tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62930167999693194252024-03-13T11:18:30.370-07:00Questions from the back of the cardTerri Greenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505576224510840931noreply@blogger.comBlogger216125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293016799969319425.post-12515121391682235892011-11-06T11:23:00.000-08:002011-11-06T11:51:26.123-08:00Unanswered questions98 cards... all in one shot!<br /><br />I had STUFF going on, and unfortunately Post Crossing suffered collateral damage. I just caught up on my posting there, and I will now catch up on my posting here. After I post these questions, the "back of the card" project will go on hiatus until January 2012. I've got a new idea to try, but I need to catch up on other long overdue tasks.<br /><br />In the meantime, entertain yourself with these questions:<br /><br />From Svetlana, in Russia: Why do young children smile all the time (give their smiles to the world)?<br /><br />From Amy, a Canadian living in Japan: What is the difference between honor and pride and if there is a difference, which is more valued in the American culture?<br /><br />From Carolina, in Lisbon, Portugal: How deep can the relationship between two people who have different mother tongues be?<br /><br />From Alexander, in Russia: What makes a person happy? Can the "American Dream" bring happiness?<br /><br />From Patricia, in Holland: Do you think crying is a sign of weakness or of strength?<br /><br />From Connie, in San Francisco, United States: What does peace look like to you?<br /><br />From Wendy, in the Netherlands: Why can you still taste the garlic the morning after you've eaten it?<br /><br />From Angie, in Russia: If you could rewrite the end of any book, what book would you choose and and why?<br /><br />From Iris, in Albuquerque, New Mexico: What makes you tick?<br /><br />From Veronica, in Malaysia: What can you break without touching it? (silence!)<br /><br />From Yun, in Columbus, Ohio: What brings you to PostCrossing and what motivates your 2nd, 3rd, 4th year?<br /><br />From Zhang Yuyu in Beijing, China: Should a girl marry a successful man or a promising one?<br /><br />From Iolanda, in Portugal: What activities make you lose track of time?<br /><br />From Elisabeth: If you could be an animal, which one would you pick?<br /><br />From Piotr, in Poland: Do you believe in yourself?<br /><br />From Ju, in Australia: Have you ever reflected on the ways your identity and send of self has changed over your life?<br /><br />Three from Nela in Czechoslovakia: Do you believe people have free will? Do you think evil is only a lack of good? Do you think that education forms one's personality more than genes do?<br /><br />From Japan: Do you like the US? Why?<br /><br />From Jeff, in the Phillipines: Where do your files go when you empty your computer's trash bin?<br /><br />From Marja, in Finland: Are people allowed to eat the meat of horses?<br /><br />From Pleun, in the Netherlands: What was the most terrible dream you ever had?<br /><br />From Canada: How are the cycles of our lives like oranges?<br /><br />From Anastasia, in France: What events in your life did make you think of fate, destiny, fortune?<br /><br />From Daniela, in Germany: How do you qualify being rich?<br /><br />From Hildegarde, in Belgium: What do you do when you can't think of a TPQ, not even after trying for two days?<br /><br />From Gabi, in Germany: Do you know wherefore a panda can do a handstand?<br /><br />From the Ukraine: What does it mean to be "normal"?<br /><br />From Sean, in England: If you could meet anyone living or dead, who would you choose to meet?<br /><br />From Craig, a history teacher in Michigan: If Hitler had been accepted as an art student in Vienna, would World War II still have taken place?<br /><br />From Renate, in Lithuania: What are five things that make you happy?<br /><br />From Filia, in germany: Why does the hand of a wath always turn right, not left?<br /><br />From Jodene, in Canada: If dogs are colourblind and people can see colour, what do you think is possible we are not seeing?<br /><br />From Salt Lake City: Do you believe in the greenhouse effect?<br /><br />From Shanghai: Light after darkness?<br /><br />From Aurora, in Taiwan: What is the meaning of life?<br /><br />From Germany: Could it be that the system is wrong?<br /><br />From Joeanne, in Taiwan: If you only get one chance to do time travel, what will you do and why?<br /><br />From Katya, in Ukraine: Why are people do afraid to make changes?