History Lessons Don't Always Lessen

This impressive palace in Zaragoza, Spain, was built in the 11th century and features Spanish Islamic architecture not found on this scale anywhere else. Many renovations later it took on other architectural designs, too. And it now the seat of the local legislature.

It was also the seat of the Tribunal of the Holy Inquisition. Eva, who returned this card, notes that isn't a proud part of her country's history, but don't all countries have base periods in their history? The point is that we shouldn't repeat those horrors, although, too often we do.

Roadrunner Endorses Frito-Lay *

I'm going to be in the Southwest this spring sometime and hope to see a few of these critters. Not so much the coyote (he scares me) or the spiders (too many legs... I admit to a leg prejudice... more than four and I get squeamish), but I'd love to meet up with all the reptiles. And that ring tail cat... he looks interesting. I won't touch or approach because I am a smart traveler. I don't ever treat the wildlife as buddies to cozy up to. Hell, I don't even cozy up to friends too often.

Lisa notes that the roadrunner will eat Cheetos (for those outside the US.... those are "puffed cheese snacks" that are bagged like potato chips and a frightening shade of orange). I won't be feeding the critters. I like them, and all, but I really don't want to be close enough to picnic with them.

Readers of this blog are welcome to comment on this post and let me know how to contact them if they want a postcard from my trip out west.

* Frito-Lay makes Cheetos

Mad? I Should Be So Mad

When I was a young adult, I knew this Bavarian castle as Mad King Ludwig's Castle, probably because I couldn't wrap my tongue around Neuschwanstein Castle. It is a view novice postcard collectors covet. For sure, a lovely, lovely castle... all fairytale and magic... but I studiously avoided visiting the place when I was in Bavaria a few years ago. I feared it would be just too crowded with tourists.

King Ludwig may, or may not, have been "mad." According to various Internet sources (which I know are not always accurate, but I'm going to give them a go for argument's sake), Ludwig shunned social events and spent his time on creative projects. He spent his personal fortune on his endeavors, unlike some of today's "sane" CEOs. Maybe King Ludwig's fortune was not earned by the sweat of his brow, but man... I should be so crazy. This is one gorgeous building and if this way is madness, lead the way.

Many thanks to Nobi for returning this card along with her delightful commentary on the back of the card.

PostMuse Doesn't Go to Washington

I've got a thing for government buildings. I discovered politics late in life (I was about 40 and had gone back to school to get my undergraduate degrees) and thought I'd love to make a life in politics. About a year later I discovered my skin is way too thin for a life in politics.

But, I still enjoy reading about politics and talking about it with people who love me and won't make me cry.

My government building collection is quite varied. Courthouses, like this one in Providence, Rhode Island, are almost as predominate as capitol buildings. I suspect courthouses were once a collecting motif for serious collectors. I rarely see that topic when I'm reading collecting interests these days.

Meg, who returned the above, wanted to know how I came to have this card. I used to live in Boston, and I would use the Providence airport instead of Boston's Logan because it was easier to get to for me. I more than likely purchased this card at the airport. I've got a lot of cards I've purchased at airports. I usually pay a premium for them, with the exception of Pittsburgh's airport where I've found a lovely variety of local views at a very reasonable price.