"He's coming here," she said.

My eyes got wide, my jaw went slack, and I'm not sure I didn't quit breathing for a couple of seconds. I simply couldn't believe my ears.

We were all in shock...and still are to an extent.

Granddaddy has agreed to come north.

Wow...yet another example in our lives of how God teaches us not to plan too far out. I got my question of yesterday morning answered last night in a fashion I wasn't exactly expecting. I had been wondering what we were going to do since Savannah really didn't want to go back to Florida (health reasons) and I really didn't want to be there by myself...and the other options just weren't very exciting either.

This creates a whole new massive shift in our lives; one that is going to take a lot of work...I'm kind of groping in the dark at the moment, just scribbling here as I try to fully grasp the whole notion of my Florida-born and raised grandfather coming to the mid-west to live. However, I suppose I ought to be used to such things now after eight years of the normal state of life being one of abnormality...

So...what do I think of the idea?

In the long run, I think it will be best for our family. Mom's right, this way she can take care of Savannah...and yes, I do need both my parents. I think I have kind of gotten used to being rather independent, not that that is completely bad, but I still need that parental guidence that you don't get day-to-day when you live half-a-dozen states apart.

I will miss my reenacting friends and the events, but I reckon I'll stay in the loop--I am still the webmistress of the site...and there is always the possiblity of being down there at the same time as an event. I suppose. At least I can fool myself into thinking that. :) I have to stay in contact with Mr. K anyway since he's my narrator...and Mrs. K sells my socks...

We also just joined the church down there...but they will understand.

My horse is another consideration, but I think Mr. Dan will take him for awhile. (They might actually get Snip finished, too!)

Nothing is solid at this point--and there is always the possiblity that after a couple of weeks, or months, Granddaddy may say, "I want to go home!" and then...well, if or when that happens...then I'll cross that bridge.

Anyway, I'd better get on with my day...there are things to be done!

P.S. I get my cat, too. :) I think Curio will make a lovely little house cat...

So...it really wasn't wild; but some folks might have thought I was being rather wild when I tore up the stairs in my excitment and first rattled at one sister and then the other the news! The Florida Archives (www.floridamemory.com/) must have updated their site because I found not one, but two pictures of Major Pleasant Woodson White! (He was one of the top men in the Florida Commissary Department during the War Between the States.) I was so excited because I really needed a picture of him.

To further expand on a related topic, I progressed from page 4 to page 7 on my Cow Cavalry script. That entailed planning and/or putting together nine more AfterEffect compositions and putting seven interview clips into the timeline in PremierePro. I really have my head into this right now...which is a good thing. I'm making progress, which makes me quite happy. :) (Check out my 'offical blog' for some pictures.)

I took a break from editing for about two hours in the afternoon and helped Mama get the tomatoe cages out of the garden, pull stakes, and wind up the soaker hose. I only managed to break one of the stakes off in the ground. I also clobbered myself with another one; it cracked (but didn't completely break), but when it did so it whacked me on the scalp. I yelped quite nicely and checked my hair...no blood--nothing wrong here that a minute won't fix! I enjoyed the work, but was most definitely ready for something to eat by the time we were done.

Such was my "wild" Wednesday...a fairly good day all told. :)

I actually feel like I have had a pretty productive day today...not only have I washed the dishes twice (*wink*), but I have cooked three meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), and plowed through at least the planning stages of several more AfterEffects compositions this afternoon, while also finding time to run out and feed the chickens for Katherine (who was peeling and chopping apples). I imagine I'll probably end up doing a third round of dishes before settling in for the evening.

Yesterday I also washed dishes (of course!) and worked on The Cow Cavalry. I helped Mom move beds for the grandparents again, too. That is the second time since I've been here. :)

Just a little update...that's all. I'm still here. :)

Just in case you were unaware of it, my brain does frequently brush with topics that are more substantial than the normal seemingly frivilous subjects that I love to enthrall my readers with. (Um...that is, if I enthrall my readers?)

