This is a postcard sent to my parents in 1969 from an adventuresome elderly neighbor who went on a European tour by herself one summer. She writes:Dear Friends,
Here I am in Germany on the boat going up the Rhine River, a four hour trip. Going to Heidelberg. Have been to London, Holland to a boat ride on this canal in Holland. Did not have time to write in Holland. Having a lovely time and feeling fine and wish you all could see this country, be on this tour. I miss you all. Love to all. Fannie Apperson
I wish I had cared to know her then. She must have been an interesting person. I just thought she was old. But I always liked the postcard and saved it. In fact, I painted a crude watercolor of this scene...and I still have it too.
My mother has a collection of army post cards my uncles sent to my grandmother during WWII. Politically incorrect by today's standards. Shockingly so. But the cards, and the messages contained really capture the feeling of tine frame.
ReplyDeleteThat's such a beautiful scene. She does sound like a neat lady. I would love to see your watercolor of it someday.
ReplyDeleteI understand the sentiment of wishing you had cared to know her. So many interesting people pass through our lives. If only we could have been old/mature enough to appreciate what they had to offer. Lovely postcard. Gonna share the painting? :)
ReplyDeleteMy husband and daughter have both sent me postcards from Amsterdam, and I must say they are the prettiest ones in my collection!
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful post card. For a minute there I thought you had left the country! I know what you mean about thinking people were just old. I see teachers in town that I had when I was younger and I think how can they still be alive. But I guess they weren't really that old. Taking a trip by yourself sounds so "romantic'. Maybe one day we can see the watercolr, I'm sure it is lovely!
ReplyDeleteI know a "Fannie" too! She is Scandinavian. I would like to see your watercolour of this scene. There is such a charm to old postcards...they tug at you, somehow. Travel of course was so civilized back then, too.
ReplyDeletePretty postcard! I too would love to see your watercolor!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to visit Amsterdam someday. My son had many stories about it after he visited, and a highlight was the Van Gogh Museum.
It's a great postcard, and even if you didn't really get a chance to know her better, I'm sure she would be glad to know you'd saved it!
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by my blog, and for your comments!
Yes, Amsterdam is really, really pretty & I'm happy to say I've been to various bridges similar to this pretty one! You can also see beautiful house-boat on the canals. Hv been to London & Heidelberg too!
ReplyDeleteBy Jove, I think I KNEW the same Fannie Apperson. Did your parents live in Houston, TX? My grandmother lived there in the 1960s and her best friend was an adventurous old lady named Fannie Apperson who traveled all over the world. Sometimes, she would take my grandmother along. I remember hearing the two women chatting together in my grandmother's living room. She WAS an interesting person.
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