MAR to Irene and Ben - Timbertop School

Troy coined the phrase - FOJ - Fear of Jean - which my Mean Jean persona rather enjoys - but Mean Jean is such a minor character. Kind and Nurturing Jean would like anyone who has a project on the back burner to know that sometimes the best way to finish up a project is to just pitch it. I was so intent on finding lovely designs to go with the Lichtenstein stamps. These two were left - and now they are gone - and having them gone has lightened my load. It's entirely possible that my April envelopes will be so much better - with my *clean slate* so to speak.

***

While we are on the topic of study-on-a-ship opportunities - an article from the NYTimes caught my eye. Here is a quote from the article referring to the author's daughter ... she is hundreds of miles away at a uniquely Australian school in the bush, where she is running and hiking dozens of miles a week, sharing chores with classmates, studying only from books and, most miraculously, spending her whole ninth-grade school year without the internet, a phone, a computer or even a camera with a screen.

This is partly on topic - because, yes, the students get to have a year of snail mail. If you want to read the article - do a search at the NYTimes - *Timbertop* will take you to the article.

Or - you might want to look at the website for the school:

https://www.ggs.vic.edu.au/geelong-grammar-boarding/life-at-timbertop/
 

MAR to Cathy - Semester at Sea

Oh oh. Is that how you spell it? When you say it, it sounds more like oht-oh. The lettering is done with some Pantone markers from when you could buy one at a time - used to augment the ZIGs - and they are 30 years old - and I should just toss them - but that does not seem like something I could ever do ---- although - I'm almost thinking I could...... 

Brace yourselves for quite a few that are ho-hum or even worse.

***

It is still the same afternoon when I wrote yesterday's blurb. Wondering about stories caused a few to pop up - including one that is about mail

When I first met him - in 1976 his World Campus Afloat experiences were fun to listen to. I searched and did not find this story on the blog - so it's a good space filler - and not entirely off-topic.

WCA is still around - it is now called Semester at Sea - easy to find through Google. It's a big cruise-type ship offering college credit for classes taught by legitimate instructors/professors who are on board. It is not a fancy ship - but sea-worthy. MrWilson chose an itinerary that started in Florida and had a couple stops in Africa and then India - then some other places - maybe Phillipines, Hong Kong, Japan - then Hawaii - ending in California. 

Trips are approximately 110 days and 10 stops - so that's a lot of time on the ship and in 1973 the only communication with family was writing letters. Families had addresses and a timeline so they could send mail that would be waiting at the various ports. Phone calls were available for emergencies only. 

In one of MrWilson's classes - the assignment was to come up with some kind of rumor to start on the ship to track the flow of rumors. The rumor they started was that there had been a problem and there would be no mail at the next port. Enough of the students were so traumatized by the news that they had to call off the project. As I recall, he said the women were a little more upset about not getting their mail - not that it matters - but just think of what it would have been like to send your kid off - and having only snail mail for updates. Or perhaps it was a welcome break?

 

MAR to Hudson USPS - Background issues

These three are to the clerks at the post office in Hudson NH and I left an N out of Christanna's name so I will be sending three more. The JO in Jordan is way off. I have some better ideas for when I do a correction for Christina. Anyone with lots of time to fill may send some happy mail to Hudson if you like these names. Am I the only one who has preferences for certain kinds of names? I put these three in a larger envelope - addressed to Paula - the clerk who sent the names of her co-workers. The stamps on these envelopes are *used.*

 

And the black borders are where I used the tool to remove the background - but on Allison's - the tool worked and did not leave the black border. It will not be hard to remember that I do not want to try any photo modification options - because they have minds of their own.

Our new POV for everything is going to be KIS - Keep it simple. 

It is 2:30 pm and this is super boring blurb writing - apologies - I will refrain from writing blurbs in the PM.

Blurb writing should happen right after the morning coffee. 

Serial posts -- stories that go on for a few days - seem to be better.

I have 14 days to fill - I wonder if I can think of some stories?

MAR to Susan - 2 items from Amy

I used the tool to remove the background from the photo and then when I inserted the photo of the envelope into the blog post - the background I had removed turned black and to be honest - it might have helped the design which was a resounding dud. I was using up my Pantone markers on some envelopes that were super nice paper. Poor planning on the spacing. 

