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Book Nook provides readers with insights into the world of books. Vick Mickunas takes you into the center of the publishing world with the latest book buzz, book reviews, and exclusive chats with authors..Home > Blogs > Book Nook > Archives > 2009 > July > 30 > Entry
Mail a letter today…
The United States Postal Service is in trouble. Billion dollar deficits are the result of a combination of factors; a down economy, the internet, you name it.
I’m a big fan of the Postal Service. Six days a week they fill my mailbox with good stuff. 44 cents to mail a one ounce letter first class anywhere in the USA is still a great bargain in my view.
In another life, I worked at the Post Office. I have fond memories of my days sorting the mail. I fell in love with postage at an early age. I still have the stamp collection that I began putting together when I was in kindergarten.
The problems facing the Post Office are our problems. I know, e-mail is easier and cheaper. When was the last time you got a handwritten letter from somebody who really cares about you? When was the last time that you sent one? Think about it. Then write one. Then write another. Mail it. Make it a daily habit. That is what I’m doing.
If every single one of us sent a few extra letters each week the Postal Service would be in better shape financially.
Back in the days when I worked the graveyard shift at the Main Post Office in Des Moines I used to always bring a good book with me to work. During coffee breaks I would pull out my thermos of tea and my book and spend 15 minutes enjoying fine literature and fine caffeine. There was nothing quite like it.
When I was working there I discovered the ultimate book about the postal experience. Post Office (Black Sparrow Press) is the definitive book on the joys of going postal. The author, Charles Bukowski, was a postal clerk who worked for the PO in Los Angeles. In the book he describes driving a mail truck filled with mail out into suburbia and getting so lost and frustrated trying to find his destination that he ultimately abandoned the truck and all that mail in some cul de sac in southern California. Ah, that brings back so many memories!
E-mail is so temporary. Letters are forever. They can be…
Imagine a world without the Post Office. Mail a letter today. I’ll be glad that you did!
Vick Mickunas
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: confessions of a galley slave
Comments
By Raoul
July 31, 2009 7:50 AM | Link to this
Vick, I have to give you credit for being the only person I ever encountered who spoke wistfully about the good old Post Office. Maybe someone can chime in about all those pleasant memories of times spent in line at the BMV. Just kidding Vick. I am one who doesn’t hold much contempt for the Post Office. I always liked the uniforms, especially the pith helmets and shorts. I would love to have a job strolling around the neighborhoods, chit-chatting with the folks, and bringing them their bills. But alas, your are right! Everyone likes getting hand written letters. However, I never liked those boring ‘family updates’ from friends and relatives typed out and mass mailed to everyone on the Christmas list.By irishguy
July 30, 2009 9:13 PM | Link to this
Vick, In another life I worked at UPS, where we called it “going parcel” I was a “preloader” responsible for loading a set of 3 vehicles and about 850 to 1000 pkgs. Went in around 3-4 AM, knocked off around 9 AM. I also drove the Saturday Next Day Air shift. Don’t miss that job, but I was around 35 lbs lighter then! I didn’t look too bad in those brown shorts. Don’t worry, my wife ships 2-3 pkgs a week via the USPS, so we’re doing our part.