Well, the Wood Spirits have their ways, and this morning proved to be evidence of how they work.  Having recorded in my blog yesterday that we had never met the kindly gnomes of Mt. Revelstoke Forest, one appeared this morning on the trail not 30' above our property. Chester and I were beginning our morning hike,  heading up the little path connecting our property to the larger network of trails above.  There she was, planted firmly on the 'terra',  rake in hand and a good 500' yards of trail already swept leaf-free behind her.  I introduced myself, and the irony of this first encounter.  She introduced herself as follows in the e-mail she sent shortly after our rendezvous: 

"Hi Rebecca, it was nice to meet you too. I rake the leaves off the trails because I love to look at the contrast of trail and forest. It is a very personal thing for me. I travel the trails daily seeing the little changes and becoming connected with every hump and bump along the way. I used to run the trails off the eastern access road but there is indications that it will soon become lawns and three car garages so I am transferring my heart to the area where we met and am so glad to hear it is somewhat protected. Have inserted one of my pencil drawings of a bridge. Would be nice to meet you again sometime."

Here is one of the drawings: