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.
Château Chalon (France)
Dominique m’écrit du vin jaune de cette région: Jura. Il me décrit comment il est fait: “un vin sec, de longue garde, issu du cépage savagnin et embouteillé dans une bouteille à forme unique appelée clavelin.” En fait, Andy et moi nous venons de découvrir le vin Jura depuis un an, au peu près. Nous l’adorons!
Māori man wielding a Mere (New Zealand)
This postcard comes courtesy of Matty, who visited Auckland and Wellington for the first time in quite some time. He says it hasn’t changed much, which is good to hear. Andy and I were really charmed by Wellington when we were there back in 2008 for IGALA 5.
unusual libraries (California)
This postcard comes from Ojai, just outside Santa Barbara. I haven’t visited there, but my friend’s mom lives there and speaks very highly of it!
Sid Gold’s Request Room (Michigan)
Emily and Carter sent this postcard from Detroit; it’s their favorite bar for a variety of reasons, among them: it’s open late, there’s karaoke, and they get the industry discount! I want to know how much it is and whether they ask for proof.
This postcard is even better because it features not one, but two poodles! Terrific!
Moosewood (New York)
Mejdulene sent this during her last few days in New York, writing that the Moosewood became super popular way back when I was still a vegetarian! I knew it was northern Great Lakes, but I had the wrong side in mind, thinking it was in Minnesota! I see now that the restaurant is in Ithaca. I’m definitely familiar with their cookbooks, which are delicious for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike!
Marseille (France)
Dominique m’envoie cette carte pour me réconforter après le décés soudain de mon frère. Je n’y suis jamais allé, mais j’en y ai beaucoup lu! Son amitié m’a beaucoup rendu de confort pendant ces derniers années d’échange postaire.
Houstie hummingbirds (British Columbia)
This beautiful work comes from our friend Kaylé who was running a race in Vancouver earlier this month. The work is called Bella Bella by Ben Houstie (2004). The artist writes: This piece was inspired by the humming bird dance performed by my people to bring peace."
Powell’s City of Books (Oregon)
One of the most famous landmarks in Portland is Powell’s Books. I love to visit every time we’re in the PDX area. As you can see here, so does my brother-in-law Tristan! While in town, he also ate at the new 鼎泰豐 restaurant!
Chef’s Special Cocktail Bar (Michigan)
Another great postcard from our niece Emily and her boyfriend Carter. They were staging in Chicago and visited several great restaurants. Among the restaurants they visited is this one. After the move to Chicago for work, I’m sure they’ll have many more opportunities to explore terrific establishments!
Zeta Ophiuchi (Pennsylvania)
Lauren writes that after her father’s death, she found solace in old episodes of Cosmos with Carl Sagan, which they used to watch together. She very sweetly writes that the universe celebrates my late brother’s life through me. “We are made of star stuff,” indeed! Thank you, Lauren.
The postcard legend says: “The giant star Zeta Ophiuchi is 370 light-years from Earth. It is twenty times more massive than the Sun and eighty thousand times brighter.”
falls of Columbia Gorge (Oregon)
My in-laws hosted an old friend from the East Coast this past week and they took a trip to see Multnomah Falls (top right). It was a rainy day in a rainy season, so the falls were particularly full!
Bainbridge Island map (Washington)
Mejdulene continues her book tour, this time all the way out to the west coast. She took the ferry to Bainbridge Island and sadly saw no whales on the way out. Maybe on the way back?
Paradigm Winery (California)
Our friend Julian and Salvo visited Paradigm Winery late last month and sent us this aerial view of the winery. We visited there almost a year ago and the wines are delicious! The tasting experience was very personal and informative, too!
Chicago the City Beautiful (Illinois)
My dear friend sent me this postcard while in Chicago for a book-reading event (for her book! Yes, I am friends with published authors!). We took a vacation together to Chicago some time ago and it looms large in my memory as a truly beautiful weekend.
Baume les Messieurs (France)
Dominique m’envoie cette carte postale avec la commune nommé Baume, qui vient d’un mot gaulois ‘balma’ qui designe une grotte. Évidemment! :-) Elle se trouve das Jura, une région dont le vin est superb.
David (California)
This postcard comes from our dear friends Tracy and Cynthia, who picked it up on their trip to Florence a while ago. The postcard is actually addressed to our dear “International Champion Pinot,” and on the back is a drawing of our poodle with a bandaid over his rear. “Get well soon!”
poodle in cone (California)
You may recall this postcard from a while ago when Kimee helped us celebrate Pinot’s arrival in our home with these handmade poodle postcards. She made another one for us, this time featuring a glittery cone to mark Pinot’s big surgery. Lucky for him, he hasn’t really needed the cone outside of bedtime!
La Mongie (France)
My dear friend and former colleague Jo sent this hello from her winter holiday where her children earned their “2ème étoile” and “ourson” ranks in winter skiing! Lucky them, her in-laws have a home pictured here on the card! What a great opportunity!
thinking of [me] (California)
Ever the thoughtful one, Kimee sends this card with her sympathies and condolences. I am very grateful to her, and all of my other friends who are looking out for me and my family. Is there any power greater than the love and care of one’s chosen family?
Estonia (California)
Our friends Julian and Salvo appear to be in the throes of Spring cleaning because this postcard they decided to send me from their collection. In addition, Julian decided to let go of his dear Boss sweater! I’m so glad to receive it, especially since I’m definitely obsessed with Estonian!