send more postcards

That’s the danger when you’re traveling out of town for an extended time. You have no idea how many postcards you send. I will say, however, that in my holiday stockings I received a very kitschy Ronald Reagen postcard that I’m itching to get rid of. Any takers? Maybe I’ll just send it to my ultra-conservative parents; they might think I’ve turned over a new leaf.

Anyway, just for the challenge, I’ll keep my count at 38.

I believe I’ve sent more than this, but I know I mailed out four during my recent trip: one to a former resident of St. Paul, one to a relative, and one to a Spam-loving friend. (I mailed one to myself for my journal, but that doesn’t count.)

Goal: 43 Postcards
Mailed: 3 more (5 total)
Remaining: 38

...if I’m going to cross “Send More Postcards” off my list. I’ve got 43 to go, now that I’ve established that number as my baseline. So, I’ve mailed out one yesterday and today.

Goal: 43 Postcards
Mailed: 2
Remaining: 41

Well, I didn’t write out a postcard every day this week, but I did manage three. I sent them to my relatives and in-laws, those older folks in my life who always appreciate mail no matter how large or small. It made me feel really good.

Well, I joined postcrossing.com, sent out my first postcard early last week, and got notification that it had been received. This means I’ve got a postcard headed my way—what motivation to keep writing. I’m going to send out another this weekend.

I’m also going to try an experiment…each morning, over coffee, I’m going to try to write out a postcard to a different friend or family member. Kind of a beginning-of-the-day, informal reflection. Nothing too serious, as the length of the postcard won’t allow it. I have a feeling that thinking of my loved ones so early in the day will have the added benefit of making me smile even before I get my caffeine fix.

Talk about your serendipitous moments. I fill out my entry about postcards and start noticing how many people out there love them as much as I do. Lots of folks here are mentioning the PostSecret blog at http://postsecret.blogspot.com/ or http://www.Postcrossing.com, where postcards are sent all over the world. I feel right at home here.

I just love postcards, love that the form helsp me focus on little moments of my life. I love that they invite everyone to read them. I love the immediacy and informality of them. And I love the way postcards encourage the trivial ties of converation that create intimacy.

Is there any downside to them? Yes, if you live where I do. The employees of the US Post Office in my area are really into following regulations. If I try to send an off-size (or homemade) postcard they will often tag it, sending it on to the recipient but charging them for the extra postage. It takes some of the magic out of it. (So I either tend to send out standard-size postcards or have to visit the post office, the latter of which cuts down on spontaneity a bit.)