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.
rooftops of Greece
I love a later-postcard so much! This one arrived in early January but was sent on 23 October 2025 when Cynthia and Tracy were on their cruise to Greece. They write about how beautiful both Santorini and Mykonos were, but were really taken by the latter. We were also there in 2017 and so enjoyed ourselves in the Cyclades.
les sept crus d’Alsace (France)
Vous pouvez voir, j’espère, que cette carte postale est dan la forme d’un casse-tête! Elle liste les sept crus d’Alsace, que je connais (quelques uns plus que des autres). Mais je ne connais point l’Edelzwicker! J’en vais goûter sûrement quand nous serons en Alsace cet été.
banana slug (California)
Our nephew Hunter and his wife Gabby were visiting last month and they sent this postcard, which they picked up on our visit to Muir Woods, as thank you for what was an excellent trip!
Imperial Palace Main Gate Stone Bridge (Japan)
Matty is in Japan for the first time in 10 years (sadly, I haven’t visited once!) and is doing a few more touristy things this time. He writes about a go-kart tour of Akihabara, which sounds like fun!
Honfleur (France)
Dominique est allé en Normandie pour une visite et a profité de visiter cette ville, qui est connue par ses galeries d’art, où il en a acheté!
vintage cartoon collection (Florida)
Kimee found herself in the same situation I often do: “There was so little time at Disney that I fell behind on my correspondence.” I resemble that statement!
jeepney (Philippines)
Matty stopped in the Philippines and sent this postcard. I too have walked around Manila - Intramuros, and I even rode a jeepney when I was there ages ago for a friends’ wedding.
watercolor whale (Canada)
Andy sent this postcard months ago while on a business trip to Canada; it got held up in the postal strike and only just arrived. Every time he sees a whale postcard, he sends it to me. They have to be my favorite animal (apart from the obvious, of course).
vintage Walt Disney World map (Florida)
This postcard arrived quite a bit later after Kimee returned from Walt Disney World. I too have visited although it was probably 35 years ago. I wonder how much it’s changed.
coral reef (Palau)
Matty is on another big trip and sends this postcard from Palau! It’s my first one!
Roxie theater (California)
Kimee went to see “the Muppet Christmas Carol” at the Roxie last month, asking what was the last movie I’d seen there. I’m not sure I’ve seen a movie at the Roxie? That’ll have to be rectified!
hunky Santa (Canada)
My penpal Ray always finds the best postcards (and stickers, which always go on the obverse so you don’t see them). This one is just so funny!
ferruginous hawk (Florida)
I don’t know anything about this particular hawk but this watercolor is stunning. Thanks to Kimee for sending while on her great vacation!
frosty Colorado
My brother-in-law recently took a trip to Colorado to visit a friend and sent this great quote. All you need to read are these seven words, and the whole poem unfolds in your head. What great art.
icons of Walt Disney world (Florida)
I don’t know why but Figment looms VERY large in my dim memories of my two trips to Disney World when I was a very small child.
ribbons and bows (Florida)
Kimee writes something that’s a very astute observation: “They do Disney Princess Drag in the castle, but only for kids under 14. Starting at $250, you can get your child glammed up as the princess of their choice.” Why did I never think about kids dressing at Disney princesses as drag? That’s exactly what it is.
Kougelhopf recette (France)
I’ll have to try this recipe, which looks quite complete. I don’t have the appropriate pan but the silicon Bundt pan I have should work?
Disney family (Florida)
Kimee wrote this postcard on her way home from the family trip to Florida. It sounds like it was a major trip; I’m glad she’s coming back. It’s been too long since we saw her!
lack of imagination (Florida)
Kimee was on a hunt to find as many postcard designs as possible; it looks like a limited offering (not her fault).
Gardens by The Bay (Singapore)
Matty is off on his grand tour again, stopping in Singapore with hot, humid, and stormy weather. The last time he was there was in 2013, so it’ll be interesting to hear how much (or how little) it has changed.