Susan deserves something much better than this. The only reason I sent it without doing it over was that out of 20-22 envelopes for the month - at least half of them needed to be redone. Perhaps I am doing Susan a favor by sending things that she is happy to toss - because she might be running out of space. I penciled in her zip code and I have no idea how I finished this envelope. 

Apologies sent along with the deep regrets.

***

Amy sent a couple items - first a link to USPS podcasts. I have not listened to anything yet as I am on a majorly disciplined mission to resolve some hoard issues.

https://usps-mailin-it.simplecast.com

Amy also sent this link to something on TikTok - and I don't think I have ever been on TikTok. She says that you do not have to *join* - but, disciplined-Jean is doing the least amount of surfing possible - and trying a whole new platform sounds very counter productive to my mission.

Amy says it is a dad who does a daily drawing on his son's lunch bag

@popteez  -- if you know how TikTok works - I guess that's the address??

Thanks, Amy for helping fill the blog. 

 

FEB from Sharon - POV

 

As a dragon-year-person - I like dragons - and this is a very nice one. The gold envelope is perfect. The address is nice and legible. Hopefully the scanners could read it with ease. 

There was a bonus inside - this very pretty valentine. 

OK, we've been wandering around with multiple topics for 10 days. This is day 11. That means I have a third of those 30 blog posts written and there's no time to do re-writes.

I keep seeing POV everywhere and I assume it means point of view. I don't see how a person can be devoid of a point of view. What would that be? 100% wishy-washy? Is wishy-washy the opposite of POV?

I'm not sure I know how POV is being used. Since it is a trending term it's entirely possible that I am not up on that particular trend. I might *put a pin in it* and come back to the topic. It's March 20th as I write this and the blog is filled up for a month - so - I can put it on the back burner until some new topics pop up.

FEB from Sharen

I usually show the envelope first - but I can't get the photos to move. There was a charming little card with a thank you for the exchange - and another flower enclosure. I like those rounded corners.

And here is the envelope with Sharen's pretty pointed pen addressing.

The adjective I was needing a few days ago had to do with identifying the qualities of my writing that made the words blog-worthy. Since I have the utmost respect for good writing and I've often wished I had time (or had taken the time a while back) to hone those skills - I've made peace with the fact that I am a conversational writer and my audience is what it is - and I don't need to dig any deeper than that.

Whenever thank yous arrive in emails or in the envelopes like this one from Sharen - it's the perfect reminder that it is nice to make connections - and the thanks goes both ways.

We might sum this topic up tomorrow.

FEB from Patty - Happy Big Number

While we are talking about *vibes* we should note that this has a similar vibe to the envelopes from a couple days ago from Kate and Sam. It even makes me wonder if I should toss out ideas like this and have everyone do their version.

Below is another tried and true layout. that would work in countless ways.

I like the way Patty wrapped the design around to the flap, too.

I'm putting the *feeling* search to rest. It get the same feeling every time I am making/creating anything. Every blog post is a blank page just as every envelope is a blank page. We know there will be an image and some words - that's our mission - coming up with the words and images.

So, there's a feeling that comes when we start something new. Even if we have done it more than 5,000 times. (Referring to how many times I have started a new post)

Oh, wait, I just checked - as of March 20, I have posted 6,004 blog posts. We missed the rollover to 6,000. That's a lot of posts. I'm through pondering what the feeling is when I pop open a blank screen. Now we have to figure out that adjective. Don't worry, you don't have to scroll back - I'll refresh your memory tomorrow.

 

FEB from Lynne - Jean's vibe

Lovely pointed pen work from Lynne and some watercolor flowers -- they look a little bit like cherry blossoms. Apologies that I keep using the word *lovely* on all the February envelopes....

A bit more pondering about the origin of the blog.

 I only had a vague notion of what the students were asking for. I, too, had taken many classes/workshops that were sooooo good and I've known the feeling of wishing there was more after the class/workshop was over. So, it seemed like a no-brainer to start a blog. 

At first it was just my own envelopes on the blog. Pretty soon, I started posting envelopes from others. And then the exchanges blossomed and we've morphed into a 50-50 situation. 

Chore avoidance has been a huge component of this whole experience. That coupled with the generous feedback I get is really all I need. People think I put in a lot of hours and I really don't. 

So - did we get our word for the feeling I have about reflecting on what I am doing and wondering if I am maintaining the *vibe*? 

Technically, I don't have a clear idea of what my *vibe* is. Maybe we can talk about that.

