Water Lily vs. Lotus

Postcard US-4015954 to Canada shows a maxi card with a Water Lilies first-class forever stamp issued by USPS in Cleveland, OH on March 20, 2015, and a first-day-of-issue postmark.

The card was produced by SFWMD. It reads on the back: "Lovely fragrant white water lilies are abundant throughout much of southern Florida's ecosystem. The floating aquatic plant provides fish habitat and aquatic wildlife food and cover, and stabilizes sediments.

The Water Lilies stamps, priced at 49 cents at the time of issuance and valued at 47 cents now, have four designs based on existing photos taken by Cindy Dyer of Alexandria, VA in midsummer at the Kenil­worth Park and Aquatic Gardens in Washington, DC.

Cindy Dyer is also the photographer of a Sacred Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) image, taken at the Kenil­worth Park and Aquatic Gardens, that was used to produce the 11th of 16 stamps in the National Park Service’s Centennial stamp series. Sacred Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera), with its blooming period from late June to early September, can grow a bloom in the size of a basketball.

I used to have some confusions between water lily and lotus. The Pond Plant Girl has an excellent article to describe their difference.

Meanwhile, Duanwu Festival 2016 happens today. Eating Zongzi, rice balls wrapped in reed leaves or lotus leaves, is one of the traditions during the festival.

One of the most popular ancient Chinese poems about lotus was Ode to the Lotus Flower (爱莲说) by Dunyi Zhou (周敦頤) (1017-1073). Duanyi wrote: "I just love lotus because she grows in mud, yet never contaminates with it. She floats on waving water, yet never dances with it." (出淤泥而不染 濯清涟而不妖)  In this metaphor, the lotus flower represents someone who remains ethical and noble in spite of general corruptions.

Snowmobiles at the Columbia Icefield

Outgoing postcard US-4005430 to Italy shows snowmobiles at the Columbia Icefield, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada.

Snowmobiles are specially equipped vehicles, which enable summer visitors to tour the snow-covered Athabasca Glacier, one of the six tongues of the vast Columbia Icefield. In the background is the spectacular icefall at the head of the glacier.

During my visit to Canada in 1994, I took my first and only snowmobile ride on this very spot.

Winnie Mae: Lockheed 5C Vega

Outgoing postcard US-3755619 to Canada shows "Winnie Mae", a seven-seat monoplane Vega 5C, on display at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. It was made by Lockheed in 1930 with modified tail surfaces for higher gross weight operations. Flew by famed aviator Wiley Post, it set many records, including around the world flight in eight days by Wiley Post and navigator Harold Gatty in 1931; the first solo flight around the world in 1933; the world's first flight using pressure suit in 1935 that reached the stratosphere at 547 km/hr or 340 m/hr. The "Winnie Mae" was named for the daughter of F. C. Hall, the original owner and a close friend of Wiley Post.

Today it is the 112th anniversary of Wright brothers' first powered flights. According to USPS Postal Bulletin 22430 published on December 10, 2015, Kitty Hawk, NC Post Office is offering a pictorial postmark to commemorate the occasion. I am sending the card, along with several others, to get this special postmark. Such requests must be postmarked no later than 30 days following the requested pictorial postmark date.

World Oceans Day

World Oceans Day, celebrated on June 8 every year, was originally proposed by Canada at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992. It was officially recognized by the United Nations in 2008. The 2015 Theme is "Healthy oceans, healthy planet."

The United Nations Postal Administration issued three panes of 12 stamps on May 31, 2013 to raise awareness for World Oceans Day. The artwork by Yoshito Hirano on Postcard JP-240233 from Japan illustrates the important relationship between human settlements and the ocean.

