Swap-bot Time: October 31, 2024 4:32 pm
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NRGordon

NRGordon
Date Joined: July 16, 2018
Last Online: September 26, 2024

Country: United States

About Me

June 01, 2024

Life just hit the fan so I am going to be scarce for a while... probably several weeks if not a couple months.

I will keep up with the recurring "traveling" swaps that I am committed to and will be checking messages but likely won't be signing up for much else for a while.

To those of you who have become like friends... don't worry, it's not a health issue with myself or immediate family. It's nothing bad, really. Its just a couple things that are going to monopolize my time for a while and keep me away from home a lot.

My Best Wishes to you all.

...

Oct. 10, 2023

I have just made a few changes to update my profile since we moved. I have to go through the whole thing. I'll do that soon.

I have noticed, in the month we have been here, that the mail. is much better than where we were. No big delays and, as far as I know, nothing lost yet (knocking on wood).

For those people who look at postmarks... I mail things pretty much daily, in the drop box at the condo mailboxes. I don't go there until the mail has been delivered so it won't go out the day I drop it and mark in 'sent'. It should be postmarked the following business day. This shouldn't be a problem as I try to mail swaps out within a day of partners being assigned. Unless the swap only has a one or two day window, they should all be postmarked before the send date.

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Sept 27, 2023

I just got done writing out a swap in Italian. I should have thought about how bad my Italian had gotten, from lack of use, before I signed up for that one.

Apologies to my Partner for butchering her lovely language.

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Sept. 24, 2023

We have moved. We are pretty much official. The cars are registered and inspected in their new state and my wife had her new driver's license. My appointment for that isn't for a couple weeks. To day, we are going to go see about library cards.

We have actually been here almost a month now and our granddaughter has spent half those nights with us. I love seeing her so much but miss my three favorite 9 y.o. siblings. We talk on the phone a couple times a week and will visit them soon.

With the unpacking and organizing wrapping up, I am getting back to full-speed swapping. I had cut way back for almost two months, while getting the house ready for the market, packing to move and unpacking here. I missed it... especially hearing from the people I swap with frequently.

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July 15, 2023 Wow... tomorrow will mark my fifth anniversary on Swap-bot. It is like my life in general. In some ways it seems like yesterday and in others like forever. It has been a lot of fun and I hope to get back to it full-force in a month or so, after our move is complete and we have settled in.

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May 24, 2023

I'm putting this note here because I've had a couple messages recently questioning if I had received swaps because they had not been rated.

I rate swaps by the morning after receiving them in the mail. Mail delivery has been slow and sporadic here. The average domestic mail I receive is postmarked nearly two weeks prior and it is not unusual to receive domestic mail postmarked three to four weeks before I get it.

I am informed that both our local postoffice and the Regional Distribution Center are badly under-staffed. Some weeks we only get mail three days. Last week they delivered on Sunday because they hadn't since Thursday.

Outgoing is no better. I have experienced it only once myself but have been told that the drop boxes are often not collected for days, sometimes to the point that they are so full you can't get anymore into them.

Please be patient. Most of it gets here and I will rate it when it does.

.

Profile Updated: May 18th 2022

Greetings form Cape Cod, MA!

ME: My name is Neal. It is spelled as if it were a last name because it was my Mother's maiden name. My family name could be both a first or last as well. Back when I used film to take pictures, the drugstore would have my prints filed under my first name more often than my last.

My wife, of 47 years (and bless her for putting up with me) and I live on a country road in a small rural town in southern Maine. I retired seven years ago after 40+ years in electronic work. She still works at the local hospital, but has cut back to two or three shifts a week so we have more time to do things together.

We have two grown daughters and a granddaughter. Our grandchild turned six on Valentine’s Day. She is a hoot! I love every minute I can get with her. That was often, before Covid, and is beginning to be quite a lot again since adults have been vaccinated.

Every time we see her, even after only a week some times, she has changed so noticeably. Her vocabulary grows all the time. As a contractor’s daughter, before she was three years old, her vocab included terms like front-loader, backhoe, nail gun, plumber, backhoe, permit, staging, chop saw, and estimate. As a Doc McStuffins fan, her vocab includes diagnosis, treatment, and vaccination. All those terms she uses appropriately. I enjoy that I can have an actual conversation with her.

