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.
Yoshitani series 16/100
It was great to see J&S just a day before they wrote this postcard; we hosted an Oscar’s watch party and enjoyed lots of wine.
Griffin
Persia, Persian Mythology
redwood road (California)
Kimee was inspired by a postcard I sent from Muir Woods and found this one she’d bought when she was in Humboldt for a run! I love those postcards, the ones that sit around in your desk waiting for a recipient.
Yoshitani series 14/100
As this warm spell drags on, Julian and Salvo are articulating what I think we’re all thinking: is this climate change? Well, we’ll enjoy the lovely weather when we have it, because we won’t always have such nice temperatures!
Sun Wukong, the Monkey King
China, Chinese Mythology
La Mongie (France)
My dear friend Jo wrote from the Pyrenees where she was vacationing with her family; the boys are working on their various snow sporting certifications while staying with their grandparents. This means Jo and her husband get a break!
peace pagoda (North Carolina)
I love this monument so much; it’s been under construction/renovation for a bit now and I’m looking forward to its re-opening/reveal! I love exploring the stationers in Japantown, the same as Kimee. There is so much to admire and love.
Yoshitani series 13/100
This postcard arrives at a very appropriate time; the weather has been sunny and warm! It’s a nice preview of our summer, which probably won’t arrive in earnest until September or October
Sun God Ra
Egypt, Egyptian Deity
Yoshitani series 12/100
Wow! They got to taste a 1973 Stag’s Leap SLV! How!? Perhaps the Sun is the best messenger for this news!
Sun - Celestial Dress
From the Artist’s Collection
frogs against fascism (Oregon)
I absolutely abhor frogs but this postcard can’t help but make me smile. It’s a great message. ICE melts in hell.
Yoshitani series 11/100
The new oven is on the way, but it will take some time to arrive. As they say: nothing worth having comes easy. Good luck to you both!
Moon - Celestial Dress
From the Artist’s Collection
DropBox poppies (California)
Not only is this postcard beautiful to look at, it’s gorgeous to hold because of its terrific texture. Julian writes that it was made by DropBox’s in-house team!
Yoshitani series 10/100
I’m in love with this drawing; the dark skin and six arms, dripping jewels. As the kids used to say “hash tag goals.”
Stars - Celestial Dress
From the Artist’s Collection
emerald (North Carolina)
Kimee writes that North Carolina is one of the few US states where emeralds can be found. I didn’t know that!
Yoshitani series 9/100
I love getting updates on the upcoming Gay Games. I’ve never known anyone to compete in such a high-profile event. This is very exciting for me, even if it may be a bit nerve-wracking for our dear friends Salvo and Julian.
Version 4 - Water Series
From the Artist’s Collection
Yoshitani series 8/100
Unfortunately, Julian and Salvo’s oven has finally given up the ghost! Lucky for them, they too have a toaster oven, which we love for small-batch baking and supplementing when the oven is full (or otherwise inoperable)!
Version 3 - Water Series
From the Artist’s Collection
Echelon (Illinois)
Our nephew assisted his former chef in a pop-up event at this great restaurant in Ann Arbor. I hear big changes are afoot for them, so there’s lots of cool news to look forward to!
a mano (California)
Julian and Salvo visited this restaurant on a night out, including a concert at our favorite venue SF Jazz. What a great night!
Yoshitani series 7/100
Julian and Salvo hosted J’s parents for an impromptu visit at which the smoked salmon we picked up in Vancouver made an appearance. I’m glad it found such a great audience!
Scheherazade
Turkey, Arabic Folk Tale