The question of logbooks.

The first one I found was near The Dalles, Oregon - the cutest little stamp just laying out in the open. It was tightly glued to one of the many rocks it was positioned with - and amazingly, it had been there quite a while. The clue stated clearly that it had no accompanying logbook, but I was keen to nab it anyway. How very clever, I thought. But then the question started to niggle: Could it really be considered a letterbox if there was no logbook to stamp into?

The next one I came across, not too many months after, stated in the clue that the letterbox listed didn't have a logbook 'out of convenience.' The question popped up again: Is the process of stamping into a letterbox logbook an 'inconvenience'? I guess sometimes it could be, especially if the weather is uncomfortable or if there are muggles approaching. The lack of logbook surely didn't stop us from recording the find, but I missed stamping my beloved sig-stamp in the logbook. In the spirit of full disclosure, I have an active letterbox series around my town that starts with a traditional box complete with a logbook, but all the rest of the dependent stamps in the series do not; and yet, each of the found stamps count as a traditional find. 

Somewhere in the back of my mind there are echoes of discussions on this topic from long ago. It would seem to me that 'purists' would insist there be a logbook, even going so far to say that it couldn't be considered a letterbox if the logbook was unstampable (too full or too wet to stamp into) or missing. On the other end of the spectrum, there would be those that would accept any intended letterbox as a find regardless of the presence of logbook, box, or sometimes, even the stamp (no, really - if you find the remnants of the box but no stamp, is that still a find? The searcher technically 'found' the location and box, right?). So, what constitutes a letterbox?

I am positive every letterboxer has a ready opinion on the matter. I often think of that old motto of the Australian restaurant franchise Outback - no rules, just right. This sentiment would indicate that clues can be constructed any way the planter sees fit, with any type of container (or none), and without limitations on where a letterbox can be placed (except within National Parks, and I have even heard that some proudly ignore that, as well). 

One could argue that since letterboxing originated in Dartmoor, perhaps that is where we could find the definitive answer about what constitutes a letterbox. "Participants, or Letterboxers, search the Tors and valleys for the hidden treasure, either following clues or simply searching under rocks. A Dartmoor Letterbox is a container – typically a durable plastic box – containing a rubber stamp, a copy of which is taken for the collection, journal, or scrapbook. Also inside is a visitor’s book – where a Letterboxer can leave their mark, usually in the form of a ‘personal’ stamp to prove the visit." Apparently, leaving one's signature stamp is the evidence of the find, at least according to this point of view.

But hobbies and traditions change over time to meet the dynamic needs of its participants, and we have certainly seen a lot of changes in letterboxing, especially here in the U.S. Postals, LTCs, event boxes, personal travelers, hitchhikers, cooties, and many other imaginative ways of clue-writing and stamping have changed the face of letterboxing over the years since it seeped over to our country. I dimly remember some letterboxers were rather put out when Ryan presented a way to digitally record finds - pure blasphemy, they complained. For them, one's logbook was private information not to be shared, and certainly not emblazoned across the internet for anyone to see. As a matter of fact, I just had a clue in my hand where the planter requested a finder not list or mention the find on any digital platform, but to contact them personally, via email, to report on the condition of the box. So be it.

I say, to each their own. No rules, just right, as it were. Ultimately, letterboxing is a game, and if the game becomes 'unfun' due to nit-picking and rigid policing, why continue to play? And that may be the answer to my question of logbooks: What constitutes a legitimate letterbox or find is determined by the planter and/or finder. I have been known to sneak a logbook into a box without one on the trail, but that was just me being snarky, I guess. Maybe I simply wanted to share our siggy; I know in our little group, part of the pleasure of finding a box is seeing all those who have stamped in before us. It provides a sense of community and sharing experience. But, at the same time, we just found a fun little stamp stuck to the bottom of a picnic table - with no logbook or container - that thrilled me with its clever clue and placement. So, there it is: it is all good as long as it's fun, legal, and doesn't hurt anyone. Each planter and finder can determine how they want to play the game.

Often, bending rules can spark inspiration. On the way home from our boxing adventure yesterday, Obimaster and I cooked up a new series that I am anxious to put into play. Yes, there will be a logbook for the series, but, well, I guess finders will just have to see how it unfolds. It stretches the boundaries of the Dartmoor definition, but it does follow the rules of being unexpected, sneaky, legal, and fun. 

ready for the hunt!

An ode to summer.

I live on the coast of the state of Washington, just a few blocks from the Pacific Ocean. The weather here is, more often than not, overcast grey and drizzly. When it is not grey and drizzly, it is grey and raining, frequently sideways. In the winter the temperatures hover in the mid-40s, and the rest of the year they average in the low 60s. Hitting 65 degrees is balmy goodness for us, and anything higher is a boon (which means I can actually wear something other than fleece). It is not like we don't have wonderfully fantastic days of sunshine, usually for a few sporadic days in March and October - and when we do, it is glorious indeed! But we also have what is affectionately called 'Faugust'; a phenomenon that occurs when rising temperatures inland collide with the cool temperature of the Pacific and cause condensation in the form of a blowing fog that socks us in. So when most are enjoying clear, sunny days, we are swimming in a soup of (albeit) warmer, grey mist. Such is life on the coast. And yes, I signed up for it.

That circumstance may be why I love summer so much. I am a native Western Washingtonian, and this area is definitely known as being frequently rainy, especially in fall, winter, and spring (!!). I am forever itching to get in the car and 'chase the sun,' which usually means at least a couple hours away from home. In contemplating this insistent need for the sunshine, I have concluded and observed that I crave the energy I get from being in the direct sun. Just waking to the sun shining in my bedroom window influences my mood and energy level. I crave the energy that comes from the glorious sun, without doubt. When I don't get enough I tend to sink into a grey pit of malaise that is hard to shake.

