The Firefly Forest is No More (at least as of today…)

After reading a comment here on my blog, I grabbed my cane (recent hip surgery) and headed out to see if it was true, if all of the houses and doors were in fact gone. I must report, with great regret and sadness, that all but the Little Owl Door are gone. Everything has been removed, and replaced with the silver stars that have shown up recently, all bearing inspirational messages much like those from the former sites. I am trying to see the inspiration, thinking perhaps a passing of the torch–or simply the end of a beautiful project?–but am as saddened by this presently as the rest of the people I met today on the trail, all wondering what had happened.

Here are the former sites as they were today:

The site of 12 Hollow Tree Lane:

What remains at 51 Hollow Tree lane, below the star left hanging above where the house was.

Star at 51 Hollow Tree Lane

 

Star at 64 Hollow Tree Lane

 

The former site of 64 Hollow Tree Lane, the purple door tree with the “message board”.

The star message at the former “Blue Roof” house.

 

What remains at the site of the Red Door, behind Deanna Rose.

The former site of the “Bamboo House”.

 

Where the “Stick House” was, with the hammock, behind Deanna Rose.

Apologies for the formatting of this post, WordPress is a bit twitchy today.

I guess we can all be thankful that something beautiful happened, even for a short time, here in Overland Park. It was a beauty to watch, and I hope that all of the kids never stop searching for those woodland creatures; keep dreaming, keep trying to catch a glimpse. The fireflies are still out there, tonight.

A Very Special Firefly Forest Wedding!

As was revealed the first week of the existence of the Firefly Forest, the names of the inhabitants of 64 and 51 Hollow Tree Lane, are Miss M. and R.T. They exchanged lovely notes of welcome to the neighborhood almost a year ago, when the houses first appeared. Apparently, this budding friendship turned romantic, and has finally culminated in a wedding at the glade (across from 64 Hollow Tree Lane by the Little Owl Tree) in the Firefly Forest this past Sunday! Here are some photographs of this special event, and hopes of a happy marriage for Miss M. and R.T!

 

More Firefly Festival Fun!

It was another special day in the Firefly Forest today, and I urge any and everyone who loves the Firefly Forest to go take a look! This is the “Festival” area, located between 64 Hollow Tree Lane and the Little Owl Tree (in other words, the purple door tree between Antioch and Switzer, closer to the Switzer side). To reach this part of the forest, the best parking is either at the lot at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead or the lot at 137th and Antioch Road. This particular site is closer to the Deanna Rose/Switzer side.

Take a look here! There are some new baked goods, a new sign and some new decor at this spot now, and all just as enchanting as the rest!

I have a feeling that this is going to be a very special Summer in the Firefly Forest, and it’s a great time of year to hit the trail!

The First Door

On June 23, 2013, I noticed this purple door, on the tree that would become 64 Hollow Tree Lane. The first sign of things to come.

Messages of Hope

The ongoing message board of #64, still going strong!

The Beginnings….

The first new resident of Firefly Forest.