International Mermaid Day -Postcard Friendship Friday #450

International Mermaid Day is a newer holiday--I believe this is the fourth year it has been formally celebrated.  Though there are several dates listed as International Mermaid Day, our local news reporters were talking about this unusual holiday this morning!  I have tried to discover how this day was established and so far--I have come up empty handed.

I love mermaids.  I've collected books, cards, postcards and fairy tales about them for years.  In older lore, they aren't the beautiful, kind beings of today.  In fact, they were a little scary!

This beautiful vintage postcard is a part of my cyber collection.  I couldn't find a back for it--however, even so--I wanted to share it because its whimsical qualities.

Happy Postcard Friendship Friday. I hope you find some fun ways to celebrate International Mermaid Day!  Have a wonderful weekend, dear Friends.

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week!

* BADGE:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you! 

*  THEMES: 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.

*  REMINDER:  If you post anything other than a postcard to share, your link will be removed.   Postcard Friendship Friday is specifically dedicated to postcards, both modern and vintage.

How about a Ride? -Postcard Friendship Friday #449

I love the way the young man is looking at this gentle maiden.  However her companion the Dog seems a bit suspicious.  What a beautiful postcard.  I wonder if she WILL go for ride in that boat upon the lake.

I finally went to the doctor--looks like I have pneumonia.  Thankfully I may be over the worst of this soon.  

Happy Postcard Friendship Friday and have a lovely weekend all you wonderful people out there!

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week!

* BADGE:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you! 

*  THEMES: 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.

*  REMINDER:  If you post anything other than a postcard to share, your link will be removed.   Postcard Friendship Friday is specifically dedicated to postcards, both modern and vintage.

Birds in Springtime -Postcard Friendship Friday #448

I love this postcard--bluebirds are my favorite bird.  I took this from my "cyber" collection, so there isn't a back to share with this one.

When I was a child bluebirds lived in the canyon.  These days the they can't be found there anymore.

I remember my siblings and I once found a bluebird nest lying on the old canyon road.  When we picked it up, three little bluebirds flew up and away into the trees.  I think I was about 11 years old.

One tiny bluebird came to visit my current home a couple of years ago--he decided to take a bath in the little pond next to the waterfall.  I was SO surprised to see the little fellow and felt I'd been blessed.

I am still ill.  If this doesn't get better, I'm heading to the doc.  Happy Postcard Friendship Friday and have a wonderful weekend, dear Friends. 

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week!

* BADGE:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you! 

*  THEMES: 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.

*  REMINDER:  If you post anything other than a postcard to share, your link will be removed.   Postcard Friendship Friday is specifically dedicated to postcards, both modern and vintage.

A Bunch of Shamrock for Luck! -Postcard Friendship Friday #447

Isn't this little one sweet with her "bunch of shamrocks."  I know "gay" means something else these days, but back when this card was made it simply meant joy or happiness.

I am still very ill.  This is a bad flu.  I didn't get this up in time, either.  I apologize for that, sweet Friends.

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week!

* BADGE:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you! 

*  THEMES: 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.

*  REMINDER:  If you post anything other than a postcard to share, your link will be removed.   Postcard Friendship Friday is specifically dedicated to postcards, both modern and vintage.

Let Erin Remember -Postcard Friendship Friday #446

Hello sweet Friends.  I have been very ill with the flu, so this didn't posted on time.  Thank you for your patience.

I adore the gown this delicate Irish maiden is wearing.  Being Irish myself, green is one of my favorite colors, and I have tons of  white clover in my lawn.  Shamrocks are indeed lovely.

Have a wonderful holiday, sweet Friends!

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week!

* BADGE:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you! 

*  THEMES: 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.

*  REMINDER:  If you post anything other than a postcard to share, your link will be removed.   Postcard Friendship Friday is specifically dedicated to postcards, both modern and vintage.

Beautiful Blarney Castle -Postcard Friendship Friday #445

On Daddy's side of the family, we are as Irish as they come.  When I was a little girl I knew Dad was part Leprechaun.  Indeed--that is what he used to tell us.  A bit of the "blarney." for sure.

One of my dreams has been to visit Ireland, specifically Blarney Castle.  It is the home of the famous Blarney Stone. Built by one of Ireland's greatest chieftain, this magical place has been attracting attention ever since. Over the last few hundred years, millions have flocked to Blarney making it a world landmark and one of Ireland's greatest treasures.

