Have you ever heard of Postcrossing?

Postcrossing was a new term for me and the concept popped up when I was reading a blog post that I follow. You may be like me and not know what on earth Postcrossing might be. "It's a project that allows you to send postcards and receive postcards back from random people around the world," is the explanation given on the official website. 

I recall getting postcards from my Granny when she traveled. Sometimes the postcard would get to us days after Granny had returned home but we still loved getting the mail. Great Aunt Mae would also send us postcards sometimes. When I was a young girl, there were times when I traveled, I would be allowed to buy postcards and send them to family members. I remember my grandparents saving postcards that they got from relatives who traveled or from family members who were in the military service. When I was clearing out my mother-in-law's desk I found several postcards that she had saved over the years. Some had not been mailed and I wonder if maybe she picked them up from places where she had traveled and saved them as mementos over the years.

There were several about Columbus, Ohio and some of the landmarks of that city.

There were two or three from Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The back side of the postcard shown above had a printed message telling the reader that Highway 58 is the best road up Lookout Mountain to Rock City.

I remember seeing postcards like the one shown above that advertised places to stay. Usually the front side of a postcard depicted something like a landmark, in this case an image of the motel. Then, on the back there was a description or message about the picture with space above or below where a message could be written to the recipient. Of course, the most remembered message was, "Wish you were here!"  Then, the other half of that side of the postcard provided space for the recipient's address to be written and a stamp affixed. 

The motel postcard was obviously a means of advertisement. The image was the front side and more information about the motel was on the message side of the card. A postcard like this might have been a freebie found in the room in hopes that guests would send away, not only providing information about their stay, but encouraging the recipient to come for a visit as well. Notice the phone number on the postcard. Even if I couldn't tell the postcard is from long ago, that phone number would be a dead giveaway!

Somehow postcards seem to have fallen into a category of things gone by the wayside, something from the past, a part of a by-gone era. I'm sure relics like the ones I found in my mother-in-law's desk might be a collector's item for somebody. With our world being ever more virtual and digital, these days we simply send a text with a photograph or video. We might get a notification on our phone and see a selfie of a relative standing in front of some historic landmark. 

The Mister and I still get a few postcards but these are mostly advertisements for a roofer or new flooring or gutters or something like that. Rarely are the postcards in our mailbox something that is a means of correspondence from a friend or relative. Almost never is a postcard in our mailbox one that we would want to keep. In fact, The Mister generally grumbles about such mail and tosses it into the trash before he even brings the mail into the house.

Yet, Postcrossing is offering people the opportunity to send postcards as a means of "turning your mailbox into a box full of surprises." They suggest it as a means of learning about far away places, different cultures, or even practice foreign languages.

After reading a bit more information, my mind began to wander. I thought of other ways that this same concept might be a really good thing. Wouldn't it be a great exercise for a group of young people or a class of school children to create their own postcards and send them to a retirement home, or a collected group of addresses of folks who are shut-ins, or to patients at a children's hospital? The writers could:

• Create the image that goes on the front
• Write a little blurb explaining the significance of the image
• Practice their writing skills within the message
• Learn and practice the accepted way to address mail

This wouldn't have to be a formal school or civic group activity, although it could be. It could be something that a parent could do with his/her own children.

Again, the school teacher in me is coming out... A class of students could create postcards and write about a topic they just learned, a historical event, a scientific fact or phenomenon, a story they just read, a book they would recommend, etc. The teacher could collaborate with another teacher in another school for swapping these postcards. 

A grandparent or relative who lives in another town could exchange postcards about different landmarks or events with their grandchildren or relatives living elsewhere. 

A great gift might be to buy or create a set of postcards, address and stamp them, and give them to a college student going away to school, or a grandchild who lives far away, or just to somebody with whom you would like to keep in touch. The gift-giver might even make blank postcards, address and stamp them and ask the recipient to decorate the front and write a message on the back and stick them in the mail. There could be one for each month or for more frequent occasions. You could buy blank postcards here.