With that explanation, this is my ode to summer, the season I love best. I have always loved summer - the running barefoot in the grass, the bright colors of flowers, the sound of the warm breeze through the green leaves, and the smell of hot pavement. The fascination of watching water evaporate on the cement after I emerged dripping from our cheapy swimming pool as a kid, chasing after the popsicle man, and riding bikes until the sun was gone. As a young woman I loved hitting the lake with my friends, living in a swimsuit all day, and reveling in the summer festivals thronging with people. Always with the ever-present smell of coconut suntan oil in the air. I love sunglass-wearing, music-playing, cruising with the windows down, flip-flop summer fun. 

And I love boxing in the summer. All the parks are open. The trails are dry. I can stamp-in without worrying about my logbook getting dappled with rain, bringing something to put down on the ground to protect my stuff, or wrangling with an umbrella (used more for covering the logbooks than us). I don't have to wear rain gear or worry about slogging through slippery, thick mud and puddles. I don't have to get soaked and mucky digging for a box among wet trees and underbrush - it is not 'duff' around here, it is wet, mildewed moss and soggy dirt. (I am not complaining, just stating what it is like to box here from November through late February, which I still do despite the wetness.)

Boxing in summer here is fantastic. In summer all the trees are full and green. The trails are dappled with sunlight, and the birds are everywhere. I can leave my house with only one layer of clothing instead of three or more. People emerge from their houses to be more social and seem happier, taking taking time with their families to picnic, recreate, or just hang out in a park (there are definitely more muggles around in summer, for sure). Since we get so much rain in the other parts of the year, summer is our time to get outside and soak it up. And I think we do it here more than other places - I was taught that when the sun is shining, you need to take advantage of it while you can because tomorrow will be cloudy.

And that is why I love summer. I understand it is different in other parts of the country or world. I don't know how I would feel if it were 90-100 degrees everyday for months on end. I am sure I would not appreciate the not-so-fun things about summer in other places: the lack of humidity or overabundance of it, bugs, leeching critters or parasites, stagnant air and living in air-conditioning, or the sticky, stifling temperatures. I empathize with that plight, and have been known to say that some parts of the country are not 'fit for human thriving' - in some places it would seem the environment is trying to attack you when you are simply trying to cool off in a lake or hike on a trail. Seriously, I wouldn't know how to avoid snakes, spiders, ticks, fire ants, red bugs, and other biting/stinging creatures that make their home in the warmer areas of our country. So, I get it. Further, in those warmer climes, the winters can be so different from the grey, rainy winters here on the 'wet side' of Washington. Sunny, snowy days must be fantastic, and cool fall hikes must feel like heaven to those experiencing months of blistering, killing heat. I get it all, I do.

But for me, my love of summer will never fade. I lament its end and long for it to return. And I can't be the only one.

Concern for the Newbies.

How much concern should we have for those new to the letterboxing hobby? I know, that may seem like a startling question, but I don't mean it callously. 

As a new boxer, it must seem like a world of discovery - they have yet to experience the thrill of the find, the humbling realization that they may not follow directions as well as they thought, and the disarming sudden awareness that the box they are searching for is at an entirely different place or park. They have yet to try different types of packs, ink, and methods. They have, perhaps, hacked out their initial siggy from an eraser with an X-acto, and feel proud and a little embarrassed at the same time. But, they may also feel intimidated by old-timers on AQ who have thousands of finds and are quick to share the 'right' way to do every aspect of the hobby. 

I have often wondered why there is so much concern for the experience of new boxers. I understand that long-time boxers may be concerned about their planted boxes being mishandled, or that newbies won't find boxes and leave the hobby in frustration. Both these concerns may be valid in a few cases, but I am not convinced that this concern and attitude is respectful or fair. After all, if a planter doesn't want new boxers finding their boxes listed on AQ, there are other options (for example, find or plant restrictions, word-of-mouth boxes, mystery boxes, puzzle-coded clues, etc.). What's more, the assumption that more experienced boxers are better at closing containers and re-hiding is faulty. 

As far as the frustration of not finding boxes, well, that is just a fact of the game. (Spoiler: you don't have to be a newbie to be frustrated with abandoned boxes or haphazard clues.) If people trying out the hobby are frustrated enough to leave, then that is their prerogative - maybe it wasn't their thing after all. Experienced boxers cannot control who comes, stays, or leaves the hobby. And they shouldn't feel they need to, frankly. If you are concerned about new boxers leaving the hobby due to frustration, I would suggest increasing their odds of finding by maintaining and/or adjusting (your) clues and hides so they are more easily 'findable.' Or, like many boxers of the past, plant them and if they are found that's great, if not, no big deal. 

"Box owners should not be the ones deciding which boxes
are best for other people to find."

As far as the overly-discussed concern of identifying boxes as 'good for beginners,' well, again, I am wondering how valid that concern really is. Not to sound like an elder, but when I was a new boxer, dragging my three homeschooled junior boxers along for the ride, no one gave two-hoots for our level of angst at not finding a box. And most of the boxes available to find at that time were planted by the famed dvn2rckr, who did not skimp on historical details, longer hikes, and cryptic clues. No, there were not any special icons to denote whether boxes were intended for newbies. And yes, there were plenty of times we were frustrated. Did we stop searching? Nope. That was because it was the hobby of our choosing - not because it was easy, but because it got us out into the world exploring and hunting. 

My conclusion is that careful hiding and maintenance is the best way to support newer boxers. I don't think that an exaggerated concern for the experience of newbies, or a 'good for beginners' icon is warranted - they are not babies, just learning the game. The findability concept/icon, as it has been said, is not about how easy a box is to find (implying good for beginners), but the chance that it is still available to be found by boxers of all experience levels. The bottom line for me is that finders are finders regardless of their find count.

