Always Something To Be Thankful For

Yes, there is always something to be thankful for each month we move into the future working, praying and hoping to see our children grow into better versions of ourselves.

We thank our patrons and their curious children seeking to learn something new, tangible and still relevant in the 21str century: stamp collecting--- the Hobby of Kings, the King of Hobbies.

Wishing You All A Very Happy Thanksgiving

Please keep those questions and requests coming on through. Our family of stampers continues to grow from all corners of the universe. I wish you all a very happy thanksgiving. In these days crazy economy and crazier gas prices and just plain crazy people we should continue to refocus our efforts to spend time with our family.

Put aside the pettiness and learn to love again. That's what Thanksgiving is all about.

God Bless.

Stamps Are Stories of Thanksgiving

It can be successfully argued that stamps are stories of thanksgiving. Each stamp brings its unique story of presence to the world at large. Look at our colourful country. Look at this beautiful animal specimen. Take to heart this ailment or disease that must defeated. Each stamp has such a message to deliver to a diverse but distracted citizenry.

I know we spoke about stamps being mini-national advertisements for tourism, business, politics, history, geography, science and ocassionally sports, but many wonderful things are coming out on stamps from emerging countries that are developing their own distinct voice to speak again to the world stage. Take for example, Slovenia:

The stamp above is a tiger moth and they are plentifuf in Slovenia but endangered in Northern Europe where night lighting and the destruction of plants at the edge of woods keep the moths from repopulating. This example is one of many that Slovenia can now address through the reliable vehicles of communication we know as stamps.

I have been taken by their stamps isssues of waterways, lighthouses, marshes, aquatic life, marine plants, the whole incredible living inventory that is lovely Slovenia and continue to wonder how many other natural treasures we miss because countries are at war, in chaos, too busy to explore because too busy trying to survive till tomorrow.

Folks, there are thousands of untold stories ready to be spun on the stamps in the approaching years as wars give to peace, and horror surrenders to hope. Right now the Congo is again sputtering towards slaughter but one day its people will win the right to be free and tell their own story through stamps. Science tells us nearly 25% of the area is unexplored. Just imagine the mysteries, artifacts, natural beauties to be found in a place often known for violence and cruelty.

I continue to expect stories of thanksgiving from every corner of the globe as people figure out that peace is the braver path to a good life and a surer path to a longer one as well. Stamps are stories of thanksgiving. Beyond the international scope I am describing here is also a local, personal, family thanksgiving with stamps that foster memories of loved ones passed on but still present in our hearts and stamp collections.

October: Autumn Leaves and Halloween

Autumn is my favorite season. Always has been. Always will be. It even shades my art tastes and I like the browns and oranges in paintings. Strangely, there haven't been many Halloween stamps issued throughout the world. I was only able to locate five. Maybe we should petition for more. Ha.

Growing up Halloween was my favorite holiday--more so than Thanksgiving or Christmas. I couldn't wait to get out of school and into that costume, Batman, Frankenstein's Monster, Casper the Friend Ghost, etc. I grew up in the city and selling egg insurance 1 week in advance raised the funds necessary to buy the more expensive costume I craved--plus more. Every year I would have to clean a few windows but mostly it was profitable and fun.

Now I live in the suburbs and look back at the rows of orange leaves flooding the sidewalks to my grammar school with fond memories. I miss those days but I missed more the fact that my parents were rarely able to make the Halloween trek through the neighborhood. One or both often had to work late. I was usually assigned a neighborhood parent and went trick-or-treating with their kids.

Sometimes I felt my father was doing extra stamp collecting activities, such as field trips, with me to make up for those absences. All of this is going through my mind now that I have children and Halloween is fast approaching. I'm reliving those times with them and still thinking how I can improve being the best father I can possibly be.

When they grow up I won't worry if they miss those lovely autumn leaves, I just don't want them to miss me not being around. That is the best holiday gift any father can give his children.