The one that's been pinging around in the back of my mind for several days in the obscure shadows under my hair was, unsurprisingly (I suppose), prompted by a brief-ish exchange, in a longer conversation I had last Friday. For anonymity's sake, I'll refrain from mentioning by name the brother I was chatting with... :)

Anyways, last year, said young gentleman and I were both involved in multiple on-line conversations concerning politics and the Christian's civic duty. The point of this post is not to delve into the various, assorted views that got expounded on and argued over during those conversations, but to address something I said rather flippently last Friday.

The difference in political views cropped up (I believe I brought it up; probably as an example of how Christians can fellowship even when not extactly in-step with one another--at least I hope that's why I brought it up, because I sure wasn't trying to throw anything into his face). I then said rather laughingly, "We just won't talk about that!!"

And I got to thinking...is that really the right way to go about it? Sure, we've had these discussions before and we basically know where the other stands on the issue, but to just cut off the topic (jokingly or not)--is that right?

I'm not really sure.

I have certain personal reasons for not really wanting to wade knee-deep into particular topics, some of which being: 1) I hate tension and strife (particularly between family and friends), 2) I have a fierce loyality that causes my temper to flare if I perceive myself as being challenged or threatened, and 3) I hate being bested in a debate and looking like an idiot (even if only to myself).

So...it's really that second one that screams against me getting into such discussions. I must say the calmness and respect with which certain members of the "politics talks" of last fall treated me and my different thoughts really convicted me on my own snappish response to any challenge. However, I digress...

Should one steer clear of these kinds of conversations (knowing one has certain pitfalls) or should one not run from the conversations, but go in with an extra-guarded tongue (and frevent prayers for strength in controlling that firecracker temper that will bubble up, like it or not)? I guess the question really is: does one knowingly place themselves in a conversation which may cause a sinful response? (I am not blaming anyone or anything for causing my sin--that comes out of my own heart, but certain things do prompt it more quickly than others.) One often learns a lot in conversations that challenge them (least in my case) and in the end one has a deeper, more throrough knowledge of the other side(s) of an issue.

I do not want to lose my temper or lose my friends because I've behaved abominally--but neither do I want to ignore issues of great importance to me, simply because I might lose the ol' temper. (One nice thing about internet debates is that you can put the subject aside and come back to it in a way that you cannot with a one-on-one in-person conversation. However for all that, I would still rather discuss things face-to-face.)

So, when I laughed, "We just won't talk about that!" I think there are a couple of possibilites: 1) I was being a coward, 2) I was being spiritually and intellectually lazy, or 3) I was just shooting off with the mouth...because I really wouldn't mind having that conversation (or parts of it) with certain persons (in person) again. Or maybe it was a combination of the above.

Anyway, what are your thoughts on "getting into conversations that may cause you to get upset/lose your temper"? Really...I'm curious. I have my own ideas on this, but I'm not sure I can articulate them, so I'll clam up for the moment. :)

What a wonderful, great, grand, weekend!!

That's the short version. Now,  you know, I'm not given to giving the short version unless I absolutely have to...

I came down with a cold Tuesday evening and spent the next two days laid out on the couch reading and being pumped with cat-mint tincture, echinesea, garlic, vitamin's, and such like. By Friday morning, I felt pretty good, though I refrained from shaking hands with folks that afternoon.

We got out late, but still managed to squeak in before things actually got underway. As we settled into our seats, I noticed Dan R. talking to a friend. A few minutes later, Andy R. came in whistling and snapping his fingers, practially dancing. Savannah and I cracked up for some odd reason...

Once Andy got seated, he craned around and seeing us, grinned and waved...then apparently jabbed his brother, because Dan looked over and smiled and waved too. I went out for some reason, I forget why, and walked right under Caleb R.'s nose! He didn't see me and being myself, I laughed about it internally. You do know that odd things amuse me, don't you?

Dr. Serven had the first presentation "Doctrine Divides". I didn't take very good notes on any of the sessions (and none on the last two because I wasn't in the room! But I'll get to that...) Dr. Sproul, Jr. (commonly known as "Red-Beard" in our family because when we first met him back in the early 2000's he had a red-beard) spoke about "Litergy in Worship and the Celtic Church". Dr. Serven had the third lecture on "Missions and the Celtic Church". I had learned previously about the Celtic church (though not very extensively) and knew they were a stronghold of faith before the Roman Catholic's showed up, but I didn't realize that they sent out as many missionaries as they did!

