Kalakazam, Kalamazoo

Peter Biggerstaff sent this card from Kalamazoo, but I can't reciprocate with mail because he didn't leave a return address. So, if you read this, Pete, and would like a card in return, then send your address to my email, stardust4821@yahoo.com.

Do I see a theme here?

These two cards come to me from Barb, a new penpal in Texas. Aren't the poochies cute? I'm guessing she loves dogs. That's part of the fun of continuing correspondence, learning about the other person a little at a time. Each new card or letter brings another piece of the puzzle and you see the person emerge bit by bit.

Postcrossing Update

First up, Minsk. That's in Belarus. I know because my postcrossing pal told me so. This card shows the city in winter. It looks lovely, but isn't that what postcards are supposed to do?

Next up, Mulheim on the Ruhr, Germany. Again, a very lovely, picturesque town the writer says is one of the smallish cities.

Lastly, the British consulate in Taiwan. I just realized that I don't know the difference between a consulate and an embassy. Dang, I'll have to look it up unless one of you know and care to leave a comment. Hint, hint.

2nd Place

Congratulations! You have won 2nd place in a beauty contest. Collect $10. Remember that Monopoly card? Well, what's better than that? Winning 1st place? .

NOPE. How about winning second place over at the recent contest at Everyday Correspondence! Thanks so much, James. Imagine my surprise when I opened the envelope to read his letter and find seven, count them, seven sheets of his cool stationery. Woot. Thanks for making my day.

The Incredible MOBOT

This cool postcard, The Incredible MOBOT, comes to me from Ralph Thomas. He has a delightful series of cards featuring inventions every kid wishes he could order. What kid wouldn't want help with homework, chores and bullies!

Printing the postcard on an actual cereal box lends an authentic touch to the card, making it seem to be a genuine offer from General Mills.

Lonely Thank You Card

Of all the graduation gifts I sent out this year, I received a lone thank you card. I'm pleased to say it comes from my granddaughter in St. Louis who took the time to write a personal note inside the blank card. I'll have to remember to tell my daughter she has done a good job raising her. My reasoning is that if she got the little things right, then the big ones would have automatically taken care of themselves.

Postcrossing Love

This card comes to me from Rundle Mall, Adelaide, Australia. The sender writes that besides the pig sculptures shown above, the mall also sports a sculpture made of two spheres stacked atop each other, known locally as the Mall's Balls. I wish the postcard showed a picture of those as well.

This slick, oversized postcard comes from Taipei, Taiwan. It shows Taipei 101 which is the tallest building in Taiwan's business district, and, if I am not mistaken, tallest in the country. If Taiwan is a country, that is. China seems to think not.

Next is a card from Tampere, Finland. This writer says Finland is known as the land of one thousand lakes. Do you think maybe it looks a lot like Minnesota?

And, lastly, we have this lovely card from 8-yr-old Martin in Great Britain. Martin writes that he has visited the USA only once and that he loved it. He's also a big Spongebob fan.

Flotsam & Jetsam 16, 17

These F & J cards are so fun to make. Anything goes. No pressure. No cost. No problem.

And for those of you who think I have no artistic talent at all, I will have you know that I, personally, with zero art lessons, drew the rooster's feet.

More Flotsam, More Jetsam 12, 13, 14, 15

Dinnerware
Frogs
African plains animals
Ladies wear

What's the common thread?

They're all cuts from catalogs that now grace the latest F&J cards.
Is one headed your way?

If you can't think of any way I could possibly have your address, you have a few ways to contact me. You could leave a comment with your email address and I could get in touch with you if you'd like to keep your address private. You could contact me via my email, stardust4821@yahoo.com or you could write to me first via snail mail. My address is at the top of the sidebar. I will answer.

Geckos <3 Snail Mail

It's been about a week now since I learned the symbol for heart, <3 , so it's high time I used it. And where did I pick up this little tidbit, you ask. Where else? In a tweet. I was confused when I first saw it, but wasn't about to ask. I sure was glad when someone else did though. It makes perfect sense the way it was explained. "Lean your head over until your right ear touches your right shoulder, then look at it sideways."

So, now you've learned two things. The tweet symbol for heart and that geckos <3 snail mail.