The Delayed Christmas Stamps
I ordered various stamps for the holidays from the US Postal Service at the beginning of this month. I first asked how long it would take before I received them. I was told four to five days. I proceeded to write my holiday cards. I waited and waited and waited. Finally I used non-festive stamps to mail them. Those I had plenty of. Finally, I called. I was told they were en route. I waited some more. No stamps. Called again this past Saturday. I was told they would arrive before midnight. It was cold and snowy and slushy! Sunday morning I poked my head outside the front door. I was in my dressing gown and bedroom slippers. I looked about me just in case someone saw me in my state of déshabillé. I was safe. To be on the safe side, I just stuck my hand in the mailbox and let my fingers do the searching. Nothing! I now poked my head out and peeked into the mailbox. Nothing. It was a raw morning. Hurriedly, I closed the door. My hands and feet were beginning to get cold, and I began to shiver. I poured myself a warm cup of tea and went back upstairs to drink it.
“Foolish woman!” I chided myself. “It’s Sunday! Did you really expect to receive your stamps today?”
I wrapped myself in a blanket, stretched my legs on the ottoman, and decided that on such a cold and grey day I would watch some old Christmas films on the classical film channel. The sight outside my window presented squirrels playing tag up and down the dogwood tree. There was a flurry of snow to make the scene more delightful. I felt completely decadent curled up toasty and warm watching old movies. Once I felt hungry, I trundled back downstairs for a bowl of nice hearty soup. Before the soup, I decided to take another peek at the mailbox. Of course, there was no mail. I continued to vegetate. In the evening, I took a shower, got into a fresh flannel nightgown, powdered and perfumed myself, and got into bed.
First thing this morning, I looked at the mailbox once more. Not a blessed thing! I was beginning to get annoyed. However, at about noon, there was a packet! At last!
It read PRIORITY MAIL
USPS PRIORITY MAIL
Date shipped 2020-12-07
Priority 4
Date of Arrival 2020-12-21
On Saturday, I received a Christmas card from Poland.
It is stamped 16.12.2020! It arrived on 19.12.2020!
Well, at least I do not have to buy holiday stamps next year!
```