On the front of this card reads, When I wake up in the morning, you are all I see; When I think about you, and how happy you make me. You're everything I need. I look at you and know, that you are all to me. The card is an old map of Japan. 

A beautiful photograph of autumn in Russia . The warm colours of the leaves make a striking contrast with the cooler tones of the landscape, giving the scene a calm, almost nostalgic feeling. However, the sender points out that one of the postage stamps celebrates Moscow’s football club, FC Torpedo Moscow . FC Torpedo Moscow ( ФК "Торпедо" Москва)  was founded in 1924 and was historically one of the major Moscow clubs, enjoying significant domestic success during the Soviet era. In more recent times, however, the club has struggled. They were expected to compete in the Russian Premier League for the 2025–26 season, but were excluded due to a match-fixing scandal and forced to return to the Russian First League. In post-Soviet Russia, the club has faced ongoing financial difficulties and poor management, which have seen them relegated multiple times. Since their first relegation after the 2006 season, they have only appeared in the top flight twice—during the 2014–15 and 2022–...

This postcard features a painting of Saint Basil's Cathedral , officially known as the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat ( Собор Покрова Пресвятой Богородицы, что на Рву ).  This Russian Orthodox church stands in Red Square and is one of the most recognizable cultural symbols of Russia , famous for its colourful onion domes and fairytale-like appearance. The cathedral was built between 1555 and 1561 on the orders of Ivan the Terrible to commemorate his military victories, particularly the capture of Kazan and Astrakhan. Contrary to what many people assume, the cathedral was largely completed in 1561, although some additions and modifications were made later. During the Soviet era, the church was confiscated by the government and, in 1928, it was turned into a branch of the State Historical Museum . Like many religious buildings at the time, it lost its original function and was preserved mainly as a historical monument. In 1991, following the ...

 

 

 

The sender is from Šiauliai, but the card is from  Plokščiai, a small municipality of about 776 people.  What I found interesting about this card were the postage stamps used. There are three of them depicting Vytenis, Algirdas, and  Kęstutis.  Vytenis is considered by modern historians to be the greatest of the LIthuanian ruler. His reign last for 21 years. He was the first of the Gedimid Dynasty and the first to establish a long reign, which led to establishing the dynasty's continuity and long term governance of Lithuania. Vytenis' reign was marked by almost constant warfare in order to consolidate the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.  Algirdas, I think a nephew or grand-nephew of Vytenis, ruled from 1345-1377. Along with brother,  Kęstutis, they drove out their youngest brother Jaunutis, to declare himself the Grand Duke in 1345. With  Kęstutis, they expanded the Lithuanian empire to within 80 km of Moscow. Upon his death,  Kęstutis became the ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, I have chosen to protest by only including the photo of the postcard, but not say anything about it. However, I am making an exception this time as the sender has publicly stated in her Postcrossing bio that she is against the war - a brave thing as Putin is quick to put down anyone protesting.  She says,    Attention! I am against war that putin started. Territorial integrity must be inviolable. All problems should be solved only peacefully. This war is a crime. I hate war! Our government is trying to shut up all ears, glue all eyes and close up all mouths so that people do not know about its shame and do not discuss it with the world and among themselves. But if you don't want to send me a postcard because you want here to boycott Russia as an aggressor country, I understand your feelings. Tell me ID, I'll register your postcard that you didn't send me. Let there be peace – a peace throughout the entire world, no matter how banal i...

 

 

Peace