<br /><br />From Turek, in Poland: What came first, the chicken or the egg?<br /><br />From Napsu, in Finland: What is the point when you have done enough and it all becomes housekeeping?<br /><br />From Finland: How old is OLD?<br /><br />From Eva, a German living in Spain who says she is "Germish:" Who am I?<br /><br />From Allyson, in Canada: What is good about money?<br /><br />From Catherine, in Miami, Florida: If we are dead when our lives have ended, what are we before we are born?<br /><br />From Russia: Why do schools always suppress individuality?<br /><br />From Cambodia: If you were to choose another country to live in, where would it be?<br /><br />From Salla, in Finland: Do you believe in angels? Will they help us or are we carrying them?<br /><br />From Lisa, in Canada: Why do human procrastinate? I WISH I KNEW THE ANSWER TO THIS ONE!Terri Greenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505576224510840931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293016799969319425.post-11241425747565607382011-08-28T12:11:00.000-07:002011-08-28T12:15:50.535-07:00Merry Christmas?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_LbFLH9oZAM/TlqTybENKYI/AAAAAAAAArU/kk2h78KuGFA/s1600/PL-225495.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 200px; height: 146px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645987577330477442" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_LbFLH9oZAM/TlqTybENKYI/AAAAAAAAArU/kk2h78KuGFA/s200/PL-225495.jpg" /></a>Natalia sends a Christmas card in the summer! And she wonders...
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<br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#006600;">What is the weirdest gift you ever received?</span>
<br />
<br />I guess that I have been an incredibly fortunate gift recipient: I have never gotten a truly weird, "what the heck is THIS" kind of gift. But, I would surely love to hear about other people's gift getting (and gift giving) experiences!
<br />Terri Greenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505576224510840931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293016799969319425.post-40822933585461454762011-08-26T10:06:00.000-07:002011-08-26T10:22:40.297-07:00A Riddle! (I love riddles!)<div>Julian, a very clever and articulate chap from Malaysia, sent this charming card and a riddle in verse:
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<br />
<br /></div><div> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2WUf9h9ElZs/TlfV7UktfUI/AAAAAAAAArM/l4czpnvwdj4/s1600/MY-69766.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 200px; height: 146px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645215873043889474" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2WUf9h9ElZs/TlfV7UktfUI/AAAAAAAAArM/l4czpnvwdj4/s200/MY-69766.jpg" /></a></div><div>I have a thousand faces - maybe more.
<br /></div><div> </div><div>I'd love to visit a thousand places - then some more.
<br /></div><div> </div><div>Alas, my minder would've none of it</div><div>The choleric dude who wears his heart on his sleeve.</div><div>
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<br /></div><div>And I don my thoughts on my back. What am I?</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>The first post crossing card!</div><div>
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<br /></div><div>Check out Julian's blog: <a href="http://www.wickwax.blogspot.com">www.wickwax.blogspot.com</a></div><div> </div>
<br />Terri Greenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505576224510840931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293016799969319425.post-6908594897631517752011-08-25T13:53:00.000-07:002011-08-25T13:58:42.042-07:00Problem is... I never LIKED pink<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rL7sDk_nBVY/Tla3Uo51TFI/AAAAAAAAArE/ygjLdnn7JcE/s1600/NL-741144.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 138px; height: 200px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644900748160748626" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rL7sDk_nBVY/Tla3Uo51TFI/AAAAAAAAArE/ygjLdnn7JcE/s200/NL-741144.jpg" /></a><div>Astrid, on this delicious-looking card, explains that these confections, called "beschuit met muisjes" are traditionally made to celebrate the arrival of a baby.</div><div> </div><div>Naturally, girls are celebrated with pink "muisjes" and boys with blue ones. Or is it "natural"?</div><div> </div><div>Astrid's question is "<span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff6666;">Why is it pink for girls and blue for boys?</span>"</div><div> </div><div>I turned to the clarifier of all things obscure: Cecil Adams of the Straight Dope website. Here's the link:</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2831/was-pink-originally-the-color-for-boys-and-blue-for-girls">http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2831/was-pink-originally-the-color-for-boys-and-blue-for-girls</a></div>
