If your answer is 'yes', then I have something to say to you.

THANK YOU.

Thank you for planting letterboxes that I can go and find & enjoy. Thank you for giving me a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment when I find them. And thank you for giving me something to strive for, when I don't.

Thank you for the time and creative effort you put into planting a box. Thank you for the fun themes, the nature and history lessons, the things we share in common and for the things that we don't. Thank you for the drive-bys, the hard hikes and everything in-between. I appreciate the remote locations and the urban ones, the cute suburban parks and the beaches. I am following in your footsteps; thanks for going there first and showing me how to get there.

Thank you for sharing your talent and effort in stamp carving that has inspired me and has pushed me to be better, try harder and give more.

Thank you for your writing style, that has impressed, humbled and stretched me. Who knew that simply following directions could be so difficult? Thank you for showing me, (and my children), how to be observant of my surroundings and listen to my instincts.

Thank you for taking me to wonderfully magical places, glorious trails and little places that I never knew existed, even in my own backyard. Thank you for giving me an excuse to slow down and appreciate the things around me; letting me gain appreciation for nature so I can teach that appreciation to my children. Thank you, also, for the exercise that comes with searching out a treasure.

Thank you for all the exceptional letterboxes that have somewhat unexpectedly shown up in my mailbox. I have loved and treasured each and every one of them. And thank you for each little hitchhiker I have found and have had the pleasure of passing on. Thank you for the fun of a surprise - it makes me feel like a kid again.

You know, there is just something special about sharing a piece of yourself with others with similar interests. It makes us a community, and for that, I thank you.

~SHH :-)

Well said! Thank you to the planters!

Moonduck

SHH~~~~~what a lovely affirmation...I concur.
Zoe

My first instinct when I saw this new thread was "uh oh, I plant a lot of letterboxes - what am I in trouble for now?".

That was just BEAUTIFUL !!!!!!!!!!

May I add my humble thanks to all the planters out there, too!

Warrior Woman
who cut her letterboxing teeth on Jay Drew's boxes

I read this post earlier, but didn't have time to respond, as I had to run out for a bit. Now I shall.

*applauds*

I'm with you, SHH. All the way.

In particular, I'm going to thank the Sprite and Highlander, for giving me (and my family) so much help, fun, and basically...everything, over the past year and a half. For the first gathering that we attended and got us in touch with the rest of the LB'ing world. And not to mention, for all our little weekend outings!

And also, a huge thanks to Team Dakota, because not only were their boxes some of the very first my family and I found (lesson learned from TD: if you haven't found it yet...look up), but because they pretty much populated the area around us with the first few letterboxes here in the Buffalo area!

Should the sun go down before the day is done, may the light of our flashlights lead us on- to the next box! :D

-CQ

Beautiful; sounds just like a prayer.

speedsquare

Thank you, SHH, for echoing the sentiments of so many fine letterboxers. All that you said is really what its all about.

Wyvern

We should start a "National Day of Planting".

Pick a date and everyone go out and plant a new box on that day.

I agree with you. Maybe it could be something like the first Saturday of May.

Shiloh

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We should start a "National Day of Planting".

Pick a date and everyone go out and plant a new box on that day.

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I agree with you. Maybe it could be something like the first Saturday of May.

Shiloh

Why wait?
I think that establishing a specific date is a little too confining for most planters. We (Gwen & I) will plant a letterbox when the timing, location, stamp is right. If you need a specific date to plant one that seems a little 'canned'. Why not find a great spot, carve a stamp and just go plant it.....Today.

Thanks for the nice words for the planters SHH.

Don

When the temptation to jump down someone else's throat for a comment or opinion is overwhelming....it's easy to say all those negative things.

How refreshing to hear such thoughtful words. As a planter...I am honored. As a seeker of boxes...I add my accolades for those who laid the groundwork for my boxing adventures. You have said so eloquently the simple things that mean so much... thank you!

Bandaid

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We should start a "National Day of Planting".

We already have that--it's called Arbor Day and for most people, it's the last Friday of April. Didn't you hide a box? ;o)

-- Ryan

:-)
*WARM FUZZY FEELING*

SHH...as someone who mostly plants...

THANKS

it is so good to hear that!!

as a letterboxer...

I applaude YOU

for reminding us how wonderful this hobby is and how rewarding ALL aspects of it can be.
I also applaude you for being so gracious, eager to encourage, and grateful.
I applaude you for reminding me that I too owe some THANKS to all you guys!

DixieKin

How lovely. I'd also like to add: Thank you to both established planters--for using your vast experience to bring letterboxers some new twist, as in the "Der Mad Stamper" mystery--and to new planters, who take the risk of planting their very first box and hoping that it will be well received by the community.

Well sure, I think we all plant when the signs are right. The signs being we have a carved stamp, a logbook,a box and an idea where to plant and the weather cooperates. But my impression was to have a specific date to do a mass planting. Just imagine if even half of all boxers planted just one box on the same day how many more boxes there would be that quick.

Shiloh

Sorry, I must have misplaced the memo on the mass planting. I guess I'll have to show up for the spanking line :)

Shiloh

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But my impression was to have a specific date to do a mass planting.

That is exactly what I meant. Just knowing that all over the country letterboxers were doing the same thing at the same time (relatively).

Do you think we could plant so many that AQ would have a meltdown?

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Do you think we could plant so many that AQ would have a meltdown?

Nope, but I dare you to try. ;o)

-- Ryan

Sounds like a challenge!!!!!
Shiloh

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Sounds like a challenge!!!!!

I think it is.

Is it a "double dog" dare?

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Is it a "double dog" dare?

A double dog on a triple cat with quadruple the fleas dare. Just get on with it, would ya? ;o)

-- Ryan

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Just get on with it, would ya?

OK...but you're in charge of picking the day!

I thought the date was already picked, the first Saturday in May.

It's going to be sunny in the low 50's in Chautauqua County NY. All semester I've been carving stamps whenever I took a break from studying. The Chautauqua Railroad Letterbox Series is finally complete. The entire series is getting planted Saturday morning. How many? If I tell you, I'll have to make you walk the plank!

-- Dagonell the Pirate

The first Saturday in May was mearly an suggestion on my part. It can be any day but make it far enough in advance to give me time to carve something.

Shiloh

Ok...How's this?
According to www.holidaysforeveryday.com, Wednesday, May 24th is National Scavenger Hunt Day.

That date would be appropriate for a "National Day of Letterbox Planting".

What's the record number of boxes added to AQ in one day anyway?
Think we can beat it?

Now.... THAT sounds like a perfect date! Gives me some carving time too!!!

Bandaid

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I thought the date was already picked, the first Saturday in May.

Eek! That doesn't give us much time - plus that's Kentucky Derby day. I'll be sipping mint juleps, which does not go well with stamp carving. May 24th is a Wednesday, which is no problem for me but others may have to go to work or something.

-- Princess Lea

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May 24th is a Wednesday, which is no problem for me but others may have to go to work or something.

You could plant the weekend before and post the clues on Wednesday . . .

DebBee

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Eek! That doesn't give us much time - plus that's Kentucky Derby day. I'll be sipping mint juleps, which does not go well with stamp carving.

It's also National Nurse's Day, giving you another reason to celebrate :-)

-Aahz

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You could plant the weekend before and post the clues on Wednesday . . .

As long as the clues all get posted on 5/24 that should be fine-- kind of like planting early for an event but waiting to post the clues for the event....hmmm....