merry christmas to all

Christmas decorations ~ ~ ~ ~ There can be no Christmas without Christmas decorations! Decors evoke Christmas sentiments among children and grown-ups. Christmas decorations date all the way back to the old Christmas markets in 16th century Germany. In those days, Christmas food, such as sugar rods, honey cakes, and other Christmas candy, were particularly used as Christmas decorations. In the 18th century, many other kinds of Christmas decorations became popular. Among them were glazed paper, colored paper, and those which contain candies, nuts, cakes, raisins, and fruits. (courtesy: www.allthingschristmas.com)

christmas, florida/michigan

The Christmas, Florida post office processes over 250,000 letters and postcards during the holiday season. The Christmas, Michigan post office is said to post a similiar amount from its Upper Peninsula location.

christmas season (disambiguation)

Things commonly known as the Christmas season include: Christmastide — the part of the Christian liturgical year that runs from Christmas Day to the start of Epiphany. It is more usually known as the Twelve Days of Christmas) Advent — the part of the Christian liturgical year that leads up to Christmas Day (The Christmas season according to advertising campaigns.) The Christmas/winter holiday season — a period of holidays during late autumn and early winter (ranging from late November to January) that incorporates a holiday shopping season.

(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

be thankful !!!

autumn colors - number eight

CARP RIVER, PORCUPINE MOUNTAINS WILDERNESS STATE PARK, MICHIGAN, SEPTEMBER 28, 2008

autumn colors - number seven

Ed and Mary Ann Murdock enjoy the fall colors while paddlng their canoe near their home in Turner, Maine. (courtesy: www.ocregister.com)

autumn colors - number six

Amish Country, Ohio (courtesy: www.wallpaperme.com)

autumn colors - number four

Thornton Lake, Hiawatha National Forest, Michigan

(courtesy: www.wallpaperme.com)

autumn colors daily

Aspen Forest in Early Fall, Ohio Pass, Gunnison National Forest, Colorado

(courtesy: wallpaperme.com)

autumn colors

The leaves are green, the nuts are brown, They hang so high they won't come down. Leave them alone till frosty weather, Then they will all come down together.

Anonymous

the natchez trace parkway

The Natchez Trace, a 440-mile-long path extending from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee, linked the Cumberland, Tennessee and Mississippi rivers. It was a traditional Native Americans trail and was later also used by early European explorers as both a trade and transit route in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Today, the trail has been commemorated by the 444-mile-long Natchez Trace Parkway, which follows the approximate path of the trace. The trail itself has a long and rich history, filled with brave explorers, dastardly outlaws and daring settlers. Parts of the original trail are still accessible.

(courtesy: Wikipedia)

today's featured picture

The Justine McAllister, a tugboat, in New York Harbor. Tugboats are used to maneuver, primarily by towing or pushing, other vessels in harbors, over the open sea or through rivers and canals. Tugboats are also used to tow barges, disabled ships, or other equipment like towboats. Photo credit: Eric Baetscher Courtesy: Wikipedia, 23 Sep 08

piggly wiggly

Piggly Wiggly (first store above) is a supermarket chain operating in the Midwestern and Southern regions of the United States. The chain was founded in 1916, in Memphis, Tennessee, by the American entrepreneur Clarence Saunders. It was the first true self-service grocery store, a concept patented by Saunders in 1917. Because customers could choose their products directly, packaging and brand recognition became very important. Other grocers soon adopted the self-service format. At its peak, the company was operating 2,660 stores and posting sales of $180 million a year. (source: Wikipedia)

red tailed hawk

The red-tailed hawk makes a striking appearance with its large, stocky body and mottled brown feathers. The adult’s breast appears white with a brown belly band that looks like a wide belt. Its rust-colored tail, broad and short, distinguishes it from the smaller red-shouldered hawk. Red-tailed hawks grow to about 18 to 25 inches in length and have powerful legs and wings that span to 48 inches as they soar. In wind, it occasionally hovers on beating wings and remains stationary above the ground. When soaring or flapping its wings, it typically travels from 20 to 40 mph, but when diving may exceed 120 mph. Its hunting adaptations are formidable: a short, hooked bill that tears flesh and long, sharp claws to grasp its prey.

okefenokee swamp, georgia-florida

The Great Okefenokee Swamp, one of America’s most fascinating natural areas is the largest Swamp in North America. "Okefenokee" what Seminoles called "Land of Trembling Earth" is approximately 700 square miles located in the southeast corner of Georgia and extending into north Florida. Most of this Eco system has been officially protected since 1937 as the OKEFENOKEE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE and in 1974 a portion was designated National Wilderness Area. Two rivers have headwaters in the Okefenokee, the Suwannee, flowing south through Florida to the Gulf of Mexico and the St. Mary's forming the eastern boundary of Georgia and Florida on it’s way to the Atlantic Ocean.

