Wish You Were Here!

Funny thing is, I have about 200 postcards but not one was sent to me. I don't think I ever got a postcard from anyone. Don't remember ever sending one either.
I have been collecting antique postcards of photos of every state in America. About 30 years ago, I began collecting them to use as photos in my craft projects. Problem was, I never had the heart to cut them up to use. As Ebay brought forth thousands of antique cards, I began seriously collecting.
The sweet notes sent about the Grand Canyon and how Mrs. Gummer got lost but was found by Indians who took her in until help arrived. The woman who writes a quick note from Wyoming, while on her honeymoon. She says things are somewhat uncomfortable as she barely knows her husband. Dated 1919.
Instead I kept them in a box and eventually bought a small trunk and several photo albums to put them in.
Lately, I have thought about doing something with them but am lost as to what to do. They are a wonderful historical journal of how Americans corresponded with loved ones while exploring the U.S. Almost all of them are from 1880 - 1929. I don't know how that ended up the time span of my collection.
My favorite is from a man who left New York to go to California in 1887. He has sent this old photo of the California Coastline. He writes, "I am finally here. Met some outlaws along the way but they were kind and helped me across three island. I wish I knew when I will return but I cannot say. My blessings to all, Franklin Silas Johnston.
I can't help but wonder if he ever made it home? It was such a strenuous journey in those days. I wonder why he left New York? I wonder how and who he traveled with. The cards give fuel for imagination and allow me to use mine. What I really wonder is why I never sent anyone a postcard?

Idaho ~ Possibly a Ken Burns kind of thing...zoom and pan across each card front and back with a bit narration to go with it. Put it on a DVD and sell it to Red Box as an historical record. In a few years people won't even know what the Post Office was much less a post card.

Good morning KC & IDAHOP....................it would make a great traveling exhibit w/ the cards hanging in something that made both sides visible. There's something very touching about not knowing what happened to the people involved. I love to send postcards; it's a nice way to say, "I'm thinking about you when I should be doing everything but that." I always feel special when I get a postcard.......................first day of school w/ kiddles..................au revoir.........................

BEBE- Thank you for what you do!! Good luck with the kiddies!

CHEFD..............................Thank you, I love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think it's wonderful that you have a collection of your grandfather's cards, very special. And you're correct, everyone loves to get a postcard!

Traditional postcard message from summer holidays- "Weather is here, wish you were lovely."

Support the postal service.

Mail a postcard.

Idaho ~ Now that I think about it, I can't remember ever sending someone a postcard.  Maybe I just can't condense what I have to say into a few short lines.  Interesting hobby though; maybe you could post a few pictures of them on your site and then you will have -- sorta kinda -- sent a postcard. Bebe ~ How old are the children?  School so soon? KC ~ Good idea!  As well, I agree, the post office will a thing of the past.

Have fun Bebe!! I did relief teaching with 7 year olds when I first left school and was waiting for entry into uni. One of the funniest "gifts" i had was a little gold fish...they are soooo adorable Idahoproducer...I saw your youtube video...wow! thank you for sharing! What does Custer County mine? As you probably know, mining is a major industry here in Australia. In fact, we are known as Asia's quarry because of the huge demand from these emerging nations, especially China.I live in Tasmania, the southernmost place of Australia..  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FI0NTm-UXY  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qf4RSrUiQiU  Maybe we should have some kind of a "dip" ? Each villager picks 5 names from a virtual bag and we have to send a postcard to each of them :)   

Grrrr......waht a mess...trying again....

Have fun Bebe!! I did relief teaching with 7 year olds when I first left school and was waiting for entry into uni. One of the funniest "gifts" i had was a little gold fish...they are soooo adorable

Idahoproducer...I saw your youtube video...wow! thank you for sharing! What does Custer County mine? As you probably know, mining is a major industry here in Australia. In fact, we are known as Asia's quarry because of the huge demand from these emerging nations, especially China.

