Tuesday 12 January 2021

A Postcard A Day - Tuesday 12 January 2021 - T for embossed angels and crowing roosters

 Hello lovely ladies,

Happy New Year to all! 

(Sorry if I repeat myself for those who also read my Friday blog) Hubby and I have been to the Netherlands to visit my 96 yr old mother. It was against all recommendations and common sense, but I wanted to see her, and I am glad I went. We had a lovely time. Of course we couldn't go anywhere or see anyone, but I cooked lovely meals for/with her and we had quality time. We spent zoom time with other family members and the last few days we spent filling in forms online and getting a Covid test. The test is more expensive than the flight and we had to travel into Rotterdam city to have it done. Most European countries require a negative test to enter into the country and Spain is no exception. Of course we were negative, but it is still a strange experience to fly. The airports are empty, very eerie. Schiphol (Amsterdam airport) which is a large intercontinental airport, was empty. Rotterdam airport was closed all together. We had to travel to Amsterdam on an intercity train for more than an hour, which worried me, but the train was half empty (The train goes straight into the airport and is usually very full). 

Nobody questioned my motives for traveling, nobody checked our passports, they were only interested in the QR code that we obtained online after filling in all the documents and declarations. We both went: "Phew!" and went to collect our car at the car park. When I went to pay, the machine malfunctioned and I had to ring for the attendant to retrieve my card from the machine. Another "Phew!" 

We had vague ideas of perhaps staying in a hotel for the night and driving home the next day, as hubby has been ill with a bowel condition since before we left. I didn't want him to tire too much, it's a long drive. But there was snow forecast that night, so we decided to go straight home. We did it in four hours.

The first thing I did was check the mail. And what a lovely surprise:

It was mail from Linda Kunsman. She has sent me some beautiful vintage Christmas cards. This one is embossed. Even the sentiment is embossed. Isn't it beautiful? Thank you so much Linda. 
The card was posted in 1907:
I have just spent half an hour reading about the person on the stamp: Benjamin Franklin. He is probably well known in American circles, but I had not heard of him and assumed he had been a president. He was not. He was one of the founding fathers of the United States. Wikipedia says this:

Benjamin Franklin FRS FRSA FRSE (January 17, 1706 [O.S. January 6, 1705] – April 17, 1790) was a British American polymath and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Franklin was a leading writer, printerpolitical philosopher, politician, Freemasonpostmaster, scientist, inventor, humorist, civic activiststatesman, and diplomat. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the American Enlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. As an inventor, he is known for the lightning rodbifocals, and the Franklin stove, among other inventions.[1] He founded many civic organizations, including the Library CompanyPhiladelphia's first fire department,[2] and the University of Pennsylvania.

But I encourage you to read about him yourself, such an interesting man!

The other card is a funny one (although I don't see the joke) or is it perhaps a card with a feminist message?
This one has a 1949 cancelling stamp and was directed to someone in Bethlehem, PA (where Linda lives). 

I went to Google to see if the address still exists, and it does, there is a pharmacy where Mr Charles used to live.



Linda also sent me a print of some lovely art work she did as a Christmas card.
Absolutely beautiful Linda. Thank you so much! I will treasure these things.

The morning after we got home, we went to the health center and asked for an appointment with our doctor. He could see us an hour later, so we didn't bother walking all the way home, but went to have breakfast in the nearest bar:
Breakfast is toasted bread with tomatoes and olive oil (and salt). You can see the sugar bag on my plate. In our area they have sayings and quotes printed on them. It has helped me no end when I was learning Spanish. And I help hubby translate while we drink coffee.

The translation of this one is: 
If you want to go fast, walk alone.
If you want to travel far, go with company.
(African proverb)

Hubby has his with cheese on top.
These photos are also my ticket to the T-Party hosted by Elizabeth and Bluebeard

One last photo before I go. This was this afternoon:


It's still very cold, but as you can see, we are just short of the snow line, which is fine by me. I'm not really a lover of snow.

That is it from me. 
Happy T-Day to all,
Stay safe,
Lisca









19 comments:

  1. So glad you had a mostly uneventful trip and I hope hubby is feeling much better now. I was so happy to send you a few old postcards from my box of them as I knew you would appreciate them.
    As for the funny one- it's basically saying that the man wants to take all the credit yet it's the women who do the hard work:):)
    I remember so many places and addresses on those postcards handed down to me and it does get me a bit sad to see all the many changes in the neighborhoods and on the streets...
    Love that last photo in this post- it is such a poignant scene that beckons for a story or two. Happy T day!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow! Happy mail for sure! What beautiful and interesting items Linda sent you! Lucky you. What a wonderful afternoon scene! I wouldn't mind snow if I had a view like that one! Hugs, and happy T Day!