FEB from Leslie

Loving the loveliness from Leslie.

Never mind what I wrote yesterday - the word search topic is alive and well. 

***

<snipped out a paragraph> too many words about finding words - which led to....

***

This is turning into an existential question. What am I doing? What are we doing? What do we want? 

Is the act of asking those questions just complete drivel?

OK - you need to know right now - there's no way that any of us are going to find answers to these questions. The blog was this thing I started because I had students who were wishing they could get *more* of something after the session of classes had ended.

More what? I don't think they were specific -- but, I interpreted it as a wish that they could get more of whatever they had gotten out of the class. What started out as an extension of a class is now just an abstract and virtual *gathering.* Or maybe it's something different for each person.

 

From Kate and Jessica - Red markers/craft stores

I forgot to put this bookmark in the post yesterday. Kate made it and it had something to do with tea bags. My self discipline is not allowing me to go search in the hard copies.

Below is the envelope from Jessica. Sticking with just red and white has me interested in doing something along those lines -- although I know that I have very few red markers. Here's a topic I could rant about.

Troy likes my rants and I know there is an email from him with a very good rant topic that I will have to dig out.

I was going to rant about not being able to buy red markers - but I realized that I need to look at a couple stores that I avoid. We no longer have an actual art supply store and the scrapbooking store has a very limited supply - so I need to figure out a way to enter a craft store. Do I need to explain why?

Also - the whole grammar thing and looking for words has drifted into the ozone. 

 

FEB from Kate - Kate and I

When this arrived - I was struck by how much it resembled the envelope that I chosen as my own inspiration that I intended to use for some of my Feb envelopes. I did not end up doing that - but, since I had saved the image to my downloads - I could at least pull it out and add it to this post for fun.

 The inspiration envelope is from a couple (or 3) years ago when Sam found us and exchanged. Sadly, she passed away - but if anyone is new to the blog and you have not seen Sam's envelopes - put her name into the search box - there's some really good stuff. Search both Sam and Samantha.

Grammar - what was I going to say about grammar?

I loved grammar but was woefully inept at spelling and I still am. The grammar *rule* that I thought was one of the iron-clad ones was. Putting the other name first. It was ALWAYS:

Kate and I are going to eat lunch. NEVER: Me and Kate are going to eat lunch.

During the years my kids were growing up ( 80s and 90s ) - I noticed that sooooo many kids would use *me and Kate....* and it drove me crazy. I'd ask other parents if it bothered them - and they all noticed it - but it didn't bother them as much as it bothered me.

Little by little - it has taken over -- and it seems like it's perfectly fine to say *me and Kate....*

I don't know how to word the question to Google about how this change occurred - so if any of you know how it happened or can find out, please send me a link. It still sounds so weird to me.

Tomorrow we will return to the search for the noun and the adjective.....as if we can even remember what we were looking for.

***

7 am CST - and alert reader Scarlet from the UK has left a link for us - in the comments - that explains it has nothing to do with grammar - it's all about being polite. Thank you -- I am currently working on early June posts - so we will return to this topic on June 10. Thank you Scarlet.

FEB from Kristine - noun/adjective/grammar

Red on pink. And touches of green. When I was a kid - I thought pink and red was a seriously clashing combination. Over the years it grew on me. I'm not sure I would have thought to add green - and Kristine really lucked out because green on pink could have been seriously muddy.

So yesterday I couldn't find a word for the feeling I was having about having 30 posts to fill with words. I have cut back dramatically on my surfing and I always loved the wide variety of things that I used to find. But, somewhere along the line I realized that there were some urgent matters to take care of...like clearing out the Legos before I check into my retirement community.

On top of it - I get some lovely messages from readers who like the blog - so there is the hope that I can continue to keep the posts (insert adjective) - something other than a waste of time.

Great -- now we need two words - a feeling and an adjective. I guess feelings are nouns? I was always a high scoring student in grammar. This will become a topic to fill tomorrow's post.

 

FEB from Janet - progress report

I guess later in the month Janet decided to drop another envelope in the mail. This one had a vintage postcard. That Mediocrates sticker from yesterday might have been on this envelope. 

Disciplining myself enough to transfer all the images onto the blog without stopping in the middle was a big deal. Once it was done, it felt like a leaf had been turned. But, the next step is writing the posts. When I have 30 posts to fill with words I feel ______. How's this: It is an ineffable feeling to have 30 posts to fill with words.