<br />Terri Greenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505576224510840931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293016799969319425.post-83419575498008710622011-08-23T06:30:00.000-07:002011-08-23T06:33:38.939-07:00Dreaming of the miraculous<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hyLCe5phD3I/TlOr-1UlbJI/AAAAAAAAAq8/3kaanjMr-qE/s1600/FI-1159534.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 200px; height: 139px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644043853979020434" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hyLCe5phD3I/TlOr-1UlbJI/AAAAAAAAAq8/3kaanjMr-qE/s200/FI-1159534.jpg" /></a><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 200px; height: 138px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644043854013795970" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6u8lC2hzNJ8/TlOr-1c4DoI/AAAAAAAAAq0/eLuyQrad_4E/s200/BE-108026.jpg" />
<br /><div>
<br /><div>If a dream comes true, is that a miracle?</div><div> </div><div>(That's my question...derived from these questions:</div><div> </div><div><span style="font-size:180%;color:#336666;">Do you believe that dreams come true?</span></div><div><span style="font-size:180%;color:#336666;">If you could perform one miracle, what would it be?</span></div><div> </div><div>My dream is PEACE (it always is) and that WOULD be a miracle.</div></div>
<br />Terri Greenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505576224510840931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293016799969319425.post-64475135214691368862011-08-22T03:19:00.000-07:002011-08-22T03:25:02.056-07:00Walking to the beat...
<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5nB5Yz799PU/TlIuTWhKfQI/AAAAAAAAAqk/wGHacKu1CkQ/s1600/DE-994857.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 200px; height: 141px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643624193045724418" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5nB5Yz799PU/TlIuTWhKfQI/AAAAAAAAAqk/wGHacKu1CkQ/s200/DE-994857.jpg" /></a><div>Warning: Objects in this window are larger than real life (at least I hope so!)</div><div> </div><div>Groetje, from Germany, sent this lovely creature and asked:</div><div> </div><div><span style="font-size:180%;color:#3333ff;">What's the first thing you would do if you could suddenly walk on water?</span></div><div> </div><div>Steven, from Connecticut in the US, has stranded me on the desert island again. (I think I've been there before.)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aRJHHUEnDvk/TlIuZdsSczI/AAAAAAAAAqs/jqioKUuytS4/s1600/us-1260515.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 200px; height: 156px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643624298050646834" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aRJHHUEnDvk/TlIuZdsSczI/AAAAAAAAAqs/jqioKUuytS4/s200/us-1260515.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div><span style="font-size:180%;color:#6600cc;">If you were stranded on a desert island, what three CDs would you bring with you?</span></div><div> </div><div>I think I would employ my newly discovered ability to walk on water to get off the island, particularly if it's occupied by creatures like the ones on the German card!</div><div> </div></div>
<br />Terri Greenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505576224510840931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293016799969319425.post-80243891278690573342011-08-21T13:47:00.000-07:002011-08-21T13:51:48.466-07:00When one question answers another...
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oygebQSGhRk/TlFvjvfg74I/AAAAAAAAAqU/CIATbgD5MFU/s1600/US-1224912.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 200px; height: 142px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643414467906695042" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oygebQSGhRk/TlFvjvfg74I/AAAAAAAAAqU/CIATbgD5MFU/s200/US-1224912.jpg" /></a>
<br />Rebecca wants to know:
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" >What's the biggest problem in the world today?
