Birthday mystery

A year ago, Lynn launched a very fun project that left me guessing for months. White cards with letters and/or a leaf design trickled in each week (office mail was collected weekly). Each postcard made up a piece of a puzzle message and had a message from someone I cared about. While this postcard was a tantalizing start, filled with question marks on its otherwise blank underbelly, I would have known it was Lynn's enterprise without it. A ruthless period in other ways, this surprising gift was the highlight of the months that surrounded my birthday. It made me feel loved even though I was thousands away from the game's participants. I still can hardly believe that she tracked down so many of my friends and family from so many phases of my life.

Despite a number of cards, a bit hilariously, some of the cards were repeated or missing in the end so I was forced to ask, "What does it say?"  Lynn replied, "I'm so glad you were born."

I am not sure that there has ever been such a remedy for such a blue period. Thank you for being there.

WARNING the following postcard may be hazardous to the reader(part 2)

This card shows the busy streets of Jessica's neighborhood where she pondered car accidents a few weeks back.  She wrote on this one about the pineapple lady (she is there in the middle of all the cars)who not only sells the fruit but is over zealous with foreigners. She chases them and calls out "sweet ones."  I think anyone who has lived abroad has expereinced the starring and awkward moments that sometimes go along with being the only foreinger in sight.  My husband was once asked to pose with a family and their baby for a snapshot when we were visiting India, I often wonder why and what they think about years later when they look at that photo.  Do you have a story like this one?

A good friend

I was in need of a good friend around this time last year. As my postcards imply, it was a hairy period and I needed to let out some of the stress I felt through my art. Luckily, not only did a childhood friend visit Ghana, Lynn was also right there reminding me to take care of myself and to remember to start thinking about longer term plans. Her words were well timed reminders for me to plan ahead and that these down-times would pass.

Meanwhile, she was telling me tantalizing stories about Nova Scotia, which she had visited with her mother and sister in-law. Having been slightly obsessed with Prince Edward Island as a child, due to the series by Lucy Maud Montgomery about Anne of Green Gables, I could not help but be green with jealousy (just like Anne's hair!). With stories filled with scenic views and interesting people, Lynn could not have told me enough about her trip. I must admit, however, that I was very sad to learn recenlty that good ol' PEI had been connected to the mainland by a bridge. I suppose it is a bit unfair to wish isolation upon a group of people, but my childhood self had loved the mystic of a special world cut off from the rest of Canada. Nevertheless, now that I am based in New England, I am itching to go see for myself.  

WARNING the following postcard maybe hazardous to the reader

Jessica was advised by Merilee to call and warn me about this next series of cards because they are a bit morose.  On this one Jessica wrote that she was spending time on the streets of Osu and pondering how there were so few accidents on the narrow, busy streets.  Her quote about the possibility of being hit is "In my mind I'd be flattened like a paper doll and left floating in the wind" Hmm...I can see why Merilee wanted to warn me that Jessica's imagination was running wild but that she was safe and well.

Dare to display?

Interested in filling the walls of her relatively new house, Lynn used this card as practice for a piece she wanted to hang up. Inspired by a picture she saw in a store, she tried "copying... errrr.... was inspired by a version of this card." She then asked, would I dare to hang up my own framed artwork on my walls? Or would it be too easy to see the flaws?  It is a good question. I kind of like using my walls for inspiration and for displaying my family and I must admit that I would be likely to rip down pictures to fix something that irked me with time. Perhaps, it is safer to mail away my creations!

Lynn also noted that she had learned her mother was following our blog routinely. Being that we blog mostly for ourselves, this always surprises us (I remember thinking, we have a follower! And then, realizing that is sort of our mom's jobs to follow us). Lynn pointed out that mostly she was glad we were still mailing after 3 (now nearly 4) and blogging after 2 (now nearly three) years. I must agree this really is the very best part.

Dads on Safari

Here is one of Jessica's favorite places to stay.  She wrote about how you can see elephants bathing and hear lion's roaring when you stay in these rooms. This is very fitting because last year around this time we both had taken safari trips.  Jessica took a trip here for her dad's birthday, and spent cool mornings searching out game and evenings watching girafes. One of the places I stayed with my dad on safari was a permanent tented camp.  A favorite photo from our trip is my dad sitting on the porch of his tent looking very happy and very much like some sort of Victorian explorer.  Its funny to me that both Jessica's dad and mine both turn into big kids when it comes to wildlife!  Maybe I will try to do a sketch of that photo as my next card.

Tanzania

After starting her summer with daily running, lounging and movies, my pal joined me in Africa last July. Being in Tanzania, however, she was on the continent's back rather than in its armpit. So close, yet so far away. While usually I am the one whipping off African themed cards, this time Lynn tried to lure me to join her on an East African safari. Oh, how I would have loved to meet her.

Not as good, but fun nevertheless, I got to hear her reflect on her first trip to my most beloved continent. Next time Lynn, we need to coordinate better!