Indiana's State Flag

One of the things that I love when it comes to postcards is state flags.  I absolutely love anything that has to do with the 50 United States, but I love flags especially.  I think it's because I love how much history and thought is put into flags(or not, depending on the state. ;) LOL) and how much you can learn about the state.  Today's postcard is of the Indiana State flag, one I have had the pleasure of seeing in Indianapolis, IN.

Now, if you're slightly blind, like I am any time I forget to put my contacts on, you might have an issue with reading the font at the bottom of the postcard.  Never fear, I have it right here for your convenience!

"The state flag (formerly called banner) was adopted by the General Assembly in 1917 as part of the commemoration of the state's Centennial, after a competition sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution.  The prize-winning design was submitted by Paul Hadley of Mooresville, Indiana.  The torch in the center stands for liberty and enlightenment;  the rays represent their far-reaching influence. The outer circle of stars stands for the original thirteen states, and the inner circle of stars for the five states next admitted to the Union.  The larger star stands for Indiana, the nineteenth state.  The name was changed from banner to flag by act of 1955 General Assembly.  The state flag is "regulation in addition to the American flag, with all of the military forces in the State of Indiana, and in all public functions in which the state may or shall officially appear."  The state colors are always carried or displayed on the observer's right of the Stars and Stripes."

There was a $100 prize for the winning design and for Paul Hadley, the General Assembly only had to change one thing!  They added "Indiana" in a crescent shape above the torch.  There were over 200 original submissions and this was the winner.  There was a survey that was completed in 2001 and NAVA placed Indiana's flag at #32 out of 72 Canadian, US States, and US Territories in design quality.

HEY!  This is the hummingbird stamp I was talking about!  Though, whoever sent this postcard put the stamp on upside down. *angry face*  I get so weird about stamps. LOL!  I love it when they are straight and even with the sides of the postcard and facing the right way!  It irks me when someone overlaps the stamps or flips one on it's side or upside down. It's never been such a big deal when I have penpal letters, because I just cut the stamp out for my album, but on postcards, it drives me BATTY!  Am I the only one?    We've had the Tiffany Lamp stamp for quite a long time.  That's never been one I have been particularly impressed by.  I always put it in the same category as the Chippendale chair.  Boringggggg. *yawn*  But it does help break up the monotony of the hummingbird stamps once there's a postal rate change!

Well, I enjoyed learning about the Indiana State flag!!  I hope you guys learned something new as well! Tune in next time!

Happy Mailings!
-Jessa


Postal Soundtrack

• Hard To Love- Lee Brice
• My Town- Montgomery Gentry
• Don't You Forget About Me- Simple Mind

Happiness is...Mondays #3

It's MONDAYYYY, oh happy MONDAYYYYY!  Are you guys singing with me?  It's a glorious day.  Just a few days before we stuff ourselves with delicious food, watch football, and SLEEP! Some of you may be going out and braving the crowds for shopping (I will NOT be doing that, too crazy!) and others may be forced to work.  Lame-o!  But until then, we have this little Happiness is...Mondays #3!  I am so excited! Occasionally, when I don't think I'll have enough postcards requested for, I'll ask badger some of my closest friends to take a small stack of postcards and randomly send them back to me so I have postcards I can use when I'm going through a postcard drought.  After all, I just got all you guys to start reading this!  I wouldn't want you to disappear so quickly!  Thankfully, I have some pretty radtastic friends that are always there for any assistance I might need.   Today's postcard comes from one of my closest friends and to her dismay, I even call her my best friend.  :)

I think my ultimate favorite type of postcards to receive ever are the "Greetings From..." vintage style, large letter postcards that became so famous in the early 20th century United States.  I love how the idea was to show something of the state or city you were in to send greetings to someone else.  It almost has that "Americana" sense to it, you know? I love the vintage cards and the cards that really show some history.  Because of that (yes, I just started a sentence with because. :O ) I am always on the lookout for "Greetings from..." cards whenever I go somewhere that might have postcards.  I found a pretty fabulous antique store that had DROVES and DROVES of vintage GF Postcards!  But because they were vintage, they were $4-8.00 a piece!  Which is completely worth it, but I'm a poor college student. LOL  So they'll have to wait.  I was able to snag this one for $1.00 and I'm so happy I did.  I sent it to my best friend, and this is what she sent back.

