I mailed my blocks for the February Lotto Tuesday. The tracking feature says they’ll be delivered today. The Bow Tie blocks were a day late last month according to that tracking, so who knows?

I took them in Monday. I was there 10 minutes before closing and was the only customer.

I had the label already printed but needed one of their big envelopes to put the blocks in. I would put the blocks in envelope, stick the label on, pay cash, and be on my way. Three minutes at most.

I chose the envelope, started putting the blocks in and decided I needed a bigger envelope. I turned to the stand, maybe five feet away, to choose a different one.

When I turned back to the counter, less than a minute later, the temporary, substitute postman had basically shoved my blocks into the first envelope and slapped my label on. He was poking the edges of the blocks down into the envelope.

They were not smooth and softly folded like I would do them. I tried to straighten the exposed edges.

He grumbled, “I need to get this in the bag.” and started sealing it.

I was shocked. I still had six minutes before closing; it was 45 minutes before the pick up.

I was still the only person there...but I was afraid if I complained, or tried to move the blocks to the larger envelope, the package would “be delayed,” “mis-routed,” or subjected to some sort of abuse.

I am not a shy violet; I have 62 years under my belt and nine years of military service. I know how to stand up for myself. Still, I didn’t think this was a battle my Sunshine & Shadows blocks could win.

I smiled, paid, and watched him secure the package in the large, locked bag that gets picked up for transport to Grand Forks.

The regular post master is a wonderful professional. She is helpful and courteous. She would have never treated a package like this. But she had the nerve, LOL, to take a day off and leave the unsuspecting citizens of this lost-on-the-prairie village to the wiles of Mr. Grumpy.

My blocks were starched within an inch of their lives. His hands were clean. I’m sure and resultant wrinkles will steam right out, but I am sorry they were not rolled and placed in the envelope in a more careful manner.

I’ve started on March’s blocks. I’ve printed the mailing label. I brought three properly-sized envelopes home. The blocks will go to the post office next month ready to hand over.