Post Democracy, just Ask a Cat

There are many questions I'm sure you might ask a cat.  I once read a book about a dog who could think like humans. and I know a Holstein is a cow, not a cat… i taught agriculture in Kenya. I don't know about the comic cat.  In fact, I don't know much about cats but that's OK.  I guess I could ask Cascadia Artpost!

I don\t know much about how to save our Democracy or if we are entring post-democracy, post-capitalism. I do know that Jonny, our daughter's bf, worked at Verso and they publish some great books. I wonder if he's read that book? 

You'd think that 42 days after Cascadia sent this post that something would have shifted. Yes, he has been fired but we are far from having him accept the outcome, I have the sense that our Democracy is going to hold and that the dark will lighten. Hopefully as he wanes so will the grip he has over his followers.

I guffawed over this! Nice one, Jack!

So sorry it has taken me so long to share these wonderful postcards!

 

Trashcan Pamlimpsest 1-4 Ted Trager

Pamlimpsest: a manuscript or piece of writing material on which later writing has been superimposed on effaced earlier writing. 

something reused or altered but still bearing visible traces of its earlier form.

Always delighted to receive a series.  These curious, graphic palimpsests arrived on different days. they feel like a cross between billboard and vintage political propaganda.

Thanks so much, Ted.

 

Encarted: 18 years of Aristide 3108's son, Edmund

Aristide 3108 makes wrapped, enclosed, besoke and original ATCs to mark events and people.  Here he is marking his son, Ed's 18th birthday. One of the three ATCs in this mailing is an original.  I believe he makes a big image and cuts them into ATCs whch he mails out. Aristide's work is beautifully graphic.  This piece is also haptic.

Lucky Ed.  Lucky me. Enjoy, and thank you, Aristide!

 

Don't you dare ask!

Herman may know what this maid is up to, but the only thing I can see when I look into her eyes and notice her hands, disappearing into a metal receptacle is election interference. This ingenue looks like she might mess with ballots. And if you questioned her, good luck to you! 

Amd then again. today marked the day that they validated the ballots. We are turning the page,  in a new chapter. Maybe those are just come hither eyes?

Upon opening the outside envelope, Herman's distinctive style and presentation greet me. The front and back (above) are in a letter shaped folder that was closed and encircled by a folded and taped piece of a map. Unfolded this works as an abstract collage. 

Herman has drawn my attention to the names of the places he has used in his folder.  They look benign, but Herman tells me that 'terrible things happened in Putten', but doesn't know about Ingelton. 

about Putten: One of the biggest Nazi raids held in the Netherlands during World War II took place in Putten. On 1 and 2 October 1944, the majority of the male population was deported from the town and most of them died in concentration camps such as Neuengamme and Birkenau. Following the war, two of the responsible German officers were tried and convicted for this action. The raids were a retaliation for an attack by the local resistance that killed one Wehrmacht officer near Nijkerk. The first and second of October are commemorated every year in Putten. A war memorial at Putten Church and a memorial garden (Vrouwtje van Putten Herdenkingshof) commemorate the event and the loss of life.

Herman has juxtaposed England and the Netherlands.  He asks me whether anything happened in Ingelton.  I look and it seems to have a quiet past.

Wihin the folder I find myself partying without a qualm about social distancing while Herman's mythological creature looks on.

And look who has magic physio fingers? Or perhaps she is dreaming of tattoos? Whatever, beautiful eye candy!

Glad to hear you are very well, Postal voyageur. Here at Nayland Farm, we are well to,o but here's hoping the vaccine is around the corner.  

 

Oh give me a home!

As I write this blog I hear some Californians speaking from my Ipad, talking about how Covid is rampaging. I think the fires have died down. where have all the buffalo gone?

I guess buffalo are no longer endangerd and I wonder whether Amalgamated Confusion communes with them on the island of Santa Catalina? 'Bison aren’t native to Santa Catalina Island; Hollywood brought them. They were a prop leftover from a film shoot on the island in the early 20th century.'

whatever the story here, I love the sight of these prehistoric creatures. But I wouldn't want to meet one in a fenced area with our dog, Lyra!

As ever, Keith's sense of design makes his mailings an absolute joy. We need a little bravery these days with all the sheep in the government!

 Thanks Keith.  Glorious!

Our Barbarous Society gets a little more beautiful when we share art!

Ralph Waldo Emerson definately had it right… I have often said we have a veneer of civility. That veneer is looking pretty worn from over here in the UK, looking back at the US, in the time of transition. 

I love the way Joel positioned Elvis.  And doesn't that mike look like a mobile phone.  I wonder what Elvis would be tweeting?

I notice that Joel has addressed this letter to THE GUYVER ARCHIVES. Don't tell my husband! We cleaned out our storage space and my SIX large plastic crates of M/A are already taking up more space than I am officially alotted. Ha, ha. The good news is, I just cleaned out a studio box so can sub-divide the C/D/E/F folder and spread things out a little more, adding in the most recent, wonderful mail art.

I am planning to have an open studio when it is safe, and when that happens I will make a little display of some favourite mail art pieces.  I am delighted to get some of Joel's hand-me-downs!

Fleur Helsingor, CA, July, 2020

Private World, AZ, August, 2020

CZ Lovecraft, MA, May, 2020

Private World, AZ, July, 2020

Fleur Helsingor, CA, April, 2020

Private World, AZ, Sept, 2020

Fleur Helsingor, CA, July, 2020

Carol Stetser, 2006

SD sent me a few non-sticking stickers from his Ragged Edge in Exile!  I have been affixing stamps to my outgoing lately so look forward to including these, although one of each will remain in the archives!

The back of this differently shaped ATC magic carpet is a sticker dude business card and I am instructed to decorate add on pass along.  I believe the ATCs below make up the group that I should contribute to as they are not in protective sleeves. They are all stamped by Sticker Dude on the reverse.

Sticker Dude and Fleur, so far

Thanks Joel, I will try to reply with something apt, soon and pass on those ATCs.