Sunday, July 29, 2007

A canoeing adventure

Today my person decided to take me on a canoeing trip. I dressed in my bathing clothes and took leave of Miss Hickory early in the morning. I asked if she wanted to join me, but she said she preferred to stay on dry land.

I was placed in a plastic see-through bag and then placed inside a waterproof bag my person kept with her at all times so I would not become lost at sea or wet in the case of a canoe mishap. She left a corner of the bag unzippered so that I might peek out from my hiding place and enjoy the scenery. I will not include a picture of being stuffed in a plastic wrapping here since it is not the most dignified way to travel.

However, at least my wrapping allowed me to participate in quite an adventure. We boarded our canoe and set out to sail the wide blue yonder (or in this case the small green river).
As we began our three-hour tour, we encountered a small cave canoes were allowed to explore. It looked a bit frightening to me, but in we went, frightened or not.

The cave was rather interesting inside, but rather small and took some maneuvering to get in and out of. I will not mention the spider webs along the wall that my person, sitting in the front of the canoe, got rather too close a view of. Shrieks of fear really do echo quite loudly in a cave. As we exited...rather quickly...we met some fellow canoers.

We decided to do a mid-stream rendevous with them to exchange cameras so that each party could have a picture of their canoe trip. I was rather worried the cameras might be dropped in the exchange, but no harm was done.

As we continued our journey, there were little islands along the way. We occasionally parked the canoe and disembarked to explore...and for our crew to take a break. I was only glad I did not have to help row, since I heard my person comment that it was rather hard work.We enjoyed being on the water on this lovely, breezy day....passing the time floating down the river and enjoying the scenery.

However, after the adventure I was more than happy to return home and share my adventures with my family....as my person took asprin and collapsed in a rather undignified heap to take a nap after the exhaustion of rowing. Being a doll truly does have its advantages :).


Wednesday, July 25, 2007

A Most Unusual Guest

Greetings again my dear friends!

Well, this week has been quite eventful at our house! First there was the long awaited Harry Potter book that arrived on our doorstep on Saturday. We companion dolls and our person spent many thrilling hours reading it!

However, that was not the only unusual thing that arrived on our doorstep this week.

This morning I was having tea with some of my doll friends when we heard a knock on the dolly door (otherwise known as the mail slot). I went to answer, wondering who might be there.

I was quite unprepared for what...or who...awaited me on the other side of the door. A most unusual doll! I opened the door and stood looking at her in wonder for a moment before she impatiently tapped her foot and asked, "Well? Might I come in or do you plan to stand there gawking at me all day?"

I hurridly remembered my manners and invited our guest in, introducing myself. In answer to my introduction she replied, "Pleased to meet you Hitty Rowan. Do hope I'm in the right place. My friend Crow told me I might find suitable winter lodging here?"

I am afraid in my confusion over this extroadinary creature appearing on our doorstep I quite lost my eloquence. "Winter lodgings? But...it is still summer....I am afraid I do not understand..."

"Well yes, of COURSE it is still summer...for now. But fall is not far off, and then winter. And, I am in a bit of a unexpected situation that requires me to find new lodgings for winter. No time like the present to find them...time is a wasting after all. So, might I see them?"
"See what?" I replied...still rather confused.
"The lodgings...in your home. You were looking to take in a boarder, weren't you? At least, that is the news among Crow and the other animals running about."

"Well......" I didn't quite know what to say. It was true I had been thinking lately that my house is rather large for just myself and that perhaps it would be good to share my home with another doll companion...however this was all rather unexpected and not quite what I had in mind.

But still, one must always be hospitable and before I knew it I found myself taking this unexpected guest to my house. On the way I ventured, "Errr....may I ask your name?"

"Miss Hickory. At your service." was the curt reply. I was rather unsure who was at whose service, but thought better than to mention that.

We quickly arrived at my home, where Miss Hickory quickly proceeded to make herself at home.
She claimed the rocking chair by the fireplace. "Nice place you have here."
"Thank You," I began, taking a seat across from her. "It is a nice place...and, well....I am glad you are visiting...but...." I tried to think of how to politely tell Miss Hickory I wasn't quite ready to take on a boarder just yet.
"But what?" She asked crisply.

