Lou Paper Coffee Postcard

Tagged for in the Especially Special Tag, I was happy that my first received Lou Paper postcard is coffee-themed; and what made it even more special, the donkey and lizard stamps..! I wouldn't want to start collecting these as there are simply too many of them out there, but as I've said I like having one example of every postcard series. As I progress ever so slowly, there are probably three new series to my every received example card lol. I haven't found anything in my mailbox for weeks...that said, I've read somewhere that our postmen tend to have annual leave about this time, and there's noone to replace them...prices going up, but still a lack of work force because paying decent wages seems to be the scariest thing for the mighty capitalists. Oh well. This is a great postcard, so let's focus on that - thank you so much Adrienne :))

Stargazing At Arizona Desert

Anyone had any luck with the Perseids? Traditionally I see hardly any when I set out to do it - this year I even saw a few when not planned, just not when I actually expected to see them because of a later hour and less light pollution lol. Weird. 

This postcard comes from a tag with possibly the longest name in the history of tags (or not?) - Tag the latest sender from a country other than the last five posts.!. Its goal is to avoid repeated countries at the end of the tag. So I received this great desert night sky view from Michael, thank you :)

I Heart Sagittarius

A new addition to my Sagittarius collection - a very interesting take on the subject :D Received for 'Rescue a sinking tag - tag' from the USA, thank you Sarah!

Hiss and Maa and Hee-haw

Received for the Matching Stamp Tag - it was matching in a sense that all these animals are on my wishlist! Thanks so much Michael. I am STILL trying to sort out my collections...I have already started receiving doubles...but I have so little proactive time since I've started working. Writing postcards takes time too, I've been reminded lately! Still, the rewards are sweet :) It seems that my mailman likes to stop by once a week - and this tuesday I got a lot of 22, which probably isn't much for some people, but it's been a while since I've received such a bunch last. Yay 😊 

*deteriorated English, uhm*

Cat Astronaut

A great kitty card coming from the USA, thank you Arnold :) 

In addition I could post photos of all the different cats I have encountered this season - but would it be too much..? One thing I'm sure of - they've always brought a smile to my face, even if I only spotted them running away from me lol

Autumn In Minnesota

 

Come the favourite season of the year...Though the autumn is not the same everywhere, and when you are not allowed to go further that 5km away from your home (lockdown) you start to imagine that autumn is simply more autumny anywhere but here..! But I just have to move my lazy a** and go for a walk really lol

Green Tree Python

Now I boldly named this post Green Tree Python even though its a guess..! A little bit of research and perhaps I am right...if anyone knows otherwise please let me know :) Another great surprise from Bryon and his trip to Florida, thank you!

Mount Jackson And Mount Fusilade, Ansel Adams

Mount Jackson and Mount Fusilade, Glacier National Park, Montana, 1942.

Ansel Adams is perhaps one of the most familiar names in photography; born in San Francisco, he was a landscape photographer known for his black-and-white images of the American West. He helped found Group f/64, an association of photographers advocating 'pure' photography which favoured sharp focus and the use of the full tonal range of a photograph.

This card was sent to me in a tag as a WHS card but I am more focused on it as a photograph...As today I awoke suddenly from a slumber and realised I need a new camera. I have pretty much ignored photography ever since I left the cruise ship - not sure if it was because of my job there, but...I guess it would be quite a coincidence otherwise. I can still practice on my old Canon 350D/Rebel XT but recently I have taken a fancy to more compact mirrorless cameras. Here's hoping!

Key Lime Pie

This months I was printing cake recipes like crazy - with some dodgy notion that I'll try them all in my life time lol. Last time I was home I tried out three new muffin recipes, yum. Key Lime Pie is def on my list as one of the classics. Thanks Bryon!

Fountains Of Bellagio, Las Vegas, USA

Las Vegas has become such a popular city, but I still fail to recognise its lure. If anything, it looks like a nightmare for an introvert lol. Still, it does raise the interest as an architectural feat. As I read the name 'Bellagio' it rang a bell...not sure why, it's like I've heard it in a song...can't figure it out. The Bellagio resort offers 3950 rooms, a line of superb restaurants, even a gallery and a conservatory. The fountains depicted here are also quite famous, their display is coreographed to various pieces of music, from Elvis Presley to Tiesto. Thank you Rachel :)

Historic Route 66

Its been more than four months, wow. I am even boring myself with this statement, but time does fly. I've been catching up with a friend recently and we've made a loose plan to travel across the US, riding in an oldsmobile, stopping for some line dancing. Its been almost three years that I've passed the driving test, alas I haven't had the opportunity to actually drive a car - my dad has been too protective of his, despite all the promises that I'd have the full access once I pass the exam. Oh well. I think this is finally the year I'll be buying my own car (something old and retro to start with), after all there's no other reason to go and work on the island again but to better my finances; and oh boy do I have plans, a whole bunch of them...oops since my previous plans to move on from this place have all sunken, I better be careful and not say too much here..! I just need positive vibes to help me be diligent and patient...