"Finders are the best judge of which boxes they should look for, not planters."

Zeitgeist.

 

After the frantic pace of my last class, it was time for a much-needed break. Booked into an RV slot at the Newport Marina, we spent five gloriously sunny days 'boxing, hiking, laughing, and shopping in my favorite place in the entire world - the Oregon coast. If I could live there, I would. But, as it happens, I am lucky enough to visit every chance I get. I truly consider it my second home and most fortunate to be able to visit.

Now that we are back home, the dust is settling. Traveling is just not like it was ... to be honest, nothing is like 'it was' in any regard or circumstance. Every time we set out, I am continually struck by how surreal life has become. This time the conversation everywhere was about the renewed surges of coronavirus cases, how many are choosing to remain vulnerable by not getting the vaccine, and how restaurants cannot stay open due to staff shortages. In spite of all the heaviness of the times, we made the best of it. It's a good thing we brought along food and the rolling hotel room to cook in!

that moment you realize you are in the wrong place altogether ...
I am pretty sure the box is on the other side!

Obimaster contemplates the meaning of life,
 just as the Thinker of antiquity

We managed to nab about 25 boxes - a real boon! Amazingly, there was only a couple of 'attempts' for boxes that had gone missing; that is quite an improvement over some of the last places we have been, where only about 50 percent of the listed 'active' boxes were findable. Along with our successes, we were treated to some jaw-dropping beautiful landscapes, open spaces, and fresh air. It was soothing to this news-weary soul.

As everything slowed down for the day,
we took one last stroll along the water

Coastal forest - it smells as good as it looks

Along a sweet nature trail in Beverly Beach State Park

Nothing like getting out in nature to sooth what mentally hurts. And, I am coming to grips with the changes in relationships, in groups (like the letterboxing community), and in society as a whole. 

Let's be honest: life is pretty hard right now. Oh, I am sure some would disagree with me. And that's fine. But I know what I feel and see all around me.

Gone are the easier-going days of sharing and caring - at least for now, I suppose. Most are pressed and stressed, and some are lashing out, hurting others to dull their own pain and grief. Jostling and pushing their opinions for a perceived position, to build their identity, to feel better about themselves and their situation. It is as if no one knows what to do, so they just do whatever makes them feel more empowered in the moment. Unfortunately, it is often at the expense of others.

We had a couple of scary-close calls on the road as other drivers were recklessly passing, trying to be first. I heard rage, distrust, and just plain wrong information from strangers and cashiers. I saw discourtesy and a general lack of community everywhere - from the litter and overflowing garbage cans, to strangers stealing fishing equipment when the fisherman stepped away for a moment, to restaurant patrons yelling at masked servers. And I see more and more people surviving by living in tired travel trailers because they cannot secure or afford conventional housing. All the while, the 'heat dome' builds over the country and the world is burning up ... literally. What do you do with all that? 

For a sensitive person like myself, I grieve. I feel my heart hurting. I hope for better times. And - as we have been told so many times - I look for the helpers. In the end, I try to be a helper and a balm to the hurting by showing friendly-kindness, tolerance, acceptance, and compassion. Not sure how much it helps, but it is all I know to do.

My next class is called Intervention Strategies - interesting given the circumstances. Do you think there are some strategies that would turn some of this around? I am hopeful, as always. But just like I have no idea what I will do when I am done with this psych program, I have no clear picture about where we are going as a community or society, much less a nation and world. I suppose that, too, is nothing new.

I started out this post as a bit of a letterboxing travel log, but as you can see (if you have read this far) there is much more on my heart than just travel memories. How can anyone pretend everything is just peachy when all of this is pressing so insistently? The seriousness of these times makes finding carved rubber stamps in a park a bit trivial. 

Trivial but somehow life-saving, too. 

I guess we are all trying to find our own way to survive. And I would suggest that in times like these most turn inward toward family and close friends, if they still have some. They intentionally keep their circle small and protected. That's where I am: calling the guards in closer and pulling up the mote. Deleting input that is not helpful. And keeping to my little family, making sure we are safe and fed, physically and mentally - whatever that means. 

I reactivated this blog in an attempt to add my voice to, what seemed to be, a growing enthusiasm in the letterboxing community. Older boxers, like myself, coming back in hopes of rekindling the positive memories and experiences they remembered. Perhaps they mistakenly thought, as I did, that they could step back into the community they left when life allowed. But what I am finding is that community is different, and recapturing those feelings is proving to be harder than I thought. I didn't realize how privileged I was to have a warm, welcoming community available at the click of my mouse. That is just not how it is anymore, and I miss it. 

But, who knows - things change, and the letterboxing community will change, as well. And the world will change. I am hopeful it will change for the better. Ever hopeful.

Lessons from the trail.

along the Columbia at the Port of Kalama

It seems like an absolute age since I last posted. In reality, I have just been stumble-running through the last weeks of an intense course. No excuses - just mentally fatigued with the workload. So, after this last week, I booked a hotel where the crowds weren't, and my besties and I headed out for some boxing. No school (or thinking about school) for two whole days! Woot!

This time we headed southward and met another wonderful couple of letterboxers - Warble & Crewel. Cool trailname, right?  They were cooler than their trailnames, too! We had a wonderful time tailgating some exchanges and swapping stories. And, I finally got my hands on a pathtag in the flesh! But, the blazin' sun eventually drove us back on the road, headed toward the beautiful Vancouver area.

I foresee more pathtags in my future ... 

