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.

Kristopher Geda Kristopher Geda

cruising to the Bahamas (Illinois)

Our niece and nephew were among the strong contingent of Gedas who cruised the Caribbean last month and this postcard originated there. This wasn't the ship they cruised on but Emily writes that the selection was a bit limited. I can imagine!

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Kristopher Geda Kristopher Geda

East Tawas in 1914 (Michigan)

My childhood friend Daniel writes that “from this utterly bizarre and creepy image, this is a time to celebrate!” What a great birthday wish - I have so many questions! Many more to be answered I'm sure that the postcard's source.

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Kristopher Geda Kristopher Geda

Château d’If (bis) (France)

Encore une grande carte postale de mon très bon ami Dominique. Il a fait des liaisons entre cette île et la nôtre ici à SF que je n’écris pas ici. ;-)

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Kristopher Geda Kristopher Geda

art style Castro (California)

I'm not sure what to call this art style, but I do love it! It depicts a corner just a quick 10-minute walk from our home! One of my favorite views is rounding this corner on our way to the wine bar. Who else but Michael could have sent birthday wishes like these?

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Kristopher Geda Kristopher Geda

watercolor wine (California)

This postcard comes from Monterey, where Cynthia and Tracy had begun the count down to the end of their time there. They write that the time had been productive and relaxing, very fulfilling. What more could you ask for?

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Kristopher Geda Kristopher Geda

kiss me love (Australia)

I don't know why it continues to surprise me that Australia (and many others) are on the opposite season than we are! So when Matty writes that it's dull and gloomy in Canberra, it gives me a start to realize that!

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Kristopher Geda Kristopher Geda

nevermind… it stinks! (Michigan)

In this postcard, our nephew Jasper writes: “My mom said that you have earthquakes.” That's true! Now to find a postcard that illustrates that…

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Kristopher Geda Kristopher Geda

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?

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More to come from the past…