First Exchange with IUOMA Member and Friend Robert Gregory

[Thom Courcelle]

Robert hails from Kirkland, Washington—just a bridge drive across Lake Washington from where I used to live in Seattle. I'm always happy to correspond with folks from my former Pacific Northwest home, to hear news from the old "neighborhood."

You can compare Robert's "sent"  envelope here [link] ...with the envelope that I received at my home in Vermont after its long journey through the postal system and its machinery...

I love those vintage stamps! Although one seems to have met with a rather aggressive roller at some post office somewhere..."L-O-V-E" is now simply "V-E." ...Hmmm, what could that stand for? ..."Visionary Envelope" perhaps?)

Also, none of those vintage stamps were cancelled...because the post office put the envelope through the machine UPSIDE DOWN!! (Notice the cancellation mark along the bottom of the envelope!)

The envelope back:

Robert is also a letter writer! This is something I am always on the lookout for, being a letter-writer myself (and sometimes getting carried away with how many pages I can fill!!)  I can attest that Robert's handwriting is almost calligraphic—a beautiful script. And I was grateful to learn some of his history, his many travels and places he's lived, and hear about his experience as an artist—making a life of his studies and becoming a teacher.  Bravo!

Thank you for sharing and for your correspondence, Robert!