"Happiness is...wide open spaces with a wonderful companion.'

How true and on point is this one??  At least for me, it's absolutely true.  I'm almost never as happy as I am when I'm riding my horse on a trail or with a friend.  Granted, it's a pretty small group of friends that I can be in wide open spaces with and just be quiet, but those that I can be with are worth their weight in gold.  I've never been much for city living.  I'd much rather have acres upon acres to ride and roam and just take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.  I don't ever have to deal with my anxiety as much in wide open spaces, I don't have to worry about talking to people I don't want to, I don't have to worry about idiots driving crazily, and I know that while I'm not the only person out there, it feels like it and that is just so wonderful. I've always thought I'd love to live in Wyoming or Montana, or Northern Nebraska because there is so much wide open space.  It's just waiting for me.

Yay! American Flag stamps!  I love those.  I really do love our flag.  The USPS did a series of forever stamps and there were four designs, each one with a different word. This one is obviously "Justice" and I'm not sure if it was intentional, but I like how the word is above "Forever" implying that we'll have Justice Forever.  Each stamp design is like that and I really like them!

What are your thoughts on the postcard or the stamp?  What about the "Happiness is..." response?  Let us know in the comments!

Happy Mailings!

-Jessa

Postal Soundtrack

• Where the Stars and the Stripes and the Eagle Flies- Aaron Tippin
• I Still Miss You- Keith Anderson
• Do You Believe Me Now- Jimmy Wayne

The Pinto

Today's postcard comes to us from FL and while it doesn't have a quote, list, or a piece of advice, I still love it. Not all of the postcards I post will be in response to the postcard writing prompts I have.  When postcards like that come in, I'll just be posting the front of the postcard, the stamps, and info about the postcard.  Sometimes it's fun to see what other postcards others have felt like sending me!  These are surprises that someone felt like sending and I absolutely love them. Sometimes I get doubles, or even triples, of a postcard I already have.  But each and everyone has something different written on it!

This little gem is absolutely fabulous.  As you've probably figured out from my other posts, I'm a big horse person.  No, let's rephrase that.  HUGE horse person.  I absolutely love this art postcard from the talented Amy Jean Porter.  Head on over to her website and see just how talented she is!  I'm loving the rest of the horse series and there are so many ADORABLE hedgiehog pieces that I feel like I just have to have!  Her style of drawing is just so great to me.  It's distinct and very easy to like. This postcard is definitely going to be one of my favorites!

The USPS has always had a history of having some pretty great Olympic stamps over the years, but I think this is one of my least favorites. HAH!  I like the 'smudgy' art look for certain things, but I'm not so sure that javelin throw is one of them!  The green color is pretty fabulous though.  Gives it a little bit of a different look from the rest of the stamps that usually have a white or blue or red background!  That 3 cent stamp has been around for what seems like forever.  For some weird reason, it always makes me think of Jesus Christ Superstar.  LOL.  I'm not even sure what it is about it.  Maybe because it kind of looks like someone standing like Jesus with multicolored light shadows behind it?  I have no clue.  The end of the school semester is getting to my brain!!!

Well, that's it for this post.  Tune in next time for the Indiana State Flag!

Happy Mailings!
-Jessa

Post Soundtrack

• Beer on the Table- Josh Thompson
• Just Got Started Loving You- James Otto
• Red Dirt Road- Brooks & Dunn

Farm Fridays #2

Farm Fridays are upon us again!! I know this is only the second Farm Friday we've had since I started it last week, but I have to say that I've really begun to get excited for the farming and agriculture postcards that have really come pouring in!  It's so neat to receive postcards from other farming families and hear what these strong women have to say!

