A Box of Postcards

 by MJ Malleck// Today’s postcard is written is a scrawling script, that in another generation, when cursive is no longer taught, will be hard to decipher. I got most of it, but I’m not sure what the one word at the top of the postcard says. (Not Saturday, May 10 in 1959 was a Sunday). Hazel smartly printed the mailing address. Rome, May 10 This is the best and we do so hope you two will be able to go with us next year. fine food. good hotels and lots of fun, and art. Love Hazel & Morty. The photo is a black and white of what looks like a football stadium. It says Roma Stadio Olympico. (On the other side, Olympic Stadium (English), Stade Olympique (French) Olympisches Stadium (German) The stamp was 35 Lires. I was curious why anyone would send a postcard of a sports stadium, from the city that holds the Coliseum and so many ancient wonders. Then I discovered that this stadium was part of the 1960 Summer Olympic Games, which Rome hosted. So, Hazel and Morty sound like they are g

 by MJ Malleck//  Today’s postcard is from St. Petersburg, Florida in March 1973. Today’s postcard is from St. Petersburg, Florida in March 1973.  “Wednesday. Dear Friends, Here we are and enjoying every minute. Thanks very much for your lovely note, also, congratulations on your new grandchild. We know how proud it makes one feel. See you soon, Love Wilf and Lauretta.”  “Wednesday. Dear Friends, Here we are and enjoying every minute. Thanks very much for your lovely note, also, congratulations on your new grandchild. We know how proud it makes one feel. See you soon, Love Wilf and Lauretta.” The note is written sideways for more space since the descriptor is long. I wonder if these friends are using the receiver’s Florida place, as some Canadians who can afford to, get a place south for winter vacations. We call them “snowbirds”. This is because they mention a lovely note, which may have been on the table waiting for them to arrive.   (No text messages or emails in 1973). The us

By MJ Malleck// Today’s postcard is not written on or sent. A souvenir then. It says, “Land’s End”. It was published in London but printed in the Republic of Ireland. Land’s End is the southernmost tip of England, located in the county of Cornwall. It’s about 1,400 km (870 miles) from the northernmost point of Great Britain. A popular feat is to travel between these two points (from Land’s End to John o’Groats). In Cornish, Land’s End is Pedn-an-Laaz. The postcard features the famous granite cliffs of Land’s End. Two types of granite are found, one coarse with large crystals and one finer with smaller crystals. In the top photograph you can also see the Longship Lighthouse in the distance, about a mile from the mainland on a reef. Our travellers likely ate at The First & Last Inn, which was built in the 1600s one mile from the coast and was a headquarters for smugglers and wreckers. Donkeys with lanterns were walked up and down the cliff-tops to fool ships into coming too clo