Happy PFF Friday - 1983 Desert In Bloom

Uncle Dale longed to travel the United States and the world. He had a handicap, however, that prevented him from finishing school past the 3rd grade, and made it impossible to ever drive a car. He mostly stayed home and took care of Grammie.

But they had wonderful friends. Sometimes their friends took Uncle Dale with them on their adventures ... at other times, they shared their own travels with him - to help him fulfill his dreams.

Happy PFF Friday - Portland City Park, 1935

This beautiful postcard depicts Portland, Oregon's "City Park".

City Park was renamed in 1909 to Washington Park, and today is home to the International Rose Test Gardens, Washington Park Zoo, Japanese Gardens, the forestry center, and much more.

This card was postmarked to my grandparents in 1935, apparently from a friend of theirs - concerned that they had missed church.

I don't know why the postcard, dated 1935, is labeled as "City Park". I think most likely it was a card that had been lying around in someone's house for years before they sent it to my grandparents.

1971 Lola Montez Postcard

Grammie's sister did tend to see the flaws in life - but kept a grand humor about them.

I'm not sure who Lola Montez was. I guess I will have to do some research on her, because it sounds like she had a very fabulous life.

Harvey Picks a Postcard - Happy PFF!

Today is the last day of Harvey the Gnome's visit with me. He usually lives with Michelle, but he has gone walk-about this summer, on a trip around the world.

I asked him to pick his favorite postcard out of my collection and wouldn't you know it ... he somehow managed to find the only one I have that features Mickey Mouse!

This is a card I found in the recycle bin at my storage unit. I thought it was too cute to be garbage, so it became part of my collection.

Yummy Postcard!

I was going through my old trunk when I came upon this yummy postcard.

I don't remember where or when I got it (it was printed in 1984), or who I intended it for. I guess it was meant for ME! I thank myself very kindly! A wonderful treat for today.

1945 Valentine Card

The discoloration around the heart comes from the silky material insert.

Your heart is mine, my heart is yours.

Postmark date 1945. Ivor and Mildred were separated by his time in the US Navy. How tough that must have been! It touches MY heart, though, to see the love they still shared.

Early 1930's Congratulations Card

This Congratulations card is to Mildred prior to her marriage to Ivor (1932). It is made of very heavy paper. The print of the buildings on the card makes me think the occasion may have been Mildred's high school graduation.

Happy PFF Friday - Car care reminder, 1969

Do they still send out delightful postcards when it's time for your car to be serviced?
They did in May of 1969!

Ivor always drove Fords, always bought them from Lynn Kirby Ford on Union Avenue (now MLK) in Portland, Oregon ... and always had them served at the same dealership.

I also have a postcard from June of 1969 that says (of course) -- "Thank you for thinking of us when your car needed service."
Hmmmm I wonder what made him think of using them???

1950 Bridal Shower

I love the sweet innocence of this beautiful blushing bride.

I'm not sure who these people are ... the envelope was too faded. The only thing readable was the 1950 postmark.

1954 Christmas

Another cheerful Christmas card from 1954. I appreciate the muted greens set off by the vibrant red background and bright yellow flames.
I didn't notice until I was posting this that the postmark year is again upside down!

Happy PFF Friday - Mt. St. Helens and Portland, Oregon

This card of "home" has traveled all over the world with me. It shows Mount St. Helens in the background, and the Fremont Bridge and Portland (Oregon) in the foreground. It appears to have been taken at the Rose Test Gardens up in the West Hills.

Since the Fremont Bridge was opened in 1973 and Mt. St. Helen's catastrophic eruption that blew the top off the mountain happened in 1980, this picture was taken sometime between those two dates.

I do know that I kept this postcard with me for many years and many miles. Now I get to actually "send" it!

Twin Peaks

I found this "Twin Peaks" card years ago - one of my first Goodwill Surplus Store purchases. I never watched the show, but knew it was filmed in Washington state.