Between the first and second session, our row kind of got decended on by friends we had not yet met in person. Dan and Andy, Andrew H., Peter B. (we'd met Peter before) and Caleb, who laughed when I told him I'd walked under his nose earlier. I sat there and talked to Caleb and John (one of their friends) about ranching vs. farming and suburbia until it was time to break up the party out of respect for the next speaker.

I joined the alto section for the "Psalm Instruction" time in the afternoon and squeaked through passably. I tried not to drop too low (what I tend to do) or go flat and did okay.

After supper, we piled back into the sanctuary for the Friday night concert--Charlie Zham, in person! (Andy had scheduled a jam session for the previous hour, but we couldn't make it due to conflicting eating schedules--and yours truely being in dire distress, needing food. I kind of had food/stomach issues all weekend.)

Anyway, Charlie Zham is an outstanding performer! He works his audience very, very well besides having a grand voice. Turns out it was his birthday, so he got a serenade from the audience...and I had the audacity later to remark to him something along the lines of: "It's great to meet another October baby!" I keep adding to that list...in the last month, I've discovered half-a-dozen people born in October. :)

I didn't sleep as well as I would have liked Friday night (though I probably slept a little more than I thought), but was wired enough Saturday that I didn't feel tired until late that night. (Though looking at the pictures, I do look kind of 'blah'.)

The first session was Red-Beard on the "Theology of Patrick". To make an 45 minute session short: Patrick was not a Roman Catholic; he was more Reformed than anything.
That was the last session I heard. The next two (one by Pastor McDonald on Patrick and one by Dr. Sproul on I don't know what) I missed because first I had joined Savannah, Andy, and Peter in a conversation on...well...where did it start? I know it ended up with music and me writing down a couple of hymn book names.

I got started talking to Caleb during that break between sessions and it was an encouraging conversation. I did more listening than talking, but really that's okay with me. We discussed duty, fear, encouragment, God's sovereignty...and probably a few other things--like "Pendragon". I really did enjoy that conversation and the others I had over the weekend with these previously just "internet" friends.

We "Google+"er's gathered for a group picture around 1:30 and then had a jam session. Andy most definitely leaves me in the dust when it comes to guitar playing (it didn't help that I am really out of practice), but I tried to hang in there and bluff my way through. I ended up turning my guitar into a precussion instrument several times. It thrilled me when the guys pitched into "General Taylor". I love that one and actually know the words well enough that I was able to sing along (to some extent). We only broke up the jam session because it was time for the Highland Games....

The games were, of course, a lot of fun to watch and I rooted for "my boys" (that'd be the B. boys) as well as Andy, Dan, Caleb, Peter, and Andrew. Caleb won the cabor toss and almost won the rock toss. Little Christopher came in second on the young'un's rock toss--it's not surprising either. That little guy is strong.

During the Boffer Wars I kept finding myself pitching onto my toes and tensing up as my brain had the following jumping around in it: "I'd do that...", "Andy!! Watch your back!" (I almost yelled that a couple of times, but each time I started to, it was too late!), "Don't swing so wide, Dan!" or something along those lines. Andrew quit a little before the whole thing was over and I stood there and discussed sword-play with him for a bit. One guy got whacked so hard on the head that he said he heard his ears pop. I know it hurt, because it took him down to the ground and he crawled off and laid there for a minute or two. I didn't look at him too closely, because I got the impression he was trying not to let tears of pain slip out...and didn't want to embarress him any more than necessary. Daniel B. was telling me that that particular antagonist gave head-shots a lot (it's against the rules) and that "he hit's really hard!" (Now, Daniel and I have a history of sword-fighting between us and we both give as we take, hard...but we don't go for the head.)

Dinner was next...I ate and didn't feel well again. I had managed to kind of control the stomach ache most of the day with quick snacks throughout the day, but I had just gotten really hungry right before supper and so started the whole thing up again. When the boys pulled out their instruments, we girls moved up and listened. I ended up with Andy's tamborine again...

