Grotto of the Redemption, West Bend, Iowa

I bought a small box at the thrift store. I bought it for a pattern, and for inspiration.

The box is altered. It has been crafted. There is a postcard glued and coated on the lid. As I look closer at the box, it occurs to me that it is quite old.

Old, dry, weathered, yellowed. It's a cedar chest. It has tack on hinges and a tack on clasp.

Simply made, as well.

Okay. So. I am inspired to create another box, but as I delve into the history of the postcard, I discover a man who was inspired to create a shrine, but his was on a larger scale.

His was made of rocks. Lots of rocks. Lots of rocks collected by himself, and donated by many, many people.

Not far from my Area

It was built by a man whose life spanned from the late eighteen-hundreds to the mid nineteen-hundreds.

I may have to visit it someday.