Spitball Army

[Postcard picturing Wrangell, Alaska. Postmarked on 13 August 1941 at 5 p.m. at Wrangell, Alaska. Addressed to Miss Crystal K., Berwyn, Ilinois, U.S.A.]

Hi Kiddle,

     We just pulled in here at 8:00 and are leaving at 10:00. Again I say, I hope there is some word for me at Victoria. Pretty good town. They have a brand new post office here and it is a beauty. My back has been good so far.

Thinking of you,
Dick

The blurb on the back of the postcard reads:

Wrangell was originally located by the Russian as a trading post. Most advantageously situated as a supply point, Wrangell has had prestige as such since the early days. The Stikine river traffic and outfitting of big game hunters contributes largely to the business activity of the city.

“The love strain is still heard above the land’s miserere.”

– An intertitle seen during a viewing of The Birth of a Nation on Turner Classic Movies.

Card is titled: “International Rift, dividing line between United States and Canada, Thousand Islands / 42498.”

No blurb or description printed on the back of the card.

Publishing information: “Pub. by Wm. Jubb Co., Inc., Syracuse, N.Y.”

…of unedited randomness from my iPod.

Approximate playing time: 79 minutes. (duh)

1. Roger Miller  “If You Want Me To”  (1965)
2. Oscar Peterson  “John Hardy’s Wife”  (1959)
3. Warren Barker Orchestra  “77 Sunset Strip”  (1959)
4. Peter Gabriel  “Steam”  (1992)
5. Slaid Cleaves  “Horses and Divorces”  (2004)
6. Hoagy Carmichael  “Ole Buttermilk Sky”  (1946)
7. 10,000 Maniacs  “I’m Not the Man”  (1992)
8. Ian Hunter  “Brainwashed”  (2007)
9. Louis Armstrong  “Yes! I’m in the Barrel”  (1925)
10. Delroy Wilson  “I’m in a Dancing Mood”  (1966)
11. Miles Davis  “Lazy Susan”  (1954)
12. Bill Frisell  “No One Gets In”  (2009)
13. Norman Blake  “You Are My Sunshine”  (2000)
14. Bread  “Blue Satin Pillow”  (1970)
15. Keith Jarrett  “Handel: Suite in F minor, HWV 433 (III. Sarabande)”  (1995)
16. Robert Johnson  “Ramblin’ on My Mind”  (1936)
17. The Beau Hunks  “Hide and Go Seek”  (1994)
18. The Grass Roots  “The River Is Wide”  (1969)
19. Bob Dylan  “Highway 61 Revisited (alternate take)”  (1965)
20. John Lennon  “Old Dirt Road”  (1974)
21. Charlie Haden Quartet West  “Detour Ahead”  (1996)
22. Paul Simon  “All Around the World or The Myth of Fingerprints (early version)”  (1986)
23. Chris Stamey  “And I Love Her”  (2004)
24. David Ruffin  “Don’t Stop Lovin’ Me”  (1971)

[Postcard picturing Mendenhall Glacier and wildflowers near Juneau, Alaska. Postmarked on 13 August 1941 at 5 p.m. at Wrangell, Alaska. Addressed to Miss Crystal K, Berwyn, Ilinois, U.S.A.]

Hi Kiddle,

                This is another Glacier we visited during our sightseeing tour around Juneau.  While on our way to it we saw hundreds of salmon fighting their way up stream from the ocean to spawn.

Thinking of you,
Dick

The blurb on the back of the postcard reads:

Summertime in Alaska presents the elements to a true paradox – here nature has combined glaciers and snow capped mountains, flowers and ever-shining sun.  The pleasantly cool climate and colorful fusion of wild flowers are another reason for the popularity of Alaska vacations.

A few nights ago, I dreamt I was Sidney in Sweet Smell of Success, being verbally humiliated by Burt Lancaster.

She’s a Heinz 57, running close behind her master through the shop, leaving zigzagged puddles marking each greet-wag-scratch stop.

[Postcard picturing Carcross, Yukon,Canada. Postmarked on 12 August 1941 at 11 a.m. at Juneau, Alaska. Addressed to Miss Crystal K, Berwyn, Ilinois, U.S.A.]

Hi Kiddle,

     This is where we were last night morning, August 10 at 12:30. We boarded this boat and spent all afternoon and slept on it. We traveled on a lake 2,200 ft. in the mountains. We returned at 9:00 this morning, 11 of Aug. While on the trip, we saw the west end of the Taku Glacier. We are now boarding the train to go back to Skagway.

Thinking of you,
Dick

The actors fought with such vigor that the rear wall nearly collapsed. Griffith kept cameras rolling, breath held, digits crossed.

– Witnessed (and imagined) during a recent screening of The Birth of a Nation.

Card is titled: “Suicide Oak, City Park, New Orleans, Louisiana.”

Printed on back of postcard:

Suicide Oak, City Park.  This tree has been particularly attractive to persons who wish to depart from this life before their time.  Many persons have been found under this oak with an empty vial, or gun by their side, hence its cognomen “Suicide Oak.”

Publishing information: “Pub. by Louisiana New Company, New Orleans, LA.”