For those of you who haven’t heard my bear attack story, today is the DAY!
But first, if you are new to The Willowbrook Word, I’m Terry, owner and caretaker of Willowbrook Manor English Teahouse and Farm Stay. My mother, author Liz Adair, lives here as well. Mom has her own corner of this newsletter. We always have a giveaway, so make sure to read to the end.
Hill or Hell ~
About a mile and a half from Willowbrook Manor, as-the-crow-flies, is a logging road that served as my therapy through young motherhood. My role in trying to hold a marriage together, nurturing six children, keeping up the farm and serving in church responsibilities was challenging. I found hiking the hill daily helped me keep my equilibrium. My mind and heart would grind on life’s issues as I trudged up the steep incline, often carrying a weighted pack. When I reached the turnaround point, I would stop, take in the view of the valley and breathe. My eyes always found the peaked roof of my home. Looking beyond, I could see the mighty Skagit River winding its way towards the sea. The splendid view of the valley with its flow of water from glacier to ocean would always speak peace to my soul.
Every time I hiked I dropped my troubles at the turnaround. The hike down the mountain was an invitation for calm. I didn’t allow my mind to grind on negative things. The combination of workout in nature and mental transition from brain-grinding to peace, was what I needed. ‘Hill or Hell,’ I called it. I made sure to make time for hiking. It provided inner strength when I felt stretched thin.
9/8/2010 ~
The bear attack happened while I was in the middle of my heartbreaking divorce. On September 8th, 2010 I was taking an extra-long hike to allow the kids an evening at home with their dad. My goal was the lookout an hour and a half up the mountain where one can see all the way to Puget Sound. Here is the story I wrote right after the incident:
It was just me, my iPod, and my Great Dane, Chango. Willoughby was confessing his true love of Maryanne to Eleanor. I couldn’t believe it! They had left that part out of the movie. I was just about to reach the overlook of my five-mile hike at the juciest part of Jane Austin’s Sense and Sensibility.
I was drawn away from the story when I heard the dog bark and saw, about 100 yards away, a big black bear. I was surprised but not alarmed. In fact, my emotion was more dissappointment that I wouldn’t get to enjoy the view of Skagit Valley from that vantage point, as that was the purpose of the hike. I had seen black bear on hikes before and found them harmless as long as I kept my distance.
As I headed downhill, I heard a scuffle and turned to see Chango running away and the bear charging toward me! I was thinking, “I don’t believe this.” My eyes saw a cuddly, furry, black teddy bear, but my brain assured me this wasn’t going to be pleasant. I tried to make myself look as big as possible and made lots of wild screaming noise, but the bear wasn’t deterred. As the bear got within arm’s reach, I walloped it on the head with my Ipod/cell phone case, which sent my phone flying. So much for my chance at 911.
The bear knocked me down and proceeded to claw at me. All the while, I’m thinking, “This is stuff you read about in the newspaper and can’t be happening to me.” Chango came to my rescue and pulled the bear’s attention from me. I was relieved to see the bear running away from me as he chased Chango down the hill. But my relief turned when the bear did, and I found myself again waving my arms, screaming, and trying to look ferocious as the bear lumbered back up the hill to assault me afresh. I have always thought Chango a dumb and obnoxious dog, though I love him dearly. But that night he became my hero as he tore up the hill and attacked the bear before she could attack me again. (I figure the bear was a ‘she’ and was probably protecting her young, so I could not fault her.)
With Chango wrestling the bear, I took that as my cue to run as fast as I could downhill. I fear I must have been quite the sight, because I did not leave off the screaming and arm flailing. I am sure I did not look ferocious on retreat. The dog got free from the bear, and the three of us–the bear, Chango, and I — went tearing down the hill.
The bear finally stopped, but I didn’t. I ran about halfway down the mountain, and when I was quite sure that I was safe, I went back to Willoughby’s confession.
I came away from the incident with claw tears on my jacket that left scratches and bruises on my arm and a scratch on my face not worthy of stitches (I was hoping for an excuse for plastic surgery).
So I now have steri-strips and a story to tell, but I’m hindered in sharing, as my phone is on the mountain, guarded by a bear.