I live in Tasmania, the southernmost place of Australia..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FI0NTm-UXY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qf4RSrUiQiU

Maybe we should have some kind of a "dip" ? Each villager picks 5 names from a virtual bag and we have to send a postcard to each of them :)

Spring-great idea. Another thing I loved about postcards as a kid is that the rule was anyone could read a postcard no matter to whom it was addressed since it was "open." I loved that and jumped on any postcard my parents got since all other mail was sacred and never to be read unless addressed to oneself.

Voyeurism comes in many forms.

and btw, I wonder how Mr.P. got a hold of that postcard I sent from Disneyworld!

GREETINGS from NashVegas! In my ongoing quest to find my way back to me, today's topic is yet again a reminder that my mom was nearly always right. Handwritten notes and colorful postcards to everyone including moi, her favorite son (of course she told my brother he was as well) was a part of her daily walk to the local post office where there was a chat with a stop by the market yet another chat. She kept almost every piece of personal correspondence she ever got in the most ordered way. There was always that rack at the FLA souvenir shop that had the Racy cards, Marilyn types with cleavage galore and the exaggerated Size of the Fish You Caught Pics or the dog peeing on the tobacco.. "have your cigarettes been tasting funny lately?"...catch line. Ecards are better than nothing but while seeing is good, holding the card in your hand and touching the same paper the one who sent it touched is magical. I write in ink as the mess-ups say I am a flawed human perfectly imperfect just like you.

O, absolutely Chef Deb ~ the art of communicating succinctly with the likes of Ex husbands in such a way that it gives the postman a good laugh.

I wrote something on the previous food page  instead of todays and realized my mistake too late.  It is the last one on the page. I try to transfer it. fay 

It does not work.  I copied it and pasted it. Sorry. Fay

Fay Grindrod said...

Park4  I disagree strongly with what you are saying: these are your words to me on the Tuna fish page which I had missed and saw only just now.
 
 " that at my age 80 I do not need anyone's feed back on what I write "it seems that asking for it and then getting it - you are really not getting it at all.  A writer's life is solitary in more ways than one and a thick skin is required. 
 
These words are the words I do not like.  I would  have no energy and a good spirit if I had required a thick skin.  I write not for myself alone - I write to try and show that survival is possible without losing one's soul. not just from books but from my very private experiences that make me bleed when I express them on paper.  I am prove that  no matter your background - your life belongs to you - you can create out of a messy first foundation a second foundation build by you.
 
The art of building a new foundation is to be able to move from the old to the new - because it is scary to start something new.  The difficulty of life when you have build a new foundation is the fear to move from the old to the new - it is extremely painful and lonely.  I am still moving in and out of the old and into the new and even I with life long life enduring experiences need to be cheered on.  We never stop to learn from each other.  If I get no feedback - you take my joy away of empowering others and my life will be truly  lonely when I keep letting my words echo on a thick wall and my thick skin.  My spirit will get tired and go to sleep and my energy will leak out of my inner self.  I will become an robot that you will have to switch on. 
 
With my experiences I gained wisdom that I have not learned from books - I like to spread it around to empower people by opening my inner self which is a risky task because someone like you does not understand the purpose of my writing that cost me my privacy.  Here is a note from a Tanzania man who wrote this on my 80th birthday:
 
Bibi Fay:  This is to wish you more growth, peace and abundance so that you may reach and empower more souls in your special way.  I am privileged to know you.  Your friend Z
 
You know what these words did to me - they did not make me arrogant - they made me more humble - writing is for discussion and feed back so that we can learn from each other.
I learned so much because of other people's feedback where I could balance my extreme thoughts with theirs.  We should never be solitary people - we should be independent people who might be able to lead the way to a better life for all. 
 
For one moment you stifled my spirit your words; I wished to never write my good intentions by exposing me to your village.  Fortunately, you are in the minority and I will battle on to spread the positive word that we have the potential to be all winners in a enduring life. You writing makes me feel like we are the losers.  No thick skin for me - that is how we lose our feelings and we will be surrounded by nothing but brutality. 