We also have a good friend with nine-year-old triplets. I have had the pleasure of minding them since they were infant, when their Mother works and on other occasions when their mom has to do something or just wants a break. I am, for better or worse, their primary male roll model. My wife and I also do things with the four of them and enjoy the young ones as though they were grandchildren. Since we moved, We don't see them three times a week any more. I miss them.

I had Covid in January of 2021 and it left me weak, short of breath, with balance issues and with post-Covid fog-brain (yes, that’s a thing). I can walk over two miles now, though it has to be on a smooth flat surface, Fortunately, there is a paved rail-trail close by. I want little more than to take a nice long hike in the forest but I would trip over every rock and root in the trail.

In the winter, I like to snowshoe and I spend more time working on my Banknote collection (see below). In the summer I seek shade, hike, seek shade, work in my yard, and (did I mention this?) seek shade. I do not like hot weather and, for me, hot is anything over 68F. I’m a ginger (well, most of my hair is white now, but I still have the light complexion) so I have to be careful with how much sun I get.

MUSIC I like pretty much all kinds, depending upon my mood at any given time. My constant favorite groups are Pink Floyd, Warren Zevon, The Eagles, Talking Heads, Florence and the Machine, Dropkick Murphy's, Raining Jane). My favorite instruments to listen to are harpsichord, fiddle, cello, violin, sitar... all the strings, really. I don’t much like RAP or Hip-Hop as most of the lyrics seem to denigrate women. My town has a free, summer, outdoor music series, featuring local artists. The opening acts are young local musicians. I love it!

TV and MOVIES: I don’t watch TV. Not regular TV programs at least. I use my television to watch movies and anima from DVDs. I have a large DVD collection. According to the spreadsheet listing them, I currently have 1342 titles. Over half are horror and psychological suspense. I have decent sub-collections of anime and of Wizard Of Oz and Alice In Wonderland versions and related movies. My favorite movies are the Star Wars series and the Harry Potter movies. My favorite anime is When Marnie Was There.

READING: I like to read but am not a fast reader. I usually like young-adult horror, Sci-fi, and dystopia. YA books are usually not real long and fairly easy reads. That said, my two favorite authors are Stephen King and Douglas Adams. I have read everything they have written (aside from some of King’s screen plays and Adam’s Dr. Who radio program scripts), much of it more than once. I have read Adam’s 'The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy' [5-book trilogy] more than a dozen times in the past 30+ years and I have listened to King’s 'The Dark Tower' series five or six times.

The post-Covid fog-brain left me unable to read much at all for over three months. I could struggle through swap requirements, reading them three or four time to comprehend, and then having my wife check that I understood. I have been improving over the past few months so that I can now handle swaps and read magazine articles and such. I have recently been enjoying listening to audio books but have been sticking with those I have already read or listened to.

HOBBIES & INTERESTS: I am an Amateur Radio Operator who enjoys contests. I also enjoy: Postcrossing, WheresGeorge, and Letterboxing. I like to fly in small plains but don't do it much as it can be quite expensive. Mostly, I enjoy working in my yard and garden. I keep flowering plants that attract butterflies and Hummingbirds and grow milkweed for the Monarch Butterflies.

PHOTOGRAPHY: I love taking pictures but don't consider myself a "photographer". They put thought and effort into their work. I just set my shutter on continuous and squeeze off five to ten shots. Usually a couple will be good. I find this method works well when trying to get photos of active children.

TRAVEL: My wife and I enjoy 'seeing the world'. I particularly enjoy our two-week-ish road trips to areas of our own country. I also enjoy traveling by rail and use that option whenever I can. It disappoints me greatly that my own country has what is probably the least used - per capita - passenger rail system of any country in the world and is vary limited because of it.

We have, of course, not travelled other than to see our children and grandchild over the past year-and-a-half. A rail trip through Canada and two domestic road trips have been cancelled so far. We hope to do a road trip this fall but it is going to be a long time before we are comfortable flying again.

