A few weeks ago I received a handwritten thank you note on a real card, inserted into an envelope, sealed, addressed and stamped. How rare is that these days! I still look forward to the mailman. There is that little hope inside that the post will bring me some little surprise (and Lord know I order enough of them to be looking anyway) from a friend, far or near. With the internet and email, it happens rarely, but I am still hopeful and when I actually find an envelope addressed to me that isn't a bill or an offer of a line of credit I am so thrilled.

So Margene made my day and sent me a little thank you note on a cute card with a barn and sheep and lots of green grass. While the card is lovely, the sentiment inside is always the best part. That she took the time to sit with a pen and write, then put in the envelope....... That is the most special part.
A few days later I go to work and my boss, she of the yard sale and Goodwill bargain (giver of clutter and stuff), also known as my mom, had a little present for me, I'm pretty sure a Goodwill find. This lovely velvet box with a framed slot for your own photo:

It is stuffed with cards and envelopes suitable for penning a note and posting it to a friend. The same card that I had just gotten from Margene! That is the serendipity part. I have always been a sucker for stationary and miss the days when I had penpals to send special cards and notes to. Time to make that a habit again.

Three hundred twenty-nine to go. I'm out buying stamps. Want a note? Send me your snail mail address!
wow. that's an awesome. i try to send out personal notes but i'm not always successful. for example, i didn't send out christmas cards.
but when i was a kid, i was a letter writing fool. i moved around so much that it was the only way i had to keep in touch with friends.
Posted by: maryse | February 06, 2008 at 07:14 AM
That's the very same box of cards I have!! Aren't they pretty? Nothing is nicer than a hand written note.
Posted by: margene | February 06, 2008 at 07:35 AM
What a pretty box of cards!
Posted by: Carole | February 06, 2008 at 07:37 AM
What beautiful cards...so serene looking
PO Box 1415, Conway, NH 03818 :-)
Posted by: Kim | February 06, 2008 at 08:21 AM
Isn't that something?! Cool!
Posted by: Norma | February 06, 2008 at 08:59 AM
I have fond memories of penpals also. It was always a treat to find something fun in the mail.
Posted by: Karen | February 06, 2008 at 08:59 AM
Great post! I am a stationary addict - especially personalized stationary.
Posted by: Kathy | February 06, 2008 at 09:10 AM
Gotta love the serendipity. I love good stationery, too, and adore getting "real" notes and letters . . . except it happens tragically seldom these days. Pesky computers!
Posted by: --Deb | February 06, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Margene really does write the nicest cards!
Posted by: Cheryl S. | February 06, 2008 at 11:07 AM
::: insert twilight zone music here ::: I love writing and receiving cards. There is nothing like it. It's so easy to get caught up in the I.want.it.now! email and internet thing. My dirty little secret? I keep them. I have cards and notes going back about 10 years or so.
Posted by: Stacey | February 06, 2008 at 11:46 AM
So far my eyes can still read the tiny print. I'd love a note, and you'll get a sheep inspired note back! Edington, 414 Woodland Rd., Storrs-Mansfield, CT 06268
Posted by: Diane | February 12, 2008 at 11:21 PM