I know that I used to love to get mail when I was a kid - long before most of what was delivered to my mailbox was bills. I also know that the anticipation of getting a delivery is still pretty exciting - often really more exciting than that quick text that is an instantaneous means of communication. I just looked it up and a postcard stamp costs less than a dollar. Plus, I saw that there will soon be issued a special, triangular shaped Global Postcrossing Stamp for sending even international mail. Learn more about postcards here.

Examples of the Global Postcrossing Stamp

I'm sure that there are loads of other ideas for ways to communicate with postcards. I kind of like this old-school method of communication and might even take the opportunity to put it into practice myself. I don't know if I will formally join in and be a part of the Postcrossing group, but I'm thinking I see some postcards going out with my signature on them in the future. What about you? Do you think you might send a postcard or two? Would you become part of the Postcrossing movement?

Today I noticed...Sometimes the wrong people have a lot of confidence.

One of my volunteer opportunities has been to sit on the Board of Trustees at a local cemetery non-profit in our community. Like many places around us, the location of the cemetery has stayed the same but the territory surrounding it has changed immensely. What used to be a hay field is now a shopping center anchored by a major grocery store and surrounded by different restaurants, commercial business such as walk-in hairstyle places, deli sandwich, pizza, and smoothie take-outs, financial institutions, a Pilates studio, a dental office, and more. What used to be a cow pasture is populated by houses with postage stamp yards and connected by concrete sidewalks. Time keeps ticking, people keep moving, and things keep changing.

So, when a developer recently purchased a couple of houses and lots that border the cemetery, he began clearing out trees and scrub bushes that were growing on his side of the property line. Several people were up in arms and wanted to know what we as a Board of Trustees were doing and how could we allow the massacre of so many trees. Some even stated that they purchased their grave lots based upon the location of the neighboring trees. They wanted to know why we allowed the trees to be cleared away. We explained that the new property owner next door really had legal rights to clear the trees off his own property. We even shared that the new property owner next door had contacted us to let us know that he had plans to create a buffer with a berm and some evergreens and suggested that patience and grace be extended to give the new property owner time to take the border from raw dirt to a more aesthetically planted appearance.

This past week, however, the Board of Trustees was asked what sort of business the new property owner planned to establish on the neighboring property that he owns. We let them know that we were unsure of his plans. One person had gotten wind that there might be a gas station there. Another had heard that it would soon be home to a quick-stop market. Yet another thought a pharmacy or fast food business would be there. They asked the Board how they could find out and/or what the Board could do to prevent a commercial eye-sore from being established on the neighboring property. We listened to their concerns but assured them that we as a cemetery Board of Trustees really had no power or control over what a neighbor does with his own property. We reminded them that the neighboring property is located within the historic district of our small town and any new business would have to be approved by that governing board. 

I think what surprised me most is that one family was concerned about the sort of business that might be established near their own loved one's grave but had no concern about what might be right around the corner and near somebody else's loved one's grave. They seemed to expect us to join them and take on city hall, so to speak, at one moment because it might impact them directly. Yet, they had no expectation when the impact was for someone else. They were confident that the neighbor needed to be and could be stopped from developing his own real estate if his plans did not suit their inclinations.

Happy Birthday, Lydia!

Hope it is the very best!

Just 3 Things | #30

This week seems to be full of blossoms and blessings! My pink African Violets have been blooming their hearts out! About a month ago I had that promise from one and it has burst forth with those promised blooms. This is one of the baby plants that I separated and moved the pot to my office. That linked photo really didn't have me anticipating that it would become this beautiful. Granny's eyes would be twinkling with smiles if she could see it now.

The parent plant has also bloomed and both of them are really beautiful right now. It is hard to believe that the original plant was just a little thing that was part of a basket with several plants that was delivered to Granny's funeral back in 2014. That little violet has brought a smile to my face many times over the years. This past week had several sorts of flowers bring me smiles.