    ReplyDelete
  3. As you guessed, Benjamin Franklin is very well known to all Americans, as a founding father and signer of the Declaration of Independence in 1776; as an inventor of such things as the Franklin Stove, the lightening rod, and bifocal eyeglasses; as the writer of many famous sayings; and even as the hero of a Walt Disney movie "Ben and Me" from 1953.

    Glad to hear that your return was successful.

    best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Lisca I really enjoyed your post. such thoughtful gifts from Linda-I loved the vintage cards especially. Benjamin Franklin was an amazing man. I am so glad you were able to get home with no problems-that must have been very strange with no people around. I am hoping all is well with your husband. Is that the view from your home? or the doctors office? so beautiful Happy T hugs Kathy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can answer your question if you are talking about the last photo. That is taken at Lisca's home. They have moved to the top floor and are renting (or at least were before they went on holiday) their downstairs "summer" home to a family of three. They always move upstairs in winter because it is warmer.

      Delete
  5. So glad you are home, but sorry Graham is still not well. He actually looked tired in that photo of him drinking breakfast coffee.

    Ben Franklin is revered here in the states and he needs NO introduction. Glad you learned about him. A five and dime store chain used to be called Ben Franklin, too. Don't know if they exist now or not. WalMart pretty much wiped them out in the 90s.

    Linda is such a sweetie. She is always SO very thoughtful. How great that she sent those postcards to you.

    Thanks for sharing your postcard, the beautiful things Linda sent, and your coffee and breakfast with us for T this Tuesday. I'm going phew you are home safe and sound, too.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I should have read my comments before I left mine to you. The items in my advent calendar are the same as they have been since I made this in 2010. They are glued or wired in place. It's starting to show its age, I'm afraid.

    ReplyDelete
  7. They didn´t check kyour passports?! Now, that is strange.
    Wow, that must´ve been a spooky adventure indeed.

    What a sweet surprise to come home to!

    Oh! I thought Franklin "only" was a scientist! Thank you for another little history-lesson!
    Great view you have there, happy T-day!

    ReplyDelete
  8. *LOL* Love the postcard with the rooster! Linda's Christmas wreath is gorgeous! And what a view from your window. Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  9. You got some wonderful happy mail, enjoy! Sorry your husband is not feeling well. Happy T Day, hugs, Valerie

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wow, the Christmas postcard that Linda sent you is amazing and I love her card too - perfect! So lovely to see those snow capped mountains from your window, it's a beautiful view 😁. Happy T Day! Hugs, Jo x

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sounds like quite an adventure Lisca. I would be leery about traveling, but I get why you went. My 91 year old Mom gets her first vaccine this Friday which is good news. She had covid last spring and I don't want her to get it again. Linda's card is just gorgeous, isn't it? And those are fabulous postcards. Hope the hubby does better soon and you have some nice winter views, but no snow near you. Hugs-Erika

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm so glad your home safe and that you had a nice visit with your mom ~ Your vintage postcards and handmade Christmas card are wonderful to see. I enjoy seeing the snow and being out in it for a little as long as I don't have to drive and it doesn't last too long. ~ Enjoy your week!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Ohhh that is truly a wonderful gift from Linda. She is a lovely lady. You got a doctors appt. in 1 hour? Wow! That would never happen in the US. A very dramatic photo of your husband and the snow capped MT. Have a wonderful day.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm glad you managed your trip safely and that it went without complications. Things are so much harder now :(

    Happy T Tuesday!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Linda's wreath card is stunning! I love her art.

    You were quite courageous to make that trip, but I agree that you did the right thing even under difficult circumstances. I'm glad you got home safe and sound. Well, not quite; I hope your hubby feels better soon.

    Happy T-day! Stay safe out there. Hugs, Eileen

    ReplyDelete
  16. Lovely happy mail you received. So glad you had a lovely time with your mom and an uneventful trip home. I bet your hubby will feel a lot better now that you are home. Such a pretty and relaxing view. Happy T Day

    ReplyDelete
  17. Glad you are home safe - the journey must have been strange and sounds like a relief to have got back on Spanish soil! I hope hubby gets some treatment soon! Your postcards are interesting - I didn't know anything about Benjamin Franklin either although the name was familiar! I think I would like your breakfast, especially with cheese on! Happy T day, Chrisx

    ReplyDelete
  18. The postcards are lovely! I specially like the vintage one. So glad that that you were able to spend all that time with your mom. Getting home without any problems is a feat, although getting a clear COVID test to travel sounds like a feat as well. So glad that it all ended well.
    Beautiful background in back of your hubby. Looks like the perfect place to hang out.
    Sorry I am a bit late making it around.
    Happy belated Tea day,
    Kate

    ReplyDelete