well-equipped toolbox,  and a pair of ice skates.  With a tear in my eye, I set off to follow his advice.  If only I could restep my traces---I mean-- oh,  you know what I mean!  What do you expect from someone who can't even decide between present and past tense?  Let's see,  was there some kind of map in that all-inclusive journal of mine?  I looked,  and,  sure enough...

was surrounded by a beautiful,  sunlit field full of fragrant flowers,  all shades of red and pink;  they looked familiar,  somehow,  all nodding in the soft breeze,  almost hypnotically,  almost as though...yes,  I recognized them now--they were poppies!  And suddenly I fet very relaxed,  felt like lying on the soft green grass and just watching the fluffy clouds above,  and smelling the...

Obviously,  my insatiable curiosity insisted I investigate this phenomenon!  As I approached, I could tell the lovely little cottage wasn't made of real gingerbread,  just the fancy decorative stuff often thought quaint.  My sharp sense of smell,  however,  told me someone was baking,  and I followed the scent,  trying not to drool;  it had been awhile since my chocolate bath!  Timidly,  I knocked on the quaintly-carved,  blue painted door,  which was answered amost immediately by...

lunch?  Oh,  I hope so!  I so seldom get company out here in the woods!"
"Uh,  yeah,  lunch sounds great!"  I babbled,  looking around in fascination.  Everything:  the furniture,  walls,  a long,  winding staircase,  was made of wood,  intricately and artfully fashioned to look as though it had grown that way naturally.  Warm,  welcoming,  alive--I never wanted to leave.  "Um...you live here by yourself?"  I asked,  astounded by the space that seemed to expand infinitely.
"Oh my,"  said the raccoon,  "Where are my manners?  Let me introduce myself!  I am...
 

methods of tracking kidnappers,  missing nephews,  and related activities.  Just as the soup course arrived--French onion,  if I'm not mistaken--I heard footsteps,  and here he came!  Down that breathtakingly  carved, wooden spiral staircase,  the quaint little man descended,  and approached the table  (of hand-carved wood,  of course)  eagerly.  "At last! "  he said,  rather breathlessly.  (Didn't I say the staircase was breathtaking?)  "We finally meet,  after missing each other so many times!  And in such a perfect place!   Pierre's cooking is..."  here he gave a delicious little shiver of anticipation  as he picked up his soup spoon.  "Oh,  I wonder what the entree is!  Oh my!  I'm afraid our discussion will have to wait a bit!  This food is too delicious to be diluted with talk of a serious nature!"  Here we both applied ourselves enthusiastically to the fragrant,  savory soup.  I was beginning to wonder if...