SWAP INTERESTS: I came to Swap-bot mostly for Postcard Swapping but I have now tried several other things that interest me. I have made some ATC’s but it will be a little while before I try swapping any but the most basic.

POSTCARDS: I look forward to meeting new people through PC swaps. I often find a short message as enjoyable as the card itself. I like getting almost any card. (See my few dislikes below) Anything that will tell me something about you or your country, town, or area.

Multi-view cards are fine for me. I think of them as like receiving several nice little cards all in one. Handmade cards are fine. I think that a lot of people miss out on some very interesting things by not wanting handmade PCs. LGBTQIAPK related are fine. Just not too kinky, please. I am straight so nude/partial nude guys don't do anything for me. I have friends who are, and friends with children who are LBG... I support them.

POSTCARD and ATC INTERESTS are:

TRAIN cards (Diesel and Electric more than steam) Railroad stations (Historic to modern) Historic buildings, architecture (especially those particular to your area) Though I am not a religious person, I do like PC's of churches, cathedrals. mosques, alters, etc. They represent some of the finest and most lovely architecture. Your country's currency, especially paper banknotes. A card showing your National Bank or Mint would be nice. Traditional, native, or ceremonial dress / costume. Children (children are the best thing ever invented!) If only the sounds of children laughing could be sent on a PC... If you are a Ham Radio Operator, I would enjoy one of your QSL cards. I enjoy a MESSAGE on the card. Just a little something about yourself, your family, work, hobbies, town, region, or country. What has the weather been? How does the garden grow?

Note: I like handmade postcards and will never mark down for a decent handmade PC, even if the swap specifies 'Store bought only".

DISLIKES: Subjects I don’t particularly care for: NUDITY CATS (domestic… I like wild cats – lion, lynx, bobcat, leopard, etc.) POLITICAL RELIGIOUS (Except religious buildings and costume are fine)

I truly dislike anything that DENIGRATES WOMEN… anyone, any group, especially as a joke.

Send that postcard NAKED... unless it is hand-made and you are really concerned about it getting damaged. I received 'roughed up' PCs all the time. Very few (that don't have Washi tape on them) are damaged significantly. A cancellation mark, bar codes, and even a little scuffing adds to the charm... makes them look "travelled".

WASHI TAPE ON POSTCARDS causes damage to them. While I have Washi tape and stickers, will swap them, and use them in some crafts, I am not a fan at all of it on postcards or envelopes. It seems to cause problems with the postal sorting machines. Almost every PC I get with Washi around the edges is torn and/or badly scuffed with pieces of the tape loose or are torn right off, along with pieces of the card. Also, Washi and stickers take up message space and I would rather see a nice message from you.

PASTELS and MARKERS: I have gotten some PCs that were written in pastel colored markers. While colorful, they are hard for me to read. I would prefer the message be done in a good old black or blue ink pen and I can't help but think that the post office would like the address done that way too.

LANGUAGES: Like most Americans (shame on us), I only really speak and read English. I knew some Spanish and a little German, many years ago -- even a few phrases of Russian -- but I have not used them in many a year, so they are pretty much gone. I know several Japanese words and phrases by sound, from watching Anime, but can not read the language and couldn't have much of a conversation..

I would love to see a few words in your own language, with a translation in English, if you could. (especially Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Cyrillic, Abugida... as I do not have the capability of entering ideograms into Google Translate. At least I don't know how.)

HOME-MADE POSTCARDS: love making my own PC's from found images. I can usually find a nice image that suits a Partner's likes better than the commercial PCs I have. If the swap doesn't prohibit it and there is nothing in your profile saying you don't like them, there is about a 40% chance you will get a handmade postcard from me. If a swap requires an envelope, there is a fair chance that will be hand made too.

I am generally not interested in DIRECT SWAPS and I will not respond to any card that I have not received as a part of a valid swap. Sorry. If you really want something special from my area, message me first.

I COLLECT BANKNOTES / Paper Currency that is currently or recently in circulation in other countries. When I get a new piece, I research the currency history for that country and the specific people and places that are pictured on the bill. I then write a page, outlining the information, to go in my album with it. I have made my collection available to local elementary school Teachers who have used it in lessons. Go to the end of my profile to see a list of the banknotes I am still in need of.