desert saguaros

Symbolic of the desert and all its mystery are these Giant Cacti whose grotesque silhouettes add character to the Southern Arizona landscape. They can attain heights of greater than 50 feet and the ages of some have been estimated at least 250 years. The blossom of the Saguaro is the State Flower of Arizona. Harming one in any manner (including cactus plugging) is illegal by state law in Arizona, and when houses or highways are built, special permits must be obtained to move or destroy any saguaro affected.

folsom, california

Folsom is a city in Sacramento County, California and is most commonly known by its famous Folsom Prison. Folsom started as a small town called Granite City, mostly occupied by gold miners seeking fortune in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Though few amassed a great deal of wealth, the city prospered and has preserved its historical frontier appearance along this "Mall on Sutter Street" in the old historic district, suggesting years of the Mother Lode.

florida scenic beauty

Further narrative not required.

arizona cliff dwellings

Montezuma Castle National Monument, located near Camp Verde, Arizona, in the Southwestern United States, features well-preserved cliff dwellings. They were built and used by the Pre-Columbian Sinagua people around 1400 AD. Several Hopi clans trace their roots to immigrants from the Montezuma Castle/Beaver Creek area. Clan members periodically return to their former homes for religious ceremonies. The last known Sinagua habitation of the sites was around 1425 AD and reasons for abandonment are the subject of much speculation.

name this tree

Time for quiz # 3 - The tree depicted above is located in The Petrified Forest, a sanctuary of ancient trees. In 1912 it was estimated by Luther Burbank to be "HOW OLD?" Also, what is the "NAME" of the tree? For the correct answer we will need both the estimated age of the tree and the name. We will accept "either" the age as given by Luther in 1912 or the present age as based on his estimate. Winner will receive another of our fabulous food gift certificates. Send answer to: jul8quiz@postcardfile.com.

independence day

Have a fun but safe Holiday!!!

vintage modern transport

A little early 20th Century humor. Don't know how old this one is but from the style, look, and condition, its gotta be from way back there.

cherokee, n.c. drama

This is the entrance to Mountainside Theatre, the 2900 capacity show place in Cherokee, N.C., where the great Cherokee Indian drama, "Unto These Hills," is shown each summer through Labor Day. It is the third oldest and the second- longest-running outdoor drama in the United States. The 59th season of Unto These Hills debuted on Friday, June 13, 2008 and will run through Saturday, August 30, 2008.

smokey bear

Did you know??? - The living symbol of Smokey Bear was an American black bear who in the spring of 1950 was caught in the Capitan Gap fire, a wildfire that burned 17,000 acres (69 km²) in the Capitan Mountains of New Mexico. Smokey had climbed a tree to escape the blaze, but his paws and hind legs had been burned. He was rescued by a Game Warden after the fire and given veterinary aid and loving care by the family of a local Dept. of Game and Fish Ranger.

The story was picked up by the national news services and Smokey became an instant celebrity. Soon after, Smokey was flown in a Piper Cub to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., where he lived for 26 years. Upon his death in November 1975, Smokey's remains were returned by the government to Capitan, New Mexico, and buried at what is now the Smokey Bear Historical Park.

churchill memorial

The Christopher Wren Church was moved from London, England, to the campus of Westminister College in Fulton, Missouri as part of a Memorial to Winston Churchill. He made his great "Iron Curtain" speech here in 1946. The famous address built a legacy, enticing such world leaders as Lech Walesa, Margaret Thatcher, Harry S Truman, Gerald R. Ford, Ronald W. Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Mikhail Gorbachev and NATO representatives to Westminster College.

banyan in fort myers, florida

Did you know??? A banyan is a fig that starts its life as an epiphyte when its seeds germinate in the cracks and crevices on a host tree (or on structures like buildings and bridges) and send down roots towards the ground. It may envelope part of the host tree or building structure with their roots, giving them the casual name of "strangler fig". The first banyan tree in the U.S. was planted by Thomas Alva Edison in Fort Myers, Florida. It was given to Edison by Harvey Firestone after Firestone visited India in 1925 and was planted in the Edison and Ford Winter Estates. The tree, originally only 4 feet tall, now covers well over 400 feet in circumference.

gator seeking revenge???

