The Return of Mehitabel

Well, since I last wrote, Lily has settled in quite well. I helped her start her own journal, which has made her happy. We are still awaiting the arrival of her sisters. We do not know when they will make their way to their new home.

In the meanwhile, Spring has finally arrived. If you call constant rain and chill "Spring." However, despite its dreary beginnings, Spring has a special magic that gets the
sap flowing in one's veins (if you are a wooden doll) and lifts the spirit.

I arose a bit late this morning. Our person is on spring break, so no need to get up and about early for work. Today all us companions are changing into our spring clothes. It is supposed to warm up by this afternoon, despite intervals of rain. This morning, the rain had not yet set in and hazy sunshine flooded my room.As I looked out the window, I could see rain clouds on the horizen. But, no sense worrying about storms brewing in the distance. We'll deal with them when they arrive and enjoy the sunshine until then.I wandered downstairs and offered to help Miss Hickory with breakfast. Miss Hickory really is a dear soul despite her sometimes brusque manner. However, she considers the kitchen her domain and gets a bit wadgety, as they used to say in my day, about interference in her tiny realm.

Still, I feel impolite not offering my assistance. The response was the same as always, "No thank you, Rowan. I have it all under control. Go on to your study and I'll call you when breakfast is ready." That is Miss Hickory's manner of shooing a person out of her way. It is advisable to listen.

I wandered down to my study and greeted my ever faithful companion, China Blue.
We settled in for some journaling. China Blue is an excellent listener and I often run my ideas past him.

I was so soon so deep in my thoughts that I was quite startled when Amelia burst into the room. My older sister Mehitabel and her school merged with Miss Merriweather's academy recently, and Amelia often visits the other girls during the day. Although Mehitabel's stay at my home was only supposed to be temporary, the house feels a bit empty, although much quieter, without Mehitabel's school here.

Miss Hickory and I are always glad to see Amelia when she returns home for dinner, to liven things up a bit. I was quite surprised to see her at this time of day, though. She brought some rather worrisome news. Mehitabel was missing...she was not in her office or around the academy. Amelia said the dear Mistress of Preble Academy had been unusually quiet the last few days. Ms. Merriweather and Master Elrond were worried about her, and wondered if I could help find my sister.
I set off to search for Mehitabel. Amelia set off to the kitchen, just in time for some fresh baked cookies. Miss Hickory is quite indulgent of Amelia.

I finally found Mehitabel. What I saw worried me indeed. Mehitabel sat looking rather...dejected. Hittys do not normally look dejected. When a Hitty looks dejected, there is definitely a problem. Mehitabel sat beside her lovely spring dress. As Mistress of the Academy, Mehitabel must dress accordingly. Besides, Mehitabel has been with our person longer than any of us....11 years this July...and is entitled to at least some finery and privileges. Mehitabel attended school in a state far from home with our person, accompanied her on her first plane ride, and through her first jobs after school. Mehitabel even knew my person's grandparents. She became so very dear to our person, and such a reminder of times that will never come again, that our person did not have the heart to continue travelling with Mehitabel. She was too afraid something might happen to her oldest companion.

So, Mehitabel retired from travel and became a Grand Lady and Mistress of Preble Academy. She has always seemed quite happy...until now. I wondered how she could be unhappy with Spring in the air.

I sat down beside my older sister and gently asked what was wrong.

"Ah Rowan, my dear sister. It is good to see you. You musn't worry...I am just a bit melancholy at the moment. It will pass."

"But, Mehitabel, I have never seen you melancholy. There must be something wrong. Here...let me help you into your Spring dress. That will cheer you up."

"No! I mean....I am not ready to wear my Spring dress, Rowan."

"But....why ever not, Mehitabel? Aren't you glad Spring is here?"

"I am glad Spring is here, but I do not wish to wear my Spring dress."

"Why not, dear sister? It is such a lovely dress...quite befitting the Mistress of the Academy and the eldest, and I daresay one of the wisest...companions."

Mehitabel gave a deep sigh. "Rowan, I fear I am a bit tired of being a Great Lady. I feel confined in my Headmistresses' quarters, and although I love the students and my staff, I grow weary of the burden of leadership. I want....I want to simply be Mehitabel again. I want to travel a bit with our Mistress. I want to wear the clothes of a simple wooden doll again....not the silks of a Great Lady."