Arctic Hare in its Winter Coat

Postcard US-2955780 to NC, USA shows a portrait of an Arctic hare (Lepus arcticus), a species of hare adapted to harsh polar and mountainous habitats, in Manitoba, Canada. It is also called polar rabbit. According to Wikipedia, "the arctic hare survives with a thick coat of fur and usually digs holes in the ground or under snow to keep warm and sleep. Arctic hares look like rabbits but have shorter ears, are taller when standing, and, unlike rabbits, can thrive in cold climates. They can travel together with many other hares, sometimes huddling with dozens or more, but are usually found alone, taking, in some cases, more than one partner. The arctic hare can run up to 60 km/h (40 mi/h). Its predators include the arctic wolf, arctic fox, and ermine, as well as, the Gyrfalcon, Peregrine Falcon, and Snowy Owl."

Copyright Norbert Rosing / National Geographic. The card was purchased at National Geographic store at Zazzle.

Be One

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco began to hear oral arguments in challenges to same-sex marriage bans in Idaho, Nevada and Hawaii today on September 8, 2014. A three-judge panel had tough questions for marriage equality opponents and seemed ready to say for the second time that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry.

Meanwhile, as state officials in Nevada decided not to defend the bans, the same-sex marriages might become a reality quickly in Nevada if the court rulings overturn the bans. County clerks are making new marriage license forms that list “party 1” and “party 2” instead of “bride” and “groom”.

Outgoing postcard US-2967646 to Canada shows the 2012 Gap advertising campaign in San Francisco, featuring a same-sex couple.

Prince Edward Island

Postcard CA-406670 from Canada shows Prince Edward Island, one of the three Maritime provinces in Canada. It is also the smallest province in Canada in terms of both land area and population. The island has a nick name of "Garden of the Gulf" referring to the pastoral scenery and lush agricultural lands throughout the province. It is hard to imagine that it produces 25% of Canada's potatoes.

International Volunteer Day

International Volunteer Day is observed each year on December 5th since 1985. It offers an opportunity for both volunteer organizations and individuals to make their contributions visible; thus raise awareness for volunteering and encourage others to get involved. #IVD2013 

Postcard US-1834687 to Canada shows a volunteer's T-Shirt flying high over Banda Aceh in early 2005 during my volunteering trip to Indonesia to assist in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami relief efforts. The accompany poem from a friend reads:

The world is sadden by the tragic news;
Everything is destroyed by the giant waves on their paths;
Ruins are the all you can see and cries are the all you can hear;
Bodies are scatted on the beach covered with seaweeds from the deep sea;

The only thing left are our loving hearts that will last like the Sun and the Moon;
As well as our determinations like the thunders;
Crossing the suffering islands to lend a helping hand until exhausting our last energy;
While it adds nothing to our ages, the story will be with us for the rest of our life.

Greetings from Toronto

Postcard CA-393552 brought greetings from Toronto, Canada. Toronto usually has a Christmas Tree Lighting Fireworks at its City Hall on November 26. This year was no exception. You can watch the 2011 fireworks on YouTube.

World AIDS Day

I am dedicating postcard US-1987877 to World AIDS Day, observed every year on December 1, to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. President Obama issued an official proclamation on World AIDS Day today.

Although the initial discovery of AIDS in 1981 involves gay men, it was soon determined that AIDS was not isolated to the gay community. HIV is transmitted primarily through unprotected sex; contaminated blood transfusions and hypodermic needles; and from mother to child during pregnancy and delivery. Learn the UNAIDS Strategy and how to get involved.

USPS AIDS Awareness Stamp in 1993

In Las Vegas, The Venetian and The Palazzo lighted their hotel exteriors with red lights in the evening on December 1, 2013 in support of World AIDS Day. The Southern Nevada Health District will offer free HIV testing at the Gay and Lesbian Center of Southern Nevada (401 S. Maryland Parkway) and at Nevada Partners (710 W. Lake Mead Blvd., North Las Vegas) on December 2, 2013.

