By and large, the response divided itself into three categories: 1) “Go get ’em, tiger!” 2) From our jaded, cynical friends, something to the effect, “Loved your cover. . .how often can you run it?” 3) From a marvelous breed of postal workers, ranging from mail carriers to the postmaster of one of the country’s largest post offices, a sense of hurt personal pride and outrage, telling me in various ways to drop dead.
A number of readers complimented me on the “clever” cover, and I want to disown any cleverness. I felt at the time that it was a stupid and embarrassing cover. It merely represented, on the one hand, a practical solution to having nothing on hand as a substitute, and on the other, a rather personal expression of my complete frustration at something that was not a forgivable, isolated incident, but the latest in a long series of postal screw-ups.
The “lost” cover eventually showed at my printer, long after it could be used, and I show it here to satisfy the cynics who doubted there ever was a cover. This small black-and-white reproduction does not do justice to the very colorful, snappy graphics.
By far the most interesting mail I received was from postal workers. I answered them all with long, detailed accountings. I will share excerpts from one, a postal worker in Fairbanks, Alaska, who originally had royally bawled me out, but who wrote sympathetically after she understood the problems. “. . .I feel we have a bit more pride in our work (I know I do) because so many people rely on us for their necessities, especially those in the remote villages who get everything, from groceries and clothing to tires and tailpipes, by way of the Postal Service. . .I guess I took your cover personally and felt unjustly insulted. And I’ll also admit my anger was prompted by the fact that I spend many an hour unloading 50-lb bags of magazines. Once again, I wish to apologize, and see your grievance quite clearly. I wish you better luck with your mail service, and if it doesn’t improve, perhaps you’ll consider moving to Fairbanks. Aside from the fact that it’s beautiful, breathtaking country, we have excellent mail service. Your letter took two days to reach me.”
I salute you, Kathleen Quinn of Fairbanks, and all the other postal workers who still have pride. I just wish to hell there were more of you.