"Well, why don't you tell our person how you feel. She would understand. The students and all your friends would also understand. Auntie Fern and Hitty Flora are quite capable of running the academy along with Ms. Merriweather. Why don't you retire from.....retirement?"

"Do you really think everyone would understand?"

"I am sure they will!!"

With that, I fetched our person. She loves Mehitabel so dearly, she would not ever wish to see her unhappy. So, she accepted Mehitabel's resignation, and gladly welcomed her back as a travel companion. Our person has finally accepted the fact that Mehitabel, like me, is meant to walk in the adventurous footsteps of the very first Hitty.

Mehitabel quickly put on a traditional "Hitty" dress and settled with Miss Hickory and me. She can save her finery for our person's wedding....but will certainly need to change back into more practical clothes to accompany us to the beach this summer.

The academy students and staff were sad to see Mehitabel resign as Headmistress, but happy for her to follow her heart. Besides, it is not like they will not see her everyday anyway.

So, here's to our happy household!

Hitty Rowan

Lily Arrives!

Today is very special. Lily arrived on our doorstep! It is much warmer today than is usual for this time of year, but Lily's summer dress she arrived in was still too cold for her. She tried on her new spring dress my person and I made her, and it fit her perfectly! Since it is so close to Easter, my person gave her an Easter bunny in anticipation. So here she is...our very own Easter Lily:

Grandmother Hitty

I have received a request for a picture of our grandmother Hitty. Here are our delightful grandparent Hittys, busy baking cookies in the kitchen on this cold day:

Another Winter Day

We had another ice storm the last couple of days. No snow...just pure ice. School was closed so my person got to stay home. A new doll pattern book just came in the mail. We decided to make a dress for our first new companion, Lily, expected next week sometime. I added the finishing touches. I do hope she likes the dress!
Hitty Rowan

The Secret House

My person has been busy the past few days. We have decided us companions may need more private quarters, especially when non-doll people visit. Together we determined that stained glass film in front of Ms. Merriweather's academy would do the trick. Our person also put nice wood floors in and some wallpaper. We have to find more wallpaper for the other two rooms. And, there is even a key to lock the cabinet where we are totally safe from intruders. We have a key from the inside if needed. Here is our renovated cabinet home:

Actually, we can see out through the clear spaces and the glass stain is quite lovely to look out of. Our lives, however, are shrouded in secrecy when needed. We actually rather like the changes to our home.

Neverland Adoptions

Greeting Dear Friends!

We are now on day 3 of being confined to the house due to an icy snow. It is melting quickly, so perhaps we can be out and about tomorrow. Today is particularly dangerous since the ice is melting off the trees in small shards that are dropping everywhere. I really wouldn't want to be hit on the head by dropping ice spears, so the other companions and I have been busy catching up with online friends. What adventurous households our companion friends live in! It has been quite delightful and intriguing to find out what they are up to.

I decided, after reading about all their adventures, to write in my own journal. I found myself rather at a loss as to what to write. We do have some minor adventures here, but nothing that I would count as truly exciting. Well, on second thought, we do have our moments, but ours is a peaceful, quiet existence for the most part.

I sighed and gave up journal writing for the moment. I wandered downstairs to join Miss Hickory, Mehitabel, Granny Grace and Grandpa Jones.

Mehitabel noticed my rather downcast expression and asked, "What is wrong, sister?"

"Oh," I replied, "Nothing I suppose. We are rather blessed with such a peaceful, quiet home, aren't we?"

"Why yes, we are" Mehitabel and the others agreed.

"Yes....but," I ventured, "Do you ever feel something is missing...that perhaps things could be a bit more...exciting?"

Mehitabel got a rather dreamy look in her eyes before softly replying, "Sometimes."

"I just wish....I wish things were a bit more active." I sighed. I forgot that doll wishes are powerful things...magical almost. We of all creatures must be careful what we wish for.

I fetched Merilwen from Ms. Merriweather's to check the mail with me. We had a most curious envelope waiting for us. It was simply marked, "Neverland."

