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.
Isle Royale National Park (California)
Our dear friends Cynthia and Tracy sent this postcard from California; I have no idea how they found a postcard from Michigan’s most famous national park (and last I checked, the least visited one in the Continental US due to its remoteness). I myself have never been but I hope to visit it some day. I just don’t know when. :-)
Central Park (New York)
Ending their European tour, Tracy and Cynthia spent time in NYC and surroundings with family. Among their highlights of New York was Central Park, which is an icon of the city. They also visited the MoMA and the High Line.
Haguenau (France)
Même si cette carte postal soit la 101ère que j’ai reçue de Dominique, envoyée de la France, je crois que c’est la première que j’ai reçue de Haguenau, la ville où habite mon ami. Ce qu’on voit ici est la Tour des Pêcheurs, qui date depuis 1228 et 1235. J’adore!
(chaque fois que je vois le mot “pêcheur” en français, je pense au mot “péché”)
Auckland 2023 PostCrossing MeetUp (New Zealand)
My Australian friend Matty traveled to New Zealand for work and managed to also attend the 2023 Auckland PostCrossing meetup! I’ve only ever been to two before and they’re great fun to exchange postcards. This one was specifically created for the MeetUp, including a great stamp!
shouldn’t have insulted my dog (California)
This postcard arrived last week but is only just now making it to the blog. I can’t tell you how much joy it brought us. Andy and I were reading it in the elevator and laughed so hard both dogs jumped up on us to make sure we were okay (the same way they do if we sneeze). Kimee and Michael chose the perfect card to send our way. A thousand thanks, friends!
The back reads: “This idiot dog should be tied up! shouted Mr. Primple as he confronted the Thomas brothers and their friendly mutt Baxter out for a walk. The children tried to warn him, but the old man went on and one with his unnecessary insults until Baxter began to stand on his hind legs.”
Breisach am Rhein (Germany)
This postcard arrived from our friends Cynthia and Tracy on their river cruise in Europe. Soon after sending this card, they were on their way to Switzerland to cap off the European side of their trip. What a beautiful view!
Māori Haka (New Zealand)
This card has such activity and energy in it, as of course does the depicted dance called “Haka.” I didn’t get to see a haka when I visited in 2005, but I’ll be traveling back to New Zealand for sure, although I’m not sure when. Thanks to Matty for this postcard and the terrific stamps!
the Lone Cypress Tree (California)
Anyone who has visited Northern California but hasn’t been to Big Sur is really missing out. This view is from Carmel on the Monterey Peninsula south of San Francisco. The coastline is super rugged and wild, so it’s absolutely worth a visit. Julian and Salvo sent us this postcard from a recent trip down south to get away from the city.
Bloomington squirrels (Indiana)
My good friend and a very longtime postcard penpal Nozomi sent this whimsical hello from her city in Bloomington, Indiana. Summer term has begun which is always a welcome development in any instructor’s life.
pastry sunburst (New York)
Kimee and Michael were in New York recently and instead of sending a typical tourist postcard (which I love, for the record), they sent this pastry-themed postcard (which I also love!). I particularly love the organized arrangement of all of these delicious bakes.
Berlin (Germany)
What a beautiful surprise postcard from our friends Quinn and Lorris who were in Berlin visiting friends before a wedding in the countryside. They’re pleased with the richness in parks and playgrounds and wurst and pretzels. What’s not to love?
Colmar (France)
Ben, elle est arrivée, mes amis: la centième carte postale de mon ami Dominique. En fait, j’en ai reçu beaucoup plus de lui, mais voici la centième reçue de la France. Je reste étonné qu’il puisse trouver toujours des cartes postales tellement belles partout où il voyage!
Dutch strongman (the Netherlands)
Andy’s former classmate Katie sent this delightfully camp postcard from Rotterdam, in the Netherlands. I’m grateful for this surprising batch of postcards from Katie and I hope to meet her soon!
Matera, Sasso Barisano (Italy)
My Italian penpal sent me this beautiful postcard from his long trip around Italy. There are so many terrific places I’d love to visit yet. The list keeps growing longer!
Freiburg im Breisgau (Germany)
Voici une carte postale de mon ami Dominique qui écrit que le jour 8 mai est jour ferié en France pour célébrer la victoire de la 2ème Guerre Mondiale. Il écrit également qu’en Allemagne, ce jour n’en est pas tellement célébré, bien sûr. Ça m’intéresse beaucoup car le Canada et le Mexique, nos voisins plus proches observe les mêmes jours feriés quant aux guerres. Je n’ai jamais pensé à être à côté d’un ancien pays énémie.
evening lighting in Amsterdam (the Netherlands)
Our dear friends Cynthia and Tracy are on a long-awaited trip to Europe to enjoy a river cruise on the Rhine. Before they departed, they enjoyed Amsterdam and all it had to offer culinarily and historically. I’ve only been to Amsterdam a few small times, but this postcard certainly captures the summer spirit of the city.
Sedona (Arizona)
The scan didn’t do this postcard justice, of course, but trust me when I say that the colors are beautiful and hyper saturated. It’s printed on real wood and has quite a bit of thickness to it, so I was really delighted to receive it! Thanks, Tristan!
Humboldt County (California)
Our friend Kimee was in northern California for a marathon and had a great time! IN between the training, preparation, and recovery, she found the time to visit a stationer, pick this delightful card, write it, and mail it. I’m so thrilled - congratulations Kimee on your race!
Nieuwe Kerk (the Netherlands)
It’s unusual for postcards sent on the same day to arrive on the same day, even more so for those sent from abroad! Katie, Andy’s former classmate, sent this postcard after climbing the tower. She left me with the great advice to “stretch daily.”