Some cities I've yet to see, came this week to me

I am lapsing on posting cards received from postcrossing. Here are some thumbnails of them

The top card is from Germany. Burghausen is known for the world's largest castle. The flags are decoration in the city of Vilnius, capital of Lithuania. Next is Zagreb, capital of Croatia. The lovely arch is Tainan, Republic of China. Finally is the Huntington Garden, California. Japanese Garden to be precise.

As well I received some stunning art cards, which I will also showcase here.

OH NO..... NOT THEM AGAIN!

Now don't get me wrong...I love June....summer warmth, spring wildflowers, long clear days.....but June also brings those gigantic hovering missiles....that await dusk before hanging at the nearest light. Man I like, HATE those suckers...and all their stupid banging, crunching and whirring at my windows. Then they have the nerve to cover the concrete with their gnashing, writhing legs-in-the-air dance to uprightedness.

Like who needs this? Surely not bats and birds....they're not attracted to lights...or are they?

LADY SLIPPER ORCHIDS

The lovely lady's-slippers. Every spring I receive more than a few phone calls asking about these endangered species. Actually of the five native to Nova Scotia, only four are considered species-at-risk due to rarity and threats.

Most of the queries are about our common Pink Lady's-slipper or Moccasin Flower. Common in rocky conifer woods where the canopy is somewhat open, one can expect to find patches of this robust plant. Appearing in June, each naked stem bears a single flower and a pair of quilted leaves near the ground.

All from Europe this week!

Beautiful card above from Turkey....brightened my day when it arrived.
After selling off "destash" at a local flea market this past weekend, we also hosted dinner the following day, Victoria Day Monday, for some friends. I love potluck meals.....even when the weather does not cooperate. Food is meant to be shared.

Just as joyful is receiving best wishes postcards from friends from afar. Below are cards from the Netherlands and Germany. The larger card is from Estonia, on the Baltic Sea.

I am awaiting some trades from Ontario, Brazil and the US...will see what tomorrow's mail might bring.

LITHUANIA JOINS GERMANY

These beautiful cards from the capital city of Vilnius are the first I have seen from this Baltic country. They were accompanied by excerpted poetry. Thank you Julius.

Ani of Ulm sends this card showing the world's tallest church steeple. It is Impressive!

I received my first North American card through postcrossings today...beautiful Wildflowers of Indiana. I am surprised to see very familiar species...Blue Iris, Forget-me-nots, Spotted Jewelweed, Joe-pye-weed, Bull Thistle, Black-eyed-Susans...common Nova Scotia mid-summer species.

Now where is Spring? It has been so cold this week with rain for 4 days. Snow even in the highlands.

ALDER and ITS USE for COOKING UTENSILS

Recently I received a message from a concerned person who has used alder switches to toast marshmallows and to roast hotdogs. She read that they were toxic and should not be used.

My response was: there commonly is confusion between alder and elder. The common Downy or Speckled Alder species are members of the birch family and totally harmless to use in that manner.

Red-berried Elder on the other hand, is related to honeysuckles. Its wood is poisonous and should not be used for cooking, nor should its attractive red berries be eaten.

POSTCARD TRADES AND OTHER ENDEAVORS

Postcrossing is all about creating smiles, one card at a time, sent across the world to a stranger. ANNNND they have forums where one can sign up to do trades, play tag, send albums and otherwise engage in contacting other postcrossers. Send a smile; receive a smile.

Presently I have requests for cards from my city and Titanic memorabilia....as I live in the city nearest the site of that disaster.


Me, I would love to have more native wildflower images. Anyone here in blog-world have access to a couple of floral postcards from your country...send me a message.

Be well friends.