I Luv Foxglove

"Jemima alighted rather heavily, and began to waddle about in search of a convenient dry nesting-place. She rather fancied a tree-stump amongst some tall fox-gloves. But – seated upon the stump, she was startled to find an elegantly dressed gentleman reading a newspaper."
~from Jemima Puddleduck by Beatrix Potter

That was my introduction to the wildflower known as foxglove, and when I had the pleasure of seeing Miss Potter’s home in the Lake District of England, I was also able to see it growing in the area that informed her writing. I remember being told how the plant got its common name (foxes wearing them on their paws as they quietly raided hen houses) -- both flower and tale became inseparably linked to my wonderful memories of that trip. Associations are powerful things, aren’t they?

More than twenty-five years have passed since then, and each time I read that story to my children, I think of that pretty flower that I assumed belonged to the English countryside alone. *smile* Ignorance is not bliss.

Early this summer, Triple T uploaded a picture of foxglove growing in her garden – foxglove in the United States! (Yes, I have since learned that it grows in many places in this country, but back to my story.) I mentioned my surprise to her, and when my husband and I had the pleasure of being escorted around the Olympic Peninsula, she quickly pointed them out to me -- and SHH made a special stop for me just so I could get some pics.


What a wonderful day we had with our lovely tour guides . . . driving along the Hood Canal, stopping at the Dungeness Spit for an oh-so-yum lunch, walking up a little trail for some nice photo opportunities, popping in at a lavender farm (I shall return), heading up to windy Hurricane Ridge, walking the Moments in Time Trail at Lake Crescent, enjoying the stones and driftwood at Ruby Beach, and climbing the “Big Cedar Tree” (just me . . . little girl inside could not resist) before stopping for some pizza. All of those highlights and more with ‘specially selected music in the background!

[Slideshow looks better if you click here.]

We spent that entire day driving from one scenic spot to another, so why did I choose to talk about the foxglove? I don’t really know. I think I liked my pictures of it. ;-)


What are these anecdotes doing on a letterboxing blog? Well, SHH and Triple T are connection enough for me, but if that’s too big a stretch for you, SHH handed me a special copy of her PNW LTC just before I left town . . . a foxglove! ;-)

Perilous Beauty

Isn’t it interesting what can stem from a single, simple thought?

In a conversation last spring, SHH mentioned something about the moon over Mt. Rainier. I was puzzled until she explained that her kitchen window perfectly framed the mountain. She spoke so eloquently and with such an appreciation for her unique view, that I decided to share her thoughts with my husband, who loves mountain vistas. I was certain that he would “ooh” and “aah,” but he just sat there quietly. I probed, “I thought you would love this.” His response? “Well, I don’t just want to hear about it; I want to go there and see it!”


The mountain had not been visible for about a week when we arrived in Washington, and SHH warned that if she could not see it in her window, we shouldn’t bother trying to hike it. (Oh, my hubby would have been quite disappointed.) As late as Monday, the day before the scheduled trek, Mt. Rainier was still in hiding, and we were all still praying. When we awoke Tuesday morning, there it was! Woohoo!

As we entered the park, we tuned in to the national park radio welcome which aptly described Mt. Rainier as “a glacier-clad volcano of immense proportion . . . you’ll discover a dynamic landscape of perilous beauty.”


[Click here for a better view of the slideshow.]

The photos are arranged chronologically: a surprise view from our hotel window, an invitation to a quick peek from “the” window, a scenic spot behind a lake on the way to the park, and many shots as we continued on and eventually hiked one of the snow-covered trails. It was absolutely gorgeous! My last shot of this special mountain was taken from the airplane window as we headed home – but I’ll wait to share that one in a later post.

No letterboxes did we seek that morning (national park, you know), but I did have opportunity to get some ink on my fingers later that evening. That deserves its own post. ;-)

Making My Day

Yes, I know that I am slow. ;-) For those who have asked to see the pics from my recent trip to the PNW, I have finally found the simplest way to do that, I hope!

Though the trip was a belated 20th anniversary getaway, the first day was reserved for “girls’ day” (as my husband called it) with SHH and Triple T. Pretty cool, eh?

In preparation for that particular day, Liz asked, “What do you want to do?”

I confess, it took me a ridiculously long time to answer that question; in contrast, it took my dear friends no time at all to fashion a day from my response. I had written my thoughts as a free-flowing, “what if I could do anything and everything my heart desired” wish list – you know, something nice and long so they would have plenty from which to choose – at least, that’s what I was thinking! There is no way I can adequately describe all of the surprises that were woven into this adventure – it was as if my list had grown legs and started walking! I guess that’s what comes from handing such a list to an “all or nothing” type! *smile*



Not realizing how closely we had parked to the ocean, I stepped out of the car, took one breath, and . . . oh, what a wonderful smell . . . I turned my head and caught my first glimpse of the Pacific. Yes!