I read over it on the way back to Ms. Merriweather's. I couldn't believe my eyes. I quickly shared the letter with Ms. Merriweather.
It read: "Have you ever wished for more excitement in your life? Perhaps a more active lifestyle would appeal to you? Then, Neverland Adoptions might be just the thing for you! Feel free to contact us for more information by wishing upon the nearest star!"

"How odd," Mused Ms. Merriweather. "Perhaps you should show this to Master Elrond and Lady Celebrian.

I immediately did just that.

"Oh, yes!" Celebrian exclaimed excitedly when she saw the letter. "I know exactly what Neverland is! Why, it was very close to the Undying Lands of Valinor where I have spent the last several centuries. Neverland is a wonderful land of enchantment, where children never grow up! The problem is, children grow wild in Neverland, much like wild roses or such...they are liable to just spring up anywhere, just like wildflowers do. There isn't enough room for all the children to stay, so some are adopted into loving homes outside Neverland."

"Oh my!" I exclaimed. "Do they grow up outside of Neverland."

"No." Celebrian replied. "Neverland babies and children remain in the wonderment and delight of childhood forever."

"You mean...we might adopt a baby from Neverland?" I asked. "Why, we have never had a baby here...we have had wild pixies, fairies, dragons, Hickory nut companions, and Elves...you, know, more typical sorts of companions....but never a baby!"

"Oh, babies are delightful!" Celebrian absolutely glowed with excitement.

She looked thoughtfully at Elrond. "Elrond, do you think we might perhaps adopt a Neverland baby into this household?"

"Why yes," Elrond slowly replied. "Yes. I think we should indeed. He began smiling, and the smile widened as he thought more on the idea.

It was hard to find a star in the daytime, but Elrond used his telescope. We wished upon the nearest star, and the next thing we knew, there was a tiny, lovely, lady standing in our living room.

She immediately went to Ms. Merriweather and shook her hand. "Pleased to meet you, my dear. I am Esmerelda Eventide, at your service."

"Well, I'm pleased to meet you too." Ms. Merriweather replied. "Uhmmm...exactly how may we help you?"

"Oh no, my dear....you aren't going to be helping me. I intend to help you. You did wish for a Neverland baby, did you not?"

"Yes, we did" Ms. Merriweather affirmed.

"Well, I am a Neverland caseworker. We can't just let anyone adopt a Neverland baby. Only the most loving of homes will do for our children. I am hear to study your home. If you meet our exacting standards, you will be able to adopt a child from Neverland."

"Oh, that WOULD be wonderful!" Ms. Merriweather sighed, wistfully.

"Let's get started, shall we?" Esmerelda replied. "Now, I will need to visit each companion here and speak with them, and we shall go from there."

Esmerelda set to work. She did indeed visit every companion...

When she finished, she returned to Ms. Merriweather.

"Congratulations, my dear!" Your home is most suitable for a Neverland baby! I have just the little girl in mind. She is 2 years old, and will always be 2 years old. She is a perfectly lovely little rose...a bit active, but I'm sure you can handle her! She will be here by Stork Express within the next few weeks, so you best start preparing. Well, best wishes to you, and if you need my services again, just wish upon the nearest star!"

With that, Esmerelda Eventide disappeared in a flash...literally.

We were all so very excited! A 2 year old baby should indeed add some excitement to our lives! Ms. Merriweather begain knitting baby things, as did Celebrian. Unfortunately, at that moment, our person looked in on us.

"Uhmmm...I was just kind of wondering...I thought I might have heard, but I know I am wrong...I thought I might have heard something about a baby arriving by stork? But I know that can't be right because we agreed we were only inviting one more companion home...and she is coming from Narnia in a couple of months through the wardrobe, not by stork...I am mistaken, aren't I?"

And now, the real excitement of the day will begin I suppose...with explanations.

Hitty Rowan

Ice Snow

Well, our long hoped for snow arrived. Like many things longed for, however, it was not quite what we expected. Instead of a nice, fluffy, snow to play in, we have a chilling, hard, ice snow. It can't be played in very well at all.
In fact, it is best simply viewed from the window.I helped my person fill the bird feeder today. The poor little birds need food in this kind of weather.

At least we can help our little feathered friends if nothing else on this snow day.

Hitty Rowan