I have restored the M.I.A. "It's a Holiday". New stamp, new log and
NEW HIDING PLACE. I hope it will be a little safer here. I hope it
will be just the thing on a schlusshy weekend for frustrated
letterboxers.
Knights of Colombo - please update the website with this text.
Scarab of the Doubtful Guests
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It's a Holiday 3: the Jester
Confirmed MIA Feb 9, 2003
Placed by Scarab of the Doubtful Guests
December 13, 2002
New Valentine stamp 1/14/2, MIA 2/9/3
Replaced with the Jester 2/21/3 and clues altered.
Arlington County
Arlington, Virginia
Hand made stamp
Easy, indoors
Twas the nightmare before Christmas
And all through the mall
Anxious shoppers were rushing
Praying Pentagon City had it all.
I arrived by the Metro
And went straight to the top
To consult with the Wizard
And visit his shop.
Puzzling place. Puzzling Wizard.
"Which it's the number of brown tiles between our doorway you wants."
"For what, want for what?"
"Only Santy Claws and that Scarab fellow know and neither one of them
is telling me.
Go ask that Joseph at the bank around the corner.
That's the place to look if he deposited somethin' int it?"
Joseph, I discovered, was full of hang ups.
"I haven't a clue," he answered to my enquiries,
"but you remind me of that puzzling fellow I saw the other day.
He walked away from our window around the curve of the balcony
counting the small potted trees.
Did it several times like he was trying to be sure of something.
I don't know how long those trees have been there myself,
Nor how long they'll stay."
One, two, three ... Finally I sat on the right side of a long white
bench with a fine view.
Behind me immediately over my right shoulder was a mall map.
Across the wide atrium from me the glass elevator rose and fell.
Almost directly below me I gazed down the tree at Santa on his golden
chair.
"Wow, a natural Santa."
"What's an unnatural Santa, Dad?"
I reached down between my knees as if I was pulling up my sock,
And surreptitiously reached under the frontof the bench.
"May I help you?" asked the guard suspiciously.
"OH, um, I thought I lost my keys" I said while holding the fuzzy
velcro covered, black, dual film cannisters in one hand,
"Wait, here they are in my other pocket."
"Alright then, happy holidays to you."
"And to you." Whew.
I spent a pleasant time recording in the scroll and enjoying the
expansive view.
Then I went all the way around and all the way down to celebrate in
the food court.
Merry letterboxing to all, and to all a good hike.
It's now long after Christmas but who wants to let go of the
holidays. Now when you look down at the food court below, the
Christmas tree is gone; instead you are looking at the center of an
octagonal tile pattern. But hey, there is always another holiday
coming up. I have made "It's a Holiday" a seasonal box with changing
stamps. The Royal French Court Fashion Valentine went M.I.A. I
placed a new microbox with the next holiday stamp and changed the
location slightly. Now showing: "It's a Holiday 3: the Jester".
Please be discreet. Please do not turn over benches or look like
you're searching all over if you're not sure. It may go M.IA. again.
I will note so here. If you find this letterbox missing or damaged
or are puzzled about the clues write theDoubtfulGuests@yahoo.com.