Special Delivery

Courtesy The Beacon News

When we were children we delighted in receiving it. As adults we are not quite so enthused. I am talking about the mail.
"Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these courageous couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds."
That is the correct quotation. Most of us are familiar with some version and most of us attribute it to the U.S. Postal Service. We are wrong. The Greek historian Herodotus, who was referring to Persian mounted postal couriers, first uttered this about 500 B.C.
The postal service does not actually have an official slogan. However, back in 1896 when the New York City General Post Office was designed, the architectural firm came up with the idea of engraving this saying on the outside of the building.
We tend to take mail delivery for granted. I guess that is not surprising, as we don't remember life before mail delivery. In October of 1896 Congress approved rural free delivery.
Because receiving mail is a daily occurrence, we all require a mailbox. What does your mailbox look like? Is it the correct size, conveniently located, in good repair and does it look attractive with the style of your home? I think the mailbox has been somewhat neglected by many homeowners. It may be time to consider replacing your mailbox.
The first factor to determine is the type of mailbox. Depending on where you live, you might be required to have one that is accessible from the road. Your neighborhood may have covenants that determine the style of your mailbox. This may restrict you a bit from the freedom to express your individual style with your mailbox. But even with those limitations you can still do some lovely gardening around the mailbox. Embellish it in the fall with corn stalks, gourds or Indian corn. To celebrate the holiday season, wrap the post to look like a candy cane or decorate it with evergreen garland to add some festive cheer.
If you have no such restrictions, you will need to decide if you want a free-standing mailbox, a mail slot or one you can hang on your home or fence. You might be wondering about the fence, but it makes sense if you have fenced your entire yard and let your dog out there periodically. Your postal carrier will appreciate the dog-free access to your mailbox.
There are some lovely mailboxes in different and historically appropriate styles. Styles include Victorian, Craftsman, Tudor or even 1950s ranch. You can buy mailboxes that can be built into a brick or stone pillar. If you have a whimsical side you might want a mailbox that is a little more creative. I found mailboxes in a variety of bird and animal styles. You can choose from parrots, pink flamingoes, crocodiles, polar bears, cows, horses, roosters, and a variety of dogs and cats. If that does not appeal to you, try modes of transportation. The pink Cadillac, red fire truck, motorcycle, locomotive, tractor or plane might be more your style. If you have a bit of nautical flair, you might choose a mailbox that looks like a fish, dolphin or lighthouse.
Another mailbox option is one that locks. The postal carrier does not need to carry a key. The mail can be deposited through an "incoming" slot or door. Once the mail is deposited, baffles that make it difficult to fit a hand inside protect the mail. The homeowner gets in by unlocking a separate door.
Before becoming caught up in the style of the mailbox you might want to determine the size mailbox you need. I have seen some that hang on the wall that are quite tiny. They can easily hold letters and bills, but if you get a lot of catalogs or magazines they may not work well. The pre-holiday catalog invasion is starting up already. Just yesterday, I got nine catalogs and a gardening magazine. That takes up a lot of room in the mailbox.
Depending on the style of your front entry, you may decide on a smaller letterbox and a larger bin or box for catalogs, magazines or other packages. In this day and age of mail order and Internet ordering, you might want a designated space for package deliveries that protects them from the elements.
Because this is a busy mail season, it is the perfect time to analyze your mail needs. Jot down the number of pieces of mail you receive during the next couple of weeks. Then when you go out on a mailbox hunt, you will know the minimum size to purchase. The other thing to consider is the type and location. Just because the mailbox was there when you moved in, doesn't mean it is the most convenient style or location for you.
When we first moved here, we had a mail slot. That meant the mail was strewn across the porch floor every day. When we remodeled the front porch and entry we eliminated the mail slot. We installed a freestanding mailbox. Granted, the mail used to be delivered right into the house and now I have to step outside and brave the elements.
However, if the postal carrier can withstand rain, snow, heat and darkness, I can manage a 10-foot walk out my front door to retrieve my mail.Linda Holmes is chairman of the board of directors of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry of Greater Chicagoland, and a certified remodeler with a home improvement and remodeling business based in Aurora. She may be contacted at the e-mail address ccremodelers@sbcglobal.net.
10/31/04