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

a rainbow over Berlin (Germany)

This postcard comes from Germany with peace and hope. Berlin, the sender writes, “is very diverse and open, even in these difficult times.” We could all use more diversity and openness!

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they're always spotted! (Michigan)

On the same day I got a postcard from our other nephew Brandon, who also listed some of his favorite things. This is a great postcard collection.

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with ten tickles! (Michigan)

Our nephew Jasper sent this postcard along with some news about his favorite media. I love the cute illustrations and jokes.

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cépages d’Alsace (France)

Heureusement, Dominque m’écrit et m’enseigne beaucoup sur les vins de France. Il habite en Alsace, donc il est tout près des grands vignobles de la région, où se trouve un de mes vins préférés: le Riesling. Nous adorons, surtout, un Riesling un peux agé.

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civil disobedience (Oregon)

You'd think that by now I'd be used to Linda's excellent eye for the most appropriate, timely postcards - but she keeps upping the ante! Absolutely terrific. Lucky of us, we'll see each other in person next month!

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more gratitude (California)

I love this series of women artists so much! Cynthia sent this expressing gratitude and appreciation; what a thoughtful person!

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thank you bouquet (California)

We were very glad last weekend to host an Oscar's viewing part for our friends, Salvo and Julian sent this beautiful card after the party! Chosen family, indeed!

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ce n’est pas… (France)

Il n'y a pas beaucoup de temps, Dominique a visité la plus grande centrale nucléaire de France à Cattenom, qui a été construite près de la frontière avec Luxembourg. Fascinante!

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Dark Angel (Australia)

For some reason, Matty chose this postcard to respond to my questions I'd posed about Halloween in Australia. Curious! :-)

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“Sky and Sea” (Illinois)

Our niece and her husband sent this postcard from a recent trip to Disney; it's a beautiful piece of original art by Josey Tsao, and Emily's favorite. In addition to this great postcard, Emily also writes about some great possibilities brewing in the future!

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la retraite à Strasbourg (France)

Pour fêter sa première journée de retraite, Dominique m’a envoyé cette carte de sa ville de naissance. Bien sûr, elle offre plusiers occasions de profiter de la ville, la région, et leur histoire. Un jour, j’y irai et je pourrais, j’éspère, connaître Dominique en personne pour lui remercier toutes les jolies cartes postales pendant les années, et bien sûr son amitié.

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More to come from the past…