Happy New Year - PFF

I love this card because these are not the usual flowers I think of in the dead of winter.

And because of the cute little heart in the center of one of those gorgeous blooms!

I rescued this card from a dumpster years ago ... along with many others (a story for a different day).

To see postcards from around the world, visit "The Best Hearts Are Crunchy" - and join us for "Postcard Friendship Friday"!

To see hearts from around the world, visit "Random Hearts" - and share YOUR heart on "Guest Heart Thursday"!

A Christmas Wish Postcard

This is one of the postcards I purchased from the "Farnsworth" collection at an estate sale. Most of the other cards were dated from 1900 to 1920 ... I don't know if this one falls in that time frame or not.

I wish you all a merry Christmas!

And a Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!!!

Lady in Green - Christmas Card

I found this card in mom & dad's papers ... 

and fell in love with it's old fashioned charm.

There was no envelope included, but it must have been sent in December 1958 ... Because by December 1959 my brother Dow would have been included.

Merry Merry Christmas Postcard - PFF

One of the few Christmas postcards in my collection ...

I love the hand written message written on the icy window.

Although the intended recipient behind the glass has to read it backwards!

To see postcards from around the world, be sure to visit "The Best Hearts Are Crunchy" - and join us for "Postcard Friendship Friday"!

"Dam Pig" Valentine

A valentine card found in Dad's papers ...
Because of the content of the note included, I was able to estimate the time frame as mid- to late 1940's.

It is signed from "Joan & Ada" (two of Dad's sisters)

Inside was a note:

"Dear Bud - I received your letter last night so will ans on this Valentine. Well if you get into the Navy or MM you might not get it. Well do you believe what Delorse says. Well I hardly do. I can't see a woman looking on him to support when shes got two kids to take care of. Have you see Betty yet. How is Aunt Irene & Jean. Well as for Neil probly don't want to see you. But you don't need to look for trouble. He wouldn't be alone. Well I didn't expect you to go with the girls. Oh have you seen Edna yet or any of them kids. Well write soon. Love Ada
the hog killed the goose and she had eggs in her already to lay. Dam pig."

To see hearts from around the world, visit "Random Hearts" - and share YOUR heart on "Guest Heart Thursday"!

A Manly Christmas Card!

I fell in love with this Christmas card I found in Dad's papers.

So very masculine!

"When you wake

on Christmas morning

Hope you'll find your Christmas tree

Heaped with everything to make you

Just as happy as can be!"

to Bud from Joe and Joan Gibson

Fountain in Chicago, PFF

Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain By Night, Grant Park, Chicago (Illinois).

"Built as a memorial to her brother, Clarence, a patron and trustee of the Art Institute, Kate Buckingham presented this largest fountain of its kind in the world to the City of Chicago. It is located in Grant Park and by night, when colored lights play over its sparkling jets of water, it is an unusually beautiful sight."

To Mrs. Ada Bray, Gen. Del., Gooding Idaho

Dear Gran - am coming to see you - by the 13th any way. Am in Chicago now.

Love Buster

This is a beautiful old card, but it is so much more.

This card was sent to my (great) Grandma Bray by my dad ... after his release from a WWII prison camp in 1945 ... and is one of several he sent as he was transferred all over the US afterward.

These few words written so long ago suddenly have such history; such special meaning ...

To see more wonderful postcards from around the world, be sure to visit "The Best Hearts Are Crunchy", and join us for "Postcard Friendship Friday"!

Handmade Valentine Card

I found this little Valentine card in Dad's keepsake papers ...

"To Oral from Margerie"

I have no idea who Margerie was ... but she made one cute little Valentine!

To see hearts from around the world, visit "Random Hearts", and share YOUR heart on "Guest Heart Thursday"!

Postal Zone Postcard

I found this delightful postcard at the thrift store a couple of months ago, and finally got around to inventorying and scanning it.

It made me giggle.

And because it has hearts, I'm linking up to Random Hearts - "Guest Heart Thursday"!

Veterans Day - Postcard - PFF

Monday is Veterans Day here in the US ...

A day to honor those who have given their all for the rest of us.

This year, Veterans Day is much more poignant for our family than ever before. My dad, a WWII soldier, is living out his final days at the Veterans Administration hospital in Portland after a major stroke.

