December 19, 2014 - Seattle's Highest Bough

"Hang a shining star upon the highest bough...." goes the lyrics of Frank Sinatra's take on Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane's "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."  In Seattle, the Wheedle's blinking red nose takes the place of a shining star on Seattle's highest bough - the tree of lights atop the Space Needle.

Who is the Wheedle?  The Wheedle is the round, furry creature with a red blinking nose that is the subject of Stephen Cosgrove's 1974 children's story "Wheedle on the Needle".  While Rudolph's red nose might make an appearance once a year, the Wheedle's red nose is a nightly occurrence here.

There's a Wheedle on the Needle

I know just what you're thinking 

But if you look up late at night

You'll see his red nose blinking

November 28, 2012 - Wheedle's Tree

As a postscript to the November 21st post "Weather Permitting", the tree topping the Space Needle was indeed completed on time and lit in a ceremony the day after Thanksgiving.

Stephen Cosgrove's children's book "Wheedle on the Needle", illustrated by Robin James, was published in 1974.  The main character is a big, furry fellow that prefers peace and quiet.  The story explains that the blinking red light atop the Space Needle is the sleeping Wheedle's nose.  For the next several weeks, he'll have his own tree!

There's a Wheedle

On the Needle

I know just what

You're thinking

But if you look up 

Late at night

You'll see 

His red nose blinking