- What I've Been Loving -

Last weekend saw me counting my many blessings. I spent a couple of hours visiting with my Mama. We got caught up on what all has been going on in the small town where she and her husband live - a couple of their favorite Mom and Pop restaurants have closed. One had a bit of gossip attached to it with the mother-in-law holding ownership of the building but the daughter-in-law and her son were divorcing so that meant the end of the Meat and Three. Then, there was a fire on the last day of business and it seems somebody went to jail. While the story was eyebrow raising, I do hate that the joint closed as the food was good and it was close by to Mom's house for a quick and delicious meal. Maybe a new operator will occupy the space soon. Fingers crossed.

Then, on Sunday morning, the grands who live next door made a delivery of a beautiful pot of flowers and stayed for about a half hour to sit and chat. I learned about their upcoming field day and rewards day and a field trip. I also learned who thinks they know all about things and who thinks about all the things and who really knows about all the things. We chatted and enjoyed our front porch rocking and visiting for a good twenty minutes before the eldest remembered that he had left the ATV idling in the back. Whoops! They scrambled around to the back yard and piled into the ATV and off up the hill they rode. I'm still smiling when I think about all of that!

My daughter and most of her family visited after lunch. They also came in bearing blooms. Their terra cotta pot held a beautiful and vibrant red geranium. Their visit revealed that the two younger girls still have the dregs of school to finish out their year. Then, one will start her summer job as a concessionaire at the local pool and the other will wrap up softball season and have volleyball camp. The eldest was working hard for her money at their local Tractor Supply Company. So, I'm guessing the days will not be a big change for her grown up self. The Mister and I enjoyed their visit and catching up on all that they have going on. 

The next crew through the door was my son and his family. They delivered a beautiful floral flag and then, we got the down low about the baseball tournament that the eldest had played in on the previous day. We also learned from him that having dad as a coach is not always a bad thing - other coaches can be harder to play for according to his insight. We also got to see a picture and hear a bit about the newest girlfriend. We learned that she, "checks all the boxes," and even has little sister's stamp of approval. The youngest let us know that she had achieved high scores by reading loads of books during her school year and she had to show me her newest book series that she is working through. The concession stand at the ball park had suffered for business the previous day, I'm sure. She had opted to stay with her Granny and they took flowers to the cemeteries to honor loved ones that had gone on to their rewards. Granny's snack supply might have a big dent in it, though, because she was chillin' with a coverlet, a book, and something to nibble and something to sip when she was picked up to go home. The Mister and I were glad to have the shared time and get all the updates from their busy lives as well.

Like any self-respecting parent and grandparent, the visits are cherished and their time for us is really appreciated. There is nothing as precious as time spent together and the opportunity to see and visit with family. 

- What I've Been Reading -

When I read The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club, I made a mental note to see if the author had something else I might want to read. Then, one of my lists that offers reading suggestions and discounts listed The Summer Before the War as a suggestion. I've barely started this one but I already recognize the author's style and why I enjoyed that first period novel. I will warn you that I can already tell another of her books will soon join my want-to-read stack. I visited the author webpage and read the About page and I think I can understand why I feel a kinship to her. Simonson states, "If you are looking for overnight success, writing may just be the slowest possible route – but as a woman who did not publish until the age of forty five, I hope I am living proof that it is never too late to follow your passion, or find a new vocation." 

via

I've always been a reader and a writer. As I told my children last Sunday, I don't think I can ever remember a single day in my lifetime that I didn't yearn to read and maybe not a day when I didn't read as well. Like Simonson, I also started my career, that of an educator, later in life. So, maybe that has made us kindred spirits, as Anne of Green Gables might say. 