To kiss the Blarney stone, one must hold tight to an iron railing and lean backwards from the parapet walk. It is said once a person has kissed the stone, it bestows the gift of elegant speech.

There are all kinds of interesting stories of the stone's origin.  Some say it was Jacob’s Pillow, brought to Ireland by the prophet Jeremiah. There it became known as the Lia Fail or ‘Fatal Stone,’ used as a "coronation stone" for Irish kings. Others say it may be a stone brought back to Ireland from the Crusades – the ‘Stone of Ezel’ behind which David hid on Jonathan’s advice when he fled from his enemy, Saul. It was often called the Stone of Destiny.

So, how did the Blarney Stone end up in Ireland?  When the King of Munster sent five thousand men to support Robert the Bruce in his defeat of the English at Bannockburn in 1314, a portion of the historic Stone was given by the Scots in gratitude – It was returned to Ireland and set into the wall of Blarney Castle.

The story of the Blarney stone's peculiar power begins during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, who sent a deputy to Cormac MacDermot MacCarthy, Lord of Blarney.  The Queen demanded that Lord MacCarthy give up his lands to English rule.

In response to her ultimatum, Lord MacCarthy set out for England to talk to the Queen.  Now Lord MacCarthy was notoriously known for his lack of fluent speech.  Even so, though he doubted he could win the favor of the Queen, his love for Ireland took him to England to attempt to plead for the traditional right to his good land.

He began his journey to England with a heavy heart.  He had only traveled a short while when the weather took a turn for the worse.  He spied a campfire along the road tended by a little old woman.  Shivering with cold, he asked if he could sit next to her fire and offered to share some of his provisions with her. As they sat in silence, tears coursed down his face.  The old woman noted his sadness and asked why he looked so forlorn.

In halting speech, he told her of his sad predicament and the elderly woman, having compassion upon the man, said "Lord Cormac, when Blarney Castle was built, one stone was put into place by a man who predicted no one would ever be able to touch it again. If you can kiss that stone," she explained, "the gift of eloquence will be conferred upon you."

Filled with hope, Lord MacCarthy immediately journeyed to Blarney Castle where he succeeded in kissing the Blarney Stone.  As a result, the legend tells us he was able to address the Queen with speech so soft and words so fair, that as long as he lived he never had to renounce his right to his lands.

Today, kissing the stone is said to endow the kisser with the gift of the gab. My sweet friend Peggy visited Blarney Castle, kissed the stone and of course, is gifted with the "Blarney."  Whether it is a natural gift, or one conferred upon her the day she kissed the Blarney Stone is anyone's guess!

Have a lovely day, and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week!

* BADGE:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you! 

*  THEMES: 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.

*  REMINDER:  If you post anything other than a postcard to share, your link will be removed.   Postcard Friendship Friday is specifically dedicated to postcards, both modern and vintage.

May You Always be Found

I love Ireland--it is the land of my ancestors on Dad's side.  I also love St. Patrick's Day with all it's fun and tomfoolery.  This postcard is especially cunning--the artwork is beautiful and exemplifies the spirit of the Irish.

The Irish are full of life.  Their history is filled with heroes and hardships.  I am proud to be of the Irish and to wear the green.

Love's Greeting! -Postcard Friendship Friday #444

Sorry I'm a bit late getting this posted today.  I've come down with a cough and fever and have been feeling lazy.  I hope your Valentine's Day was a wonderful one.

May the blessing of love be yours today and always, dear Friends.  Happy Postcard Friendship  Friday.


* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week!

* BADGE:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you! 

*  THEMES: 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.

*  REMINDER:  If you post anything other than a postcard to share, your link will be removed.   Postcard Friendship Friday is specifically dedicated to postcards, both modern and vintage.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope your day is a beautiful one.  I miss my Beloved with all my heart this holiday.  But instead of weeping and moping,  I've decided to celebrate family, friendship and chocolate this Valentine's  Day!

I hope your Valentine's Day is wonderful, sweet Friends!  

Wishing You Much Happiness

I love writing for this blog.  I check it every day where everyone who visits comes from.  It is a wonderful thought that there are people from all across the world who love old cards and postcards just as much as I do.

Valentine's Day is next week--Time is going by SO quickly.  Have a lovely week, sweet Friends.  I wish you all MUCH happiness!