It was lovely boxing-weather, albeit a little hot. And, it is more than clear that even though a box is listed as 'active' and even if the findability is 'good,' there is no way to predict whether you are gonna find anything. These days we end up beating the bushes trying to make clues 'fit,' more than we enjoy the clue, the place, or the stamp. Just the facts. But, oh boy, when we hit on a good one, it feels so good! Of all the boxes we tried on this trip, and actually on the last couple of trips, we only found about half. So many are old boxes - which is cool - but they have been ignored by their creators, sometimes laying for many years unmaintained.

But, who am I to complain? I dropped off the planet for a decade, letting my boxes lie forgotten in the wilds of the PNW. Years of wet neglect is never good for a box, I don't care how tight that lock-n-lock seems to be. I didn't even think about getting on AQ to check my inbox, leaving pleas for hints and find/attempt-reports ghosted. I get it - life happens. But, I can tell you - the first thing I did when I got back on was go through my plants and re-assess their 'active-ness.' I just felt it was the right thing to do. And when comments reported a box was missing, or the landscape had changed, or the clues no longer fit, I either retired the box or marked it 'unknown' or 'unavailable' until I could get to it in person. That seemed to be the responsible thing to do, as a planter.

beautiful summer views in Vancouver

I am a letterboxer for the cool places, unknown hidden gems of history, and for the fun of the hunt. I am not in it for frustration or angst. I know, everyone has different motives and box for different reasons, but if I had my kids with me (like when I started), they would have staged a rebellion by this point. I would have never gotten them to go out with me again after some of the boxing experiences we have had lately. In fact, my partner has only been boxing a short while, and he has somewhat soured on the pastime, unfortunately. Not enough to abandon, but the excitement seems to have left the building. Our recent experience has revealed two types of boxes: 1) those like I remember (findable with a bit of effort),  and 2) those that leave us wandering aimlessly looking for that specific fern, rock, or v-tree in a location filled with them, hoping we will stumble upon the magical spot. And I never know which it will be. 

I used to have a boxing friend who adored thistles - 
aren't these incredible?

Well, if you have read this far, thank you. I think I just needed to get that off my chest. If anything, all this experience has further cemented my thoughts that planters are responsible to maintain their boxes, either by keeping them alive and well, or marking them unknown or retired. As a planter, this includes me, as well! 

On the lighter side, we were able to be first-finder on a couple of boxes - one was a flamingo box, and one was in a rest stop, which was so fun! I love tourist boxes and any that we can get while traveling, like at rest stops (flat tire, anyone?). Another first for me - finding a box that was planted just a tad too close to a geocache, thus resulting in getting 'geotrashed.' Sad for all involved.

no box to be found, but this was cool :)

Even with the disappointment of not finding many boxes, we always learn and grow from the experience of exploring a new place. Here are some fun pics from our two-day adventure:

the required trail pic - this was definitely a gem!

a wayside view

what's a letterboxing outing without visiting a cemetery?

Now, that's an interesting hiding spot!
Obimaster is pretty slick on re-hiding out of the view of muggles!

well-earned nourishment :)

Yep, that's what we do when we burnout on frustrating letterboxing attempts - a bit of tourist-ing and good eats! It was absolutely slammed in Seaside, Oregon, due to the holiday, but that's what made it fun! 

Important takeaways:

1. Planters are responsible for (or arranging for) maintenance on their plants.

2. Perhaps the 'findability' feature on AQ is all about encouraging planters to do just that.

3. WE set the tone for the hobby and letterboxing community - a little care goes a long way. 

3. When all else fails, chill-out at your favorite brew-pub.

And, as all the clues say these days - Happy Hunting!

Obimaster, SHH, & Samsonite cheesin' in Seaside

Found.

The best hobbies, at least in my view, encourage us to grow, or at least offer the potential. Letterboxing is one of those hobbies. Every time I try for a box, it is a practice of open-mindedness, acceptance, humility, optimism, and resilience. Some boxes really test my perseverance - how badly do I want to find this box? How will I feel if I give up? The feelings are amplified if I have other boxers with me - they, too, are dealing with themselves while searching for the box. I can feel their apprehension, frustration, justification, and hopefully satisfaction and pleasure when we are successful. What a mix! And this doesn't take into account the physicality of the weather and bugs, schleppin' your bag, hiking, and (of all things) squatting trailside to stamp in. And, when I do find the special art at the end of a crafted clue in that specifically chosen place, well, that is all very ... special. It is more than a hobby then, it is a shared human experience.

But sometimes it gets even more personal. Look at what was found in a special box we planted not too long ago:

photo credit: L. Samson

I am imagining this soul coming to visit their tree-friend and discovering the letterbox. I wonder if they were surprised, perhaps thinking it was an intruder to their privacy ... they didn't 'rehide' it very well, but neither did they destroy or take it. I want to think that they took comfort in the fact that they were not the only one who considered the tree special. No lie - it is a special tree - I felt that as soon as I came across it. I would consider this tree, that offers refuge and comfort and accepts offerings of tears and art, a sacred place.

I will be writing a note in response to this frequent visitor of the tree, and I hope they read it. And I hope that when other boxers go to find the box, they too will be touched with the intimacy shared by this local visitor to this sacred place.

I believe the author of this note is correct - the love they share with the tree is reciprocated. I, too, noticed and love the tree, and I hope they can somehow feel that, as well.

As an aside, I am glad I included information about letterboxing in the box - perhaps because the cards Ryan offers look professional or authoritative enough that they decided not to destroy the box. Or perhaps they chose to leave the box there because they had heard of letterboxing previously, or knows someone who has letterboxed. Moreover, if the stamp in the box were of something other than the special tree (say a cartoon character or another unrelated subject), would they have decided to take the stamp? Would they have considered it inappropriate or simply trash? Maybe, because it was a carve of that tree, this person felt a connection with another who thought the tree was special, as well. 