- What I've Been Working On -

I wouldn't really call it work but I guess it took the place of work I could have been doing... I played with my new sewing machine to try out the different embroidery motifs. I ordered some cup towels and some hand towels and thought that might make good gifts. The cup towels are the very basic kind that have a blue stripe woven in that runs down both sides and the fabric has a sort of flour sack feel to it.

Blue E Monogrammed Cup Towel

I started with the same alphabet that I had used for the napkins that I began my learning journey with. It is a beautiful alphabet and looks really pretty on something simple like these cup towels. I used the primary colors that I originally bought as my crayon box of thread colors. This project became a Mother's Day gift for my Mama. She is the one who taught me that even practical things can be pretty.

E Monogrammed Cup Towel with Flowers

The second cup towel that I did for her used a different alphabet and I think it just looks like something she would love. She has always loved and nurtured flowers in her yard and she has always featured floral designs in her home decor. This one just looks like a bouquet. I used the guide that came with the book and those recommended colors. I love how it turned out and that really helped me to see that a variety of colors could be used with this alphabet to show off different seasons or different room colorways.

Erwin Cup Towel with Fall Flowers

I liked this flower motif and used the recommended colors suggested by the guide that came with the machine. I think it looks sort of fall-ish but those colors would be pretty in any season. I learned to move the design around within the hoop. I scooted the design down near the bottom of the hoop. Then, I moved it up an inch or so. That left me room to use one of the simple alphabets and add the name below the flowers. So, this project was a fun teaching tool as well as a creative outlet that I could share with my mom.

Tone on Tone E Monogrammed Hand Towel

For the hand towels, I figured she might use those in one of her bathrooms. So, I kept the colors very basic and simple to work in any of the baths in her house. I am a lover of white towels with an ecru or tan monogram. However, Mama tends to like tans and ecrus. So, I got some tan terry cloth towels and used an ecru thread for the stitching. This is the same alphabet as the first cup towel. I just stopped and didn't add the flowers.

Basic E Monogrammed Hand Towel

For this second option, I used the alphabet that I had used for writing out the name on the cup towel with the lilies. I learned to enlarge the lettering. So, when writing a name, I used the pre-programmed letter size. However, for this hand towel, I bumped up the size to the largest possible size. 

Block Letter E Monogrammed Hand Towel

For the final hand towel, I used the block alphabet that had all of the flowers interwoven like the cup towel with the turquoise letter and multicolored flowers shown above on the cup towel. Again, I just stopped the machine and didn't add any flowers to this one. The simplicity of it, yet, the boldness of the block lettering seems to capture a classic look to me.

Practicing on these towels helped to build my confidence and taught me several different things about my new machine. I probably could sit with it every single day and create something different using the simple pre-programmed designs. Plus, it is so fun to just touch the buttons and watch it go to work stitching something that turns out beautiful! So, I wouldn't really call this work - maybe it fits into that old saying, "Find something you really love and it won't feel like work."

The Mister has brought home a beautiful pink geranium, some Cilantro and Rosemary plants, and a bag of potting soil that I requested. So, I'm off to the back porch to begin filling some of my empty pots. My gimpy leg has made me have a late start on planting this year. I have sowed some Zinnia seeds in an old trough near the basement door and I noticed that several of them have green leaves that have surfaced. So, I'm excited about that. 

I hope your weekend is blooming with good things that bring big smiles to your face. Happy Friday!

Today I noticed...Supporting another person's success will never ruin yours.

Success seems to look different to different people. I think that's alright.

I'm sure that what I feel as a successful venture may seem like peanuts to somebody else. Yet, I am free to feel and celebrate that success as I'd like. 

Why don't we look for the success of others and cheer for that? 

Why can't we be glad for them and, if possible, support them as they are working toward that goal?

Chances are that their goal marking success is not going to be the same as mine anyway. 

Reach out and help lift someone up!

Getting Cultured Up

I attended an event last week that enriched my life in a couple of ways. 