<br /></span>
<br />To which Joris replied by asking this question:
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<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uqVF9bQ79HQ/TlFvryQIpyI/AAAAAAAAAqc/C86hDN5XJCg/s1600/BE-108716.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 200px; height: 142px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643414606086448930" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uqVF9bQ79HQ/TlFvryQIpyI/AAAAAAAAAqc/C86hDN5XJCg/s200/BE-108716.jpg" /></a>Why do people always vote for politicians who promise the most for the crowd and actually do the most for themselves?
<br /></span>
<br />I'm hardly even needed in this loop!
<br />Terri Greenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505576224510840931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293016799969319425.post-31519419154417739952011-08-20T14:48:00.000-07:002011-08-20T14:56:06.821-07:00Visions...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FBl-sbLjF1Y/TlAtIYPlKOI/AAAAAAAAAqM/HdyVH_8vZ7w/s1600/Capture.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 277px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643059955065235682" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FBl-sbLjF1Y/TlAtIYPlKOI/AAAAAAAAAqM/HdyVH_8vZ7w/s320/Capture.JPG" /></a><div>Today's postcard trio is all about what you see...</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>
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<br />Amanda: How would you feel if you only saw the world in black and white?</div><div>
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<br />Chris: I lost a shoe in a dream. Will I ever find it?</div><div>
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<br />Laurence: What is the vision of the inner eye?
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<br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>I hope that the visions shown me by my inner eye are in color, and that one day I'll see all the things I've ever lost, most importantly people.</div>
<br />Terri Greenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505576224510840931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293016799969319425.post-34234199636914684232011-08-19T12:10:00.000-07:002011-08-19T12:17:59.921-07:00Heliotropic coffeespoons<div><div>I defy you to find a more inscrutable blog post heading than today's: Heliotropic coffeespoons.</div><div> </div><div> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K2y7_APazXc/Tk62U7dVvAI/AAAAAAAAAp8/FP7LPPCQzJ8/s1600/JP-186725.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 133px; height: 200px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642647853816200194" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K2y7_APazXc/Tk62U7dVvAI/AAAAAAAAAp8/FP7LPPCQzJ8/s200/JP-186725.jpg" /></a></div><div>A postcrosser from Japan, on a lovely sunflower-bearing card, wonders why the sunflower blooms in the direction of the sun. That's heliotropism in action. (Gosh, I love it when I get to use a swell word such as heliotropism!)
<br /></div><div> </div><div> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-INZCSZOmB40/Tk62a-9V11I/AAAAAAAAAqE/4Q5JlWw7DLE/s1600/pt-192384.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 140px; height: 200px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642647957834946386" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-INZCSZOmB40/Tk62a-9V11I/AAAAAAAAAqE/4Q5JlWw7DLE/s200/pt-192384.jpg" /></a></div><div>Another postcrosser, this time from Portugal, wants to know why the French move their coffeespoons to the left while the Portugese move them to the right. I figure it's because the French are following the sun, from east to west or from the right to the left. </div><div> </div><div>See? It all comes together: heliotropic coffeespoons!</div></div>
<br />Terri Greenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505576224510840931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293016799969319425.post-66987127847489193212011-08-18T12:02:00.000-07:002011-08-18T12:08:53.685-07:00Where do we start, why are we here, and where are we going?<p align="right"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g5jxj24rxgU/Tk1jFjtT5CI/AAAAAAAAAp0/vzZFwptXI_E/s1600/Capture.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 281px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642274855300883490" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g5jxj24rxgU/Tk1jFjtT5CI/AAAAAAAAAp0/vzZFwptXI_E/s320/Capture.JPG" /></a></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g5jxj24rxgU/Tk1jFjtT5CI/AAAAAAAAAp0/vzZFwptXI_E/s1600/Capture.JPG"><div align="left"> </div></a><p></p>
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<br />A "simple Ukrainian guy" (his words, not mine) wants to know:
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<br />If you could choose a country in which to be born, what would it be?
<br />
<br />An 8-year-old from Australia wants to know:
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<br />Why are we made?
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<br />A couple from Russia want to know:
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<br />Where would you travel?