Sur la route des baleines au Québec

Postcard CA-381370 from Canada shows a North Atlantic minke whale from a whale-watching cruise near the mouth of the Saguenay River in Québec, Canada. Minke whale, or petiti rorqual, can be classified into two species: Common minke whale or northern minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) that includes the North Atlantic minke whale subspecies, the North Pacific minke whale subspecies and dwarf minke whale subspecies; and Antarctic minke whale or southern minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis). Minke whales, measured 7 meters and weighted 4-5 tons in average, are not in danger of extinction.

The postcard has a 63-cent Montreal Canadiens^® stamp, from the NHL Canadian seven-team commemorative stamp series, depicting a current team jersey as well as one from 1946; and a permanent Superman stamp, one of the five from the set issued on September 10, 2013 to honor the superhero’s 75th birthday and his Canadian roots.

Highland Light, Cape Cod

Postcard US-1829598 to Canada shows the Highland Light, the oldest and tallest lighthouse on Cape Cod, on the Cape Cod National Seashore in North Truro, Massachusetts. The photo was from my JetBlue AYCJ trip on September 24, 2010. 

The first primary lighthouse at this site was established in 1797. However, the latest lighthouse was moved 140 m or 450 ft to the west, away from the beach, to the present location in 1996, as it was in danger of falling off the cliff due to beach erosion. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.

Eagle Transforming

Eagle Transforming, 2007

Postcard CA-371352 came from a small reservation in Northern Ontario, Canada. It features a design "Eagle Transforming" by Corey W. Moraes of the Tsimshian First Nation in Canada. The Tsimshian are an indigenous people living along the Pacific Northwest Coast in British Columbia, Canada and Alaska, USA. Tsimshian means "Inside the Skeena River." On the postcard, it notes "The spirit in all beings offers guidance as we transform."

Native Temporary Tattoo

You can also get a "Eagle Transforming" removable tattoo from Canadian Native Products. Corey W. Moraes has a blog called Brain Juice.

Gastown Steam Clock, Vancouver, Canada

Gastown Steam Clock, Vancouver, Canada

Postcard US-2359324 is traveling to Texas, USA, showing the Gastown steam clock, powered by steam from underground pipes that supply steam to heat many downtown buildings. The clock sounds its whistles every quarter-hour. It was built by horologist Raymond Saunders in 1977 based on an 1875 design.

I uploaded the following video of the steam clock in action to YouTube seven years ago on June 26, 2006. I have forgotten the login credential to that account since. However, to my surprise, it has accumulated 23259 viewers so far.

Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Colline du Parlement, "The Hill"

One hundred and forty seven years ago, the Canadian Parliament met for the first time in Ottawa, Ontario. It was the fifth session of the eighth Parliament of Canada; and the last session as the Province of Canada. Before that, the sites of the parliament had been in Kingston, Montreal, Toronto and Quebec City. The modern-day parliament of Canada came into existence in 1867 when the Province of Canada, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick united into the Dominion of Canada with the Province of Canada split into two provinces Quebec and Ontario.

Parliament Hill is the home of the Parliament of Canada on the south bank of the Ottawa River and on the west bank of the Rideau Canal. The Legislature of the Province of Canada met there for the first time on June 8, 1866, and the new Parliament of the Dominion of Canada began its first session there on November 6, 1867. 

My postcard US-1888769 was made of a photo from my trip to Canada in 1994, taken from the Major's Hill Park across the Rideau Canal. In the foreground shows the East Block, built in two stages in 1867 and 1910, hosting senators' offices and preserved Confederation-era rooms. The Peace Tower (the Tower of Victory and Peace), 92.2 meter-tall and on the central axis of the Centre Block, can be seen in the background.

D Day Invasion

50th Anniversary of D Day Celebration in Ottawa, Canada in 1994

This postcard documented the 50th anniversary celebration of the Normandy landings in Ottawa, Canada on June 6, 1994. The landing operations of the Allied invasion of Normandy in France commenced 69 years ago on Tuesday, June 6,  1944 during World War II.  D-Day was a term used in planning for the day of the actual landing, which was dependent on final approval.