GIVING THANKS WITH REAL MAIL

Last September I joined the 52 Weeks of Mail Challenge. Since then, I've written to friends I don't get to see anymore, family members who offer up their kindness, and lovely people from my past that I have missed in my life. It has been rewarding and I'm glad I took up the challenge. I like it mostly because there's always a birthday to remember, or someone to say "thank you" to. This has been a great way to ensure that I say what needs to be said.

Plus, I am still attached to actual mail and I truly hope that the United States Postal System can hold on for dear life. I would cry a long while if real mail went away. If there were no more stamps I might need to seek therapy.
































































I adore stamps. Thanks to my dear friend, Carlyn. She got me hooked on stamps. We went to London and Scotland together several years back and we bonded creatively over keeping records of our travels with bits of found items, stickers, stamps, rubbings and drawings. I still have those sketchbooks.

And the photos that we took. This was back in the days when we took photos with real film and had to wait until our return to spend the whole of our paychecks to find out if we got any good shots. It wasn't convenient, but I long for the romantic-ness of it all. I still have my Holga and I hope to bust that out someday soon, despite the ever popular and easy Instagram.

But, see what happened to film? Oi, please don't let that happen to stamps and mail. I beg of you.

Perhaps it's time to write a letter, say thank you, wish someone Happy Birthday with a real card instead of on Facebook.

And while I'm at it, I need to plug my favorite book these days:  "thxthxthx". I lovelovelove this book. Leah Dieterich not only has an amazing idea here, she has a fabulous talent for writing. I adore her sentiments, frustrations and honesty. That's a great gift to send to someone you miss.