Friday, July 29, 2011

Let it Snow - Postcard Friendship Friday #74


I apologize for getting PFF up a day late.  My computer's motherdrive crashed Thursday and I haven't had access to a computer until this morning. 

I posted this snowy picture, not only because it is of the little girl who intrigues me so, but because I like the idea of snow on this muggy weekend.

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Friday, July 22, 2011

Rat Catcher's Day - Postcard Friendship Friday #73

NOTE: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them! Have fun everyone!


There seems to be some confusion about the actual date of Rat Catcher's Day--a celebration commemorating the myth of the Pied Piper of Hamelin, Germany.  The confusion comes because the Brothers Grimm cited June 26, 1284, as the date the legendary Pied Piper led all the children out of the town, while the poem by Robert Browning gives the date as July 22, 1376.

According to the Brother's Grimm, Legend has it that the town of Hamelin, Germany was overrun with rats.  The rodents ate the food, fouled the water and made the people very sick.  At the height of this infestation a strange man wearing a coat of many colors arrived in town. He was brought to the leaders of the town, where he told the town council he was a rat catcher and could free the town of the plague of rats for a fee.

The citizens were desperate and pledged to pay him the money he'd asked for.  Then the oddly dressed man extracted a fife from his knapsack and began to play.  The the people's amazement, all the rats came running out to gather around the Pied Piper in a seething, bare-tailed mass.   As he played, he led the rats straight into the River Weser where they drowned.  

Sadly, the townspeople, now freed of the plague of rats, regretted their promise and refused to pay the Piper.

Later that year, the Pied Piper came back, but this time he wore a tall red hat and was dressed as a huntsman.  Since it was Sunday, all the adults were attending church.  Once more the Piper sounded his pipe.  The babysitter was unable to stop all the town's children, ages four and above, from following the man--they skipped merrily along behind him, to disappear with the Piper through a doorway which had appeared inside a cave in the side of a mountain. 

The babysitter carried the news of the children back to the town. Anxious parents ran in droves to the town gates seeking their children. But by then, the door in the cave had vanished. 

Legend has it 130 children were lost. Two had lagged behind and came back. One of them was blind and the other mute. The blind child was not able to point out the place, but was able to tell how they had followed the piper. The mute child was able to point out the place, although he (or she) had heard nothing. Another little boy in shirtsleeves had gone along with the others, but had turned back to fetch his jacket and thus escaped the tragedy, for when he returned, the door in the cave had disappeared. The cave is still shown to this day.

The mountain near Hamelin where the children are said to have disappeared is called Poppenberg. Two stone monuments in the form of crosses have been erected there, one on the left side, one on the right. Some say the children who were led into the cave, lived to emerge from a mountain in Transylvania.

The following lines were inscribed on the town hall:

In the year 1284 after the birth of Christ
From Hameln were led away
One hundred thirty children, born at this place
Led away by a piper into a mountain. 

Most legends contain a grain of truth.  One wonders about the real story behind this old German Legend.

* Don't forget to visit Gemma at Greyscale Territory for Weekend Mailbox!

REMINDER: Comments and links which contain advertising and do not refer to Postcard Friendship Friday, mailboxes, the Post office, postcards or the love of postcards, will be deleted.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Bath Time Baby


When we were kids, Mom would make all of us take a bath every Saturday evening.  We never wanted to take that bath--especially in summertime.  We'd been playing in the creek, splashing in Grandma's pool, running through the sprinkler and soaking each other with the hose--wasn't that good enough?  That weekly bath would cleanse us from the week's wear and tear--readying us for church the following day.

When I was very small, Mom would sing, "Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear, Fuzzy Wuzzy had no hair, Fuzzy Wuzzy wasn't fuzzy was he?"  Singing that song was the only way she could get me to cooperate when she shampooed my hair. 

This picture reminds me of all the babies I've ever known.  I'm sure all babies have bathed in a sink, or a pan of water at one time or another--What splashings, what gigglings, what fun!

Sometimes I miss those days--but not always.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Faeries Three - Sunday Scans


I especially love this wonderful old card, because it reminds me of my sisters and I.  I was 14 and Clytie was 12 when our darling little sister Leigh was born.  She adored us, and we thought she was wonderful.  That love continues to this day--though my youngest Sissy is taller than me and a Mom herself.

How blessed I am to have such incredibly wonderful sisters.  I think I might be one of the most blessed people I know.  (grin)

Al's Photography Blog, by our good friend Al, hosts "Sunday Scans" each week.  I have so enjoyed this meme!  Sunday Scans is a place for all things scanned.  So pick up your old photo albums, ephemera, postcards, artwork, ANYTHING which can be scanned and join in the fun!

Friday, July 15, 2011

A Sunny Greeting - Postcard Friendship Friday #72


This postcard with its poetic greeting is my wish for each of you this early Friday morning.  Hearing today's national weather reports, it seems it is sunny everywhere except where I live.  As I type this, the clouds are scudding thick over the rising sun--though they say (who are they anyway) it will clear off later and will reach the mid-70's. 

