Postcard Diaspora: Portland, OR, 1973

Postcard mailed from Pompano Beach, Florida, to Portland, Oregon, on October 1, 1973. Message: Beloved Self, Nice to hear from you again. At present our inventory of books is inadequate to attempt a N.Y. Times ad. Perhaps someday. It’s a good idea! You might try Banyen Books, 2715 W. 4^th Ave, Vancouver, B.C. for “Temples of Tibet” by BHAVANS. Love and pranams. Ladene and Stephen Wilard. I'll mail this to the Portland address today. Note the street name: Failing.

Postcard Diaspora: Beaver Falls, PA, 1990

Postcard mailed from Esmond, North Dakota, to Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, on June 12, 1990. Message: Yesterday we went to this place. Dolores & I are at her sister’s farm in North Dakota. Howard died of pneumonia last Thursday and the funeral was yesterday. I’ll tell you more when I see you – going to Minnesota this coming weekend. See you soon. Hi to Bet. Hi Dolores. I'll mail this to the Beaver Falls address today.

Postcard Diaspora: Chicago, 1971

Postcard mailed from Cameron, Wisconsin to Chicago on August 23, 1971. Message: Here you see all of us girls wading in Red Cedar River! Actually, I spent 2 hours floating down the river on an intertube [sic] and walking back to the starting point and floating down again, etc. Finally Jon joined me. Then we persuaded Dave he could do it without drowning (it was only waist deep). Last night Jon sang & played at the Free Church. All of us were invited out for coffee. Our host played his violin and Gladys Ora and I tried a trio. Take care now. Love, Shirley. I'll mail this to the Chicago address today.

Trashball 090413: Sunsmear

Found photo from the late 60s, taken in the Holy Land.

Postcard Diaspora: Belmont, MA, 1940

Postcard mailed from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Belmont, Massachusetts, on February 16, 1940. Message: Mama dear, Sonny and I drove up here yesterday, and going back sometime to-day. We have had a fine trip. This is an attractive city, but very smoky from the soft coal. Will write soon. Love, Dorothy. I'll mail this to the Belmont address today.

Postcard Diaspora: Dayton, KY, 1962

Postcard mailed from Ashland, Virginia, to Dayton, Kentucky, on May 1, 1962. Message: Hi Corene, (Wait till I put my glasses on), Now I can write better! Here is the legend of the dogwood we talked about. It's quite a story and I thought you would be interested in it. The hills here are beginning to look green. Wish you were here to see them. "88" Russel. I'll mail this to the Dayton address today.

Postcard Diaspora: York, PA, 1943

Postcard mailed from Camp Breckingridge, KY to York, Pennsylvania, on February 19, 1943. Message: Well Dad I'm ok and I hope you are the same. I don't know how soon I'll see you. I'm only 120 miles away. I might see you in about three or four month. It is a new camp. I think I'll like it. Write soon, your son RUSS. I'll mail this to the York address today. 

But here's why I doubt I'll hear back from this address.

Postcard Diaspora: Washington, DC, 1908

Postcard mailed from El Reno, Oklahoma to Washington, DC, on January 20, 1908. Message [front of card]: Hello old boy how are you getting along. On the S Canadian. [Back of card]: Received your card and thank you for it. W.V. I'll mail this to the DC address today.

Postcard Diaspora: Delray Beach, FL, 1956

Postcard mailed from New Orleans to Delray Beach, Florida, on December 8, 1956. Message: Dear Ones:- Is about 4 o'clock. I have been up town or down. Saw inside this church. Lady on train from Baton Rouge told me how to get there. Met another gal down there in front or in lobby of Monteleone Hotel, were on Canal St & Royal, French qtr. Shopped some. Skipped tour as began to rain so came back to Depot. Enjoyed eats so much yesterday. Have some of course for rest of trip. Thanks so much for everything you did. Also for two things I failed to mention. My brain that fails to work, the things I should say, when I'm blank. Hated so much to leave you. Hope Mama was not worse today. Love to all, Pearl. [In margin] Will stretch out a little tonite, I hope. No room between seats on Gulf Wind either. Got reservation O.K. Middle of coach. It was just on the way. I'll mail this to the Delray Beach address today.

Postcard Diaspora in One Place

To see all of the Postcard Diaspora entries, click here or on any of the "postcard diaspora" labels.

Postcard Diaspora: Akron, OH, 1966

Postcard mailed from Jacksonville, Florida, to Akron, Ohio, on May 25, 1966. Message: Hello George. We arrived here this morning. We were on the bus all day and nite auffuly tired. Love Elsie. I'll mail this to the Akron address today.