This postcard was a cute donation I received to add to my blank postcard collection.  The cute little pinto miniature horse is just adorable, is it not?  I just kind of want to go "Awwww! How cute!" to it even though I know it's not real and it definitely can't hear me.  Though, I do already talk to myself, so there's that.

Mamie, from MN, writes

 "One of the main things I learned growing up on a farm is that of responsibility. My dad taught me that the animals eat before we eat.  They're counting on us.  I have passed that value on to my daughters as well."  

I was happy to see this postcard come in with this piece of advice on it.  I know when I was younger, and even now, I had problems with friends that were having a party or wanted to get together, and I couldn't go because I had animals to take care of.  Now, I wasn't blaming the animals.  After all, we had them because I wanted them and I understood that I was the one that was mostly responsible for the care. But my friends didn't understand so well.  They'd always ask why I wasn't able to go, or why I couldn't stay out late.  I always tried to patiently explain to them that the animals got up early and I needed to be able to get up just as early for them, having a regular feeding schedule was healthier for the animals, and that the animals were their responsibility.

"Well, can't you just get your parents to feed them or something?" they'd ask.  Well, yeah, I could ask my parents to do that for me and they'd be happy to.  Once or twice.  Or for a special event/circumstance.  Not every Friday or Wednesday when you guys got together.  These animals were there in my backyard because I wanted them there.  If my father had a choice, they wouldn't have even been there.  He wasn't, and still isn't, much for the livestock. :) I knew that going in to the agriculture industry and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Granted, I was born into agriculture and livestock, but if I hadn't been interested in it, we wouldn't have spent time and money finding me chickens to raise and show, a market lamb for my FFA Project, or investing money in breeding and training horses.  My grandfather was raised on a farm and he instilled quite a few of his teachings and beliefs in my mother, who in turn, instilled them in me.  Whether it's a dog, a fish, or a horse, they're at our house because of us and it's our responsibility to care for them in the best ability we can achieve.  Caring for my animals and livestock have taught me so much in just being a better human being and a productive member of society.  I know how important it is to keep those teachings and traditions going in the younger youth.

The USPS has had quite an adventure this past year with all the different stamps they've released and these new postcard rate stamps have been interesting.  Previous to this set, the postcard stamps were of a single image of a turquoise and teal hummingbird that was geometric in shape.  I wasn't sure I was really that big of a fan and I really have to say that I like these quite a bit better.  The bird on this particular stamp is the Red Knot is a medium sized shorebird that calls the tundra home.  It's found in the Arctic Cordillera and is a member of the sandpiper family. Which makes sense.  I would say it kind of looks similar to a sandpiper.  What do you think? We'll have to see which other birds we get on the stamps!

I really liked this Farm Friday and I hope you guys did too!  Is this a teaching you've had in your family?  Yes or no, let us know!  Until next Friday!

Happy Mailings!

-Jessa

Post Soundtrack

• I Can Love You Like That- John Michael Montgomery
• Summer of '69- Bryan Adams
• Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue- Toby Keith

Pumpkin Time!

Super cute postcard arrived in my box!  Talk about completely adorable! These types of postcards are really my favorite. I had no clue it was coming my way and I was fabulously surprised.  I love when people decide they want to send me a little something, surprising me and assisting my project.  This particular postcard was a cute, little hand drawn number of a little girl and someone else carrying a large, orange pumpkin down the path.  It was complete with a little bird, mushrooms growing on the wood, and a huge pumpkin tree, ripe for harvest.   I loved the artistic aspect of it!

See how cute it is! I also loved the incredibly beautiful stamps that were pasted to the back of the postcard.  The flower was especially beautiful!  I'm not exactly sure what the top stamp is referring to, but I enjoy it immensely.  

I was lucky in the aspect of the surprise postcard gracing my presence.  I became even luckier when I found out the written words on the back pertained to my blog!  I love the quote that was sent to me.  

"Reputation is what men and women think of us.  Character is what God and angels know of us."