 
Too bad.
Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Postcards serve such a lovely purpose:  letting someone know you're thinking of them!  The thought of writing a letter can be so daunting--what will I say for a full page? do I have to use both sides of the paper? (and then inevitably you do and run out at the very bottom causing you to grab another sheet and be faced with adding on more so you don't have a page with just a few words, etc.)  Postcards, on the other hand, by their size limit you to just relating that thought--"thinking of you" or some other brief message.   Not alarming like a telegram that other one thought messenger, but welcome.  It usually meant the sender was happy and was including you in their happiness. Although, in an article on the 'Lost Art of Postcards" Charles Simic said he ran across one that said "Francis Brown died last night, funeral on Tuesday."      We used to be the recipients of many lovely postcards having hosted international students for years.  They frequently used to send them while they were back home on a break and it was always quite heartwarming to know that someone, somewhere was sending warm thoughts your way on a peek-a-boo glimpse into their world.  They still fall out of the books that I randomly stashed them in.  And then it's like they just arrived all over again!

Bebe---Your kids are lucky to have you and your sense of humor to guide them through their day.  Keep up the good work and know that you ARE making a difference in someone's life.  Results may take a while to show, but you are.

Relative to writing on this site:  It is the only one on which I freely write.....the only one.  I have found it to be a diverse group with a singular beating heart.  There are discussions, there is fun, there may be disagreements, but it's always been welcoming and warm.  Good friends who are happy that you're here and miss you when you're not.
 
Relative to writing postcards:  I always end up with a letter!  It just seems that I have so much to say and that little space just doesn't cover it......but yes, I do agree it's a good way to let someone know you're thinking of them. 
 
The funny thing is though that every time someone has sent me a postcard from their vacation, the postcard would arrive long after they've been home and told me all about it.

 
A woman having received a "Wish You Were Here" postcard from here estranged husband, called his secretary, in a girlish voice: "I didn't know Kevin was in Cancún."
"He isn't," she was dryly informed, "he was just hoping that you would clear off so he could get the rest of his stuff out of the house."

BEEBS ~
I'd give a buck to be a fly on the wall in your classroom... or maybe a bee so that if some boy acted up, I could give him something else to think about on his way to the nurse's office.

Bebe, from all I have learned about you here in the village the children will appreciate you.  I hope the parents recognize how lucky their childern are.
 
Fay, you are one of the best teachers of "the lessons of life".  Please don't become discourage when sometimes a busy schedule prevents a responce.  The wisdom learned over time,  given, as you do in love, is not missed by this group.  The heart hears it even if by the time we get to the three or four messages after yours the phone is ringing and the dogs needs a walk.  My postcard to you: a little girl with flowers hidden behind her, and on the message side "Thank you!."

I once started a  business that produced
postcards.  I drew up a business plan, a marketing plan, secured start up
financing.  To keep costs down we used local scenes, local art.  I found a group
of investors to take it to the next level.  We commissioned well known artists
and photographers to produce the work.  We went public to finance the growth and
our newly enhanced style of living.  Then email happened and S & P
downgraded our credit rating.  I decided to sell the business to the employees,
who were more interested in the artsy lifestyle than the postcards.  I thought I
would try a second attempt at the business on my own, concentrate on a niche
market.  I started a new company producing recyclable airmail postcards and a
patented invisible ink.  You may have heard of us...The Postcard Always
Wings Twice & Company Inc.