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<br />Right now, I'm happy to have been born here, to stay here, and to contemplate why I was made in the first place!
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<br />Terri Greenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505576224510840931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293016799969319425.post-81051136515768914992011-08-16T10:15:00.000-07:002011-08-16T10:23:36.830-07:00Grateful for the essentials
<br /><div><div>More related questions (at least in my mind)!</div><div> </div><div>Two from the Netherlands: <span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">What is the one material thing you could not do without? And what is the one non-material thing?</span></div><div> </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 211px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641505013003314466" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dKK6ccKjEcc/Tkqm61ql5SI/AAAAAAAAApk/g3gJrbuctVA/s320/NL-727853.jpg" /></div><div>One from Finland: <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">What are you grateful for?</span></div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 222px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641505256337752610" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4pFU4ZIdnNk/TkqnJAKCwiI/AAAAAAAAAps/WRYWCcn5kUA/s320/FI-1159840.jpg" /></div><div> </div><div>I've got terrible vision! If I had to spend a day trying to make sense of the world without wearing contact lenses or glasses, I'd be completely befuddled. So, my material items would be my glasses or contact lenses. Those contact lenses allow me to exploit the non-material "thing" that I would miss the most - and one of the things for which I am most grateful - my curiosity! I couldn't read or write or draw or paint or see anything around me at all! And THAT would make me NUTS.</div></div>
<br />Terri Greenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505576224510840931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293016799969319425.post-13657252414859058802011-08-15T11:08:00.000-07:002011-08-15T11:14:17.678-07:00An unseen eye in the sky?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mHH_BFJ9jfs/TklhizRpfTI/AAAAAAAAApc/gZMaLA-1SWo/s1600/US-1217910.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 224px; height: 320px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641147258765933874" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mHH_BFJ9jfs/TklhizRpfTI/AAAAAAAAApc/gZMaLA-1SWo/s320/US-1217910.jpg" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4rqVsYhyQT0/TklhcZt5daI/AAAAAAAAApU/dK0SpHM7lJs/s1600/PH-27193.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 223px; height: 320px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641147148825884066" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4rqVsYhyQT0/TklhcZt5daI/AAAAAAAAApU/dK0SpHM7lJs/s320/PH-27193.jpg" /></a><div>I managed to confuse two recent questions ... one was about what I would do if I were invisible and the other was about where I'd go if I were able to fly...</div><div> </div><div>What I answered the person asking about invisibility was that - because I could fly, I would never be late again.</div><div> </div><div>I began to answer the person asking about flying, and I realized that I was confused. Clearly, just thinking about high altitudes deprives my brain of the oxygen it needs to think clearly.</div><div> </div><div> </div></div>
<br />Terri Greenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505576224510840931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293016799969319425.post-10063761274683952022011-08-10T02:13:00.000-07:002011-08-10T02:16:54.032-07:00Going to heck in a handcart?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1VPMpj-kiuQ/TkJMaHhGVxI/AAAAAAAAApM/eRBuKSNGkzE/s1600/SI-41950.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 225px; height: 320px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639153694999467794" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1VPMpj-kiuQ/TkJMaHhGVxI/AAAAAAAAApM/eRBuKSNGkzE/s320/SI-41950.jpg" /></a>
<br />I wonder if Katarina considered how well the illustration on the front of her card matched the question on the back of her card! It seems pretty clear to me. You see, she asked,
<br />
<br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#3333ff;">So.... what is life in America?</span>
<br />
<br />Sometimes I think life in America is a lot like the picture on the card. Some people are looking forward; some people are looking back; everyone is heading for an unknown destination with no real control of the course, speed, or journey!