"But...well...I am afraid that your animal acquaintences were not quite correct. I am not really seeking a boarder at this time." I breathed deeply, trying to deliver the news quickly.

"Oh. I see. I was misinformed." Miss Hickory replied rather primly and stiffly. "I won't trouble you any longer then." She jumped up from the rocking chair, gathered her luggage, and headed for the door.

"Wait...." I cried. "You could, I mean, you could stay for tea at least...and perhaps a few more days...until you can find other lodgings."

I pointed toward my little stove where the tea was still warm.

Ms. Hickory looked a bit startled at the sight of the stove. She wandered over to it, and suddenly hung her head. I thought I heard a choked sound, almost like...a sob.

"Oh my. Is...what is wrong? I am sure we can find you suitable lodgings...why there must be lots of places..." I began.

"It's nothing!" Miss Hickory retorted. But I thought I heard another muffled sob and she hastily wiped at her eyes.

"Please...I apologize...I did not want to disappoint you..." I attempted to soothe.

Miss Hickory sighed deeply. "I'm not disappointed. Well, perhaps a little. It's just...this stove looks almost like mine and your house reminds me a bit of my house."

"But if you have a house, why are seeking winter lodgings?" I asked.

"I had a house. Oh....I had a house. As nice a little house as you've ever seen. All made of corn cobs under a lovely lilac bush. Rather like the lilac bush I saw in your yard. I had a family too. In the summer I stayed in my house under the lilac bush. But, in the cold of winter, my house came inside and sat in the kitchen windowsill. And then...and then..." she paused for a long while, with such a downcast look that I felt myself on the verge of tears too.

"What happened then?" I asked gently.

"My family left me. They left me. No goodbyes...no provisions for winter...simply abandoned. And then a chipmunk moved into my house and I had nowhere to go. But, news flies among our animal friends and somehow Crow heard you might want a boarder. But, no matter. I am quite well able to fend for myself." She finished her statement rather haughtily as she lifted her chin and turned toward the door again.
"Wait!" I called.

"Yes? No time to stop for tea. Thank you very much, but I must be on my way."

"Please wait!" I pleaded.

Miss Hickory stopped at my door step.

"It is true I am not looking for a boarder. However....there may be room in my house to share it with a new friend." I held my breath, waiting for Miss Hickory's reply.

"Friend?" she asked slowly.

"Yes. It is a rather large house for one person...there is room to share it with a friend."

"I...I can be useful you know. I know how to cook, can, make jam and tea, quilt...all sorts of useful things." She replied with sense of pride, as one not used to charity and not willing to accept it .

"That would be a help indeed! You know, it is rather difficult running this house on my own. Especially since I travel daily with my person. It would be lovely to have someone to share the house and the chores with."

"Think your person would mind if I lived here too?" Miss Hickory asked, a shadow of fear in her eyes.

"No. I think she would be honored to have such a useful companion around...as would I. So, my friend, what say you?"

Without a word, Miss Hickory held out her hand, but her smile said more than words could ever convey.

Then, we sat and enjoyed our first tea together in front of the fire, with a toast to new friendships. Afterwards, I took Miss Hickory to meet my neighbors. She was quite impressed with them, as they were with her.

Although, I must say that my new friend certainly doesn't lack in honest expression. I took her to meet Master Elrond first. Upon being introduced to him she stared hard and then asked, "What kind of elf are you supposed to be? I thought elves were little folk who dance around mushroom rings. You don't look like the dancing type."

I almost gasped in surprise at her forthrightness with the Elven Lord, but Master Elrond simply chuckled delightedly and explained "his kind of Elf". Miss Hickory, to her credit, was quite fascinated with this "new fangled elf" and delighted when Master Elrond played some dancing tunes for her on his harp. Next, we went to see Ms. Merriweather. I didn't know exactly how well the two of them would get along, being rather opinionated sorts. But, when Miss Hickory noticed Ms. Merriweather's workbasket, the two of them ended up enthusiastically talking about the various projects they had completed. Ms. Merriweather gave Miss Hickory supplies to begin knitting some things for winter (which Miss Hickory still rather had on her mind...although, if I had to contemplate spending a cold, lonely winter outdoors and abandoned I suppose I would have a hard time getting winter off my mind too).