Our granddaughter, Lydia, plays the alto saxophone in the Huntsville Concert Band. They practice once per week for a couple of hours. The musicians are all volunteers and range in age from high school students to retirement age. There are more than eighty members of the band and they were wonderful!

Huntsville is about a two-hour drive from our house. So, I was southbound and down, as they say. When I arrived, I circled the church building's parking lot and found a parking space within sight of the entryway. I climbed down out of my truck and noticed a little white haired lady parked across from me climbing out of her car and steadying herself with her cane. She slung her purse over her shoulder and looked up at me. "Are you here for the band performance?" she queried. I smiled and told her that I certainly was. She wondered where the entry door could be found. I pointed northward and told her that I saw a UHaul truck around the corner and was headed in that direction in anticipation that it had hauled the larger instruments on site. So, we crept across the parking lot together. Me in my boot and her with her cane to steady herself. 

I asked her if she had a relative playing in the day's concert and she told me, "No. I just enjoy music. I went to the symphony across town last night." She asked me if I had a relative playing and I told her that our Lydia is playing. She asked what instrument Lydia played and I told her. "Alto Sax...," she said. "I had a friend when we were middle school age and she played the saxophone. We walked to school together. Most everybody walked to school in those days. We didn't have fancy buses to haul us. My friend was just a little slip of a thing and that sax was a big old instrument. So, she put it in a little red wagon and we stacked our books in there and took turns pulling it down the road. The other kids poked fun at us at first but we didn't care. It was a lot better than toting all that weight and straining our backs." She gave a little giggle. She added, "Sometimes this sort of thing is not well attended. So, I like to support them. I don't have a lot going on these days I like to help fill a seat. It looks like there is a pretty good crowd here today, though."

We hobbled inside and were greeted by my daughter, Bridgette, who had been drafted to look after the donations jar. So, I introduced her as the mother of our musician. The room was quite full and I took a seat in the back row beside where Bridgette had left her bag. The next thing I knew, here was my new friend asking if it was alright for her to sit beside me and I encouraged her to make herself comfortable I noticed that she tapped her foot and bobbed her head from time to time during the concert but she sat silently and took it all in. 

When the last note had sounded and thanks and applause had silenced, I felt a hand on my elbow. My new friend said, "I know that you are proud of your granddaughter. They were wonderful today. I think I enjoyed this even more than the fancy symphony last night. Please give her praise from me and a thanks for brightening my ears and my day. I'm sure you will want to wait and give her a hug, So, I'm going to mosey on out to the parking lot and head home. Thanks for the company!"

I enjoyed having a friendly face and person beside me who seemed to be enjoying the performance as much as I did. The concert featured a variety of selections that appealed to a broad spectrum of patrons. They were a big band and had a Big Band sound and the performance added a sense of cultural relevance to all of our lives that afternoon playing old familiar tunes, adding in a bit of humor, and winding up with a patriotic flare. 

On my trek back north toward home, I thought a lot about my new friend. I gave a little prayer of thanks for her and for the fact that she could still get out and about to soak up something that she enjoys. She made me think of my Great Aunt Mae who lived alone for many years and would often support cultural events in her hometown. I'm sure she was probably a lot like that little lady. I thought about how thankful I am that Lydia has this opportunity to spend time doing something she loves and share it with others. I also lifted a bit of thanks for the folks who performed and shared their gift of music for all of us...especially for my new friend who certainly had something going on last Sunday.

Happy Mother's Day!

I am blessed to be surrounded by a group of wonderful mothers. 

Mama  has always been the heart who made our house a wonderful and welcoming home. I am ever grateful for the examples she set for me. I hope she has a Mother's Day as wonderful as she is!

The other wonderful mothers who surround me are the mothers of our grandchildren. We see all that you do and are grateful for you every single day. Thank you for all the joy that you have brought to our lives!

Bridgette

Jessica

Bonnie

Laura

Happy Mother's Day!

Here is a sweet message.