<br />Terri Greenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505576224510840931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293016799969319425.post-1783699391681010952011-08-09T15:51:00.000-07:002011-08-09T15:58:22.588-07:00English, anyone?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1OUz5l-jFVM/TkG7YYfgoaI/AAAAAAAAApE/BEf0V6tzUfA/s1600/BE-106360.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 227px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638994236010439074" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1OUz5l-jFVM/TkG7YYfgoaI/AAAAAAAAApE/BEf0V6tzUfA/s320/BE-106360.jpg" /></a><div>Lots of people, it seems! Tauty, from Belgium poses this question (on a card designed to help a person learn (and love) English):</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><span style="font-size:180%;color:#990000;">Why has English become the language of Post Crossing?</span></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>According to listverse.com, English is NOT the language spoken by the most PEOPLE in the world. English is number 2 in that contest; Mandarin is number 1. However, English is spoken in the highest number of countries.</div><div> </div><div> </div>
<br />Terri Greenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505576224510840931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293016799969319425.post-56430872700486306262011-08-08T07:01:00.001-07:002011-08-08T07:03:52.218-07:00Three times the luck<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ztt2kDWm7pY/Tj_sozkxDuI/AAAAAAAAAo8/NiZkuinMhCs/s1600/CA-177206.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 219px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638485444274491106" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ztt2kDWm7pY/Tj_sozkxDuI/AAAAAAAAAo8/NiZkuinMhCs/s320/CA-177206.jpg" /></a>
<br /><div>I guess there's more bad luck out there than I would have believed. Way back in November 2010, and then again in February this year, people asked about bad luck along the lines of this question from Nancy in Canada:</div><div> </div><div><span style="font-size:180%;color:#993300;">Is it genetics or karma or what that makes a person have continual bad luck?</span></div><div> </div><div>I'm not sure... are some people just born under a dark cloud?</div>
<br />Terri Greenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505576224510840931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293016799969319425.post-89143156642923369472011-07-28T08:50:00.000-07:002011-07-28T08:55:03.063-07:00Greetings, Spaceling!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oE7IQ4uW3ww/TjGGJ38yuGI/AAAAAAAAAo0/BR_36Ez9PBg/s1600/RU-500196.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 226px; height: 320px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634432113013078114" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oE7IQ4uW3ww/TjGGJ38yuGI/AAAAAAAAAo0/BR_36Ez9PBg/s320/RU-500196.jpg" /></a><div>Kate, from Russia, asks</div><div> </div><div><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);font-size:180%;" >What would you say the first time you meet an "alien"?</span></div><div> </div><div>Well, first... did I go somewhere to encounter this person? If it was a long trip, I'd probably ask "where's the restroom?" </div><div> </div><div>If the alien came to my neighborhood, I'm not sure WHAT I'd ask... Offer a brewski? I'll be thinking about this one all day!</div>Terri Greenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505576224510840931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293016799969319425.post-7719521452075934522011-07-25T13:15:00.000-07:002011-07-25T13:20:25.132-07:00Cellardoor?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wYpYw4Dfgbo/Ti3PyzFNjfI/AAAAAAAAAos/GowF2vnyM3w/s1600/BE-106851.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 226px; height: 320px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633387180522835442" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wYpYw4Dfgbo/Ti3PyzFNjfI/AAAAAAAAAos/GowF2vnyM3w/s320/BE-106851.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Some famous author (can't remember who) reputedly thought that "cellardoor" was the most delightful sounding English word - disregarding for a moment that it's not one word...<br /><br />Saskia from Belgium, asks:<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff6666;">What is the most beautiful word for you?<br /></span><br />For what it means: peace<br />For what it sounds like: susurrus<br />For how it tickles my brain: omphaloskepsis<br /><br />You mean other people can actually pick just one? Weird.</div>Terri Greenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505576224510840931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293016799969319425.post-30613418831205822772011-07-22T10:25:00.000-07:002011-07-22T10:28:26.890-07:00Can you hear me?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VSQRRX75-vA/TimzMRS-2VI/AAAAAAAAAoc/kP3NfphYH8U/s1600/JP-182818.