It’s “Hey Rene J” Today!

There is no longer a “current” stamp collection in my ownership, just a hobby I haven’t retained for ten years. Why would that be? The introduction of the “Forever Stamp.”

Before the beloved Post Office – which by the way has the most affordable postage in the world in my experiences – introduced the “Forever Stamp,” people actually bought commemoratives. My sister and I would sign letters or birthday cards or anything with the silly phrase, “Buy commemoratives.” This was really only to our family members who already knew we were nuts and that we wanted their stamps. It also encouraged us to write more letters so we would get responses! Now, suddenly you could buy 200 stamps and be assured the price would hold through any raising rates. 200 of the same boring flag.

It really was no longer much fun to collect the forever business. You had to look for tiny little differences to know which year they were issued since they were flags for so long. And there were different sizes of the same stamp. So uninteresting.

FDR collected stamps (since the age of eight) and he was the guy who helped launch the commemoratives. He assisted in over 200 designs. He understood stamps were another way of educating the masses. I have answered Jeopardy questions based on remembering certain stamps I collected: national parks, famous Americans, flora and fauna, battles and their forts, etc…. As I kid, those images were soaked in my brain along with soaking the stamps.

Another learning opportunity lost…along with cursive writing. But oh, that skill is returning! More on that to follow.

Ye olde S&P Stamp and Coin was always the stop when I visited “Pindy” with my kids in tow. The owner never failed to mention to us, as we pawed through a well-worn box of canceled stamps, “Those stamps aren’t worth anything.” With that encouragement we continued to visit whenever I arrived in town.

Oh, I think the guy got a kick out of us searching for the only stamp we needed to complete a page. My sister kept a detailed list of what she needed, and since I had my own album now, I just figured I didn’t have what she didn’t have. Eventually he was probably enamored with our cheerful banter and well-mannered children and he invited us to enjoy a cup of the coffee he had brewing by the register. Only years later did I figure out he had probably thrown in some older stamps no one had purchased in the past twenty years and he was just waiting for us to discover them? We had to be entertainment as I do not recall a single customer ever entering in over thirty years. We were like kids in a candy store.

The promise of donuts after this outing kept our children in line and us motivated. Even though the donuts were in a heavily smoke-filled hole-in-the-wall, they were the best I’ve ever had.

Philatelic adventures.

Why in the world would the Mystic Stamp Company send me a missive? I haven’t ordered anything from them in over ten years!

My path to becoming a philatelist began early, probably around fifth grade. My sister and I, and soon our younger sis, began the business of collecting stamps and took it rather seriously. We would soak stamps in the bathtub to put them in our shared book and air dry them all over the bedroom floor. Occasionally we would put our $.50 in an envelope when that Mystic company had a tempting offer! It was exciting to receive mail and immediately plug the treasure into our collection. Then, we diverged.

I’m not sure when, but we continued collecting stamps through our adulthood and found we each needed our own albums. Three stamp collections in one family. Maybe we have a Guinness world record?

More philatelic memories to follow.

It started as an attempt to take a nap. I put on the documentary from Netflix, “Neanderthals.” I was riveted. As a matter of fact, I may rewatch the entire thing and I’m not even sure what it was that kept me so riveted? At the very least it was better than most of what is available for television viewing.

Just sharing the excitement around here. Oh, and by the way, I got rid of the “like” button, Pancy. I never “liked” it.

Happy weekend!

That Glenn Frey hit comes to mind when the first blasts from the furnace are needed. Yes – the heat came on this morning.

In the past that initial circumstance used to bring consternation. Many, many seasons when my spouse was traveling, I had to remedy whatever problem was occurring when I first turned on that lovely unit. If you came to take a tour of the furnace you would see my permanent marker notes on the inside telling me what to do. I watched the repair guy intently every time. It paid off, too! At least twice I was able to avoid a call and just fix the issues myself.

It’s really not that chilly today, nothing a sweater or parka in the house couldn’t fix. It just looks cold and gloomy. Days like this are meant for lovely candles wafting through the air, the next chapter of a good book, and another spot of tea. Or coffee. Or hot cocoa? Or trip to the Bahamas.

JAT. Just another Thursday.

Whenever we return from a longer getaway, my thoughts go to that silly movie, “All of Me,” with Lily Tomlin and Steve Martin. The famous line by the swami guy was, “Back in the bowl, back in the bowl.” Coming home feels like that.

The bowl looks a little dusty and worn, mirroring how I look after the journey. Since today is still temperate here, I’ve got windows and doors open and I’m on a cleaning mission. The garage is getting a makeover! Actually, I’m just going to try and figure out how to get all of the ride-on vehicles three little munchkins have to be easily stored so we could possibly park a third car in there should inclement weather arise this winter. It may not work. They have six modes of transport which are frequently used. We really need a four-car garage.

Ah, yes. Even though I’m in this bowl, the beautiful ones we experienced are still clinging to me. Happy Monday.

Nature has such a humbling influence…and not just when the temperatures are unexpectedly hot and you have only two pair of summer shorts to wear for ten days. (I had to rely on my swim shorts last night for my part of my dining ensemble. They look more like biking shorts and quite frankly, I was perfectly dressed in the “touristy” fashion.)

These giants never fail to impress. This one isn’t even the oldest, just a nice mature fellow. Thankfully, we recalled the proper way to take a landscape photo, educated as we were by our guide in Cambodia. We keep working for that “perfect” shot. As we do, I’ll enjoy another cuppa at my new coffee haven on the patio.

Friday greetings from the “landscape” perspective.

…or a coffee spot. Our little patio place for an early morning respite.

Off to search for a picture of a little lizard before we head out. I suppose they are still waking up. Or, perhaps we shall see another bear on the road today? Little razzle dazzles everywhere.

It actually topped 105 on this journey. Ill-prepared was I for this heat wave – other than the fact that I really don’t care how hot it is. Egypt was 113 degrees and we hydrated enough for that. I’m just tired of water and heat.

Since it was a tad scorching early this morning we had to forgo our bike ride. Perhaps it’s our age taunting us now as we “chose” to forgo the ride. Wisdom kicked in and got us on the road without a desert adventure other than finding filling stations and toilets.

Perhaps this evening we shall enjoy the use of the corkscrew we toted and toast to mid-journey of our mission. (Which, by the way, is to retrieve a motorcycle purchase stored here in California.) Yes. Another motorized vehicle for the herd.

Cheers!

We have had duct tape on lengthy overseas excursions as I wrap that around any bottle of shampoo or can or mousse I happen to be toting on the adventure. We’ve used it. We have my mini-first aid kit, thankfully never used. We have a wine bottle opener, probably used on every excursion? However, we never seem to have a chip clip when we need it.

On this little adventure we did possess one! Alas. We needed two. It was a sacrifice, but I suffered through wearing my hair on my neck in order to secure the tortilla chip bag properly. This little trick came after an Italian event when the cheese and crackers needed a dependable fastener.

If it can keep this mess of hair on my head, the trusty hair clip is a travel gem.