I also collect FLUTES and small figurines of OWLs and TURTLES

EXTRAS - While I appreciate the thought, if it isn't something related to my listed interests, I probably won't use it but pass it on. I'm afraid that I can not afford to send a lot of extras.

The best way to get a HEART from me is not to send 'extras' but to write something about yourself, your family, town, or country. I love a 'personal touch'.

KID FRIENDLY SWAPS - I may join one, from time to time, to share with my three favorite pseudo-grandkids. They are two girls and a boy, vegetarians, love stickers and anything they can color. They like animals, colorful pictures and being outside. They love being read to. They do not use video games or watch television.

I will list other likes as my swap interests dictate.

I hate to write this but...

When I started here and had read several profiles, I wondered why people wrote some of the things they did. After dealing with more than one unhappy partner, I find myself writing the same sort of thing.

My understanding of "Hearts" is that they are given for something special. It is very easy to get a heart from me. You do not have to send extras. All you have to do is write a bit of a message on / with the swap. Tell me a little something about yourself, your family, where you live, what you love, what you hate... I enjoy and reward that.

If you do the absolute minimum to satisfy the swap, you will get a five from me but not a heart. I expect nothing more from anyone for myself. I can't afford to send a lot of extras to people but I do try to write a note with each swap, which I hope people will find interesting and appreciate.

Thanks for reading my profile.

Best Wishes, have fun swapping, and Take Care!

. .

“You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it.” - Robin Williams

. .

Banknotes I need: (Note: I do not collect coins)

Comorian franc,

Danish krone,

franc pacifique (CFP franc),

Guyanese dollar,

Norwegian krone,

Saint Helena pound,

Swazi lilangeni,

Tunisian dinar,

Vatican City Lire,

. .

Ratings

Cindymt rated for ESG: My Favorite Photo - July on Sep 7, 2024
5
rating
Comment: Thank you!
lob rated for ESG: My Favorite Photo - July on Sep 6, 2024
5
rating
Comment: Hope you get well soon. Love the photos of your granddaughter. Thanks for sharing.
1
rating
Comment: Sender messaged saying he was marking it sent but mailing it on a different day due to work conflicts. I messaged two weeks ago following up as I had not received this swap and I still have not gotten a reply.
marclively rated for PH: Scavenger Hunt for PCs #269 on Aug 27, 2024
5
rating
Comment: Many thanks!! Marc
mchesser12 rated for PS: Bird Scavenger Hunt on Aug 22, 2024
5
rating
Comment: Thanks for the three postcards. I love the green of the parrot.
5
rating
Comment: Thank you for the postcard, and I wanted to apologize for the delay in my rating. I've been going through personal things, but I do understand that's no excuse. I wanted to thank you for your postcard and I appreciate it! I hope you have a good day! Happy summer!
5
rating
Comment: Thanks for the great postcards that you sent for this swap.
5
rating
Comment: Thank you for the scenic array of postcards, Neal. The Penobscot River with Katahdin in the background and the MA cranberries brought back fond memories. I'm overdue for a New England visit. I used to make it back every summer, sigh....
porpie5 rated for PS: Scavenger Hunt Postcards #9 on Jul 25, 2024
5
rating
Comment: Thanks for the very nice postcards. I liked how you added your own notes about your choices.
5
rating
Comment: Thanks for sharing about watching your granddaughter’s swim practice and for sending these two postcards my way.
5
rating
Comment: A map and a stamp themed post card 😻 Those are right up my postcard alley 💕 The Star Wars one is my favourite of the three 😃 I’m the opposite of you, having lived in the west side of Canada, I’ve mostly seen the western provinces, and not so much of the Eastern side. A train adventure through BC would be quite the trip! I hope you get to do that one day still! We went to Las Vegas and Utah in June for our vacation this year. I was very surprised the first time I went to Vegas how many young children were there! I hope your grand daughter will enjoy it. The Bellagio themed flower gardens may be a nice thing to see with her one day.
5
rating
Comment: beautiful cards. Thank you
MelissaLB rated for PH: Scavenger Hunt for PCs #268 on Jul 19, 2024
5
rating
Comment: Thank you for the great cards! The baby seal is adorable. And I collect Route 66 postcards and have never seen this one. Love it!
5
rating
Comment: I hit the jackpot! I love every postcard! Thank you very much! oh, I also LOVE BEER!
5
rating
Comment: Hi Neal! Great to receive cards and a note from you again. Love the cards you chose for me. My fav is the timber wolves! Stephen King is a favorite of mine as well--sad to hear he's using his money to exclude 'the masses' from enjoying the lake.
marclively rated for Where Are the Map Cards? #3 on Jul 13, 2024
5
rating
Comment: Many thanks!! Marc
5
rating
Comment: Many thanks!! Marc
Vickyen rated for PS: Scavenger Hunt Postcards #8 on Jul 8, 2024
5
rating
Comment: Hi Neal! Always great to be partners with you! We do have a "regular" mail carrier and she is awesome! The subs, not so much! We had a hold order on for all of last week, and when we got home yesterday, yep, mail in the box - sigh! We know Peggy did not do that, so... The hubby's knees are getting better every day, he is scheduled to go back to work July 17 and I have to wonder how long that will last before he retires - he also is a mail carrier, so... Love the pcs and share about them! I hope to do the Route 66 drive at some point, my bestie told me that is something I need to do with her! LOL! All the best and Happy Swapping! ;)
Ceme rated for PS: Scavenger Hunt Postcards #7 on Jul 6, 2024
5
rating
Comment: Than you for your nice postcards and lovely note with them. Happy swapping!
Keanui rated for PH: 4 Postcards in July #2 on Jul 5, 2024
5
rating
Comment: Thank u for the wonderful pc! Thank u for sharing a piece of memory with me, and hope u get to visit anywhere u want to :)