By the time the ball rolled around, I was feeling alright (I think I'd have danced even if I hadn't felt well--I do so love to dance). I danced the first one with Andy and lost a shoe because Caleb kept stepping on my heels! It really was funny. When he realized that I'd lost it, he picked it up and handed it to me, so I tucked it under one arm and then the other as Andy and I reeled...then I tossed it behind me because I couldn't hang onto the shoe during the next portion of the dance--and guess what? The dance ended!

I had plenty of opportunity to help new dancers get the feel of things--from Andy to Andrew. They all caught on pretty fast and got along well. I danced The Waves of Torry (that's not what the caller said it was, but that's basically what it was) with Caleb...and we got all mixed up the first time through--but by the time that was done, we were going along nice and smooth. I tend to get all mixed up in that one anyway, so I'm glad he got the concept fast...or I'd have gotten lost! :D I did one of the ECD-style dances with Dan and I don't remember anything crazy happening during that one, though I did get amused when we reached the end and he pushed off the bleachers with one foot and then the kid next in line did the same thing. The last dance was the Gay Gordon (or Carolina Promenade), one of my favorites, and I started it with Andy...after doing a brief clarifying instruction session with the him and the next couple back. The caller was having fun, which means a lot, but some of his instruction wasn't the clearest, though actually I think it was more clear than the previous caller's...but maybe that's simply because I have danced more and he also used the more familiar terminology rather than the ECD terms.

I can't remember the name of the dance--but I guess I'll just call it the "Follow the Leader" dance (since that is basically what it is); but I did that one with Andrew. For never having danced before, he really got the idea and did a great job! It didn't take him near as long to figure out how to strip-the-willow as it did me...I have just recently quit messing that up regularly. That dance sticks in my mind especially beacuse of the precious little lady to my left. She was just as adorable as could be and she kept getting mixed up, but would smile up at me as sweet as anything when I helped her out. At one point, I left my place and scooped her up (she was way at the end) and brought her back to place. She was just so sweet... :)

There was one waltz--which I talked Christopher into doing with me. He didn't want to, but when I said "Please!" he gave in--"Oh...alright." Immediately after that, a swing tune came on and Thomas attempted to teach me how to do it. Thomas is an outstanding little dance instructor and I practically had it by the time the song ended.

I love to dance and I was greatly disappointed when the ball was over. It seemed so short. (Two hours really isn't that long...particuarly when the dances at reenactments tend to go from 8 to 11.)

I slept that night. When I got up (before anyone else) Sunday morning, I washed my hair and then started packing things up. By the time I was done with my hair, everyone was up. Mom packed the car and then we went to church.

After the service, we headed down-stairs to get our food. Savannah, Andy, Dan, and I were engaged in a conversation about exculsive psalmody. Somewhere along the time we were getting our food (Dan had a tray on which he put a plate and two bowls...the food was literally spilling from his plate--and he ate most of it! I think he would have actually eaten it all only he was so busy talking that by the time the church folk where trying to take down the tables he wasn't quite finished) the conversation shifted. By the time I was seated, Andy was regaling Savannah with the histroy of Richard Cameron. I couldn't hear very well, so I mainly listend to Dan talking to Zane and Jason about home economics with an emphasis on industry. I'm afeared I'm a little lost on that whole front...I was also interested in Caleb and Andrew's conversation clear at the other end of the table. Somehow I knew they were talking filmmaking, but there wasn't room at that end of the table. (Poor KT ended up at a different table completely because there was no more room!)

Anyway, we talked and talked and talked and I think everyone had a blast...I haven't had that much encouraging fun in quite a long time. Now...I'm sure you are tired of me running my mouth...and would like to see the pictures. :)

I'd love to go again next year...but around here, we don't make plans that far out. :) Suffice to say, I am so very pleased that we were able to go this year and that I got to meet some friends in person. God Bless you all!!

It really did start out strange with Mama and I running to the hardware store first thing in the morning to get a new pressure switch for the pump. When we got home, I flopped down on my stomach in the garage (the well and pump are smack dab in the middle of the garage). It's rather an odd sensation to be working over an open hole like that...I did manage not to drop any tools into the well and got the old pressure switch removed and put the new one on (after having a guyser because I forgot to drain the water before I got started). Unfortunately, it didn't fix the problem...the pump still wouldn't turn off. The problem is being explored further today...