I write articles for magazines. (I know - I am wearing too many hats but that is what I do - and maybe not wear any very well) I have the opportunity to do it full time but something is lost when I have to do what I love so I choose when I will write and for what publication. (Range Magazine, Surfing, Sun Valley, Crafters, Travel, Fashion Eye, Home Cooking, etc.)
What I do love about this village, (and I am starting to doubt my sanity as this village becomes more real to me that my life sometimes), is, I truly get to write without having to worry about the slant of what I write. It is where I can just let the words flow, (thank God my editor is not privy to my bad grammar, punctuation, etc.), and feel, think and react without hesitation.
Fay, While Park's feelings about what he writes and reads may be in disagreement with what you write and feel, it really is what writing is about. I disagree with a lot of what I read here but what a gentle way to learn and refresh what tolerance is all about. When I read these posts each day, (haven't missed one post yet), I must learn that while I disagree with what is written, I also must accept differences of opinions in a tight little community such as the village. It is very good for me as when I am working in film, I am the director / boss / last word, and / NEVER WRONG!
Filming is a dictatorship process. Even though I would be absolutely screwed without the wonderful small crew I work with, I am always the final word.
That is not very healthy and one can get a bad attitude of entitlement of charge. I seek to avoid this so joining a group such as ours allows me to give input but be open to having someone give difference of opinion and in that challenge I must, in a humble fashion, accept defeat when a post is so much more effective than mine. It is sharing at it's best. It is commitment from all who come and post daily. It is a wonderful way to be connected without the money, pressure and status getting in the way. I don't take anything too personally if someone responds to my post. They respond, and that is the key to this village. If one is afraid of how another will react to their post, they simply won't. I always welcome a challenge to what I write, think or my assumed knowledge of anything. After all, if I were all that smart , I would probably not still be working!
The beauty of our little village is strong emotions on anyone is almost impossible as we haven't met and writing, though a great form of communication, is still one dimensional.
I love the idea of Ken Burns filming my postcards and putting them on DVD for others to print and use. When I get the time to do that, I will take this wonderful idea and implement it, but first, I must go and interview a ranching family for my next magazine article. Have a lovely day Villagers!

Paolos---I can't believe the detail and refinement you go into to set us up for a great punch line.........i'll be smiling, if not chuckling, all day now!

Carol -- I do agree ;)

Bebe-Good luck with the little ones!  Its been said before but its true, the children, parents and administrators are lucky to have you.

When I was a kid I was part of a postcard chain letter club.  The goal was to get a postcard from everystate.  Everytime you got a card you sent one back to the person who sent it to you.  I think that there was an ad for  this in the back of a pre-teen magazine.  It was fun all summer long I got postcards from kids all over the country and in Canada, Japan, Ireland and Colombia.   I think that my friend Pam and I  bought out the postcard rack at the local drug store but we had amazing collection that was recycled into an art project when I got to college.   

I acutally miss getting postcards.  I remember that whenever any of my friends went to London they sent the same postcard of the red phone booth.  It must have been the cheapest card on the rack!  

Fay- Don't  take it personally.  Some of us run off after posting something and forget to come back later in the day, hence, we don't always respond.  And some of us (me especially) forget to check their (her) e-mails.  

Carol & Andy ~ 'tweren't any trouble.  Sometimes these things take on a life of their own. The difficult part is knowing when to quit.  Something I have yet to learn.

Paolos - I think you've learned it -- fun and funny :)

paolos--don't quit yet...you are always on a roll!

When I visit with a neighbor over the fence or in a chance meeting while on a walk, it isn't considered oration or a speech. It is small talk... a chat and, as such, has little in weight or expectations.
When it occurs to me to say something within the village, it is typing a few words to convey a little something in the moment and not even always intended to be well received.
Occasionally, when things trend smarmy or atmospheric, it seems like time to lob a water balloon.
The point is: the only work involved is trying to say as much in as little space as possible.
If we're going to start worrying about our writing, it could be problematic.
This is a marvelous place to come for friendship and support and I have been on both ends of the prayer equation but if you feel yourself to be a writer writing and in need of constant positive response, you're placing a burden on the village that it was not, in my opinion-only, designed to deal with: 1) to read it 2) to respond and 3) to worry about was my praise sufficiently effusive?
That's what creative writing blogs are for and about half the time the comments there run to: "What are you talking about?" Which would not suit our convivial little neighborhood.

ANDY ~
One of our kids beat a postcard sent home from London by a year... and it was in perfect condition. I'd give plenty to know where it spent all that time.

A corespondent in Rome, actually a good friend, claims that Servizio Postale Italiano is so scandalously incompetent that he uses the Vatican post office.