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VSQRRX75-vA/TimzMRS-2VI/AAAAAAAAAoc/kP3NfphYH8U/s320/JP-182818.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632229832386337106" /></a><br />Aya, from Japan, asks this question:<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff6600;">What is the best way to understand people from different cultures?</span><br /><br />I think the key to success here is to listen more than you speak. I've found astonishing things when I've just shut my piehole and listened to what other people have to say.<br /><br />So: Be quiet!Terri Greenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505576224510840931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293016799969319425.post-87687166673533824512011-07-20T11:36:00.000-07:002011-07-20T11:42:20.890-07:00Postcard from.... the laser lab!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6rLLNTeBipo/TichO2I5rXI/AAAAAAAAAoU/7IsLlwsNkEk/s1600/DE-952387.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 226px; height: 320px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631506397984828786" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6rLLNTeBipo/TichO2I5rXI/AAAAAAAAAoU/7IsLlwsNkEk/s320/DE-952387.jpg" /></a><div>Well, from a physicist, anyway!</div><div> </div><div>Soren, from Germany, who is an actual physicist in an actual lab working with ultra cold atoms, lasers and "a lot of quantum mechanics" sent a mind-boggling question (as befitting a deep thinking scientist kinda guy):<br /></div><div> </div><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">Can the human mind understand itself, i.e. be completely aware of itself, understanding its own purpose, reactions, etc? Or will we build artificial minds/computers that are so complex that we cannot understand them anymore?</span></div><div><br /></div><div>I believe that the divine in us resides in that corner of the mind that we can never really comprehend.</div>Terri Greenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505576224510840931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293016799969319425.post-35578255983455054892011-07-06T02:34:00.000-07:002011-07-06T02:44:01.355-07:00The Power of Three, plus a bonus<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XTmw5o6txhA/ThQuGw6IIpI/AAAAAAAAAoM/ALi0vVHY6FA/s1600/Capture.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626172528235389586" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XTmw5o6txhA/ThQuGw6IIpI/AAAAAAAAAoM/ALi0vVHY6FA/s320/Capture.JPG" /></a><br />Three is something of a magical number, no? "Three wishes from the genie in the bottle" immediately leaps to mind.<br /><br />From Indiana, this three-fer question:<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">If you could describe yourself in three words, what would they be?</span><br /><br />From Victoria on a card showing the workings of a Welsh coal mining operation:<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">If you were far underground, what three things would you take down with you and what three things would you leave "upstairs"?<br /></span><br />And the bonus question, on a card from Moldova:<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">Einstein said, "Imagination is more important than knowledge." Is it better to know the reality (real life) or to live in a fantasy, no matter how false it can be?</span><br /><br />Break into small groups, discuss, prepare to report back to the group...Terri Greenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505576224510840931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293016799969319425.post-68552729305779215582011-07-05T12:59:00.000-07:002011-07-05T13:03:21.041-07:00God Save the Queen!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pl4TNn1AaTU/ThNt06v9YeI/AAAAAAAAAoE/DYh8K9ROlus/s1600/je-653.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 223px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625961115406918114" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pl4TNn1AaTU/ThNt06v9YeI/AAAAAAAAAoE/DYh8K9ROlus/s320/je-653.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Martin, from Jersey (the Channel Island, not the state in the US) wonders<br /></div><div> </div><div><span style="font-size:180%;color:#000099;">Is there a place in the modern world for a monarchy?<br /></span></div><div> </div><div>We "colonials" here in the US have something of a romantic idea about royalty. I confess: I was married at the Renaissance Faire and am fond of telling people that Queen Elizabeth came to my wedding!</div><div> </div><div>What the reality of living under a monarchy actually IS, I have no idea. In the end, I think I am unqualified to answer the question.</div>Terri Greenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505576224510840931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293016799969319425.post-67143646641236211242011-07-04T10:08:00.000-07:002011-07-04T10:11:01.352-07:00This IS a thought provoker!