That is a lot of speculation, and I suppose I will never have answers. But it makes me, again, think about the issue of the quality over quantity of planted letterboxes. But, that's another post.

"Each time, on arriving at the river, I want to find God immediately - I want direct access, I want power and preternatural wonder. I'll listen to the sound of squirrels and birds, expecting God's voice to echo in the rustle of every stirring leaf. I'll stalk God, as it were, along all the trails above the lodge. And usually, after at least twenty hours into the trip, I'll finally realize there's going to be nothing there but trees and clouds and distant river after all. I find myself left with dead leaves and a thin line of geese flying over the western sky. Yet it is at this precise moment, where I give up looking for the burning bush, that my retreat usually begins." 

Excerpt from Landscapes of the Sacred: Geography and Narrative in American Spirituality, by Beldon C. Lane; 1988, John Hopkins University Press, p. 16.

There is a middle way.

Letterboxing is a very simple game:

Plant a stamp and log;

let people know the clue so they might find it.

Go out and find the boxes planted by others. 

Repeat.

Group boxing or solo?

Baggies inside or out?

Plastic boxes or pouches?

Pigment ink or dye?

Many colors in your pack or just one?

AQ or LBNA? (or neither?)

Plant in businesses or not?

Urban or parks?

Log finds on AQ or not?

Photo as clue or decorative?

Leader or slackboxer?

Box with kids or not?

Recruit newbies or keep the game secret?

Nab as many as possible in a day or onesie-twosie?

Findability-rated or not?

Gouge or knife?

Pink stuff or _____________?

Which is real letterboxing - traditional, postals, or LTCs?

Staedtlers or anything else?

Hike or drive-by?

Camo-tape or none?

Share photos or keep them private?

Clear clues or cryptic cyphers?

So many controversies can kill the joy of the simple game, at least they do for me. Yeah - I am pretty thin-skinned, as some may know (they call it 'sensitive'). Maybe none of this bothers you, or perhaps it offers a bit of excitement to your life. Or maybe it is just the times in which we live - 

red or blue? 

white or black? 

young or old? 

educated or not? 

sedan or truck?

hunter or hunted?

urban or rural? 

vax or no? 

There is so much division everywhere, it seems such a shame to experience it in letterboxing, too. We don't always have to take a side. There is a middle way.

Each of these binaries are really a spectrum, a range in which anyone at any time can fall. But, when we are willing to 'fall on our sword' for our opinion, we draw lines and create us vs. them dichotomies that alienate, invalidate, and separate. We can have an opinion while acknowledging we could be wrong, or that we don't know everything. Just because we can make a judgment doesn't mean we are always right. And everyone else is not always wrong (or misguided). There is a middle way. 

I was directed to a couple of threads from a decade ago ... about the time I was falling out of the community. It startled me that a poster wrote that 'at the risk of being shunned,' they wanted to share a differing point of view. I have been shunned, and it is not pleasant; I wouldn't wish it on anyone. The belief that everyone has to either believe as 'we' do or they are out of the group, or silenced is awful. Btw, I am not talking about hate speech here (which is unacceptable) ... but just because someone likes to use dye ink instead of pigment out on the trail, or fashions a pouch for their plants instead of using lock-n-locks, or likes to use Speedball rather than Staedtler is not grounds for silencing or rejection.  There is a middle way.

I have just witnessed the latest controversy, and have been reading some that occurred while I was away. I have lurked and I have watched. There is a way other than controversy and competition. We are the ones that set the tone for our community. There is a middle way.

The middle way is humility, acceptance, and tolerance. The middle way is open-mindedness and creativity. The middle way says sometimes I want to do drive-bys and sometimes I want a longer hike, and both are okay. That some places are better for using lock-n-locks and some are better for pouches. The middle way allows for boxers of all abilities and knowledge to participate as equal members of the game, not simply newbies that don't know what they are doing. The middle way is taking box first-aid with you to help along the boxes of others who may be away from the hobby right now.  Because life.

Only some are allowed a voice or everyone's voice is valued?

Blog or keep your opinions to yourself?

Compassion or apathy?

(And the granddaddy of them all:)

Hand-carved stamp or store-bought?

Some of these controversies - discussions - can make our hobby a better experience for all. But when everything comes down to this or that, well, I don't need a hobby for that. I can get that in my news feed or out in my community. Some of us already feel so isolated, longing for social interaction and acceptance, and not all of it is because of the pandemic. Perhaps some of it is our own doing. Maybe we have fed the isolation through insisting we must always take a side. But not everything should be a competition to win. At least I don't think so. 

Maybe you don't agree with me, and frankly, I don't expect many will. Ah geez, SHH, give it a rest. But I just can't sleep with this popping around in my head anymore. And since this is my blog, I have the privilege to speak. And so do you. You can leave a respectful comment and tell me that I am wrong. But please, I ask that you remember the middle way. 

Out of the past.

For the last month, we have been in a bit of a frenzy at my house. Unbeknownst to us, we have been encroaching on the neighboring vacant lot. The previous owners were, as well. And, as it goes with vacant lots, it was put on the market and sold. Then the surveyor came. 

That's when the frenzy started. Not too many months ago, we had a rather large shed built (on what we thought was our property), and yes, that had to be moved. And the cute little greenhouse, as well. To accommodate this overwhelming task, we had to remove what was our front yard and install a driveway, find a building mover, and figure out how to move the greenhouse. I felt like my security of place was being ripped apart.

My reentry back into my beloved hobby has been somewhat a similar frenzy. Finding my boxing kit long buried and forgotten, reestablishing my crafting area and online connections, and all the remembering. 