After receiving an annoying postcard with a number of bold, clearly printed, impertinent questions, I responded way of the wall by postcard: Dear ----, The word for what you have been doing is NECROPHILIA and it would probably be best not to talk about it.

Tomorrow, August 9th, is Book Lover's Day. Makes you wonder...

Paolos - That was right up there with "Pardon me Roy, is that the cat that chewed your new shoes?" and "The beer that made Mel Famey walk us"!! Bet you were a teacher's thorn when you were in school with that wry sense of humor. Let's hope Bebe has no wiseacres in her class. Is it second grade, Bebe?
 
My postcard experiences are few and far between with some from traveling friends in Hawaii, Rome, London, Argentina, Greece, and the Italian coast. I usually send a few back to my kids when I am gone for more than a week. I think I sent several from my trip to Greece, a few from Paris, and a few from the beach in Fla.  My favorite is a gorgeous hunk of a Polynesian young man under a waterfall sans suit that a gal pal sent, advising me to save my money and I, too, could meet Carlos at the tiki bar where she did!! Stuff that fantasies are founded on! A la "Shirley Valentine" if you know what I mean. (EVeryone seen that old chick flick??)

Stoney ~ Does that mean you did NOT like my
postcardpost?
 
And a follow up question, if I may...does that mean
I WON"T get a book deal out of this?
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQZQXFZpTmQ
 
Please don't reply, I doN'T want to
know.
 
Mooseloop ~ I was.  They are all mostly out of
therapy by now.  

Oh, yes, Fay, do keep writing. Your adventures are eye-opening for us all. I am looking forward to your journals and posts from the trip you are planning to Tanzania. You are much braver than I am, as volunteering in the Peace Corps never crossed my mind. I did volunteer with other women to help out in a private home for birth-injured children, run by one dedicated woman who had a 40 yr. old son there. We folded diapers, prepared soft food, helped feed the residents, and eventually painted circus murals on the walls to  brighten up the old house. Then, I taught reading and English in a literacy action program for a while.
 
I considered all the hours and days, and weeks I put in as sponsor to the literary magazine, drama and debate teams, newspaper and yearbook staffs of the high schools when I taught, as volunteer work, since there were so many hours beyond that for which a teacher is paid. Add in hours of work volunteering for the Easter Seals office in Atlanta as part of my sorority's benevolent contributions.
 
But, no, I never went to a foreign land and a primitive culture to teach orphans or help people who live in poverty. I am not that brave. You are getting a sense of purpose from that experience. Different folks get their raison d'etre from different activities. Good on you.
Your posts are inspiring, as you seem to write from a theme of "overcoming hardship to triumph over evil" and "having a dedication to the human spirit that is expressed in real hand to hand physical contact." That kind of commitment is certainly admirable.
 
I Producer - Love reading your posts and have great respect for your contributions. Perhaps when you develop the postcard history, some of the antique clothes from that old trunk you  bought will parallel the same era, and can be photographed in tandem with the cards. What a novel idea to see the cards and period clothing along with a voice-over of the key events of the day! Ken Burns, indeed! Say, your own name in the credits!

Once upon a time long ago a  lady, who hsd sent birthday cards to twin grandsons, came to my office in a rage and tears because one had recieved his card a day later than the other and was convinced she loved him less. This was an otherwise beautiful, impeccably groomed, well educated, gentle lady from the 'right' side of the tracks. Her outrage continued for several weeks...sometimes she would call weeping. Other times she would drive the 30 miles to beat my scrawny ass up first of all for being born then for interjecting myself in her life to the ruination of her family.
 
Cards are important.

George ~ May I interject that you were (I am guessing) working for the post
office at the time.  Otherwise, I would like to hear the rest of the story, the story behind the story.  If
I remember correctly you and KYC are our two USPS representatives. Maybe you should have told her The postman always brings twice.  Stop me, please, stop me.

Paolos----no don't stop!  I'm lovin' it!

Paul ~ Consider yourself stopped...at least for the moment.

As to post cards and the Post Office.

For the last couple of decades, letter mail has been processed like chicken. It is done on a machine and not by hand. That way we can mutilate, misdirect and generally cob up the mail even more efficiently than before.

