It has been many days since I have spent time here at my blogspots. First I had my car leave me stranded on the side of the freeway...this was going on just as other things took me away from the computer already...then as many of you know My Uncle Bud took a turn for the worse. He passed away on Thanksgiving. After Bud's burial on the 27th of November, I came home and wanted to carve a stamp. I didn't really plan a stamp of Bud but that's what I ended up doing. Even though I began work on a postal letterbox for that stamp that is dedicated to his memory... I just didn't feel like getting on here and doing much writing and editing.

Things are getting back to normal slowly...I have been participating in a couple of postal rings (which I am enjoying) and I have made a couple of pretty decent log books.

I still don't have all the clues and web pages etc up for my newest "Personal Mystery" that I was working on well before Bud passed away. My DSL got is gone!!! Good Grief...what a hassle. I had opted out of putting my DSL charges on my phone bill and was paying them seperately via automatic credit card payment each month. Suddenly I had a note from Verizon saying my account was "pulled" because it had come to their attention I was not being charged for the service on my phone bill and therefore couldn't have paid for the service. Funny...I had inquired about a charge on my bill for a service I don't even have when they saw DSL charges were not on my phone bill. When I coughed up the proof of payment it was too late for Verizon to stop the "order to pull service".

Holy Automated phone attendants Batman!! Hopefully no one needs to get any truly helpful assisstance thru Verizon (by way of the phone) no time soon. Gave a complete understanding of the phrase "passing the buck".

I still have no DSL and I promise...when or if it ever gets resolved...I will be adding new stuff here and throughout all my Blogs. I will eventually get caught up I suppose. It just seems like it's so far away. My DSL is not supposed to be back online until the 23rd. YUCK!!! Dial-Up....YUCK, YUCK, YUCK!!!!

On a happier note. I carved a very cool little lady named "Luna". Luna is part of Sprite's Fairy Ring. Luna is so named because she was born of moon light. I am proud of Luna...even though she feels lost and alone.

Uncle Bud (the Postal Letterbox) is on his trip. I can't wait to hear updates etc on his travels.

DixieKin

:o)
Hey you guys...!!
All of you who have decided you don't care for postals too much...
all I can say is in at least this one instance...
you all are missing out!!

I just got a certain postal box yesterday and I wish this incredible creation could be shared with the entire LB community. You just ain't gonna find a box like this out in the wild.

Oh, I know...there are places to hike to etc that just take your breath away and that makes many boxes extra special...but this postal is an inspiration.

I have not been doing this very long now mind ya and haven't seen many boxes...but good googly moogly...this thing is gorgeous. I can't imagine how much time and thought..oh and craftsmanship has went into this.

I feel like I found a true treasure in this one!!

The Great Houdini by orion has come in here like a whirlwind...entertained us all and is gone again!! (Applause!)

Woo Hoo !!

Celtic Quinn is the First Finder

of Canned by Hand

Excitment builds as I await the arrival of the Great Houdini. Just today I received confirmation, in the form of a highly prized and decorative momento, that Houdini is beginning his travels around the country and my place is on his list of visits.

this post is in regards to the Great Houdini Postal LB by Orion. Thanks Orion!!

Oh my LooLoo!!
I think I might actually have
gotten these blog pages ready to view

what a tangled web I have spun...ughhhh!!

ah heck...it's been fun...or I wouldn't be doing it!!

I think I kinda like this Blogging...
simpler than trying to keep up with all the web pages and the files that go with them...then the web hosting headaches...Whewww!!

I have been working on dixiekin blogs but have neglected my letterbox page (hosted at my original web domain) with clues etc.

Bear with me...I'll get there!!

Fun Day yesterday...

It could have been a bit more productive if I had started out earlier in the day...
but there were some real life issues that needed some attention first...
ya know, feed the family, trip to the home improvement store for stove pipe...we must eat and must keep warm this winter.

We took off to find the Cherokee letterboxes in Robbinsville, NC. These are 2 of the boxes I will start maintaining for kayaklil.

The gravesite of Junaluska gave a good little history lesson. Too bad the herbs and native plants highlighted in the Medicine Trail had all died back or was covered with fallen leaves. Good reason to go back in late Spring.

I can't do long hikes anymore. My body has aged beyond my true years and a mile hike might as well be 5 miles anymore. That really "blows".

This trail is short and easy for me. Nice.
The letterboxes were a bit stale and soggy but with new baggies and some clean up...they are good to go for another season.

The kids (pretty big kids now) had a good time in the woods in another area away from the trail. I laughed until I was sore. :~) That brought back memories of my growing up...I stayed in the woods!!

oh sorry, back on subject...
The trail is easy, quiet, and very educational. This place is a nice memorial for some Native people. Everyone in the area or passing through should go hunt these boxes. FUN

My mind has been working on some new ideas.
Hidden clues...
I keep getting side tracked from those.
I keep thinking up stamps to carve even though I have ideas for at least 2 dozen others in my head that I can't possibly get done. I could probably benefit from a little note book that i would jot down ideas for stamps in...only thing...I'd probably loose track of the book while cluttering my thoughts with more stamp or clue possibilities.

humpf....

I'm excited.

Ha...I am always laughing and saying how it "don't take much to entertain us" with regards to how much fun my family has with simple things. sometimes I think those things are things that can only be discovered by truly bored people...but no, if we were so bored we wouldn't be laughing so often.

anyway...I'm excited. I have 4 boxes in the area I need to go search for now that may need some TLC. I guess you could say the boxes need adopting. They were not deserted but the caretaker is no longer living in the area and really does need help keeping the boxes maintained etc.

Glad to do it!! it's like getting a new puppy or something.

happy, happy, joy, joy!!

No matter how much I deny it (to myself) the Witche's Bloom box may be one of those that is plagued with problems. It was the very first box I placed. I did it on a whim after reading an artical done in a regional magazine.

I knew a story about the rocky knob where i wanted to plant the box...the legend and a store bought flower stamp was all I had to go on. I tried to conjure up my forgotten imagination....and whata ya know...after completing my clues (or story)...I felt good about it. It was unique.

I have realized some things that may be problems in the future with this box...and if that worry wasn't enough...

Well, about a week ago I got an email from some well-meaning geocachers who had found the box out in the open. They did rehide it... but where?? It is not where it sounds as though they put it.

I will not disturb the area by digging thru every inch of leaves, branches or rocks in the vicinity of it's original hiding place. That would go against how I believe this should be done and how I am trying to teach the kids to do it.

I've looked twice...It's lost...so I have just replaced the box. I had to replace the stamp anyway. The only thing truly lost is the impressions left by the first few finders. This I regret.

Some say I should just do away with the box but I am not ready to give up on it yet. It sparked a storm of interest and obviously means something to me.

Dang...who was it that said you shouldn't get emotionally attached to a Letterbox??