Goodbye, Napkin Doon

Today marks the end of Napkin Doon's blogging career. While we can always hope he attempts a Jordanesque comeback (the first comeback!), I'm not so sure we'll see it. Nap has made the respectable decision to leave the card blogging world while he is at the top of his game. He's on to bigger and better things.

I consider Napkin Doon a true friend. Without knowing it, the first time we traded, he picked me up from a dark, dark day in my life. While the details of what happened that day are personal, I got home that night, checked the mail, and my first trade package from Nap was there. See, we had been going back and forth on a few cards he showed me, and at the time, I didn't have enough quality tradebait for everything that Napkin offered. I told him as much, and kindly requested one card, and said that I'd trade for the rest another time. I was truly happy with my end of the deal though.

However, as you darned collectors seem to do, you send more than what was bargained for. Napkin sent all the cards we had discussed, not just the ones we agreed to for our trade. I was floored. I was in a rough place, and while that certainly didn't fix the personal situation I was in, for a moment, it lifted me. He included a note that said, "You'll appreciate these more than I will." He had no idea.


Another moment a few months later sticks out as well. After my son was born, I received the usual array of "congrats" messages. That was all that was needed. Yet, a bubble mailer showed up a few days later. When I opened it, I found some sports-themed burp clothes for the new baby.

We gave each other plenty of grief over the years, but it was all in good fun. We got past the point of formal trades and just send bubble mailers back and forth, each one usually containing a laugh or something that doesn't quite make it to the blogs.

Nap, thanks for keeping us on our toes around here. While I think you always felt like a bit of a black sheep around these parts, please know that your work was always appreciated and enjoyable.

Best of luck, and I hope to see your name pop up in the comments section here and there. You know where to find us.

For good measure, here are a few of the cards Nap sent me over the years. Not all of them will make you drool, although some will surely hurt your eyes.