After travelling in my box for days, I have finally arrived at Weathertop. I've heard that there are other ways to travel other than
by box and I am anxious to try some of them. Travelling by box is not always so pleasant, as it is dark, sometimes cold, ometimes hot, the air gets kind of thick and you never know when you'll be getting out. My heart goes out to our ancestral sister who not only was put into camphor (nasty stuff) but was stuck in the dead letter office in a box for years.

Enough of my travels. I am glad to have arrived safely! It is so nice to meet so many of you and spend time in your lovely homes. I see this as an excellent chance to learn how and where different people live as well as the perfect opportunity to teach fellow Hittys how to prepare for disaster. It is a subject dear to my heart and I plan to give a lecture at Weathertop later this week.

The Weathertops have greeted me most heartily. They proudly showed me around their home and it is clear to me that they have been eagerly anticipating my arrival for weeks! Bitty Carolion "Ham" (an interesting name, no?) could barely contain her excitement. She is a very lively and curious little creature. She told me excitedly that the Weathertops are planning a big Birthday celebration at the end of the week in honor of all of our birthdays. I feel honored to be a part of the festivities. I really look forward to spending some time here. They have made me very confortable and seem to be very friendly folk.

But now I must rest. I look forward to keeping you abreast of our activities here at Weathertop!

Sincerely,
Hitty Clara Barton

To view morephotos of my arrival, follow this link.

Hello Friends!

I am pleased to report that Weathertop is indeed an active place. There always seems to be something happening. Everyone is busy planning the big Birthday party, but plans are also underway for Valentines Day as well. Yesterday I observed my host mom cutting heart after heart out of pretty pink and red papers in preparation for her kids to make Valentines for their classmates. This is very exciting. There are also little pieces of wood lying all over the house with little holes drilled in them, not to mention scraps of cloth and silk. I understand that the pieces of wood will someday be new Bittys. Creativity surrounds me everywhere. I am afraid someone will cut themselves working, however, and encourage everyone to be careful with these knives and scissors.

Today was an especially exciting day at Weathertop. We received package today from Oregon and no sooner had my host mom put that box down than we heard scratchings and rustlings coming from inside. We were all a bit alarmed, as well as excited. Hitty Niamh was pretty sure it would be a puppy, but I noticed a stifled giggle on the face of my host mom. (She, too, was very excited). And Ham...well she gets a little worked up sometimes. What do you think happened when we had opened the box and begun to remove some of the packing? Two little faces popped up over the edge of the box, the faces of a little boy and a little girl. Well, everyone gasped and Tom and I helped them out of the box. I think it was fortunate that I was here and able to make use of my training to ensure the well-being of these children after their trip. I made sure both of them were safe, healthy and that their joints were working well. I know from experience how trying travelling in a box can be...and just imagine, children... But they seemed to be fine and full of vim and vigor. Everyone was very pleased with their new friends and welcomed them heartily. We found out that their names are Jem and Penelope and that they are sister and brother. It turms out that they have come to live at Weathertop and go to school with Ham. She is beside herself with joy.

After the initial greetings, I made sure that Jem and Penelope had a nice glass of cold milk and a healthy snack before exploring their new home. I am sure it has been a few days since they've had a decent meal. I think they are settling into their new home very nicely.

It has been a busy day and I must help Hitty Grace make dinner as she has three extra mouths to feed tonight.

Sincerely,
Hitty Clara Barton

For more pictures of this thrilling event, follow this link.

Ps. Penelope and Jem were carved by TC Vollum. Jem has a pivoting head which lends itself nicely to emotive expressions. Thank you so much TC, we all love them!!!

I hope you all enjoyed your various Hitty Birthday activities. We threw quite a party here at Weathertop and have been recuperating ever
since. I was pleased when the Weathertops asked me to share my favorite cake recipe. It seems that they are as anxious to learn about
some of my customs as I am to learn theirs. I made us all a Danish Layer Cake which layers white cake with fruit filling and custard and
is frosted with whipped cream. We all enjoyed it immensely although I think Penelope ate a bit more than her share, but kids will be kids!

Hitty Niamh and Tom decorated the living room with streamers and a colorful umbrella and I brought down my lovely roses for the occasion.
The room looked very festive indeed. The children were very excited and kept sneaking into the living room prior to the party to steal the
sweets. I was afraid they would ruin their dinner, but they ate their dinner very well, as well helping to polish off the cake we had
afterwards. We had a feast of Ham and apples, Swedish cake with strawberries, various cookies and, of course, birthday cake. We all
felt utterly stuffed before the celebration was over. I don't think I will need a thing to eat for days, especially since I am made out of
wood. Miss Lilly looked lovely in a dress that was made for her by Fung Hicks and Hitty Tulip, as did Ebby Puttence in her new dress sent
to her by Barbara Forman. It was a lovely party, but one from which I will be recovering for a few days.

I am nearing the end of my visit at Weathertop and I must admit I will be sad to yet again leave my host family. I will be glad when I have
settled down. Before I leave, however, I plan to give a presentation on disaster preparedness. I need to work on my material tomorrow.
Living as they do in California, the Weathertops need to be prepared for an Earthquake, but those of you in other parts of the country need
to be prepared as well! I look forward to sharing this vital information as I feel very passionate about the subject, but intend to
tailor it for this Earthquake-prone area.

I will write again in a few days to let you know how our assembly
goes! Keep me in your thoughts as I prepare for this!

Thanks friends!
Hitty Clara Barton

To see more pictures of this adventure, click here!

I have had such an exciting day today! My host mom, Erin, had to teach her Kindergarten Art Class today and asked if I would like to help.
Did I ever!

Before class, I had to help her measure and hand cut 120 4" squares out of card stock. That was a lot of work and I wondered for what she
would be using such a small "canvas." But all became clear eventually.In the art room, she allowed me to explore. There are so many
interesting things in an art room...all kinds of supplies, clay pieces waiting to be fired, art work, paints... I even did a little painting
of my very own (it wasn't very good so I slipped it beneath some papers and left it there; I didn't want Erin to think I couldn't
handle myself in class). In one corner I found a clay elephant and took a ride. I felt so exotic, all I needed was an umbrella. And in
another corner I found a menagerie of clay animals. I felt a little bit like the original Hitty posing amongst them. Soon enough it was
time to get down to work; Erin had me sort through chalk and pick out the most colorful pieces.

In class, Erin explained that the kids would be making a chalk alphabet that she would frame and sell at the school auction coming in
February. She showed them how exciting it was to work with chalk. It smears and blends so nicely that almost anyone can draw something
really wonderful! The kids listened so attentively and worked so hard. They each chose one letter and made four different versions of it so
that Erin would have different options when she put the whole piece together. They are all very talented kids; I was impressed! The
teacher also seemed to be very impressed with their work as she asked if she might receive one also; little did she know, that was the plan
all along.

At home, Erin and I sorted through the letters and laid them out. There were enough for two complete pieces, one of which she will give
the teacher at the end of the year. The letters are really beautiful all lined up together. The colors and variations are incredible.

It was a very enjoyable, but exhausting day. 5 year olds can really take it out of you!

You can see more pictures from this adventure here

Enjoy!
Hitty Clara Barton