traceyj

February 2021 - Lately the US mail I've been able to track has taken an average of 5-6 days, with delays of a week or more being common--I am assuming this is partly due to all the major storm systems that we've been seeing. I am SO grateful for the work that our postal workers do (in the rain, in the wind, in the dark!) and ask that everyone have patience.

If you are missing mail from me, please send me a message--I can always send you another. I also strongly recommend that US residents sign up for USPS Informed Delivery; this free service can be extremely helpful in tracking down missing or late mail.

⭐ 🦡 ⭐ 🦡 ⭐ 🦡 ⭐ 🦡 ⭐ ⭐ 🦡 ⭐ 🦡 ⭐ 🦡 ⭐ 🦡 ⭐

Because I know it can be a source of anxiety for some, I also like to be prompt when it comes to rating--generally I will do so within a day of receiving the mail. If I haven't rated, it means I haven't received it yet, but you are still welcome to message me in the meantime if you have concerns--I won't mind.

❤️ 💛 💚 💙 💜 ❤️ 💛 💚 💙 💜 ❤️ 💛 💚 💙 💜 ❤️ 💛 💚 💙 💜 ❤️ 💛 💚 💙

I am still sending well wishes and virtual hugs to everyone out there, that they and their families are able to stay healthy and safe from fires, storms, and all other sources of distress. Thank you all for continuing to spread kindness!

❤️ 💛 💚 💙 💜 ❤️ 💛 💚 💙 💜 ❤️ 💛 💚 💙 💜 ❤️ 💛 💚 💙 💜 ❤️ 💛 💚 💙

Hello, I'm Tracey (she, her, hers) and I live in California. I am a crafter, reader, knitter, sewist, negligent gardener, sender of postcards and friendly greetings. I also play the ukulele and dabble in watercolor. I am trying very hard to destash/not accumulate more clutter right now, but as many crafters know, this is an uphill battle. :)

I am unfortunately, despite my best/worst efforts, only fluent in English though I have managed to learn a little ASL. Estoy aprendiendo español--¡pero soy principiante extrema! Si quieres escribir en español, me encanta practicar.

I love plants, but have managed to kill a fair number of them, including so-called "foolproof" snake plants, pothos plants, ZZ plants and succulents.

I am a dog person (but don't have any pets at the moment) and am partial to animals and nature, though of course I haven't been able to go camping or hiking as much in a while.

We have a truck camper (similar to the one pictured above) and have driven all over the western states and parts of Canada, and have seen many black bears and grizzly bears, but are very careful to keep a safe distance--not as close as this! My roadtrip 'job' is to help navigate/read the maps, but also to watch out for bears, goats, deer, bison, bunnies, and other critters that might be approaching the roadway.

Some books I have enjoyed:

I read a varied mix of nonfiction and fiction, graphic formats and e-audiobooks. I used to read a lot of teen and children's titles, but don't read them quite as much now that I have retired from my job as a children's/teen librarian, except when I need to take a break from the heavier nonfiction, which is more often these days.

• The Daily Show with Trevor Noah--I miss watching the Colbert Report; most of the "late" shows are actually on too late for my bedtime
• The Amazing Race--Phil's newest show is good too, but I haven't caught very many episodes.
• Bob's Burgers
• Jeopardy! (though it will never be the same without Alex 💜)
• PBS Nature / NOVA, depending on the subject, and my mood at the time. Generally, anything with David Attenborough is a good bet.

In case it helps you, here are some things I wouldn't mind finding in the mailbox:

• art that you made. If it is fan art, you'll want to also include an explanation in case it refers to something I am not hip enough to know about (extremely likely).
• a zine
• postcards, new or vintage - I don't mind handmade (see above: "art that you made"), and interesting ad cards are welcome if they fit the swap!
• unused USPS postage stamps, any denomination (1-cent, 5-cents, 29-cents etc. - forever stamps are always good too)
• a tried-and-true recipe that uses bananas, peaches or persimmons, OR your favorite gluten-free, vegan or Instant-Pot recipe.
• a home-sewn face mask (standard adult size)
• a tarot reading (I don't have a Book of Shadows or anything but I do have a deck that I use occasionally and I think it'd be interesting to see how other people practice their art)
• book recommendations
• something Hufflepuff or badger-themed! (house pride!)
• tea (black, green, white; caf or decaf)
• vintage sewing notions (buttons, trims, etc.)
• comic strip that made you laugh
• funny pictures of animals (cut out from a magazine, etc.)
• little piece of sea glass
• a piece of ribbon that is at least 1" wide and 38"-45" long (I volunteer as a memory-bear crafter and sometimes I dress them up with a bow around the neck)

I'll do my best to pass on items that aren't my thing, but please do not send:

• religious items, unless called for in the swap. I do celebrate holidays, but I don't associate any spiritual significance to them.
• flyers from a sports equipment store
• reminder that I am WAY past due for a dental visit
• beetle larvae or smooshed spiders (unless called for in the swap!)
• anything that is moldy (fun fact: items returned to the library with visible water damage have to be discarded because they may develop a mildew which can then spread to the other books on the shelf!)
• things that are hateful or demeaning towards other people