UNESCO - Independence Hall, USA

The Declaration of Independence (1776) and the Constitution of the United States (1787) were both signed in this building in Philadelphia. The universal principles of freedom and democracy set forth in these documents are of fundamental importance to American history and have also had a profound impact on law-makers around the world.

It was an interesting place to visit during my trip to the NE US some years ago. I remember taking some really nice photos but...then I also remember losing my camera on the very last day of the trip...how frustrating is that, right?  I found it pretty awesome that the visit was free, plus a very interesting presentation by the guide who leads you through the chambers.

Frank Sinatra Show On ABC TV - Sponsored By Chesterfield

As I have succumbed and bought a packet of cigarettes again today (after a week of resilience) here is an apt blog post - a Chesterfield ad, from the times (50's) when smoking was cool. It is actually an ad for Frank Sinatra's show on ABC TV, with Chesterfield as a sponsor. What you probably can't see written in small letters beneath pictures is a unique way of phrasing things - my favourite is the caption for the penultimate picture, stating: This is satisfaction - man-size satisfaction! Chesterfield! :D Thanks goes to Michaela :)

A Honky Tonk In Nashville

Another whiskey-related card from Bryon...And is apt to post these days. Why? I'll tell ya, in a bit of a promotional sense :)

This week the 34th International Blues Festival took place in Memphis, Tennessee. My 24-y-o niece is a singer in a local blues-rock band, which won the country's Blues Challenge, and was sent off to Memphis. Pretty cool, eh? It was the band's first performance outside Croatia, and my niece's first trip outside Europe, so you can see its all a bit exciting for everyone involved :) The band spent a few days in Nashville, where they visited Jack White's Third Man Studio, and did more extensive recording in the renowned Dark Horse Studio. Without much further ado, here I present the band's first video :)

Hawaiian Moonlight

Another getaway destination...and on stamps the King himself, who used to croon about Blue Hawaii.

Thank you Bryon - I have also continued to receive your postcards over the last year even though I was such a lousy sender myself, you make me feel a bit guilty now..! I have explained some of the reasons here on the blog, but I hope I'll make it up to you, some time soon...or rather as soon as I sort myself out :)

Angel Oak

What a fascinating tree! 20 meters high, 8 meters circumference; I am sure there are larger trees in those terms, but the shade area of 1600 square meters, can it be beaten? Its longest branch extends for 57 meters, just wow. Angel Oak is a Southern live oak located in Angel Oak Park on Johns Island near Charleston, South Carolina. The City of Charleston has owned the tree and surrounding park since 1991. Being by some estimates almost 500 years old, imagine what stories it could tell...Local folklore tells stories of ghosts of former slaves appearing as angels around the tree.

Many thanks to Susan :)) 

Brooklyn Bridge, New York

The Brooklyn Bridge is a hybrid cable-stayed/suspension bridge in New York City and is one of the oldest bridges of either type in the United States. Completed in 1883, it connects the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn by spanning the East River. It has a main span of 486.3 m and was the first steel-wire suspension bridge constructed.

Interesting by-fact! Cable-stayed bridges date back to 1595, when first designs were found in Machinae Novae, a book by Croatian inventor Fausto Veranzio.

From my visit to NY last autumn, where I was more impressed by this bridge than anything else.

I'm Popeye the Quaker Man!

One of the cartoon characters that we fondly remember from our childhood...Won this postcard in a lottery because I remembered his darling's name is Olive Oyl. Love it! With his enthusiasm I leave for my days off :)

Thank you Judy!

 

UNESCO - San Antonio Missions, USA

The site encompasses a group of five frontier mission complexes situated along a stretch of the San Antonio River basin in southern Texas, as well as a ranch located 37 kilometres to the south. It includes architectural and archaeological structures, farmlands, residencies, churches and granaries, as well as water distribution systems. The complexes were built by Franciscan missionaries in the 18^th century and illustrate the Spanish Crown’s efforts to colonize, evangelize and defend the northern frontier of New Spain. 

Thanks goes to Arnold, also for the great stamps :)

Bourbon Balls Recipe

Anyone up for some Kentucky bourbon balls? :D I sure would love to try some, if I was able to host some fellow bourbon enthusiasts. Though I think they'd also be appreciated by anyone with a 'sweet tooth' :) I have recently found another bourbon recipe, for a full-on creamy cake; this card reminded me to print it and try it this week when I get home. And the stamps? Must I even say how fantastic they are? Bryon spoiling me yet again...thank you thank you thank you :))