September 3, 2021 — This is one of 20 NEW DESIGNS that we’d planned to show you next Friday, once they are all off-press and ready for purchase. But considering that millions of fellow Americans will spend this holiday weekend picking up the pieces of their lives … we couldn’t wait to share it!

At the same time we wish better days for those facing such bad ones right now, let’s take to heart some Hannlis wisdom. “We will all suffer set-backs and sorrow in our lifetime,” she said, speaking from 97 years of experience. “And because that’s just a matter of time, it’s terribly important to embrace every joy that comes our way.”

Our cardie oma is currently on the coast of Rhode Island visiting her youngest son. She rang me yesterday to report, “I’ve enjoyed watching Matthew surf this whole afternoon. It’s been so sad to see on the news the devastation Ida has caused, especially when there’s nothing I can do but pray, so it felt wonderful to watch Matthew taking advantage of her waves!”

Just between us, Hannlis may never surf again 😉 but how life-affirming she is! Day after day here on Miami Beach, my friend and neighbor makes her way to the balcony outside my second floor apartment. There she calls down to everyone she knows heading for the beach, “Have a swim for me!” If ever she senses I’m dragging my feet, reluctant to leave this lifelong mermaid behind, she’ll insist, “Go enjoy!” and mean both words.

To many, Labor Day represents the last great gasp of summer, Mother Earth urging us to get out there and experience her many pleasures before the weather turns. Cardies, you can still hold a good thought for those whose time of trouble has come, while heeding your own Hannlis nudge to, “Go enjoy!” And with any luck, you’ll run into one of these kindred spirits along the way.

Have yourself a good, safe Labor Day weekend.

Jodee Stevens
Founder & Chief Creative

It’s hard to imagine anyone loving tennis more than Gay Gelman, whose father taught his whippersnapper to play with gusto growing up on Chicago’s North Shore.

Now living in L.A., Gay used her passion for the sport to help us craft this card message a few years ago. She’s since sought a shorter court and racquet, and become an avowed pickleballer!

Even before Gay began lobbying from Los Angeles for a pickleball card, Anne Scott-Putney was doing the same from Cape Cod. When we put these two clever heads together, we knew the result would appeal to active cardies coast-to-coast :)

Anne and her partner in pickleball as well as life, Astrid, are both in leagues. It was Anne who rightly insisted, “Pickleball is hot! We need it on a card!”

Liza Greenberg knows of what she writes! “Gliding across the surface of the ocean gives a unique perspective — somewhere between being above and under the water.

While standup paddleboarding (SUP),” Liza describes, “I’ve spotted dolphins, sharks, rays, tarpon, snook, turtles, reefs, sponges, coral … I always bring my mask, fins, and snorkel to my SUP, so when I spot, I can plunge!”