It was so good to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones so I
could put a name to a face. Trish, thanks for putting together the
local Wickford lettterboxes in time for the event. I did snag the
two right outside, and already had the the various letterboxes in the
area, but I am waiting for another time to do the downtown boxes.
Since we go to Wickford just about once a month, I can tell that I
know just where these other boxes are, and both are near
establishments we visit frequently. I wanted to save these for
another day, when our family does a "wander through Wickford with a
cup of quad skim latte" ( Yoo Hoo for the children ) and watch people
while perched on the steps of the Holistic Centre at the "T" at Brown
and Main Streets.

I wish to thank everyone for being so welcoming and nice to Nutty
Buddy (the Asian girl who accompanied my daughter, Pretty Kitty, who,
after a sleepover with a gaggle of girls at my house following a
middle school dance Friday night, got a crash course on letterboxing
Saturday morning. Since for my children, letterboxing events are old
hat, it was great to see the wonder through the eyes of a teenager's
first experience. Now she wants to go letterboxing all the time. In
fact, the bug is in her and I'm sure she is going to want to
letterbox with me and Pretty Kitty all the time now. In her own
words - "It sure beats watching TV and playing video games on a nice
day. This is really really fun, being outdoors and thinking and
getting treasures." One less teenager "unplugged" and outdoors
getting exercise. Amen. I think the word will spread like wildfire
at the middle school. Always a good thing. Since my children never
had had Game Boys, Nintendo, X-Box, electronics, and computer gaming,
and never will, they are avid letterboxers (no flames please). They
particularly like the Magic Tree house series, having read them all.
It brings back a nostagia for when they were "little" (talk about a
different perspective).

My only regret - not being able to participate in the "story"
letterbox. I had to shoot out of there by 3 to make the drive home
before dusk and it was a 2 hour drive. My eyes can only take so
much. If someone has this as a traveller or personal letterbox,
please contact me off-line so I can contribute (somehow) to this
great box.

The food was excellent and I even managed to leave *without* eating
any "treats" - just salads and who the heck made the green bean,
tomato, and red onion salad? I ate a lot of that. I have made
a "gathering" recipe file in the "files" section of the official
site, so please post the recipes.

Thanks for finding my tofu "plants" mystery gathering box. I like to
plant mystery microboxes at indoor events. Last time there was a
line for the medicine cabinet at Moose Hill. This time it was hidden
amongst the food items in the kitchen. If anyone didn't get it, I'd
gladly send the image to you via email on a .jpg file because it will
be retired after the event. And the MST event stamp was truly a
work of art.

Chuck - thanks for bring Molly. Had I known, I would have brought a
box of doggie treats.

A special thank you for those of you in the know that greeted me
with "Hi Warrior Woman, it's XYZ". Between the various changes of
clothing throughout the event, I had a hard time distinguishing
boxers because of the change in appearance. You have been so
tolerant of my visual disability without making me feel like a
leper. As I say "Carpe Diem" because I never know what tomorrow will
bring. Lady Alafair, thank you for letting me off the bookbinding
class. I would slow everyone else down. And thank you to all
letterboxers who find my store bought stamps (all from Chica Ink)in
my boxes. Detailed work and a sharp instrument do not mix with me
*at all*.

And thanks to Tom No One, who organized the event. I wouldn't have
missed it for the world - barring torrential rain that is. I'd be
willing to do the drive, not being daunted by any weather (including
snow in August) but I'd be violating the terms of my parole ( aka my
driving restrictions ) if I even attempted such a drive in the rain (
and endangering my passengers and motorists in general). I have a
very restricted driving license, and I damn well want to keep my
license. Losing that would be the death of me.

I neglected to temporary pull Just Bass in the fury of Isabel. If
anyone finds this box, please let me know. I am the "guardian" of
this box, but I did not have sufficient time to temporary pull this
box before the sea swells, and I didn't think it was safe to yank it
today, given all the variables. The Pt. Judith letterbox (another
one for which I am a "guardian" was safely tucked in a bit inland, so
I know that one survived.

And the best part? Bring home four dirty sandy wet children who
slept like rocks tonight. My motto: At the end of the day, a clean
kid is a bored kid. I's rather do a ton of laundry than raise couch
potatoes. "Go outside and get dirty" is my approach.

Have I forgotten anything? This little bout of insomnia tonight has
my brain all fuzzy. I may think of more profuse thanks in the
morning, before leaving for Sunday School and church (I have taught
Senior High Sunday School for 20+ years now). No flames please. I'm
not a "whomp you upside the head with a Bible person", just your
ordinary Methodist. So don't think I'm going to try to "save" you.
My deeds speak louder than any words. At least I think so.

I just know I forgot a thanks here and there, but when clear headed
and not insomniac (so shoot me - I'm still full of adrenaline and
endorphines from today), I will express them to the board.

And PsychoKiwis - safe travels to you.

I have to "get up" in two hours, so I will close this post. Thank
you for indulging in my long tome.

WW