Be my guest. Guess
Can we talk?
I know the French have a whole different style of raising children, but, isn’t rushing them into the social party scene like this a little too progressive? French postcard, 1900’s (USPD./Commons.wikimedia.org)
“So long, losers.” Yep the white cloth says, “Happy New Year.” He’s off on a holiday cruise? Or just another sailor on shore leave last week making his escape just in the nick of time? Interesting Imperial Russia and Germany both seemed to have a lot of New Years cards with sailors in the riggings. (1881 card. USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
The message inside this New Year’s card said, “Happy New Year”, but what’s with the odd “Hands up. I’m going to shoot you through the heart” message here on the front? “Happy New Year, I want a divorce?” Unclear. Just looks dangerous. Any ideas or explanation out there? (Australia, 1900’s. Murrell Family; the Coalfields Local History Association.USPS/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Forget who let the dawgs out. Who let the kid outta the car seat in the plane. He’s obviously flown through a rose bush somewhere. Maybe snagged a horse. Kid, that horseshoe is upside down so all its luck has run out – Yours may be too. Could be a very short happy new year. (1926 Nat.Lib. of Poland. USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
Finally, a traditional message. Simple good wishes. Still nervous about those horse shoes – the way things are going, the world and all of us need all the luck we can grab. But there are 3 horseshoes – a lucky number – and maybe, just maybe, the luck is channeled over and over safely across them. Someone familiar with electrical or metaphysical circuitry might be able to explain that. (1900.Nellie Murrell Collection, Australia. Murrell Family and the Coalfields Local History Association. USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
This snowy card may look cold, but the wishes are quite warm! (1912. USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)
May 2024 bring mirth, delight, and wonder to your door.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
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Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge 
What a great collection of cards! Happy New Year to you — nice to be wakened by rain rather than fireworks in the middle of the night. We did have some firework setter-offers here, but they were relatively well behaved, and after a few big blasts, they were done. I do wonder what the boat owners at the marina thought about those spectacular ones being set off near their canvas, though!
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Have a great new year!
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happy new year to you!
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You brought mirth and delight to me quite early this year! Happy New Year!
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Where are social services when they are needed? Having a Christmas and New Year break, of course, while kids hijack ‘planes and ruin neighbours’ rose gardens.
Happy New Year to you.
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Happy New Year! Love those old cards, but those people really didn’t know about luck and horseshoes, did they?
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Thank you for the smiles! Happy 2024!!
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Happy New Year!
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…mirth, delight, wonder and tail wags to your door too, my friend, all year round!
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Same to you, Phil…. although I would join the protective voices that add “Don’t try this at home: to chancy images!
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Happy New Year to you and yours!
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My thoughts on Cupid and the hand waving woman would be “You better fall in love with me the easy way this year, or I’ll have to resort to the hard way.” As for the horse shoes, my concern is that they are all upside down. Aren’t horseshoes supposed to be right side up for luck? Luck runs out if they are turned down. Anyway, may you and your family have the best of luck in 2024!
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