In the meantime, I walk in my garden where the faeries flit over the flowers.  The flowers, of course call their greetings--not only to these tiny beings--but to me.  Sometimes they even sing.

* Don't forget to visit Gemma at Greyscale Territory for Weekend Mailbox!

REMINDER: Comments and links which contain advertising and do not refer to Postcard Friendship Friday, mailboxes, the Post office, postcards or the love of postcards, will be deleted.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Camp Girl - Guest Heart Thursday

As you can see, this little Valentine's Day Card is perfect for summer vacation!  This chic girl is ready for every challenge.  Her tent is up, the campfire is built and don't those eggs she's cooking look wonderful!

However, this little miss is sitting awfully close to that brightly flaming fire.  There's a little metal rivet.  Her arm moves the cast iron skillet up and down--I think she'd better lift that pan a bit higher, or those eggs will be toast!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!


Sunday, July 10, 2011

A Friendly Greeting - Sunday Scans


Here is another wonderful bit of ephemera from Grammie's collection.  This beautiful card was from Grammie's best Friend, Ruth.  Their Friendship is a sweet legacy.  We are all blessed by their loving relationship.

Al's Photography Blog, by our good friend Al, hosts "Sunday Scans" each week.  I have so enjoyed this meme!  Sunday Scans is a place for all things scanned.  So pick up your old photo albums, ephemera, postcards, artwork, ANYTHING which can be scanned and join in the fun!

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Just a Note...

This is a card from the late 1950's, part of the collection given to me by my darling Gramma Gladys. I adore the loyal little pooch with his ear up. He's listening to the notes and seems to like what he's hearing.  I especially love the musical aspect of this precious card.  This is a note from a friend which brings melody to one's heart.

Friends who bring music into our lives--not just the kind we hear with our ears--but the music of a smile, words of encouragement, prayer, hugs, and loving kindnesses, are rare and wonderful. 

My sweet Friends--you know who you are--how I thank God for YOU!

Friday, July 8, 2011

Video Games Day--How Life has Changed - Postcard Friendship Friday #71


As you can see the darling little girl above is playing the old fashioned way.  I still have my very first doll.  Her name was Thumbelina.  I was shocked to discover there is an actual National Video Games Day here in America on September 12th.  I was even more surprised when I learned that in most techie circles, today, July 8th, is also celebrated as Video Games Day.

I have no idea who started Video Games Day, but it seems a bit odd to schedule it smack dab in the middle of summer's hottest days.  If I were a kid, I'd be out and about--in, or near water!  This special celebration celebrates popular electronic gaming platforms and playing fields. It is advertised that today, gamers get to enjoy an entire day of plugged-in fun.

As for me, I think I'd rather play the old fashioned-type games.  Games where I can hold the cards, touch the game boards, etc.,  It can be fascinating to watch the screen when someone else is playing 'em--but to actually play?!  My brain just doesn't work that way.  Video games (though I'm told by most young'uns I know, that they're wonderful fun) are confusing to me and give me a headache!  That being said, happy Video Games Day everyone! 

* Don't forget to visit Gemma at Greyscale Territory for Weekend Mailbox!

REMINDER: Comments and links which contain advertising and do not refer to Postcard Friendship Friday, mailboxes, the Post office, postcards or the love of postcards, will be deleted.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Still my Valentine? - Guest Heart Thursday


I believe this card is from my darling Sister Clytie's collection of "Ivar cards."  I just LOVE this funny missive.  It's perfect for Guest Heart Thursday!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

Friday, July 1, 2011

Our Country Forever - Postcard Friendship Friday #70

NOTE: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them! Have fun everyone!


Living in the United States, it is sometimes hard to fathom there are people who live in places where they are not allowed the freedoms to which I am accustomed.    Where I live, we celebrate our rare Freedom with a parade, waterfront park activities such as live music and two nights of fireworks.  Once known as Decoration Day, the Fourth of July is a major American Holiday.

This week our town's newspaper printed the Declaration of Independence, which took up one whole page.  I read through the entire thing.  I haven't read it through since I was in school.  What an incredible document.

The Declaration of Independence is a justification of the American Revolution, citing grievances against King George III.   It is also a landmark philosophical statement, drawing on the writings of philosophers John Locke and Jean Jacques Rousseau.   It affirms all people are creatures of God, with certain natural rights, or liberties, which cannot be violated.

This Declaration and the American Revolution have since inspired freedom-seekers the around the world. I am so grateful to have been born in America, where the rights of all citizens are upheld.  

I hope we never take our freedom for granted.

* Don't forget to visit Gemma at Greyscale Territory for Weekend Mailbox!

REMINDER: Comments and links which contain advertising and do not refer to Postcard Friendship Friday, mailboxes, the Post office, postcards or the love of postcards, will be deleted.