After church we went to the B's house for lunch...and a snack...and supper...and glorious fun with the boys! Like I said to William when he noted that whenever his family or ours goes/comes to the other's house, we always stay so late: "You know why? It's because we're like family." It's true, too.

We played "football" and frisbee...some game called Sabatour (it's my impression Joshua really likes being a sabatour), and watched Captain America. I'll be doing a review of that later on Reformed Reviews. And of course, we talked...and talked...and laughed a lot.

Katherine was the main photographer...so I'm afraid there isn't any pictures of her, even though she looked quite nice yesterday. (I ended up looking rather, well, blown and frumpy! :D)

I sure have missed these guys. Maybe the B's will come see me and Savannah if they get down to Florida anytime soon. 

I look forward to seeing them at the Reformation Day Faire this weekend and showing them off to some of my other friends...(maybe Daniel will win the field during the boffer wars...he's a pretty good hand with a 'sword'.)

Y'all haven't forgotten about my first foray into hide tanning, have you? Good, because neither did I.

I finally got around to making that coon-hide pouch I threated to make. I'm convinced that Mum thinks me slightly loco: "You are really going to carry that thing?" :D 

If  anybody looks at the thing (which I assured Katherine I would not call "That Rascal"), they will most certainly know that it's an amateur job, but I did learn a little in the process (and had fun) so that is really what matters at this point. Besides, the pouch is actually useable!

The following is a photographic progress report:

And there you have it! I know it looks kind of goofy, but I'm pleased as punch with it all the same.

I helped Mum thin the numerous Lindon trees this afternoon after spending the morning helping Savannah with placing patterns and cutting out garments.

Mom recently bought an electric chainsaw (I guess Daddy has his gas powered saw with him) and so we unpacked that and flipped through the book and put some oil in and then got started. (Boy...talk about run-on sentences!)

At first, Mom couldn't figure out how to get the thing started, so while she went after the book, I messed around with the machine and it started up. One did have to push on that little green button afterall! (I think I had told her she wasn't supposed to--because I misundestood how the "lock" button functioned.)

Well, anyway, Mom did most of the chainsaw work though I did do just a little tiny bit. It is more awkward than I thought it would be. I did get to drive the "go-buggy" for the first time today. I was loading the smaller branches onto the back (evidenced by the numerous sratches on my arms) and running them up behind the barn where I unloaded them next to the fire ring. The larger stuff is going to be cut up for the winter stash of firewood.

We didn't get finished, but we did get the funny looking pine cleared out as well as the Quince bush. By the time we got done, my feet and knees were starting to ache. I need to get some of those Dr. Scholl's arch-supports like I had in my old boots. They were great until they got some much dirt on the sticky part that they wouldn't stick any more! I took them out after I got tired of having to adjust them every couple of feet...

At one point, I tripped backwards over nothing and fell down. It was particularly funny because Mama said, "I didn't see that!" when she really had. Later I did another backwards trip that I didn't try to catch. I do that sometimes, I'll just drop and roll and come back up on my feet all in the same movement.

Anyways, it felt good to work, I feel like I'm getting fat and lazy (like a cat) up here...though it really is rather nice to have some kick back and relax time like this. Poor Daddy is down there taking care of fences and water leaks and grass and tractors...but you know what? I'm sure glad he was there for the water leak because I would have been overwhelmed!

That's right....I turned 22 years-old yesterday. It was a busy and fairly fun day, though rather different.

To start with, Mum and I went to the chiropractor together where I got a fine adjustment and met another October baby. The list grows...there are more October babies out there than I thought!

From there we went to Rual King--which is a fun store to meander through as it is something of a cross between a feed store and a hardware store with a little clothing thrown in for good measure. Mum and I looked at some boots (I'm supposed to be getting another pair for my birthday! Yay!!), but I didn't like any of those. Then Mama told me about a real pretty black and red pair she'd been looking at on the internet and I think I decided on them. (Grandma gave me some money in my birthday card to put towards boots too--but I may just put that in the bank.)

