Sometime ago, Simon (aka SimonBurrow) emailed us a very cool story about receiving snowy postcards in Arizona’s hot desert climate. Reading his profile and blog afterwards, we noticed we had a few things in common including a love for hiking, minimalism and Seth Godin’s philosophy… so it seemed like a good idea to invite him over to the blog, so he could tell about these passions, as well as the story which prompted his initial contact. If you’re curious, read on!
- How did you come across Postcrossing? What got you hooked?
I joined just over six years ago. How I first heard about Postcrossing is lost in the mist of time. But I recall that as soon as I heard I joined and spent a lot of time anxiously waiting for my first cards. Now I get a postcard almost every day and each one makes me happy so I extrapolate and am pleased to think that each card I write is making somebody else a little bit happier.
- Do you have any other interesting hobbies?
I’m retired and I love to hike. I especially like endurance hiking. I have hiked the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim in a day and Mt Whitney in California twice. Around home I’m hiking all the trails in a book called “60 Hikes Within 60 Miles of Phoenix.” Whenever I hear about a petroglyph that i can hike to, I start planning.
Once a week or so I volunteer as a tour guide at the Pueblo Grande Museum near the airport in Phoenix. Early people built a complicated irrigation base society in this area from about 300CE until about 1400CE and then they stopped. There are lots of mysteries that I enjoy talking about.
- Show us your mailbox, your mailman/mailwoman, your postoffice or the place where you post or keep your postcards!
I walk to the post office about a half kilometer away to buy stamps but I mail all of my cards in the mail room in my building.
I was a collector of many thing for many years: books, maps, matchbooks, marbles and rocks to name a few. But now my collecting days are over and I’m giving things away. I scan all cards I receive and then give the physical postcards to an elementary school teacher who uses them for sorting exercises.
- Show and tell us about your favorite received postcard to date, and what makes it special.
I favorite every bridge postcard and mountain postcard I receive because I asked for them. But I often favorite the quirky ones I receive or that I see on other peoples walls. My current, non-snow favorite card is a Burro from San Miguel de Allende Mexico, since my name is Burrow.
In June last year, I added a special request for snow postcards to my profile. I thought just seeing snow would help me get through this very hot summer (43C or 109F some days). By July, far more than half of the cards I’d received had been snow cards! It is really delightfully cool and cooling.
- What is it your favorite part of the Postcrossing process?
I like it all but if I have to choose I’d say writing the cards. Trying to tell a story that relates to the recipient and that comes alive in four lines is a good challenge.
- Have you been surprised by any place that you have received a postcard from or sent a postcard to?
I like it when I get cards from places I’ve never heard of, like Åland. I keep hoping to get cards from Cuba or Iran.
- Is there anything that you are passionate about?
“If you are not curious, you are not smart.”, wrote Sandra Day O’Connor.
As an immigrant to the USA, I am passionate about making it possible for more people to move around in the world. I wrote a blog, made a documentary film and run a Facebook group about “Rational Immigration.” There is a long way to go on this issue because fear of strangers is built into our DNA. Postcrossing in a small way helps to break down this barrier.
I can’t end without mentioning how much I like to spend time with my wife and two grown daughters. Last year, we had a family trip to Lyon, France to watch the Women’s World Cup Football.
45 comments so far
Nice story!
A very cool blog! My husband and I visited the Pueblo Grand Museum in August 2018; if it weren't for the umbrellas, we would have not spent as much time touring the outdoor sites and watching the airplanes.
Congrats to Simon on this wonderful spotlight. ;) I am always fascinated to see where postcrossers mail there things and their favorite postcard. ;)
Super addition! More of this please!!
That's a great story and thanks for putting it up here, meiadeleite
Hi Simon....I am from the same area you are from (I live in Scottsdale). I love your idea of receiving snowy postcards in the summertime! I also enjoy going to the Pueblo Grande Museum. It is a fascinating place!
Nice interview! I've received this official card from Simon in the year 2016.
https://www.postcrossing.com/postcards/US-4203717
Thanks for sharing this story, is a good one!!
I had to smile when I saw the burro from Mexico because my daughter lives in San Miguel; I have visited her there twice. It is a small world. San Miguel is a lovely place! (I live in Minnesota!!)
Hello,mr Simon! I am from China,your postcards are so cool!