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bnCzWVjyLA8/ThHz-E6vC9I/AAAAAAAAAn8/dvkIiI5AqN4/s1600/IT-135548.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 218px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625545657359993810" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bnCzWVjyLA8/ThHz-E6vC9I/AAAAAAAAAn8/dvkIiI5AqN4/s320/IT-135548.jpg" /></a><br />From Italy (on a card that reminds me to relax!) comes this intriguing question:<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#009900;">How would you explain to a blind person what colours are?</span><br /><br />The best course I can think of is to draw an analogy to taste or texture. This one really does have me thinking hard!Terri Greenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505576224510840931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293016799969319425.post-74200250569181917582011-07-03T14:30:00.001-07:002011-07-03T14:36:27.161-07:00Time to Curate<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A9r_j14q7YA/ThDgw8Pn-_I/AAAAAAAAAn0/ngjxpIqarX0/s1600/FI-1102174.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 217px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A9r_j14q7YA/ThDgw8Pn-_I/AAAAAAAAAn0/ngjxpIqarX0/s320/FI-1102174.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625243065995754482" /></a><br />We're beginning July. In two months' time, this project will be a year old. I am tickled by the response, and I'm already working on ways to keep the backs of the postcards interesting. Questions are still arriving, sometimes as many as a half-dozen a day!<br /><br />It's hard to keep up!<br /><br />So, I'm going to have to switch to a "curated" approach, especially because some of the questions are starting to be "repeats." I can hardly expect a person to scan every single post to determine if his or her question has already been asked!<br /><br />From now on, I'll post questions that I haven't received before. That way, I'll be able to register cards at Post Crossing in a timely way, but still keep things entertaining over here.<br /><br />For today: Would you risk your life for a perfect stranger?<br /><br />I'm thinking that in an impulsive situation, I probably would. I'd push someone out of the way of a vehicle, for example.<br /><br />In a more calculated way, I'd assess risk, I guess.<br /><br />What about you? (I know you're out there, reading!)Terri Greenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505576224510840931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293016799969319425.post-33205775308438601792011-06-26T13:14:00.000-07:002011-06-26T13:18:40.087-07:00Answers!Well, I believe this is a first in nearly a year of posts: ANSWERS instead of questions!<br /><br />First, the answer to the question about what people on the postcard had in common. I guessed that they were all left-handed, and it turns out that I was correct. Good guess, for guess it was!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u-k7FPfVOOE/TgeT7faUFuI/AAAAAAAAAns/mek4d7iaNmQ/s1600/FI-1122695.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u-k7FPfVOOE/TgeT7faUFuI/AAAAAAAAAns/mek4d7iaNmQ/s320/FI-1122695.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622625310048786146" /></a><br /><br />Second, who could have expected this? In the post on the day after the "chicken and egg" question was posted, I received the answer on another postcard! The answer is "chicken" because it appears first in the dictionary!<br /><br />Answers.... an unexpected treat!Terri Greenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505576224510840931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6293016799969319425.post-20970372171198999232011-06-24T07:17:00.000-07:002011-06-24T07:21:20.927-07:00Two riddles!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZO0CR4bYGM/TgSdPQg2XdI/AAAAAAAAAnk/UU-NLswztpc/s1600/CZ-115717.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 140px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZO0CR4bYGM/TgSdPQg2XdI/AAAAAAAAAnk/UU-NLswztpc/s200/CZ-115717.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621791120321568210" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hxO1zBVlO5A/TgSdJdEazpI/AAAAAAAAAnc/cDRxGSp-APc/s1600/PH-28372.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hxO1zBVlO5A/TgSdJdEazpI/AAAAAAAAAnc/cDRxGSp-APc/s200/PH-28372.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621791020612767378" /></a><br />On the card with the cave: Which came first, the chicken or the egg?<br /><br />On the card with the names: These people have something in common. What is it?<br /><br />As far as riddle number one is concerned, I have no idea which came first, but I do know which came next: the chef with the saute pan!<br /><br />As far as riddle number two is concerned, I suggest that they are all left handed. We shall see when the Post Crosser who sent the card supplies the answer!Terri Greenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15505576224510840931noreply@blogger.com0