What he went through for our freedom he only started talking about just a few years ago. He was a paratrooper in WWII. He was held as a Prisoner of War after being captured, and endured torture, sickness, cold, starvation and the deaths of his buddies. He lived with the scars, physical and emotional, for his entire life; even while forging a new life ... falling in love, building a house, and raising a family.

He never forgot.

And neither should we.

They say if you can read, thank a teacher.

I say if you can read in the language of your freedom, thank a soldier.

I will miss you, Daddy.

I will never forget your sacrifice.

And the sacrifices of ALL veterans who made it possible for us to live free.

SALUTE.

POSTCARD FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY

Turkey Car Postcard ... PFF

I can't believe it's November already; October flew by so quickly!

In just a few short weeks we will be celebrating Thanksgiving here in the US ...

Maybe this interesting couple isn't coming to visit ... they're running away to hide!

I found this wonderful "Turkey Car" postcard at a local thrift store about 5 years ago.

To see postcards from around the world, visit "The Best Hearts Are Crunchy", and join us for "Postcard Friendship Friday"!

Autumn Postcard - PFF

I was going through my postcards, trying to find one for Halloween, and realized I have none!

I did, however, find this one Autumn season card in my collection.

Meet Oakley and Tober.

They are part of a collection of "Bad Dog" postcards I found at a thrift store at least 5 years ago.

To see postcards from around the world, visit "The Best Hearts Are Crunchy" ... and join us for "Postcard Friendship Friday"!

The Merry Milk Maids Postcard, Vintage

This is another postcard from the Chambard collection I bought in July.

Most of the postcards are dated from between 1890 and 1920.

This postcard shows an apparent cast of "The Merry Milk Maids".

I couldn't find any background information about this production ... if you know anything about when, where and what this group was about, please let me know - I'd love to hear from you!

To see postcards from around the world, be sure to check out "The Best Hearts Are Crunchy" - and join us for "Postcard Friendship Friday"!

Mandan, ND Postcard

This is another of the postcards I bought in July at an otherwise disappointing "estate sale".

I love this hand tinted view of "Main Street, Looking East, Mandan, N.D."

I think the most striking thing about this old postcard (besides all of the horses on Main Street!) is the very tattered looking flag flying above the town.

 This postcard is not dated, but most of the rest were postmarked from between 1890 and 1920, so I assume this is from somewhere in that time frame.

 

To see more wonderful postcards from around the world, visit "The Best Hearts are Crunchy" - and join us for "Postcard Friendship Friday"!

 

 

Heart Istanbul Postcard

When we were stationed in Germany back in the mid-1980's, I had the good fortune to land a job as a Staffing Assistant at the Giessen Civilian Personnal Office, where I hired government employees to work in US Civil Service positions.

I worked with several German local nationals, and got to know and love them.

Whenever one of them would go on vacation, they would send back postcards to the office.

(shame on me, I would pick the postcards out of the trash and keep them!)

Frau Schafer sent this card from her trip to Istanbul.

I had forgotten how much she loved that belly dancing.

Tee hee!

To see hearts from around the world, visit "Random Hearts" - and share YOUR heart on "Guest Heart Thursday"!

To see wonderful postcards of all kinds from around the world, visit "The Best Hearts are Crunchy" - and join us for "Postcard Friendship Friday"!

Oregon Coast Postcard

My favorite place in the world is the beach ...

Anywhere the sea meets the sand ...

The Oregon coast is just a couple of hours from my house ...

But I don't get there often enough.

Until yesterday!!!

It was a gorgeous day.

We came home with sand in our shoes; peace in our hearts; and sun on our faces!!!

Sigh.

To see postcards from around the world, visit "The Best Hearts Are Crunchy" - and join us for "Postcard Friendship Friday"!

Thinking of You ... Butterfly

I love this card ..

The beautiful swallowtail butterfly that says I'm thinking of you ...

See? Here's proof ... I really AM thinking of you!

Old Postcard from Flores Lake, Oregon

This is another of the postcards I bought at the "estate sale" back at the end of July.

Again, there is no date on this one ... but I'm assuming it is probably (like the rest of the stack) dated from between 1900 and 1920.

"Flores Lake, Curry County, Oregon."

((Now known as Floras Lake, this popular recreational lake, located between Gold Beach and Bandon, Oregon, is a medium-sized lake on the southern Oregon coast.  It is an embayment which has been cut off from the ocean by low migrating sand dunes.))