After that we stopped in at the Salvation Army where I got this very pretty red formal. It does need a small amount of work on the top to make it modest enough to actually wear, but it fits perfectly.

Then we went to Bob Evan's for lunch where I had an "almost mooing" steak. I like my steak rare and this one was rare--like almost raw in the center. It tasted fine, so I went ahead and ate it. Obviously, there was nothing wrong with it, because I didn't get sick! :D

From there we went to Jo-Ann's for fabric for me. I'll explain the situation...see, we are going to the Reformation Day Faire in Illinois this year. Down in Florida, I had gotten some gorgeous red wool for a particular dress. Well, as of Tuesday evening there were some particulars about said design that got discussed and it was determined we should do something else for me. Soo....I had to get some more material. I may still get the red wool (redesigned as an overdress) if we have time, but for now, I'm getting a mustard colored kirtle. I really like the color...so I'll be fine if the wool doesn't get made up, although I really want it.

We dropped by the grocery on the way home and then after we got here, Savannah and I fitted and cut out my kirtle. Even though this and the other four sewing projects in the works are officially Liberty Seamstress projects, I decided to pitch in and help with mine (we doing only have about a week now to get everything done). I have the kirtle pretty much all sewn up. I guess I'm going to learn how to do the placket today (but there is no way I'm going to do the eyelets--period), and I will do the hemming. I really actually kind of like hemming.

Then...later...in the evening...we took my delicious birthday supper out to the apartment and had a "party" with Grandma and Grandpa!! Supper consisted of lamb roast (yummy!!), squash, "fuax"-totoes (califlower done like mashed taters--very tasty), tomatoes, and pinapple. I think I ate almost all of that by myself. I was very hungry and must admit I ate like something of a glutton, but I wasn't overfull for all that. For dessert, Katherine made me a carrot cake (grain-free; these coconut flour based breads and cakes are DE-licous!) with cream cheese frosting. Very, very good! (Can you tell I like food?)

After supper, we got a little goofy...

Laugh progression:

And yes...Mama's card was hilarious.

Well...I'd better scram because I have a dress to finish and I may end up helping Mom trim the trees! (Maybe I won't stick a twig up my nose and get a horrid nosebleed like I did three/four years ago...)

I haven't done a nonesense post in awhile...so I thought I'd just share some favorite moments from post-service fellowship last Sunday.

For starters, it's rather nice to be surrounded by very special kids that know you and love you. I love being surrounded by precious little (and occasionally not so little) children. It's nice to know that I can still pick some of them up (Olivia for one...she's a hefty 7), that the B twins don't mind that I play in their hair (even though they are all of 12), and that Sarah and Isabelle are as sweet as ever.

Anyway, there are really two stories in particular that I wanted to share. Mrs. B is doing dance instruction classes after church for the upcoming "Scottish Ball" (I'm still not sure why it's called that--it's not Scottish dancing, but rather American Civil War/Folk with a few ECD dances). Well, anyway during the waltz instruction time, I caught Christopher. He's a little short stocky stinker whom I absolutely love. By now I had finally grasped the basic box step for the waltz. I asked him if he knew how to waltz and no, he didn't...so I taught him! (Or tried to teach him.) I'm sure we looked rather amusing--little blonde boy with big girl bent double waltzing quite choppily around and around, laughing, yet very concentrated on our feet. Since Christopher's arms are too short to reach my waist, he had a grip on my sleeve which I had rolled up to my elbow. Like I said, I just love Christopher!

Later, I scooped up Benjamin (Christopher's little brother--looks just like him) and exhibited the behavoir that makes me alright with a large majority of little squirts. I took him into the halls, balanced on my hip, and started half running, half-skipping down and back up again until I was so out of breath that I had to quit. I was "playing horse"--sound effects (from my large square heels) and all. Benjamin really got into it there for a bit, swinging his free arm and swatting me (not very hard, if he had, I'd have made him quit) across the front of my shoulders. After that we played "you can't catch me", combined "Mommy!! Daddy!!" (that's part of the game, you know--'yell' for mum or dad--not because the young'un really wants me to leave him alone, but to add an extra layer of complication into the "chase").

I also learned a new dance called the "Postie's Jig"...