My vast collection of carving effort, and the remnants of store-boughts from long-ago scrappin' days, had been long forgotten, as well. Their once-tidy storage drawers looked like they withstood Hurricane Katrina - each stamp holding the memories of the time and context of when it was created. They also remember.

I spent the good part of a day reorganizing and remembering. I spent time remembering the places, the people, the laughter, and the life lived. And then I remembered the context. Y'know, sometimes we try to out-run and forget our past, thinking it shameful for whatever reason. But I say it often: we always make decisions based on the information we have at the time, and shame for our past decisions isn't usually warranted or helpful. It is always a good time to 'own' our stories and accept the past. It is not easy, and I have been working on 'owning my story' for what seems like a very long time, but it continues. There is value in all our experiences, regardless of our judgment of them. They enabled us to get where we are at this moment. I believe every experience changes us, and going through all that history is a way of making peace with the past and owning my story. 

These are all Star Wars-themed stamps. Yep, they are in a pile - well, they were. Now they are all neatly placed in that drawer awaiting their future. Some I will keep, some I will plant, some I might pitch. We'll see. What I didn't photograph was all the religiously themed stamps, of which there is almost as large of a pile. As a developmental psych student, I could look back and analyze my own identity-building and development, but I will leave that for another day.

So, just like moving the buildings off of the property line, I had to coax all these memories and hobby leftovers back into their lane. The lane of the future and out of the past. 

The driveway, shed, and greenhouse are all moved, thankfully. Next is a deer-deterring fence. I am actually very happy with all the changes - as with all things, there is good with the not-so-good and unexpected. I am thankful we were in a financial position to take care of things, that we met some fabulous new friends (I have a new driveway BFF!), and the whole affair allowed us to reorganize and declutter. And I can now have some peace of mind that we are completely on our own property. I am grateful for all those things.

Long ago I learned that if I messed up a stamp during the carving (or any project, for that matter) and had to start over, that the end product would be even better than what I had, despite the wasted material and effort. It is true: No effort is ever wasted - it is only practice for future success. 

A bit about recipes ... and blogging.

I hope I still have this fun stamp somewhere ...

If you are like me, you often search the inter-webs for recipes, or for the very least, cooking inspo. Let's face it - coming up with interesting things to cook every day can be exhausting and tedious. But then, just when you think you have found some new recipe - wham! You are hit with ads, jumpy websites, and lots of fluffy-nothing the author has written (or cut & pasted) to take up space and your time. It didn't take me long to realize, much to my chagrin, that these 'blogs' are not about sharing recipes, but sharing ads for clicks. Gah! I just want the recipe!

Well, just so you know, I have started adding to my Cook Contrary recipe blog again. Yes, it is ad-free and most likely will not jump around on your device. I am no expert, but there are links on that blog to those who are, which you may enjoy. Since we just passed St. Patty's (or is it Paddy's?) Day, I added the wonderful soda bread and corned beef recipes I prepared for our meal last night. Oh gosh, it was so good!

Stop over and check it out. You may find something interesting to try or it may spark your own creativity. You can find the link in the lower right hand corner of the sidebar. It's all good. :)

... and sometimes I even add it to the food.

Y'know ...

Blogs used to be a place to share your thoughts and ideas. Then they became 'income streams.' I, and maybe you, have become weary of blogs that have sapped the original intent and life from blogs-of-old. Well, not all of us 'bloggers' are in it for the money - some of us are just writing for the love of writing and sharing. 

This is not to say that I disrespect anyone blogging for income, especially if it puts food on their table. I am glad they have found ways to make it work for them. I am only saying that, as a reader of blogs, it is tedious trying to read jumpy or distracting content or dodging marketing. Further, I makes me feel as if I am a commodity to be 'milked' for clicks and views, rather than a respected or valued reader. That's what capitalism does - but, that's a different rant.

But, I see a change on the horizon - perhaps some of that original intent is returning. Maybe, just like it was time for me (and others, I have seen) to return to letterboxing, it is time for blogging to return to the old-school idea of blogging for the sake of sharing ideas and creativity with others without expecting a monetary return for our efforts. Because it is fun. Because it builds community. Because not everything has to provide an income stream. Because sanity. 

Just sayin'...

There is a new phenomenon amongst the LTC swappers on my favorite letterboxing site.  For a couple of years now, we have been happily joining swaps and exchanging theme-based artist trading cards that feature a hand-carved rubber stamp image.  Somewhere in the midst of our fun, our beloved webmaster added a tool called a tracker to our fun which made it so much easier to organize our obsession.  These trackers not only listed participants and their cards, but also made it possible to post notes, pithy comments and updates that would go to all the participants.  Cool, eh?  Hosts and participants could more easily communicate and clarify the theme, give ideas or inspiration or alert to problems or delays with the swap.

Well, it would seem that some artists think they need to update the group when they are sending in their contribution for the swap.  Is this really necessary?  I don't think so.  But this trend is picking up speed as the newer of the participants think this is how it is done; learning by example, I suppose.  The result is that I'm getting a boat load of messages that look like this: "Just finished my cards last night!  They are in the mail in the morning!  Woohoo!"

Do I really need to know when everyone is sending their contribution?

Nope. Only the host needs to know that.  This is becoming a pet peeve of mine, I'm afraid.

When I participate, I may alert the host to watch her mail for my contribution.  Hopefully, she will either let me know that they arrived safely through a message or by logging them.
 
When I host, I log the contributions when they arrive, thus giving notice to the artist that their cards have arrived safely...to the artist, not the whole group. As a host, I don't really need to know when the cards are sent as long as they are prior to the deadline. (And if they are not, I give a one week grace, then sort & send. Everything received past that date gets sent back. It's pretty simple, actually.)