As we grabbed cameras and headed to the beach, I was keenly aware that my senses were being uniquely engaged! The handful of sand I grabbed was so unlike our own in color and texture; even the sound of the waves seemed different than those of the Gulf Coast. One, two, three, four . . . yes, all but one of my senses took in the Pacific Ocean that morning. (We all agreed tasting things would be a bad idea.) Oh, what an introduction! ;-)


All of the wonderful photographs and stories that I had seen and heard from these friends were beginning to unfold again in our many walks on the beach, frequent letterboxing stops, essential driving music, and conversation – what excellent company! We closed the day with a stop for a special WOM box . . . so thoughtful.



[For a better look at the photos click here.]

As I write, I keep thinking of a little song from the movie, Babe:

If I had words to make a day for you
I’d sing you a morning golden and new
I would make this day last for all time
Give you a night deep in moonshine.

To be sure, that was a day made for me. I went to bed feeling exceedingly thankful and so very special!

Buckle Up!

I don’t know about other moms, but mine had a special way of working music into the everyday for us. If something could be said, it could also be sung. If something was to be taught, then it was best sung. As a result, when the safety plug for seatbelts aired, she adopted it and we were often reminded with . . .



Just ask my children who are too young to have watched it -- but are not too old to have forgotten their grandmother singing the same to them.

Though she was a strong advocate for a safe ride, Mama often spoke fondly of the days when my dad had rigged a playpen/bed across the back seat of our black Falcon. This sheet of plywood covered the entire back area of the car, had a cutout for the diaper pail, and was covered with a quilted pallet for naptime. Those were the days, huh?

Even if we could legally ride unbelted, I would still buckle. But, you know, I think I would have a hard time convincing a couple of my friends that this is true.

On my recent trip to the Pacific Northwest (see sidebar), buckling up became a bit of a conversation generator. I suppose I have a bit of a routine when I’m driving: get my stuff where it goes, buckle up, drive -- in that order. As a passenger with an inordinate amount of stuff, I was slow to “click it” during the first few days of my trip. My routine was in need of adjustment, to say the least.

The morning of our first excursion laid the foundation for my newly hatched reputation for lawlessness. SHH at the wheel, we took off for an adventure. I was getting settled and decided to move to the middle of the back seat right about the same time that my beloved driver decided to pull into the Starbucks parking lot. One quick turn sent the unbuckled me back to my original seat, and tossed my little stuffed companion onto the floorboard, all fours up!

By the end of the week, I had this buckle-up-first-settle-in-later thing down – but something tells me it will take years to convince SHH and Triple T that I really do voluntarily buckle up. This might require several trips – first impressions are pretty strong!




(This little movie is just my practicing. I am trying to decide how I will post my trip pics. By the way, the song in the background is called, "To Be Held.")

Tying the Celtic Knot

ithout a doubt, we have Irish blood coursing through our veins, along with strong French and Acadian lines, very German genes, many English ancestors, and bits of Dutch, Italian, Micmaw, and Cherokee trickling from over a century ago. My husband jests that I have given “hybrid vigor” to our children. *smile* No banjos playing in my camp!!!

Having said all of that, it is our Irish heritage that has come to the forefront lately. At the close of the summer, one of my “little” sisters plans to be married; and because of our beloved Irish roots and the same of her fiancé, they have chosen to weave that theme throughout their wedding. This is where I come in. ;-)

Knowing my affinity for carving, my sister asked that I carve something that she could use as a theme image for her wedding. No, the request was not as broad as that; she wanted a pair of Celtic cranes like the ones she had seen somewhere . . . oh, help . . .

I finally found a suitable image that had a vintage look and seemed to capture the feel that she sought. It was originally carved or impressed into clay, and I had a difficult time following the Celtic knotting. Over? Under? Over? Under? My eyes literally began to cross as I worked with the image. Finally, I was able to produce something I thought I could carve without inviting disaster.

The result was pleasantly surprising, despite the condition of the original image and the criticism I always heap upon my work. A scanned copy is in her hands, and she is delighted.

Before these little cranes make their way as a gift to the bride and groom, though, I intend to get some mileage out of them. Perhaps a virtual letterbox image as per the new rules. Maybe some LTCs. We’ll see.

When I have had my fun, I’ll encase the stamp in a felt-lined wooden box bearing its image.

Congratulations, you two! We love you both.