I think the good enough postcard arrived in the envelope with the good enough sticker....

And this cracked me up - on the back - Janet noted that my name was too close to the hearts. There is a little sad face at the end - but not a deep regret. I wonder if there are more than 2 designations for *not-what-we-would-have-preferred*? Maybe *Good enough* is at the least problematic end of the spectrum.

The opposite end would be - so bad I started over - but, if we do not get to see it - should it even get a rating. Is the rating system worth spending any time on?

 

FEB from Janet

Janet had already done this one before she received her exchange list - so she sent it along. The rubber stamp on the back cracked me up. It's sooooo me. Not that I don't try to make things 100% pleasing - it seems like at least half of my envelopes have problems that annoy me - not enough to do them over - but enough to be disappointing.

Before I get to that progress report, I might ruminate on why it seems like I am in a slump regarding the quality of the envelopes. It's because my ability to multi-task is impaired. This is boring jibber-jabber. 

Here is what's really going on - this is the progress report. I did manage to photograph all the incoming and outgoing envelopes and put them in properly labeled folders. And then - this was the hard part. I managed to upload all of them to the blog in one sitting. So now I have 30 posts with photos - and have to go back and write the words. 

Tomorrow I will explain whether this is progress or not.

 

FEB from Susan

Susan has more raven stamps. Or maybe that was the last one. Either way, I am a little jealous. Or am I envious? What's the difference between jealousy and envy? I heard something one time that stuck with me. Jealous rhymes with zealous and so it's OK to be jealous - because it's not a deep feeling - it's just noting that there is something that one likes a lot and maybe wishes it was theirs. Envy, on the other hand is deeper and more problematic. I have no idea who comes up with these things. It is also a mystery how some of this stuff sticks in my head. What if it's wrong?

Tomorrow we will have a progress report on my system that was going to be foolproof - to keep track of my postings.

The way Susan has put the name and address on a *label* is quite nice - and I'm tempted to do this - but once again - it will only work (for me) if the address fits nicely under the name. 

I wonder what kind of tool she used to apply the white paint - the photograph does not show the texture which is very nice.

 

FEB from Irene + Matt part 3 + Jeremy Workman

Irene is another one of our pointed pen experts. Once again - what does she do with the long addresses?

Irene included a pretty card. I thought I would love the dragon stamps - especially since I was born in a dragon year and I have my dragonesque characteristics - but the colors seemed like they would be challenging. I might rethink that.....

***

The final thing I have to say about Matt Green, the guy who has turned walking into a *career* of sorts is that his parents reminded me that it was OK to be supportive of some of the alternative things my kids got into. He has a brother and both of the boys have had those kinds of experiences that could have gone into the zone of catastrophe and the experiences gave them some valuable perspective. 

While my own near-catastrophe adjusted my perspective on quite a few things - I generally don't complain - but, it's helpful to see reminders from others who have made adjustments. 

I ended up with a bunch of questions about the person who made the film - and his website is pretty interesting. He has several more films that I shall be watching. I will refrain from making this into a movie-review blog.

https://jeremyworkman.com

Even if you have zero interest in Jeremy -  what you see when his website pops up is very clever. Sometimes the most obvious thing is the right design element to use.

 

FEB from Cathy + Matt part 2

 Lovely pointed pen work from Cathy. I wonder if she does the same idea on all 5 of her envelopes and if she does - how does she handle the really long street names. In case I've been in a boringly perpetual positive attitude, I'll toss in a little whining here about long street names. Or maybe they aren't ever going to be an issue because I am steering myself towards layouts that block off the bottom inch of the envelope.

***

For those who thought that a film about a guy walking 8,000 miles would be boring - I don't really want to oversell the film. You have to trust your intuition. As I mentioned, I thought it was a bit slow in the beginning. Gradually, some themes pop up. Some of them surprise even Matt as they were just things that he noticed as he walked. They include things about people and about nature and about some man-made things. As I said, I don't want to spoil any of the themes - but there's one that was right up my alley. No - not postage stamps - that other thing that occupies every corner of my life.

There is a portion of the film that covers his walk across the US - from Rockaway Beach NY to Rockaway Beach OR. I really enjoyed that part and recommend sticking with the film until you get to that part - or maybe forwarding until you get to it - as I think it sets the tome for the rest of the film.