Spook Hill is a gravity hill (an optical illusion where cars appear to roll uphill) in Lake Wales, Florida. The attraction is adjacent to an elementary school that adopted Casper The Friendly Ghost as their school mascot. Spook Hill received national media attention when an article about it appeared on the front page of the Wall Street Journal on October 25, 1990, and was also featured in a segment on CBS Morning News. Click on card to enlarge and read sign.

scotland's belted galloways

Did you know?? The Belted Galloway breed, prized primarily for its high quality marbleized beef, originated in southwest Scotland, where unlike most modern breeds, they were able to thrive on the sparse pastures and windswept moors of the region. Leading U. S. livestock authorities have stated that on poor land Belties are unrivaled, and that there is no other breed worth more by the pound weight than a first class Galloway.

first nuclear submarine

The world's first nuclear powered vessel shown here as a designated National Historic Landmark, on the river Thames in Groton, Connecticut. The city that built her now displays her, officially retired and basking in her limelight. Nautilus celebrated the 50th anniversary of her commissioning in 2004 and now serves as a museum of submarine history. She is the sixth and most famous U. S. Navy ship to carry the name Nautilus and is perhaps best known for the history-making arctic journey that carried her under the North Pole on August 3, 1958.

motel room of the 1800's

The card caption of this copyright 1979 card in its entirety - Here is the motel room of the 1800's where travelers and their livestock sought shelter in the redwood forest. Many such trees with stumps hollowed by fire were hewn out to become practical shelters. The Eternal Tree, some 2,000 years old, is a major visitor attraction on the 'Avenue of the Giants' at Redcrest, California.

the florida state pie

Yummy!! Yummy!! This looked so good, just had to throw it up for all. This is a 1960s vintage promotional card from Florida Keys Wholesalers of Key West. Google'd them and seems they've been in the postcard and giftwares business for over 50 years. Lotta cards under the bridge. Gotta admit, I'm not much for sweets, yummies (or is it yummy's) is my wife's idea.

florida fun vacation

This one says it all. If you don't mean it, don't say it.

memorial day - 2008

Drive Safely - Courtesy of: http://www.vickiblackwell.com/

famous crooked street

Lombard Street, one the most famous and picturesque in San Francisco, winds tortuously down on the Russian Hill Section between Leavenworth and Hyde Streets. The street affords a magnificent view of the city from the top, and a thrilling descent by auto or foot. The street earned its nickname because of the eight sharp turns (or switchbacks) that are incorporated into its design. The switchbacks design was instituted in 1922 and born of necessity in order to reduce the downhill grade (27%) which was considered too steep for most vehicles and a serious hazard to pedestrians.

fruit cake capitol

Chocked full of Fruits and Nuts, moist and slices beautifully. Try it and be convinced. Once a customer, always a customer. Look for the Horse and Buggy Label, the choice of millions since 1910. - That Postcard says it all - Today the World Famous Claxton Fruit Cakes are baked in an ultra modern 50,000 sq ft bakery that covers virtually an entire city block on Main Street in Claxton, Georgia. Claxton Bakeries seven massive ovens are capable of turning out 86,000 lbs of Fruit Cake daily. The company partners with over 1,000 fund raising organizations and offers free delivery from its online store. To view their interesting history and a virtual tour, visit their website at www.claxtonfruitcake.com. It would appear that Claxton, Georgia really is, "The Fruit Cake Capitol of the World."

quiz winners

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We have a winner for our Apr 30, 2008 quiz. Mr. Jack McMeans of Warner Robins, Ga has submitted the correct answer: Lake Pontchartrain. Mr. McMeans confides that one of his favorite meals is breakfast at Waffle House. Accordingly, he will be awarded a $15. gift certificate for his next Waffle House purchase. A note of interest is that the winning postcard picture is now decidedly out of date. The bridge depicted was completed in 1956 and joined by a second span the 60s making it a double lane single span in each direction. By the way, this bridge connects New Orleans with the Louisiana highlands to the north and is part of the Greater New Orleans Expressway System.

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We also have a winner for the May 9, 2008 quiz. Mr. Anthony Dupree of Springfield, MO has submitted the correct answer of California for our Mother Lode Country question. Mr. Dupree, a construction worker who is on the road a lot and is a fast food junkie says that the McDonald's certificate is right down his alley. Again, Congratulations!!!

modern day and vintage

Pictured above is the modern day and vintage views of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, head church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia. At the time of construction the building was considered one of the most architecturally significant buildings in the country. The brownstone structure, largest in Philadelphia, took 18 years to construct and was finally dedicated on November 20, 1864. With its vaulted dome and majestic facade, ornate main altar, eight side chapels and main sanctuary that comfortably holds in excess of 2,000 worshipers, the cathedral basilica is indeed a magnificent structure that is as imposing as ever as it gradually eases into old age.

nothing ever changes

Over one hundred years later and its still being done in basically the same way. Except for the people and the period dress you'd hardly notice the difference. Note the gentleman on ladder to the right - Could he have been the model for the world famous "Uncle Sam Wants You" Poster?