All of my monthly bills are paid online and most of my correspondences other than speaking are done via email or texting so it’s a rare event to actually have to formulate a letter to a friend with paper, envelope and stamp. That rare event happened today.

Searching my desk drawer for an envelope I found a single non-used business reply one. It was quite bruised but acceptable for use, no rips or tears and plenty of clean area to write my friends addresss. Beside it was a half used book of postage stamps with a picture of a bell on each but had no price markings. Not sure how old they were or if one of them would be enough to use for mailing I decided to take a chance and use one. Maybe I would be getting a bargain or maybe the letter would be returned for insufficient funds, I would let the post office decide. After licking the stamp I applied it to the little box on the top right hand corner that said “place stamp here.” I thought to myself how stupid people could be if they needed direction on where to place the postage stamp on the envelope. What would be the consequences if the stamp was placed a little to the left or right of the box? I looked closely and noticed that I violated the confines of the stamp box by a few millimeters. I inserted the letter, licked the envelope flap and secured it shut. Then I noticed more rules on the back of the envelope, “Make sure to enclose your payment” and Make sure to sign the check.” I carefully opened the envelope and inserted a signed check and secured it once again. I sure hope my friend gets this letter.