As a participant in a swap, I do not need to know that all the cards have arrived on time - that is the concern of the swap host.  I will find out soon enough when I get my cards; if I get extras returned, I can safely guess that everyone did not get their contribution in on time.

Oh, and just for the record and because I'm a bit of a stickler:

A swap is a group of people that agree to create themed LTCs to send to a swap host to sort and redistribute to all the participants.

A tracker is the tool that Ryan created for the swap host and participants to use to 'track' the swap.  (Thank you, Ryan!)

I don't join trackers...I join swaps.  Sometimes.

Just sayin'...

Tourist Boxes, please!

We just returned from our month-long journey around the country...8,975 miles! Wow! We stopped at so many places and saw so many things that I cannot remember them all.

One thing we planned was to get letterboxes along the way; one at every stop was too much to hope for, but we tried to plan for that anyway. Did we succeed? Oh no! But we did manage to get about 14 boxes, I think. My favorites are what I call 'tourist boxes'. I coined that term almost from the beginning of my 'boxing career and they are still my faves. Why? Well, I don't know if you have noticed, but I'm a rather lazy letterboxer. I admit it. I like a lot of types of 'boxes, but it's the easy get, great location, fun carve and touristy-memory that I like the best. I like them even more when I'm in a unfamiliar location, like on a road trip across the country.

Criteria for a TOURIST BOX:

- A drive-by up to a half a mile easy hike (kid friendly)

- LB located in a great tourist location and not far from major highways/interstates

- Easy to locate starting point with simple directions or a GPS

- Stamp image is related to the attraction and/or history of the area

- A rather easy 'get'...total time should take no more than 1/2 hour

- Clue includes information about the area/attraction

- Box clues should mention that it is great for tourists or those from out of the area

I will be going through my own 'box clues and designating on the clue if it is a good TOURIST box. I'm hopeful that others will do the same. Not all my boxes qualify, of course, and they shouldn't, to be honest. But, it would be nice to be able to narrow the search for them for those longer road trips to unfamiliar towns.

I completely understand that there will be those who would not like these boxes, or search them out. It's all good! We are all different and like different types of letterboxes. But for those highway travelers out there, (and those traveling with noxer family members who don't want to take a lot of time 'boxing along the way), I'm wishing for more tourist boxes.

Dear Forest Defender,

Dear Forest Defender,

You don't know me, but I'm a letterboxer. I have been letterboxing for over five years, along with my children. We have spend hundreds of hours enjoying this hobby and are thankful for the memories of time spent together out on the trail and with other families and friends who also are letterboxers. We have had the opportunity to explore places we would have never even knew existed if it weren't for letterboxing. We have been creative in ways that have expanded our minds and learned about our environment by trekkin' trails and following clues. Our lives are richer because of our hobby of letterboxing.

I understand you have grave reservations about our hobby of letterboxing and of geocaching, it's technical cousin. You say that letterboxers and cachers are 'trashing' the environment, stomping on sacred grounds, ruining delicate forest habitats. I have to respectfully disagree.

I believe that this earth was created for mankind, as an environment for his pleasure, use and sustenance. I also believe in preserving our natural areas for the generations that follow us. I do NOT believe that letterboxing is a danger to the earth, our parks and natural spaces or wildlife habitats; much less even than constructing a park, blazing a trail through a forest, or building a home.

In my experience, letterboxers (and geocachers, as well) are people who enjoy the outdoors. They are those that volunteer to clean up parks and champion environmental and charity causes. The are fun-loving people who welcome newcomers to the hobby with open arms, sharing their experiences freely. They are NOT destructive, hateful, littering home-wreckers that you seem to be portraying.

I am dismayed and disappointed that someone, such as yourself, has decided to fill their lives with such a negative mission. Can I implore you to stop this nonsense? You, personally, are hurting people, children, with your destructive rant. Carelessly dropping hours of effort into the trash can in your plan to 'save the environment' hurts people. In my way of thinking, we need to be more considerate of others than of a decaying stump along side a trail. That's not to say that we need not be mindful of the environment, but your attitude seems to be a bit out of balance.

Your efforts have brought some good, however. It has alerted the letterboxing community to be more diligent in planting and cluing methods. Good luck finding any newly planted boxes, my friend. Also, it has brought together the letterboxing community in a united effort, which is always a good thing. You have brought to the forefront our sometimes lazy re-hiding practices; I'm sure these will halt immediately.

I would also like to warn you; there are a good many 'boxes that have been planted with permission. Perhaps you did not know that, but it is true. In the case of you throwing away a letterbox that has been planted with full consent and sometimes involving a paid fee, that would constitute stealing. I'm sure you would not want to be breaking the law. You also have claimed that certain places are 'sacred' (as in Native American burial grounds), I would advice caution; you wouldn't want to state erroneous facts, I'm sure, and be seen as a liar. Unfortunately, you have stirred the anger of quite a few of your neighbors, who you may not even know are letterboxers or geocachers. It's been my experience that what goes around comes around.

So, please, stop this tirade mission of yours. I beg you...for your sake and for the sake of a wonderful, harmless hobby. Hey, if you really like searching for letterboxes, why don't you get yourself a logbook and a sig-stamp (I'll even carve one for you, if you like) and hit the trails. Have a ball...find some boxes and re-hide them well. Go to a gather and make some friends. It sounds to me like you need a little more positive influences in your life.

Sincerely,
SHH

Swap Rulz

There just has to be rules. If no rules, chaos would ensue and nothing would be accomplished. This applies to the letterboxing world, as well.

Every so often, on our favorite letterboxing website, a situation develops that we not-so-affectionately call a 'black hole'. A black hole is when one or more 'boxers mail items, be it postal letterboxes or LTCs (Letterboxer Trading Cards) to a host or ring participant with the agreement that they will fulfill their end of the bargain (sending out the swap or mailing the postal along) and they fail. The items are lost into the black hole with little hope of resurfacing. Contact with the suspected black hole is limited or non-existent, causing much distress to all involved. Bad stuff.

