Chips on a Sandwich | no. 13 | SNAIL MAIL
Creed of the Postal Service
Messenger of Sympathy and Love;
Servant of Parted Friends;
Consoler of the Lonely;
Bond of the Scattered Family;
Enlarger of the Common Life;
Carrier of News and Knowledge;
Instrument of Trade and Industry;
Promoter of Mutual Acquaintance;
Of Peace and Goodwill,
Among Men and Nations.
– Charles W. Eliot
MAILBOXES: Man, I love a good mailbox. They are such everyday objects that we barely notice them-- that's why when one stands out it's like POP! I grew up in the country with a roadside mailbox, so I've always loved the notion of neighborhoods where the houses had collection boxes instead. It feels romantic and quaint to have mail carried right to your door by a postal worker. I'm glad it still happens. If I lived in one of those places this bright red one would be mine.
STAMPS: The USPS released forever stamps commemorating artist Ruth Asawa's work. Her wire sculptures were inspired by nature and they're are amazing. I love these stamps so much. I want to write letters just so I can use them.
THE POSTCARD RESTAURANT: Tucked away in Freedom, Maine there is an old mill that is called The Lost Kitchen. The 45-seater restaurant is owned chef Erin French and it's popular. So popular that in 2017 there were more than 10,000 reservation inquiries. That's when she decided to only accept mail-in requests. In 2018 they received 20,000 3-by-5-inch note cards all hand drawn most with personal messages. The staff cried and belly laughed as they read through them. Guests were selected at random. Fingers crossed that TLK will open again soon (I have a Ruth Asawa stamp reserved for when I mail in my request.) Here is some of the mail they received as reported by The Boston Globe.
LOST AND FOUND MAIL: Where does undeliverable and non-returnable mail go? The Atlanta, GA surplus center. The USPS auctions off these forgotten items. Yes, there are a lot of printer ink cartridges and DVDs (yawn) you can bid on but there's also cars, laptops and iPhones. And my personal favorites: a Steinway piano and everything in the Arts and Crafts section-- particularly a pottery wheel and "used priest costume." Who needs eBay?
SNAIL MAIL ART: I thought this print by loserlinds was adorable and wanted to share. Check it out at Society6.
POLL: Correspondence from a friend: Letter or email? (And Grover and Cookie Monster virtually tied last week as your favorite hairy, blue Sesame Street monster.)