the writing life

This amusing stamp was on the card Hanna sent (below). It sums up the writer's life: perched on an island all alone typing as the pages drift onto the water.

happy and positive

Hanna, a 17-year-old postcrosser from Finland, wrote that she sent this card because she was feeling "very happy and positive". I love this guy walking through the meadow with a broom (!) on his shoulder and talking with his cat and hens. Hanna says it's an illustration from a Swedish children's book series which is popular in Finland. The man is named Personen and the cat Viiru. Feeling happy and positive! Thanks, Hanna!

tibet

The Dalai Lama is in Bethlehem, my old hometown, next week. In San Francisco last week, I happened on these two postcards of the Potala at SCRAP (Scroungers' Center for Recycled Art Parts), one of my favorite places in that city. A coincidence? Was it G. K. Chesterton who said that coincidences were spiritual puns?

Red/White/Blue Window

Our neighborhood had a little 4th July parade and celebration. The declaration of independence was read, the fire truck came and let the kids ride up with the firemen, hotdogs were grilled, lemonade scooped out and home made dessert dished out to all. I decorated our windows with postcards from last year's mail show and RWB paraphernalia collected over the years. It's a typical San Francisco summer evening - fireworks will show up as colored fog.

army/navy

This came yesterday from Jessie F. Maybe it's for the 4th of July. Maybe it's because her son, she has told me, was the captain of the baseball team at the Naval Academy. In any case, thanks again, Jessie!

belgian bear

Mieke, a Belgian postcrosser from the northeastern city of Peer, sent this sweet teddy bear card. I assume that she stitched it herself. Love it!

good news

Another fab collaged postcard from dazzling nonagenarian Jessie F. What can I say?

time to talk

Jessie F. says a lot with her upside-down message. Her baseball comment on the other side: We need help!

feel free

Sandy S. sent another of her charming fabric postcards. This one, of the deep, beautiful, mysterious sea, is embellished with colored laser prints, stitching, and sequins. Some of the message, however, got whacked en route.

sometimes she loses her head

Anders, a Danish postcrossing graphic artist, sent this Edward Eriksen take on the famous Little Mermaid. It was one of those days for me and the timing of the card could not have been more appropriate.

deliciously maine

An artist friend sent this classic card from Maine. He's teaching a summer course at Haystack, on Deer Isle, and his wife is taking a book making class. The kids are at home taking care of the cat and dog. Summertime fun all round.

red hot takarazuka

A Kyoto friend was recently dragged off to see the all-girl Takarazuka revue. He sent this card in memory of the outing. Hard to believe that that revue continues to thrive. I too was once dragged off to see a Takarazuka show and it was like being trapped in an elevator.

blue beibei

I came home to a clutch of waiting postcards, including this blue version of Beibei, the 2008 Olympics mascot, from my friend Yue.

Tembaco

A postcrosser from Haarlem sent this handmade card made with his favorite brand of rolling tobacco.

Hanabi

A postcrosser from Sagamihara sent this summer card full of exploding fireworks.

Found Card

A Canadian postcrosser found this card on a city bus on her way home from school.

Whimsical Stamp

A whimsical cartoon stamp on a Finnish postcrosser's card.

Montmagny

A lovely collage card from a postcrosser living in Montgmagny, Quebec City, Canada. I will send her a handmade card in return.

From Peine

Here's a pretty stamp and cancellation from a postcrosser living in Peine, Germany. I love the arch cancellation over the town square.

Bonn

A friend sent this Beethoven card from a recent trip to Bonn. He says much has changed since the last time he visited 24 years ago. It's become more international, with Russian, Turkish, Arabic and English visitors.