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.
Petaluma Pumpkin Patch (North Carolina)
So I’ve definitely been to a pumpkin patch, but never the one in Petaluma! I’m putting it on the list for this Fall 2026. California is deeply lacking in the kinds of fall activities that the Great Lakes features.
Yoshitani series 6/100
Julian and Salvo write about the glorious day of 70 degree weather we had that weekend, which was indeed a beautiful surprise. Something tells me it’s a false start to Spring and we’re not quite yet into the warmth for the year.
Hah-nu-nah, the World Turtle
North America, Iroquois Mythology
Yoshitani series 5/100
So many incredible things happened on this evening, including an ambush by an adorable labradorite puppy and great food and wine. Between that and the celebrity encounter, who could complain!?
The Wife of Gold and Silver
Finland, Finnish Mythology
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Who doesn’t love a museum of natural sciences?! Kimee and Michael visited this one and learned so much. Beautiful!
Hallucinogenic Toreador (Florida)
Lenticular postcards never scan well because the scanner wants both images but they just don’t shake out well. This one came from my Aunt Patti after they visited the Salvador Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida. I guess it’s affiliated with the Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí Figueres, which I’ve visited myself!
Yoshitani series 4/100
Julian and Salvo have decided to compete in the gay games! This is very exciting indeed; Salvo will compete in chess and Julian will start training in weight lifting. What a thrill!
The Boy and the Dragon Pearl
China, Chinese Legend
Gateway to Raleigh (North Carolina)
I can’t remember the last time I was in North Carolina. It must have been longer than a decade ago when I visited from friends in the Outer Banks. I’m not sure I’ve ever been to Raleigh!
Yoshitani series 3/100
Julian must have taken a batch of these postcards to the automated stamp machine, which spit out the QR-code stamps. He writes, endearingly “The machine in the post office gave me these monstrosities… Thank you for your patience in these trying times.” For such a best friend, patience isn’t even worth mentioning!
Yemoja
Nigeria, Yoruba Deity
Sun Tzu (Washington)
This is another beautiful poetry card from my brother-in-law. They appear to be of a series, so I wonder if he too is carrying them with him when he travels? This one came from Seattle!
Yoshitani series 2/100
I just love the check-ins, hearing what’s going on in Julian and Salvo’s lives.
Druid and White Stag
Ireland, Celtic Legend
Yoshitani series 1/100
I’m so excited to receive this postcard from our dear friends Julian and Salvo. You may remember them from the Miyazaki series of 100 postcards. Here we are again with a new series, this one of illustrations by California artist Yoshi Yoshitani!
Princess Kaguya
Japan, Japanese Fairy Tale
vintage SF expo (North Carolina)
It is bizarre to receive such a deeply San Francisco postcard from North Carolina, but count on Kimee and Michael to make the bizarre beautiful!
wine shopping (Washington)
My mother-in-law selected this postcard to accompany an unexpected gift of Japanese stationery. Is there a better kind?!
in the hills… (North Carolina)
I wish I knew who wrote this! A simple web search isn’t turning up anything reliable. If someone out there knows what it is, I’d love to know whom to give the credit to.
Ocells de les grutes II (California)
How did Tracy and Cynthia know that Joan Miró is my favorite painter!? I love all of his work, but this one is really great, too.
the Booksmith (North Carolina)
Kimee sent this postcard from a trip to North Carolina; she must have addressed it and prepared it, but written it and sent it from NC. I’ve done something like that before!
Cabourg (France)
Voici le Grand Hôtel à Cabourg, près de Calvados à la Côte Fleurie. Dominique a également mis un timbre aver un chien Labrador. Tellement mignon!
Adler Planetarium (Illinois)
Emily and Carter took advantage of the free admission for Chicago residents on Wednesday night! It was a rare opportunity for them given their demanding work schedule. They enjoyed seeing what the night sky would look like without light pollution. Next on the list, the Art Institute of Chicago!
we shape our buildings (California)
“…thereafter they shape us” continues the recto of this beautiful postcard. Julian and Salvo sent it from their new social hub, the Battery. It must be some place to have such great postcards!
Bischwiller (France)
Voici l’Ancienne Pharmacie Princière, datant de 1681 (tellement vielle!) à Bischwiller en Alsace, pas trop loin d’où habite-il mon ami à lettres, Dominique. Je trouve cette edifice très charmante.