The text and paintings on The Trowbridge Chronicles are taken from the illustrated journal of Violet Trowbridge, a shrew that once lived in a village deep in the Olympic Rain Forest. Each new post will represent a portion of Mrs. Trowbridge’s journal.

Friday, June 30, 2006

FAMILY PICNIC

This was my introduction to the Monkey flower, the first one that I ever saw. I found it growing beside a stream in Grand Valley, north of Huckleberry Hollow, where Mrs. Trowbridge lived.

Mrs. Trowbridge is in high spirits because summer has come to Huckleberry Hollow. Today she shares the family's first summer outing with us. Whenever I hike up Wild Rose Creek, I wonder which one of the boulders I've hopped onto or jumped over was the one that Mrs. T referred to as the family's "special boulder", where they had so many memorable family outings. I sure wish I could have been there to join them for beetle burgers.

Speaking of beetle burgers, I've noticed that whenever Mrs. T talked about meals, she usually referred to meat. After researching the shrew's diet I understood why. I learned that 80% of the shrew diet is from animal protein. The rest comes from berries, seeds and nuts. I would never know by Mrs. T's gentle demeanor that shrews are ferocious carnivors.

I plan to make another trek this summer into Huckleberry Hollow, the area in the rain forest where Mrs. Trowbridge lived. I hope to go in a few weeks, when the wildflowers are in full bloom. I wish some of you could join me. If I find time to make the trip, I'll post some photos for you. It's truly a magical place.

Sidebar Info: I recently learned that there was once ANOTHER Trowbridge Chronicles. Between 1861 and 1906 the Trowbridge Chronicles newspaper was published in a rural county in Southwest England.

24 comments:

valerie walsh said...

AAAAAhhh! I needed my Mrs.T fix! I feel better now, truly!!!

Roz Foster said...

How relaxing he looks amidst those gigantic blossoms. Beautiful work, Bron. And very interesting fact about the 19th century Trowbridge Chronicles. I bet that was neat to find.

Unknown said...

Yeah, you're back. Lovely illustration and such a wonderful start to my saturday. Thanks so much!

Ginger*:) said...

Oh Violet, you made me laugh out loud. As wonderful as your outing and trekking sounded, the title Woodrow was reading is priceless. The Monkey flower is so cheerful. What a delight to see such colors alongside a rushing stream.

Unknown said...

Their picnic sounds delightful!
and Mrs T's sketch is wonderful.
I hope you do get to go to Hucklberry Hollow and take pictures. I'll look forward to seeing them

Christine Lim said...

How marvalous. Your post brightens my day. Good to see you again, Mrs T. And you Bron! :)

Ellen said...

Fantastic, as usual!

carla said...

Woodrwo looks like relaxation, uh... shrewified(?) I'm so glad to see Mrs. T. is back. She lives in a lovely world full of flowers and natural wonders, and she seems to know a lot about it all! I enjoy reading her stories:> BTW, good luck with your website. It's a labor-intensive project for sure!

Geninne said...

Oh my God! I thought I'd never see Mrs. T again, thank you, thank you, thank you for bringing her back. So much sweetness! Loved the monkey flowers, the picnic basket...the beetle burger...well, EVERYTHING!
Bron, may God bless you in all your new projects and trips to wonderous places like Huckeberry Hollow :o)
Thanks for visiting my blog, your comments are always highly appreciated.

Kim de Young said...

Sticky leaf monkey flower! My husband is from Oregon and when he came to California he was introduced to this plant in huge quantities. He sometimes says it is my spirit plant, however he calls it "Stinky leaf Monkey flower. I am sure Woodrows reading of the "Taming of the Shrew" must give Mrs. T a little chuckle!

Beth said...

Es muy bella la cronica de Trowbridge, gracias por tu visita y comentario...
espero visitarte pronto...

CRISTOSOVA said...

Lol, "The taming of the Shrew", that man still has hopes ;) Yes, please post photos of your trip (if you get to make it)! Glimpses into magical places always make me happy.

PS I am not sure what to think of the Beetle Burger, especially in solidarity to my Loontowners!

katzdontbark said...

i love your work...illustration and stiry are amazing...thanks for the comment on my blog...inspired me to come up with a fairy goblin mural...
cheers

Unknown said...

Lovely!!

Amy Zaleski said...

Worth the wait! Adorable ~ love the details, from the tiny hamburger to the checkered picnic basket cover!

HARDWAX said...

Monkey flowers, beetle burgers and Woodrow in a dreamy summer nap, it's all such a wonderful place and time. Easy to get wonderfully lost in these stories. What a gem Mrs. Trowbridge is!

By the way-to answer your question about the software I use-it's Jasc Paint Shop Pro9.

Gabrielle said...

What a lovely wistful story and accompanying illustration.

I had to laugh at what you wrote:
I would never know by Mrs. T's gentle demeanor that shrews are ferocious carnivors.
because I know many human Misses who are just like that ;o)

Susan Mitchell said...

So charming and Woodrow is too cute!

Radha a.k.a Ratlion said...

How did I miss this? Lovely as always...

yukoala said...

Lovely illo and wonderful story!

Kay Aker said...

Gorgeous, what a treat,a joy to gaze upon! How ingenious to resurrect a paper after a century! Thanks for sharing!

AscenderRisesAbove said...

Wonderful illustration and story; fun to see where the inspiration orginated.

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