I guess I'll stretch this into a third day....

FEB from Ming + Matt Green

Ming has been working on her pointed pen - also her legible penmanship that has a feel of script, but the letters are not joined so technically it is not a script. I guess we could call it italic monoline. (Monoline means it does not have thicks and thins) I love that border. And the frosting on the cake is the flourishing. Her card on the inside is also a very nice example of how a grid will never let you down as a framework for balance.

My off-topic for today and tomorrow is a movie that I thoroughly enjoyed. But, I only recommend it to people with a lot of a patience. I think we all find that patience is variable. We have a lot, for things that interest us.  And not so much for things that do not interest us.

This movie is about a man who decided to get a map of NYC and keep track of his walks so that he could say that he had walked along every single street, including parks and cemeteries. A rough estimate is that it is 8,000 miles. A little way into the movie we find out that prior to this walk, he walked from Rockaway Beach NY to Rockaway Beach OR. 

If you are already wildly interested - Google - Matt Green walking and pick any article. The documentary is currently free to view on Amazon Prime video.

The film starts out pretty slow and I came close to ditching it - but was so glad that I settled into the pace. Tomorrow I will talk about some of the things that I think make it worthwhile - without spoiling any of the delight in some of the things he discovered.

 

Feb from Juliana - brain jabber

Juliana has enough patience to figure out a pleasing arrangement of vintage stamps. I'm not going to tally the non-valentine envelopes. There are obviously more than 2 or 3 and I'm trying to reform my *thing* about counting. 

I read too many books and articles about how our brains work. I just read another one confirming, for the umpteenth time, that we get nervous/anxious/fearful because that was old lizard-brain activity that kept us on our toes so that we survived back in the *cave* days. And now we don't really need as much of it - but it's there - and we have to work at reminding ourselves that we are not in perpetual danger. [although, we sorta are - but let's not think about it]

But what about that annoying other lobe that makes some of us count and put things into categories. It seems like that must have been a survival skill at some point. Maybe it's in the observational category. Clearly, there were people who spent all their free time looking at the stars and planets and figuring out seasons and all that stuff. 

Once again, this train of thought has no destination  <sigh>. What I should be pondering is getting my exchange envelopes in the mail.........

 

FEB from Diana - vellum envelopes

We can see the postmark of Feb 12 and it arrived on March 9. Last month Lynne told me her clerk at her post office had suggested that the clear plastic envelopes did not conform to regulations. This is a vellum envelope - which is not the same as the clear plastic envelopes. It has the feel of paper but I really don't know if they are entirely paper or some kind of hybrid. I'm resisting the temptation to research.

LOL - I can't even type the word *temptation* before I know I am going to click - and allow myself one chance to find the answer. Of course - with the internet - we all know *for a fact* that no matter which *fact* you search - you will find it - along with the opposite of that fact - also purporting to be the fact - but, I digress. Apologies for not coming up with a more succinct way of saying that.

I found one place where it said that vellum envelopes were made out of Tyvek. That seems wrong. Maybe some day I will find the answer - but not today. 

Diana's flower/leaf patterns look like rubber stamping - which looks really nice on the vellum. I have about 100 vellum envelopes - so we might get to the bottom of this.

 

FEB from Mary - Legos Part 2

 Please note: Mary used a non-machineable stamp on her non-machineable envelope which is non-machineable because she stitched a button onto the envelope. Mary also fills her envelopes with adorable goodies. What are we up to - 3 non-valentines?

***

The photo does not really replicate the magnitude of the Lego project. That is not a normal desk. It is the size of a table that would easily seat 8 people. I did not take a photo of the pirate and castle sets and they have moved on to their new home. I am working on the space sets and will take a photo of them once they are all done. I started with smaller, easier sets to see if I could get into a groove and that did happen. Why am I getting verklempt over Legos? 

And this does not even show the floor - this is only a third of the Legos - the rest are on the floor.

FEB from Grace - Lego Part 1

 Sooooo pretty --- almost makes me get my nibs out --- that might be my reward if I get my Lego project finished.

The project that is cutting into surfing and blogging is a big Lego project. My boys loved Legos. My mom loved Legos and collected all the instructions and put them into binders in case anyone would ever want to rebuild the original sets. 

We had enough space to store all the Legos after the boys outgrew them and they have been a  wonderful way to entertain the grandkids during their week-at-Nanna's each summer.