Postcard Diaspora: Kent, OH, 1959

Postcard mailed from Purvis, Mississippi, to Kent, Ohio, on September 30, 1959. Message: We are staying here tonight - Bill is too sick to get out of bed - food poisoning. Hope he is able to travel tomorrow. We are 160 miles from New Orleans yet. Love, Lois. I'll mail this to the Kent address today

Postcard Diaspora: Ravenna, OH, 1970

Postcard mailed from Copenhagen, Denmark to Ravenna, Ohio, on August 29, 1970. Message: Hi folks. Weather is fine here. The plane did not make me sick. Love, Helen. Also, next to the caption, which reads "Our Savior's Church. Tower can be climbed on outside staircase," Aunt Frances wrote, "We didn't." I'll mail this to the Ravenna address today.

By the way, here is the note that I enclose with every postcard I mail back:

Hello, I’m an artist and writer based near Washington, DC. I’ve long been fascinated by often overlooked everyday objects that nevertheless have their own specific history.
 With this in mind, I purchased old postcards in bulk to re-send to their original destination as a way for current residents to connect their home to the past. Postcards are so often thrown out and ephemeral; I enjoy the frozen moments in time they provide, no matter how banal the messages they bear may be. I hope you don’t mind receiving the enclosed postcard. I encourage any feedback you might have, so please email me at [my email] or write to me at [my address].

Postcard Diaspora: Gardena, CA, 197?

Postcard mailed from Turkey to Gardena, CA, in 197?. Message: So far we have had a very nice time. Rained yesterday but nice today. We have seen 6 of the 7 churches. Tomorrow we go to Ephesus, etc. Feeling fine so far but am very tired tonight. Dr. Estep gives us an hours lecture tonite. Trust all is well at home. Love Mom. I'll mail this to the Gardena address tomorrow.

Postcard Diaspora: Portland, OR 1971

Postcard mailed from Israel to Portland, OR, on 6/20/1971. Message: Dear Mom: I am sorry I ran into some difficulty as I got dehydrated and someone stole my travelers checks in Cairo. Please do not worry as I will explain it all to you when I arrive at home. I am very glad I took this trip as it has wet [sic] my appetite to travel to this part of the world again. This has indeed been a fast moving tour. Lyle. I'll mail this to the Portland address today.

USA Roadtrip 1970

Click to enlarge

 

 



Trashball 101512

1952 Chevy safety brochure

Kuhio Palms Hotel

1956 Paris Amex Receipt

1969 Greyhound bus journey

Found shopping lists

1970 Xmas, clockwise from left, Donnie O'Toole, Tuck (face hidden), Dean, Duffy, Helen, robot

1941 utilities

Bethesda, Maryland, 4:45 pm, 10/15/2012

Recent Paintings Updated

The entry has been updated with new work. Click here.

Trashball 090112: A Model Young Man, 1960

Found this photo among my Trashball stuff. Dated May 1960, no idea where it was taken or who it is. Nice shot, though.

Postcard Diaspora: Bristol, CT 1916

Postcard mailed from Athol, MA, to Bristol, CT, on 12/21/1916. Message: I hope you are well as we are. How do you like your machine? We have fine sleighing here, is there much snow down there? Lovingly, Ella. I'll mail this to Bristol address this weekend.

Response to 1974 Roanoke, Virginia Postcard Mailing

To see the original postcard diaspora entry, click here.

Dear Mr. Goodwin,

I'm writing in regard to a letter a neighbor received and gave to my cousin (who procrastinates!). The letter, 'POSTCARD DIASPORA', was written on April 19, 2011. It was just given to me by my cousin, who lives in Florida, but rents the house I grew up in so she can live in Virginia (where she also grew up) during the summer.

  The post card was addressed to 'Resident', 511 A---- Ave. SE, Roanoke, Va. 24014. This is the house next door to where I grew up (which is 515 A---- Ave. SE). The 'Resident' is not one to respond to mail like this so she gave it to my cousin. My cousin is just now getting it to me! I hope this makes sense!!! Anyway, I will mail the post card back to you but thought I would go ahead and email a response since it has taken so long for anyone to respond.

   Actually, the message just doesn't make sense to me, because Bent Mountain is within 10 miles of Roanoke (where we live) and 'she' is talking about getting fat off of fresh fried clams, fresh salmon and shrimp. Roanoke is not near the shore - you probably know where it is but if you don't, it is about 40 miles east of Blacksburg (Virginia Tech). The post card is from Coos Bay, Oregon - which, of course, would have seafood. But I am having a very hard time reading the card and a very hard time reading the date. It looks like 1974. I cannot remember when Mr. C------ died, but I guess it was before '74. It is signed 'The Baby' so I would think that is Sue Jo, the 'baby' of the family. So let me tell you about the family.

Postcard Diaspora: Chicago, IL 1959

Postcard mailed from Nogales, Mexico to Chicago, IL, in 1959, depicts a view of Avenida Obregon in Nogales, Mexico.

Message: Hi! Folks! I am enjoying myself do not have to look to see who is blowing or tooting auto horn. Gee I'm glad you are not here. Gee and I am really enjoying this weather 65 or 70.

Will mail this to the original address today.