We still get letters sent with quarters and dimes taped to the front in lieu of postage. Well...the carrier is supposed to pull off the coins and replace them with stamps but that seldom happens these days.

You can image what quarters and dimes do to a machine running mail pieces at 40k per hour. The 'humanity'...

Anyway, it's my job to keep the machines purring at peak efficiency. I have no bearing on who or how the post office is used. The general public have more to do with that...

George Hall ~
My wife's family candy business had to institute chill-pack only shipping for much of the year to avoid people who had opted to save money, calling to say that the chocolates they ordered had arrived ruined.
No kidding. It had been explained to them that they would not get out of our town let alone to theirs without melting.
I suppose that being a more or less public employee made you an attractive target but, just for the record, that woman was nuts... and who could say about the grandsons?

....and the nutty grandma probably spoiled the one with the "late" card forevermore just to make up for it!

If everyone read everything i wrote and provided feedback, i would have to wear a disguise, probably get some therapy and meds, and then go live in a cave where there wasn't any internet. I think you all would be somehow damaged by my keyboard woolgathering if you read all my posts.

If we all read everybody's posts and provided feedback.....i thing we would strangle the entire internet

Speaking for myself....i like the freedom of choice. If i feel compelled to participate, then it would become a job i didn't like as much.

Everyone here is a good writer, free thinker, and worth the trip to read and if you would like, respond to it.

Usually if i get closer to the heart on my posts i am more comfortable just be listened too.

If it is important to receive feedback, i would suggest ending your post wih a 'so, whatcha think about that?.

Peace out

Living in a tourist area of amazing scenery, I am in postcard land. I love them, brevity is a challenge for a person on my verbosity.

Eeeew, not on, OF.
 
 

I will be out for a while; my friend had the operation this morning to open her artery and they had to abort  because they found a growth.  She is 86 and very brave; a team of doctors at the Prysbyterian New York hospital are now trying to figure out another a way to get to the artery - they can not use the groin because her arteries are too small; the devise is too big. 
 
Open heart surgery might not be possible because she is fragile.  It is very discouraging.  She has great children but they do live some distance away - they are very good to her; I live only a few buildings away. They are all with her today.
 
 She was pretty fit a few  weeks ago until she got this pain in her back in the middle of the night and phoned me to take her to the hospital.  She is a great lady and I feel so sad today - I can not be optimistic at this time.  She is sweet and kind - hopefully, she will be ok.  fay
 
 

If there's one thing we are good at it is praying, hoping and wishing for happy outcomes. We don't always get them but, by gum, we give it a go and I have put in a word for your friend.
God bless her... and you for your caring.

Our local post people are brilliant. They deliver letters addressed to Haze, Pentrefelin, Somewhere in North Wales.

FAY ~ I'm not a presbyterian but I will send a prayer heavenward for your friend.  It is good that her family is with her.  May she draw strength from them.

Awww~ Fay~ so sorry about your friend. Hope she pulls through. Tell me her name so I can put her on my prayer tree.

Fay ~ Without saying although I will...prayers of healing for your friend and prayers for dealing for you dear lady.

Fay~ see how much love there is in our village. It's a very special place.

One more for my prayer list, Fay.  How Dominic doing, Hazel.  Have not forgotten your dad, KC.

Bebe--how did day 1 go?

This is the first day we've had our a.c. off in weeks!!!!  Will be turning it on soon as 'comfort index' is 92--but fresh air all day!!!

Rusty~ last I heard, Dom was being slowly woken up and could do blinking, smiling and squeezing hands. His wife, Marty, is delighted, but tired, poor lass, she's had a terrible week. Thanks for asking.

Carol~ It's August, supposed to be summer in the UK and I put the central heating on today. What is happening with the weather?