Sometimes there are perfectly good reasons for black holes - sickness, emergency or unexpected family situations. All those are understandable and excusable, to be sure. But, for the most part what happens is people get overwhelmed or just simply procrastinate, then feel embarrassed to communicate. Unfortunately, avoidance usually makes things worse.

I have lost a good many postals to black holes, and it was one of the reasons I got out of postal letterboxing. Lately, I have been involved in an LTC swap that is just sitting...languishing in a black hole. I have little to no hope of ever seeing the cards I created being shared. My efforts, and those of the other swap participants, seem to not really mean much to the host as they didn't even try to keep their end of the bargain. I can imagine all the little packets of cards lovingly made just sitting in a corner somewhere gathering dust. But, come on...they're just LTCs, right?

I always feel bad when folks post that they are involved in a black hole situation - been there, done that. So, I'd like to suggest some rules - simple really - that if everyone just acknowledged and applied would makes things so much simpler. This is not rocket science, just good common sense and courtesy to all involved. None of these things are asking too much. In fact, doing anything less is inconsiderate and irresponsible, in my view.

When one commits to participate in a swap, they agree to:

1. Create and mail their contribution so the host has it when they request. If the participant cannot, it is their responsibility to let the host know as soon as possible.

2. Send enough postage for their package to get there and to be returned.

3. Package their contribution appropriately and to make sending it back as easy for the host as possible.

4. If the participant is new to swaps, it is their responsibility to find out how things are done prior to signing up to make sure they can meet the commitment.

When one decides to host a swap, they agree to:

1. Be clear on what is expected (theme, packaging, number of cards needed, postage, due date) and provide their address in a timely manner.

2. Be available for questions and input concerning the swap to the participating members, keeping communication open and honest.

3. Be respectful to all participants by not sliding the due date of the swap multiple times or indefinitely - this behavior is grossly unfair to all who made the effort to get their contributions in on time.

4. Sort and mail out the swap when promised. If this is not possible for whatever reason, the participants must be notified of the change, new dates established and promises kept.

Rules are a good thing - they keep things organized and orderly for all. Respect your fellow crafters, treat others the way you want to be treated and build a reputation as a trustworthy 'boxer by keeping the commitments you make.

Product Review: Carving Material Sample Pack

The Sample Pack

Padawan and I shared a sample pack procured through our friend Dixie. It included three slabs of carving material; ECO, Karve Majik and Smooth-Cut (actually, I'm unsure whether this sample pack is still available for sale). We are both gouge carvers, occasionally using other tools such as modified gouges, needles and knives (both x-acto and wire). Padawan tends to carve taking short, more shallow cuts along the design, whereas I lean more toward the longer, deeper sweeping cuts. Interestingly enough, we both came to the same conclusions about the materials tested.

I will be sending my samples onto another carver (one who I consider to be the best needle carver in the country) and am very interested in what she has to say about these samples. I had a rather hard time using needles/knives with these materials, as they all tended to 'pull' rather than cut smooth and clean.

The difference of thickness; on top is Smooth-Cut,
then ECO, the layered Karve Majik,
and on the bottom is grade A PZ Kut

[Disclaimer: We are huge fans of PZ Kut and are eagerly awaiting the return of our favorite carving material. As we tested each of these new materials, we were comparing to our 'gold standard' of PZ and how each sample worked with our particular style of carving. The following is just our opinion and not meant to discourage anyone from trying or using these materials. I do believe that everyone should try these materials for themselves and come to their own conclusions.]

Sample I - ECO


Characteristics:
Brown & rubbery, but somehow grainy at the same time
hard to get good control with the gouge
great printing with no beading
good pencil transfer, but hard to see

Bottom line:
Not something I could carve for any length of time, due to frustration and rubbery consistency. It reminded me a lot of Speedball's Speedy Cut (the crumbly stuff), but without the smooth cut-ability. Could get an acceptable cut, but had a tough time getting up close to my lines, and forget about fine detail. (This is probably the best of the three, but would take practice and a change of carving technique to achieve the level of detail I get with PZ.)

Sample II - Karve Majik


Characteristics:
white top layer over black material
harder to gouge, apparently my gouge isn't sharp enough...even my new one
didn't like the black showing through my cuts - rather distracting
difficult to clean up fine lines
pencil transfer'd well
good printing with no beading

Bottom line:
I really didn't like the layered materials; while it sounds good in theory, it didn't seem to have that much benefit. I wasn't able to get smooth sweeps with my gouge as I am used to, my gouge sort of 'hung up' and stuck ever so slightly, making smooth, fine lines difficult. The black material was grainy (similar to the ECO), while the white was more smooth, but not smooth cutting like PZ...bleh.


Sample III - Smooth-Cut


Characteristics:
white and very thin (1/8")
a cross between PZ and gum or white eraser
pencil transfer'd well
good printing with no beading

Bottom line:
This material gouged OK, but I was still unable to achieve the level of smooth consistency and detail I am used to; I experienced some of the 'choppy' cuts trying to get close to my lines. Also, the thinness of the material made it difficult to handle, making it absolutely necessary to back it in some way. If this was all there was, I wouldn't carve.

Carves of each of the sample materials along with a
sample carve of PZ Kut, just for comparison.

In conclusion, I am obviously not happy with any of these options. (What I really want is PZ...now, there's a shock.) However, I want to say a heartfelt 'Thank You!' to Dixie for doing the legwork required for us to give them a try. I am still hopeful that we will be able to have our beloved PZ Kut available sooner rather than later.