Wonderful to read your story and Postcrossing journey! Glad to have you as part of the family! :)
Thank you for this really interesting story. I always love reading about Postcrossers. 😊
Enjoyed reading about your journey in Postcrossing.
It's very warm and a nice story! I like the sentences “If you are not curious, you are not smart.” and "fear of strangers is built into our DNA". The truth is it. But we can change it better!
Thanks a lot for sharing Simon's story! 😀 I was delighted to see my snow card in the picture. 😊 Happy Postcrossing, Simon!
Great Story!
I hope one day, randomly I will extract your address or vice versa :)
Who knows!!!
Life is good and has mysterious ways!
:) Happy Postcrossing!
I wrote a snowy card to Simon. Great to find it back here between many snowy cards he recieved.
What a delight it was to read this Postcrossing Spotlight about a fellow Arizonan! The long, hot summer is fast approaching, and I, too, will be requesting snowy postcards to keep cool!
Great story!!!! I live in a snowy area aswell and I like the idea of snow postcards when living in a hot part of this great Planet.Compliments to Simon ciao!!!!
I like the idea of snowy postcard in summer! I'll do it! I live in a place where it's easy to find automn and winter card but not so much for summer. Thanks!
I just finished my card for Simon and will post it tomorrow! it's great to get to know him through the blog!
Almost 3 years ago I received a postcard from Simon. When I saw this blog, I remembered him! That is one thing I love about Postcrossing, is remembering who I sent to or received from. As I scan all my postcards, when I searched his name on my received cards, the pretty Arizona picture came up. Arizona is a great place when it is 75*F! I get why you asked for SNOW postcards!
How crazy! I just sent a postcard to Simon a few weeks ago - what are the odds :D
Hi Simon,
I enjoyed reading your blog. This community is all about hope and a way to break barriers. Your eyes twinkle just showing how curious you are just like a child. Thank you for spreading happiness. love from Chennai, India
I sent Simon a postcard in 2018
https://www.postcrossing.com/postcards/AU-642572
I was pleased that he didn't mind an advertising card, some of them are so lovely. He seemed happy with the one I sent.
What a wonderful human. I would love the world to be more just and equal. Maybe then the fear would not act so rampant in people’s minds.
I will have to read about Seth Godin.
Oh, I love burros in general. Lovely species. Cool to meet a human Burrow.
nice
Congratulations Mr. Simon. I love snow myself though this winter in Buffalo is a little warm.
Such a humour person, the joke with your name is hilarious. Nic e to meet a happy person!
I love your blog as much as I love Postcrossing. And your picture visiting the Women World Cup football is great although we loose 😉😥. I wish you and your family all the best and keep on going loving Postcrossing. Groeten from JoyceM
I love Postcrossing and all about it - not only postcards themselves, I think the people - such as Simon - are making this project so cool! :) In 2 weeks we'll go to Phoenix (yeeeaaahhh!!!) - it would be so hilarious to meet Simon at the museum :)
As I always say, "Meeting other Postcrossers" is one of my favorite things about POSTCROSSING. I grew up in Phoenix where we had "dry heat" but it was always great to receive anything that made us Think Cool. I now live in South Texas where it is also hot (but humid)...we actually had 80degree F. (27degree C.) weather this week (in February) and I enjoyed seeing your display of Snow Cards...very timely. Continue to enjoy Postcrossing.
Amazing story.
I am glad to have sent you a postcard!
Thank you so much for the message and advise.
Hello Simon,
on February 11, 2019 I received a wonderful map (Route 66 - Main Street of America) from you. Great to meet you here again.
Postcrossing makes it possible!
Reading your comments, Simon, made me smile because here in Minnesota where I live, I am beginning to happily anticipate Spring, melting snow and warming temperatures -- and there you are in Arizona imagining the cold snow. I have visited Phoenix and Scotsdale many times, in both winter and summer months, to enjoy my love of the desert and dry heat. Especially golf in the winter!
Awesome !
I enjoyed Simon's story, and his request for snow-themed cards is inspired. Great idea. More profiles, please!
Very beautiful story 😍
Very cool! Greetings from a fellow Arizonian
Postcrossing makes life easy and better!!
Be curious , be smart!
So enjoyed reading this story! Thank you for sharing!
It's nice to know more about " Our neighbors from postcard " Thanks.
I received a postcard today from Simon of Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. I very much enjoyed his message and reading his story!
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