It's following the erratic stock market Hazel - the weather.  Up down and all around, and completely unpredictable..............................................................................................................................
 We still have the a/c on, but that's to stomp out the humidity -- lots of luck trying to do that.  Humidity is powerful stuff.  It won't go away until Autumn is outside the window. .......................................................................................................................
 It's rained all day, and it's so green outside it looks like a painting by a little kid - crayola green grass.  But what made me happy was a maple tree out on South Shore Drive that is turning orange - it's an early-turner, every year, it's the first tree to signal the autumn weather that's somewhere down the road -- it's weeks off, but oh do I love that tree.  It gives me hope. And hope is good.  Sometimes it's all we've got to hang on to............................................................................................................................. All night long, TCM is airing some of the best of Orson Welles films, including the excellent The Third Man beginning at 8 EST.   If you've seen it you know you love it, and if you haven't, you will love it once you see it.  Or something like that.  HAPPY VIEWING!
 

Duvet time in Wales, Dear Friends. Nos Da.

Hey PeterLake:  have I told you lately I think you're swell?  Well:  you are.  Very swell.  I like your comment up yonder, among other reasons.  Fondly, your northside bud, p4.

Somedays you eat the bear and somedays the bear eats you. I am going to have the thickest burger I can grill and slather it with condiments of various and sundry orgins and pontificate as I wash it down with malt brew how I can actually lose something I never had in my hand in the first place. Then I will pee off the back deck in the darkness and like Mae West would say I feel like a million tonight --- but one at a time. By the light of the silvery moon...

In the jungle the quiet jungle the lion sleeps tonight...

ANDY,SPRING, CAROL, MOOSE, STONEY, RUSTY, JULIA, & CHEFD....................many thanks for your shoutouts for a wonderful 1st day! Much appreciated! It always feels good to have friends rooting for you. In the afternoon we had this 15 minute storm that knocked out power & I heard a little tornado tore thru & downed a tree a few blocks up from us. When I was going home the fire dept, was up in a cherry picker doing some work..................of course it was all very dramatic and somekids screamed, but it's nice to be in the dark & just put your head down for a little while.................it is ginormously hot & we can't take the kids out, so we did stretching & relaxation movements................cooler weather come ON!!!!!!!!!!!
HAZEL...............to have a screnn & get fresh air; I cannot wait, but I don't see it happening for a good two months.....................enjoy it for me please.....................
 
MOOSE.................ha, my wiseacre is a 2nd grade girl, a hunk of girl and she has this perpetual grin of mischief on her face, hand always up, and either she has the world's biggest bladder problem or she just loves to wander our hallowed halls.......................she is rather infamous at the Primary school.
 
STONEY.....................I so wish you could be my guardian angel fly on the wall; we all need one you know.....................
 
PARK..................Billy Basher, remember him????? This morning we all got to school 40 minutes early to tape the bus numbers to the kids' clothes as they got off the bus & his bus pulled up and he started to climb down; all shining curls & new Clifford backpack and I had to say, "You are going to the intermediate school, you stay on the bus." He backed up looking confused and as if he would burst into tears.....................it pretty much broke my heart.........................the intermediate school is NOT the primary school, in every way that counts.....................
 
CHEFD..................there is something wonderfully voyeuristic about reading a postcard not addressed to you....................that's the best way I've heard it phrased, that feeling we have.....................................

Right back atcha North-Sider. Your south-side bud. Hudson john

I wish lots of health, lots of happiness, and the least amount of pain as possible for all who are in need of that righ now

Bebes - you rock the school house.

PL...............many thanks for that one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's been fun reading the comments today.  And Fay, keep it up. I hope your friend gets better real soon.

Am I too late to catch the sepia train?  I hear tell that Rings might also have a ticket.  What a long day it has been...*sigh*.  What have I missed?

Some day I shall have to tell the tale of the "rat pack" themed (not really) wedding I was invited to attend 2 weeks ago, that went terribly right but only because the guests stepped up to be the help for the woman from the "island" (of dr. moreau) that we used to call friend.  You will not believe a word but you will be entertained and horrified.  Life is too short not to check in with friends, even if they loose their ever-lovin' minds every once in a while. How are my friends?

*crickets chirping on the platform" Maybe tomorrow night.  Sleep well!