I would love to see that boat up close.

I imagine any boats on this lake now are nothing like this beauty!

 

To see postcards from around the world, visit "The Best Hearts Are Crunchy", and join us for "Postcard Friendship Friday!"

I haven't contributed in a while ... I'm still trying to get back into the swing of things.

Old Postcard - Dock

I just love this old postcard I found in the stack I bought at the "estate sale".

When I first looked at the picture, I thought it was an ordinary "people-playing-on-dock" shot. Then I looked closer.

The men on the dock are all dressed up - suits, ties, bowler hats.

The women are apparently in swim suits - but they're not swimming.

They're each in their own BARREL, bare legs hanging over the edges!

I really wish I knew the story behind this picture.

 

As for the date ... most of the postcards I bought that day are dated (either marked or researched) between 1900 and 1920 - so I'm going to assume this one is between those dates.

 

Ah, if only these cards could talk - what stories I would hear!!!

 

 

Wash Day Postcard

As an advertised "estate sale" - it was a washout.

Maybe four tables full of overpriced junk that was old, on a patio outside of a touristy shop full of more overpriced junk that was new.

Then I spied the stack of old postcards.

From the early 1900's!

Like this wonderful picture card showing two ladies dressed in their Sunday finest to do the weekly laundry.

I am fascinated by the "washing machine" - complete with "agitator" and "wringer"!

The family must have been fairly affluent to afford such a newfangled device!!!

And don't you just love the barn and rail fence in the background?

 "Fridays Fences"!

Beth over at "The Best Hearts Are Crunchy" is hosting "Postcard Friendship Friday" - 

(Did you know today is Domestic Goddess Day???

 I didn't either! But this postcard is perfect!!!)

Wooden Shoe Postcard - PFF

When we were stationed in Germany (in the mid-late 1980's), one of the bus trips we took was to Holland.

On the way back, we stopped at this wooden shoe "factory" - what fun!

By the time we stopped I had already spent most of our trip $$, so I got a pair of miniature wooden shoes on a string.

Hmmmm I wonder where I put those shoes???

 

To see postcards from around the world, visit Beth at "The Best Hearts Are Crunchy" - and join us for "Postcard Friendship Friday"!

Redwoods in the Mist - PFF

I've always wanted to see the giant redwood trees in southern Oregon/northern California.

Sadly, though I've driven by that area several times, I've never been able to stop.

"Here we are in the rain again, but getting closer to home. Hope to get to Crescent City tonight. The van's doing great. Just put on 3200 miles in 3 weeks.

Sorry, we left the sun in SF. It wouldn't come with us.

See you soon.

Love, Grandpa & ma"

Postmarked Jan 27, 1998

To see fun and wonderful postcards from around the world, visit Beth at "The Best Hearts Are Crunchy", and join us for "Postcard Friendship Friday"!

 

Joy - A Postcard for PFF

This is the only card from my collection that is even remotely "fireworky".

I wanted something fireworky because next week we celebrate Independence Day in the US - and I don't have a single 4th of July postcard!!!

Don't you just love the style of this card?

Straight from the 1960's/1970's!

(At least that's what it looks like to me!)

 

To see wonderful postcards from around the world, visit "The Best Hearts Are Crunchy" for "Postcard Friendship Friday"!

P.S. If you live near Independence, Oregon ... it's worth the trip to see the party put on by this little town for the 4th of July. 

Plus that's where you will find Beth and I ... cameras in hand ... friends and family in tow ...

Down by the waterfront ...

Oh I can't wait!!!

Another Bad Dog Postcard

Meet Macy ...

Macy is said to make earrings out of cattle femur bones ...

Not sure what that's all about!

 

This is one of a series of "Bad Dog" postcards I found a long time ago, and thoroughly enjoy.

To see postcards from around the world, visit "The Best Hearts Are Crunchy" - and join us for "Postcard Friendship Friday"!

OSU/OSC Graduation 1939

Yesterday was graduation day at Oregon State University -
It was televised for those who couldn't attend.

I hear it was a full house; mostly because the key note speaker was Michelle Obama.

I was going through Grammie's papers, and found this graduation announcement.
My Great Uncle Lawrence - who graduated in 1939 ... back when OSU was Oregon State College (OSC).

I wonder who the key note speaker was that year???