Salvo share my love of writing utensils; when you find one that works for you, you just can't stand the idea of potentially parting with it, especially if you know you'll need it for its perfect purpose!
Humboldt Bay oysters (California)
Kimee and Michael were up in far northern California for a marathon and sent this lovely illustration. I don't think I've had Humboldt Bay oysters before! I wonder how different they are from Bodega Bay oysters?
Miyazaki series 77/100 (California)
We're back to this weird animation style. Maybe I shouldn't knock it until I try it. But do I really want to sit through a whole 82 minutes of this film?
Miyazaki series 76/100 (California)
This postcard was sent on my actual birthday to thank me for being “such a marvelous source of class and crass, joy and sass, and the ergative-absolutive alignment!” Thanks to J&S for making all of this possible!
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?