Rating Overview

Overall Hearts Stars Hosted
4.9985 3277 57 61
Completed Fives Threes Ones
2512 3872 1 1
Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 Uncategorized
334 2043 135 0
View all

Currently In

  • the user is not currently in any swaps :(

Currently Hosting

  • the user is not hosting any current swaps

Comments

btbeth on Feb 2, 2024:

Thank a mailman swap - btbeth Hi there! today was a fun day! I delivered a card of thanks and some blueberry pastry bites to my actual mail lady today and then dropped off a big bucket of cookies to the post office workers.

cmalaina on Oct 1, 2022:

Happy October !!

Robinarie on May 4, 2022:

@DheerajReddy may be the one who sent the lovely PC, from India, of the Charminar Mosque in Hyderabad. It was dated 12th Oct. 2021. Go to her page and message her. Maybe.......

loverofpostcards on Sep 14, 2021:

Neal Transportation swap #2 I have just found out it is supposed to be 2 postcards! Did I send you 1 or 2 postcards? Please let me know so I can correct it if it is wrong. Regards Glennys

HappyMom on Sep 8, 2021:

Hi Neal - I love the card you selected for ESG: 3-2-1 when you thought it was a postcard swap! I hope we get rich colors this fall... Lately, we've had a less-than-impressive season!

LavenderSprinkles on Sep 7, 2021:

Yes, you can type the letter!

cmalaina on Jul 4, 2021:

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY !!

darkandstormy on May 2, 2021:

So beautiful!

JadeFan on Apr 25, 2021:

From My Area 🌞 Quick Profile Deco

Piping Plover

This is one of our Endangered Birds, the Piping Plover. They like to nest in the reeds on our beaches. They are so cute! We have warning signs up over the southern coastline to make sure no one disturbs them during the breeding season. Look at this chick with a black band; about 2 weeks old. Piping plover Chick

lyssathemermaid on Apr 25, 2021:

From My Area 🌞 Quick Profile Deco Hey lovely! Thanks for participating in this swap! In my area we have an unusual looking bird called the roseate spoonbill. The end of its beak is flattened like a spoon, and their wingspan shows off their beautiful pink feathers! Theyre commonly found in marshy areas along the coast of Florida

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