My mom had been compulsive about organizing them in trays and when the grandkids would leave, I would take everything apart and re-sort the pieces - but nobody showed any interest in following the original instructions. It was too hard to find specific pieces since there are about 100 speciality pieces - maybe more - I am not going to count them - except now that I said that I might have to.

I noticed that a lot of the space-series pieces were never used. Unless you had built the sets when they came out of the box, it was hard to understand how to get creative with the specialty pieces. Then there were the pirates and castle sets - and they, too, had a bunch of specialty pieces.

So, last July, after the grandkid's visit, I put all the Legos in the guest bedroom and planned on putting all the sets together, following the directions - to restore them to original sets. I guess this will be a 2-part story.

FEB from Christina - Laurie Doctor

 This was bumped on March 29th - and it was going to be in May - but somehow I had left April 2nd empty - so it gets to stay in the group of Feb envelopes.

This arrived from Christina. Very fun layout - perfect stamp and bonus artwork on the inside. The double cancel in two corners is a welcome addition to the design. I like dots. I see myself appropriating large dots in the future.

***

Another calligraphically inclined artist. I don't think I have linked to her previously. Lots to see on her website.

https://www.lauriedoctor.com/paintings

I'm on her list when she posts to her blog - which is not daily. This was her most recent post - you may read the whole thing by going to the website and clicking on [Musings] - and you'll have to scroll down if she has added any more after 3/4/24

WHAT LAURIE WROTE:

When I discovered this weekend that all the files, the folders, everything I had written, and all the images too had disappeared from my laptop — I thought of the writer who told the story of coming down to her studio one morning after a storm, and saw the rain pouring in through the roof. After some moments of sitting on the stairs with her head in her hands she said to herself: First, I will write. Then I will figure out what to do with this roof. So here I am in my studio, beginning again with pen and paper. I am thinking of the title of my upcoming online class, grain of hope, and all the videos I prepared that have disappeared. This loss coincides in my mind with the growing sense of chaos, dread and danger for our world.

Nonetheless, I am even now beginning to feel restored by turning my attention to the inner world, and writing to you. What is the constant that holds us, the you that remains beneath every change and disaster? How long has the moon been disappearing and re-appearing, while orbiting this earth and witnessing every flood, fire and storm? The scientists estimate 4.5 billion years…

***

Tomorrow, it might be us - with the lost everything. (Jean's concluding musing)

FEB from Maggie -APRIL Exchange - Sign-up.

 Nicely coordinated colors from Maggie - and not exactly valentine-themed - so that's 2. The envelope paper is textured and seems like paper that was intended to have some watercolor or wet media.

It's time to sign up for the April exchange.

Email me between Apr 1-4 - and lists will be sent on Apr 5th.

Submit your info in the following format -

Jane Doe

123 Smith Street

Ames, Iowa 50010 USA

janedoe@gmail.com

(BIRTHDAY) (2 lists)

If you want to give exchangers the option of a birthday themed envelope you may do so.

You may offer to be on 2 lists - which is helpful for me to make the lists come out even.

New exchangers are welcome.

More details about how the exchange works are here:

LINK to more exchange information

FEB from Christy and Carolyn

 Christy had the perfect stickers to go with the kitten/heart stamp. Purple was a good color to add to the mix. I am resisting the temptation to count how many valentine themed envelopes I received in February. Maybe I'll mention at the end how many were not valentines themed - not many - one or two?

Because I have been reducing my surf time - I will be ganging some of the Feb envelopes - instead of looking for add-on topics. Carolyn's is not valentine themed - that's one - if I decide to count.

In a few days I will show you one of the projects that has cut into my surfing and jabbering time.

FEB from Amy - Playland Amusement Park

Correction on the Thursday post - JeanR used watercolor on her envelope, not colored pencil. 

She wisely uses very nice paper for her artwork/mailings.

Amy did a pencil sketch on her envelope which is good idea. As I ponder ways to use up all my art supplies - I know there are plenty of pencils and graphite. If my common sense ever kicks in, I will donate the pencils to someone who will use them because I really can't stand the way graphite is prone to smudging. If I know that - why do I keep them around? Grrrr

***

A week or two ago when I was reminiscing about the Westchester airport I Googled it to see how accurate my memory was. Then I *surfed* around the neighborhood and found Playland Amusement Park. While I'm not a huge fan of amusement parks in general - I do enjoy the part where you take kids and they are exhausted by the end of the day.