Next, we met the girls of the household. They were delighted with our new friend and Miss Hickory seemed quite delighted with them.
Then I took Miss Hickory to meet Eilonwy. They were quite fascinated with each other and discovered a common love of nature.

At last, after a long day, we settled down comfortably for a good night's sleep...secure on our own little home.

And, if you want to read anymore about Miss Hickory you might read the book, "Miss Hickory", by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey. Although, the fate of my new friend is rather different than her fate in the book (happily)


Your Friend,


Hitty Rowan




















Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Arrival of Allanon


Greetings Again Dear Friends! I don't have much to report at the moment, although I did want to at least post a picture for you to see Allanon the Alpaca...my new pet. That is all for now :).
Hitty Rowan


Thursday, July 12, 2007

Hitty Rowan, Doll Companion

Welcome, dear friends! I am most delighted you have wandered into my world! Let me introduce myself properly. My name is Hitty Rowan. I am a doll companion to my person. In fact, I spend most of my time hiding out in her purse, sitting at her desk in my little rocking chair, or relaxing in my house by her bedside. Being a constant companion is in the nature of a Hitty, and a task we are well suited for.
What is a "Hitty" you might ask? Well, a Hitty is a very special type of doll companion. A Hitty is a small wooden doll, made in the likeness of our famous ancestor, the very first Hitty. In the picture above and the one below I am standing beside a picture of the first Hitty. Her adventures are truly magnificent and you can read all about them in her memoirs, "Hitty, Her First Hundred Years" by Rachel Field. The first Hitty, after over 100 years of adventure, has now retired to a quiet life in a library where she might be visited by all her friends and fans.
Her legacy, however, of being a special doll companion is continued today by hundreds of her "daughters in spirit." Although the first Hitty is over one hundred years old, I am barely over a year old in human terms. But we Hittys have a special sort of maturity and wisdom regardless of our age.

As for my adventures so far, I arrived at my new home on April 12, 2006. I was rather nervous about my homecoming. I was born in Virginia, brought to life by the esteemed Hitty Maker, Judy Brown. I was told I was traveling to Kentucky to be the companion of a person for whom Judy had made my older sister almost 10 years ago.
It seemed my older sister, Mehitabel, had recently began a Hitty School in my new person's house. Although still extremely beloved by her person, Mehitabel did not travel much anymore. So, my new mistress was in need of a new travel companion. She contacted Judy Brown, and I was created out of sturdy ashwood and blessed with an adventures spirit so that I was ready and willing to take on my new role in life. But despite my spirit of adventure, I was still nervous about arriving at my new home. What if my new person did not truly love me for some reason?
As it turns out, I had nothing to fear. The moment my person and I met, we had an instant bond. She loved me and I loved her dearly, and that love has grown each day we are together. On the day of my arrival, I was also warmly greeted by my older sister and new Hitty family.
At first I thought I was to live in my older sister's academy. I must admit, I was rather disappointed to find out I would not live there. Mehitabel explained that as a travel doll, I would have my own home to fill with mementos of my travels and to rest in after a long day at work with my person, hidden in her purse. She told me not to worry, I would never lack for company since we had rather a large doll companion family at our house who visit each other constantly. And in fact, my house is right next door to another house of doll companions. It is a cozy little home and I have come to truly enjoy living there in my spare time. Mehitabel was right...I am never for want of company.


In my time away from home, I usually share in my person's daily activities.

At work....

And play....

Sometimes I explore in the backyard....

At other times, we venture out far from home......

But wherever I go, I am most fortunate to meet friends of all kinds...



For making friends is in the nature of a Hitty.
And with that, I bid all my new friends farewell until next time!
Your Friend,
Hitty Rowan