My many faces

This is my "Ummm, I think I'll write a blog post - I wonder what I'll write about." look. This is also my "Why is my arm bleeding?" look.

 This is my "Whatever I write, you WILL like it." look.

This is one of the many outfits that I did not put on when I got up this morning.

If I were to blog in Japanese, this is what I'd look like.

I've always been short-waisted. 

Tsar Nicholas wanted to marry me, but had to settle for Alexandra because I was busy writing my blog. You can tell that Alexandra wasn't too happy about the whole thing.

I have to go find a face to put on now.

January mailbox fun

Have you ever seen such a grin as this? I don't think I'd want one of my cats looking at me that way.

I love this card from Belarus! The caption, translated, says "No matter that they seem quite old to some - There is no hurdle that they cannot overcome!". I'm guessing they just had a big cat grin at them and they're running away.

This is a handmade card from Germany. The bear (Leo) accompanied the photographer when she visited Central Park in New York. It's always more fun to have a friend along when you travel.

A Jip & Janneke card from The Netherlands. I don't know what the cow's name is.

Finnish artist Reijo Kela's "The Silent People". If you have a very large back yard and lots of time on your hands, you could always fill it with scarecrows.

During this cold and rainy Oregon January, a map of the Caribbean looks very inviting. I wouldn't mind an island in the sun right about now.

 Or, I could just go skiing.

The papier-mache owls bid you good evening, whoooooever you are.

A most handsome cat

My name is Dirk and I live in Germany. Aren't I handsome?

Dental hygiene is very important, even for chipmunks. Be sure to put a container of floss next to your critter feeder.

Here is a vintage ad for the French drink "Banania", which is made of cocoa, banana flour, cereals, honey, and sugar. This product was first produced in 1912.  I don't know of anything comparable here in the States. Sounds kinda tasty.

Any golfers out there? If you play this course in Japan, beware of the VERY large water hazard.

I like this 1934 oil painting by Malvin Gray Johnson. It's called "Brothers".

 

I received this "Cathedral of Christ the Saviour" card from Moscow. Churches can be so beautiful. 

 

 

 

 

 

Setting out from Rabbitville

Don't you just love this old illustration? It's from a 1935 children's book called "What They Say in Rabbitville", by Ruth Mary Hallock (1876-1945). I think Rabbitville is a great place for us to start our adventures this year.

As always, you can bring along any strange friends you may have.

Here are a few cards I have recently received.

This is an ad for a Finnish production of Stephen Sondheim's musical play "A Little Night Music".

A very cold Russian bird

From 1930, a Japanese blue and white vase showing a grape tree and a squirrel.

Although the correct name of these Malaysian ferries is "Penang-Butterworth Ferries", to me they will always be the Peanut Butter Ferries.

I will leave you today with an interesting mandala image from India.