IMHO, it's nice that some of the old vintage amusement parks have been maintained and was delighted to find this one in Rye, NY. It's really beautiful. According to the website, admission is free if you live in Westchester County. That's a pretty fun perk.

Photo credit Keith Michael NYC

Here is a link to all the rides if you happen to be someone who loves to reminisce about vintage amusement parks. I wonder if our Westchester scribe friends ever go. Maybe we'll get a field report.

https://playland.com/things-to-do/rides-and-attractions/

We interrupt the blog for some current news

 I hardly ever bump a pre-scheduled post, but I have 3 things to report - 

A few exchangers sent an envelope to me in March, even though I was not on the list. I'll be posting the others in May. This one from Mary is on the top of the stack - and it's mostly stickers. She drew the shelves with the address. The way she worked the tiger stamp in is clever. I appreciate getting bonus mail and apologize that I probably won't get around to responding - even though that would be a priority if I did not have *real life* and meals and laundry to contend with.

Next - one of our exchangers who had been enjoying the monthly gnomes in 2023 from Chuck emailed me wondering why I had not posted anything in 2024 from Chuck....so, I mentioned that to Chuck and he suggested I post an update in case others have wondered what Chuck's theme for 2024 is. So far - it's IVs and scans and hospitals....which is not what he would have chosen.

I won't go into details - but it all started in late November with a double by-pass - then he was home - then there were complications - and he was back in the hospital - and then more complications - and he was finally home - earlier in March - but - he's back in the hospital - and he's got about 30 doctors in Iowa City working on him ---- 

I told Chuck that way back in November he should have taken one of those old fashioned autograph books with him to the hospital and gotten autographs of all the people who have been caring for him. At least he's maintained his good spirits - hopefully he's on the mend and will be back to his envelopes soon.

***

And -- I am happy to report that PBS is running a *true story* film about a BRITISH post office scandal that I have already seen and while it is not your typical blockbuster - it's really well done. I'll repost the PBS blurb - because I could never come up with such compelling commentary. 

“This is a staunch David and Goliath homage to quiet fortitude triumphing over corporate chicanery, and well worth anyone’s time.”
– The Observer

“All credit to the writer Gwyneth Hughes for the efficiency of her script, which conveyed a mind-boggling scandal clearly and crisply.”
– The Times

[January 29, 2024] Following one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in British legal history, Mr Bates vs The Post Office was created with direct input from the innocent – and indomitable – people caught up in it. Following the UK broadcast on ITV, the series has set off a firestorm of public interest and, within eight days of premiering, the Prime Minister announced a new law to pardon the victims who had been wrongly convicted. The stellar ensemble cast is led by BAFTA award-winning Toby Jones (Empire of Light, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Sherlock) as Alan Bates and will premiere on Sunday, April 7, 2024 on MASTERPIECE on PBS.

When money started to seemingly disappear from its local branches, the government-owned Post Office wrongly blamed their own managers for its apparent loss. For more than a decade, hundreds were accused of theft and fraud, and many were even sent to prison – leaving lives, marriages, and reputations in ruins. But the issue was actually caused by errors in the Post Office’s own computer system – something it denied for years. Revealing a shocking David vs. Goliath fight for justice, this is the story of the decent ordinary people who were relentlessly pursued, coerced and controlled by a powerful corporation, and their ongoing battle, against seemingly insurmountable odds, to right so many horrific wrongs.

Mr Bates vs The Post Office is the UK’s most-watched drama of 2024 so far and ITV’s biggest new drama launch in over a decade averaging 13.1 million viewers, with hundreds of thousands still catching up on ITVX every day, beating the launch of Downton Abbey in 2010.

Patrick Spence, Executive Producer,  said  “Our ambition in telling this story was simply that the Subpostmasters felt heard. We were so angry on their behalf, we wanted others to feel it too. And they did: the whole country is angry now! They rose up to stand beside the Subpostmasters with such determination and such rage that the Prime Minister had no choice but to act within days. They certainly feel heard now.’

Natasha Bondy, Executive Producer, Little Gem added “It was impossible not to empathise with the Subpostmasters at the heart of this scandal. People who’d been forced to question their own sanity and the behaviour of loved ones and employees, at the hands of a trusted institution. Getting their stories to a wider public so that everyone could understand what they’ve been through, was our biggest hope.”