- Lana Del Rey

This quote is pretty powerful on both a personal and a spiritual level.  Though a belief in God is not necessary to garner the seriousness of the quote. :) Reputations are usually what precede a person, but they can sometimes come from rumors of other people.  Though they can be carved by how a person acts, they are also a result of how others talk of them.  Character is on a completely different level.  This quote makes me think of the one "Character is who you are when no one is looking." and it's so true.  Character is who you are within, more than skin deep.  It's what forms you as a person and gives you almost a 'code' by which you live and interact with others.  It's true to you and it's important to humanity.  

I also loved the handwriting! How beautiful is that?  It is so neat and precise and perfect for a postcard. Neat handwriting always makes me happy when I find it on the back of postcards.  The last happy note from this postcard was the greeting in the sender's native language! So I'll send you on your way with the same greeting! :)  Thanks for stopping by!

"Semoga harimu menyenangkan." -> Have a nice day!

Happy Mailing!

-Jessa

Albert Einstein's The Man!

Drumroll pleaaaaasseeeee! I have my first postcard for the Postcard Project!  So fantastic.  I can hardly contain myself! Hang on a second, Ima go dance for a bit. :3  "Happy Happy Postcards...La La La."

Ok, back!  Phew.  I got a little excited, if you couldn't tell. :) Granted, this postcard was received a little bit ago, but I have to catch up with the blogging world. I'm a bit behind.  But still!  A postcard for the blog! I loved the entire thing.  The postcard, the stamp, what was written on it; everything.  I can't wait to tell you guys all about it   Let's start with the postcard and see where this adventure takes us!

How cool is that postcard?  It was handmade/printed by the Sendsomething user "Fast Eyes". I think my favorite part of the whole postcard was the coffee ring in the upper left corner. Weird thing to like, I know, but I love it.   Sometimes I'm a bit wary of handmade cards , for several reasons.  Mostly because I don't always know what kind of medium they're going to use, but this postcard completely surprised me.  It was very professional and looked just like a postcard one could buy in a store.  Color me impressed! :)

Oh my goodness! Their handwriting!  I LOVE.  I am such a weirdo when it comes to handwriting.  When I find one I like, I go crazy.  And believe me, I went crazy.  Wondering why?  Well, let me show you!

Yeah, what did I tell you?  That handwriting is fabulous, just fabulous. It is so much easier to enjoy a postcard when the handwriting is readable and pretty or enjoyable to look at.  This particular postcard passed with flying colors!  I also particularly loved the quote from Albert Enstein. 

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.". Einstein.

This quote resonates with me so well.  One of the things I tell myself quite often is that I am ridiculously curious and am always trying to figure out the things around me.  Am I great at everything I try? Oh heck no! Haha.  But I am always wanting to try something new!  Curiosity is something that is missing in quite a few people nowadays, it seems like.  Why are people so afraid to be curious?  How is that a crime?  Curiosity is the food that keeps things progressing and it's something I'll never be ashamed of.  Sure, maybe curiosity killed the cat, but he had a heck of a time before he died! :3  Nah, just kidding.  I am not goin’ to die.  

They were so fabulously thoughtful in the stamp they chose for my postcard!  It's an Arizona stamp that fits perfectly in my collection!  Take a look for yourself and let us know what you think!

I've always enjoyed the 'Greetings From..." postcards, so you can probably imagine my surprise when I found out they had related stamps!  It was insane.  I still haven't been able to find them, used or otherwise. Which is completely and utterly devastating!   But I haven't given up hope.  I'm going to keep on looking and maybe one day it will pay off!

As you've probably realized, I'm a blabber.  I can go on and on and on and then on some more when I'm not reined in, but hopefully, if you've made it this far down the blog post, you'll stay for the last few sentences.  I am so grateful to Sendsomething's Fast Eyes.  I've enjoyed writing about the first blog related postcard I’ve received, and I can promise there will be many, many more.  Hopefully this post was entertaining, but if not, let me know and I'll do what I can to make the next one better!

Happy Mailing!

-Jessa