Can you believe it is already February? I don't like to wish away time, but I am not unhappy to see the back end of January. It means we are getting just that much closer to spring. And closer to warmer weather. January is a drab month for me, but February always feels just a little bit happier and more hopeful.
And February is going to be a month of letter/card writing, too, which is always a good thing. I love getting mail. I am spoiled really, as I have a number of snail mail correspondents both here in the US and abroad and I look forward to, enjoy and appreciate each and every card that I receive in the mail. It's always a sad day when I come home to nothing but bills or ads. Luckily between Postcrossing and my letter writing friends those days are generally few and far in between.
I signed up for Start 2014 Write, which the Estella Society and Kailana from The Written World are hosting and have received my list of names. I have already dropped a stack of postcards in the mail to get the ball rolling. Rather serendipitously I received a surprise card in the mail last Friday--I've been RAK'd or as the sender said--she sent a random act of smileness. So, Delphine, thank you. I'm not even sure how that happened but I am guessing it must be related to my Postcrossing activities. You can see the card above. It came from somewhere in France and has a lovely red stamp on the back with Mots d'Amour on it.
I'm accumulating quite a collection of bookish postcards, but I am always happy to get any postcard in the mail and love the variety from quirky to beautiful. At the moment my cards are very disorganized (they get put into wicker baskets or pinned to bulletin boards and sometimes go to work with me to stay propped by my computer for something nice to look at). But I am collecting a new stack to share as it is about time for a new selection of 'Literary Postcards'.
In the meantime and in honor of this month's proposed letter writing, I thought I'd share a random selection of cards I've especially liked that I've received lately. Setting the mood, if you will.
I love this card. It is a painting by Frans Hals, rather a detail of the painting. I don't know who that cheeky fellow in the foreground middle is, who is so boldly looking at us (perhaps the artist himself?), but I often take it to work with me and leave him on my desk. I have this idea that he would have some choice words to share on just about any subject.
My friend Cath sent me this cart of Pieter Brueghel the Younger, "Winter Landscape with Bird Trap", which is another card that has been traveling with me back and forth to work. The detail is amazing and there is so much to look at and ponder. It's also quite fitting for the time of year.
Compare the one above with this more modern skating scene (I love windmills by the way).
I love these cards that show many images in one (Nouvelles Images does a whole series of these and these cards are generally much in demand by Postcrossers). This particular card came from a Dutch friend who swaps bookish cards with me.
One more Dutch inspired card. This is a Jetoy postcard, which are also much in demand and hard to come by. I have about three or four of them and this is one of my favorites. Okay, they are on the 'cute' side, which I tend not to be especially drawn to, but they're cats and how can you not like cat postcards?
For something a little more tongue-in-cheek there is always Kliban. Stefanie sent me this one, which I got quite a kick out of.
Or maybe this Finnish knitting cat?
My friend Julia sent me this great postcard from the National Portrait Gallery. We share an interest in books and art and she sends me really wonderful cards. Not so long ago I mentioned I was looking for books on women and war work and shortly after this showed up in my mailbox! It is "Ruby Loftus Screwing a Breech Ring" by Dame Laura Knight, 1943.
I'm not the only one fed up with the weather. This one just arrived a couple of days ago. Wishful thinking! I could be pretty happy in that hammock with a book in hand and something cool to sip.
I leave you with one more--a vintage reproduction of just what you imagine for a postcard--a vacation remembrance of happy days--this is a wonderful seaside image from my friend John, who also sends the best cards (and wonderful stamps, too!). Don't they all look happy?
Coming soon--a literary postcard edition!