Slowing Down ~
I still have the scar on my cheek, though now it looks like another age wrinkle. My kids are grown. Most of my time is taken up caring for the farm, hosting guests for overnight stays, bike tours and high tea. It is very fulfilling work. Every once in a while I hike the hill with a friend. But it feels hard now. How did that happen?
Painting Willowbrook Manor ~
The gift shop at Willowbrook Manor now features note cards with Marina Reed’s watercolor of my home.
Marina and her husband stayed at Willowbrook during the Skagit Tulip Festival. She brought her watercolors to paint tulips. When we visited about her talent, she shared bit of advice a good friend gave her when she was a young mother. “When the baby is sleeping, take 30 minutes and do something with your hands that will stay done, like painting, needlepoint, embroidery, knitting, or sewing. A little bit every day provides you with something that doesn’t get un-done.” I asked Marina if I could include this bit of wisdom in my newsletter.
Thank you Marina, for the lovely artwork. I so enjoyed hosting the two of you.
Book a Stay ~
This summer I have noticed a shift in overnight bookings. It used to be that guest came from far away. More and more travelers are coming from just an hour away. I’m glad to offer a place where guests can unwind, sip tea, and soak in the tranquility of this farm that is nestled among the foothills of the North Cascades. Vacationers say it’s like a little trip to England, without the need of a passport or airfare. Click HERE to look into booking a stay.
Fundraiser for Homeless Families ~
For the past 6 years Family Promise of Skagit Valley has hosted its May fundraiser at Willowbrook Manor. The speakers are always inspiring as they share success stories and ask for support. This year their fundraiser ‘Tea at the Manor’ raised $49,381! If you would like to volunteer or donate, you can find more information at: FamilyPromiseSkagit.org
Summer Garden Tea ~
Our June Summer Garden Tea was delightful (and sold out). Guests could choose to enjoy tea under the tea tent or inside the air-conditioned manor. July 11th and August 8th are the only other high tea events this summer. Cost is $60/person, children ages 5 and under are free. Book soon before we are full. Click HERE to reserve a table.
Woolley Tea Sept 12th ~
You may remember last year when Willowbrook Manor partnered with the Concrete Theatre to celebrate the Downton Abbey movie. I hosted the Downton Abbey Tea that included tickets to the Concrete theatre to watch the movie. WELL! I have absolutely fallen in love with the latest Emma Thompson and Hugh Jackman murder mystery called The Sheep Detectives. So my September tea event is called Woolley Tea!
You are invited to dress up in your favorite wool sweater or tweed jacket, bring your knitting or crocheting, and sip tea with sheep-themed sweets and savories. THEN, take the scenic drive to Concrete to watch The Sheep Detectives movie. The 11:00 and 11:30 tea sessions go to the 2:00 movie and the 2:00 and 2:30 tea sessions will watch the 5:00 movie. Ticket price of $69 includes high tea and movie ticket. Click HERE to book Woolley Tea.
There are overnight rooms available at the manor for those who who would like to make Woolley Tea a weekend getaway. Please email us to ask for rates.
Chamomile Festival Walk/Bike/Run ~
My vision to host an annual Chamomile Festival brought me to change the Willowbrook Water Tank Walk • Bike • Run into the the first annual Chamomile Festival Walk • Bike • Run that will happen every last weekend in July.
This year’s festival consists of:
Picking chamomile
Eating tea and scones
Walking/running, or biking down the scenic Cascade Trail to enjoy lunch at the family-friendly Lyman Tavern then returning (by shuttle or back down the trail)
I’ve got plans next year to add evening country dancing (like in Jane Austin movies) as part of the Chamomile Festival. Mom and I also talk about having a Sunday Sing-a-long with gospel and folk favorites next year. It will all depend on this year’s interest. So, if you would like for the Chamomile Festival to grow, please join the first annual Walk/Bike/Run! It promises to be a fabulous event.
