The card comes from Šal'a, which has a population of almost 20 000 people. The biggest employer is a chemical company called Duslo Šal'a, while textiles and construction are also significant contributers to the local economy.  The French on the front translates to: On the count of three, I'll take off!

Leipzig is located in the Central German Metropolitan Region and 150 kilometres from Berlin. There are 633 000 people who live here. It has been an important part of trading in Germany since medieval times. The Leipzig Trade Fair dates back to 1190. Between 1764 and 1945, Leipzig became the centre of publishing in Germany. It didn't fare as well under East German rule, but underwent a renaissance in urban and economic revitalization and a modernization of its transport infrastructure.  Leipzig University is one of the oldest universities in Europe. It was founded in 1409. Leipzig is also a major centre for music, including classical and modern dark wave. The Thomanerchor (St. Thomas Choir of Leipzig) is a boys choir that was founded in 1212. The Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra was established in 1743 and is one of the oldest symphonies in the world. Bach, Medlelssohn, and Wagner all lived and worked in Leipzig. Friedrich Schiller wrote his poem "Ode to Joy" in Leipzig. 

This card comes from a Chinese ex-pat living in Austin. She was in Boston for her first two years in the United States but moved to Austin because of the warmer weather. The card she sent is a neat painting of a beach scene. 

Death Valley National Park was established in 1933 as a national monument, and then 1994 as a national park. It is also designated as a dark sky park by the International Dark-Sky Association. It is the largest of the contiguous United States (that means the 48 states that are not Alaska and Hawaii), the hottest, driest, and lowest national parks. Badwater Basin is the second lowest point in the Western Hemisphere at 86 meters below sea level.  The highest recorded ambient surface temperature was recorded at Furnace Creek in 1913, where a temperature of 56.7 degrees Celsius was recorded. Average temperatures of 48.9 degrees Celsius are common in the summer. 

A great song lyric by a great Canadian singer/poet, Leonard Cohen. It comes from the song A Smokey Life  (1979). I've never seen your eyes so wide I've never seen your appetite quite this occupied Elsewhere is your feast of love I know when long ago we agreed to keep it light So let's be merry one more night It's light enough to let it go Remember when the scenery started fading And I held you until you learned to walk on air So don't look down, the ground is gone There's no one waving anyway The smoky life is practiced everywhere So set your restless heart at ease Take a lesson from these autumn leaves They waste no time waiting for the snow Don't argue now, you'll be late There is nothing to investigate It's light enough to let it go Remember when the scenery started fading And I held you until you learned to walk on air So don't look down, the ground is gone there's no one waving anyway The smoky life is practiced eve...

Canton is located in northern Georgia and has a population of 33 000 people.  This card was drawn by Kathy Lam and is entitled Cat Heart Dance . The sender chose it thinking that because I have two cats, it would be appreciated! It is.