Bike Ride and Tea Picnic ~
We have already kicked off the summer with weekend bike rides down the Cascade Trail. It is actually the best-kept secret in Skagit Valley. The 8-mile round-trip ride from Willowbrook Manor to the sleepy town of Lyman removes you from all traffic. The trail itself is lightly travelled. You go over streams and ponds, through forest and along the Skagit River. It’s a history tour as well as a tea-and-scones picnic and bike ride. You can bring your own bike ($50/person) or rent Willowbrook Manor’s E-bikes ($100/person). Click HERE to schedule your bike ride.
Time For Liz ~
This is where I turn the pen over to my mother, author Liz Adair. Here she is:
Liz Sez ~
I grew up in a time when “housewife” was considered an honorable career, and much of my early training was focused on learning how to run a household. I could sew clothing, reupholster a couch, make drapes and valences for the living room. I could bake bread and cook delicious and nutritious meals. Washing was always done on Monday, ironing on Tuesday.
However, to put my new husband through college, I worked teaching school. At that time a woman could not teach beyond five months into a pregnancy. I guess the kids needed to be protected from the facts of life.
I stopped working to have our first two children, but we had a struggling business and determined that I should go back to work to put money in the family coffers.
So there I was, teaching school but still trying to cover all the homemaker bases. It was the mid-1960s, and society expected all women to be Martha Stewart. I was trying to stuff all the Martha Stewart activities into a quarter of the time and energy I had previously expended.
My default down-time activity was reading, and the only available time for it was when I was in the bathtub. I bought used paperbacks, so it wouldn’t matter if they got wet. Leaving the bathroom each evening, I was wrinkled from immersion but mentally revived.
Lighter fare suited my situation. I loved Georgette Heyer’s regency romances, and her mysteries were witty and well crafted. I liked Dick Francis’ mysteries because they always taught me something new. I read both the Poldark and Hornblower series, and as dashing as bad-boy Ross Poldark was, Horatio Hornblower, the uncomfortable leader, was the protagonist I liked the most. Here was a ship’s captain who got dreadfully seasick every time he put out to sea.
Thinking about those heroes is like thinking about old friends. Books got me through tough times. I called them cheap vacations.
One of things a new writer needs to do is to identify his/her audience. Who are they writing for? I’ve always felt I was writing for people like I was back then. I’m writing for the ones who are pressed down by responsibilities, stressed by shortfalls of time or money, and in need of a break.
I like to think that for a few hours my readers can decompress in a small town located in a picturesque corner of the United States. For the price of a book, they can visit the red-rock country of Southern Utah or the lush green of the Pacific Northwest. And if you buy used books, that makes it a really cheap vacation.
– Liz
Now back to Terry
This Month’s Giveaway Winners ~
This month’s winners of Willowbrook’s Women’s Blend Tea plus Scone Mix are:
Back in the early ’90’s when we were doing school at the University of Washington, I would watch the women’s rowing team out on Lake Union. I ached to be on the water rowing my heart out. But I was a new mother then, managing apartments and sewing custom wedding gowns and bridesmaids dresses to put my husband through dental school. Being part of a rowing team was totally out of the question.
Thirty-five years later, I am beginning to fulfill that dream! Not as part of a team, but solo. Just me, my newly acquired rowing shell, and the water. Oh yeah, and my mom on the shore.
The learning process is terribly awkward. I’m grateful for YouTube tutorials.
I’ve been following @yourowkelsey on Instagram. I have to check on Kelsey Fendler every day as she rows solo from California to Hawaii. Today is her 35th day and she only has around 600 miles left! It was her post on day 8 that hit home to me. It chokes me up every time I watch it, because of how real it is in managing hard things in life.
Day 8 she was exhausted from rowing all day without gaining any miles. “I knew this was going to be hard,” she said with emotion in her voice. “It’s demoralizing to, like, row all day, not to make miles, but just to keep what you worked so hard for. I feel like I’m just trying to cling to the miles that I’ve made. And I’m watching them slowly fall back because of this wind. But I’ll get them back.” She smiles, takes a deep breath and continues talking, saying that it’s ok. She knew it would be hard. “Tomorrow’s gonna be better.”
I’d love to visit with her over a cup of tea.
Sending love to you, my newsletter family. Thanks for reading. -t
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