I have four friends with birthdays this week...somehow that amuses me. :) Three are, or are past, and one still to come. My brother-in-law's birthday is next week (if I'm right on the date), so it's a birthday-ish kind of month, it seems! Naturally, Katherine is our "Sunshine Lady" as Mom puts it, so any mailed out cards have passed through the adorable child's hands.

Speaking of adorable, here's her shop outfit for today. Ain't she just PURDY??

Back to this week so-far though. I can't exactly remember Monday...unless Monday was the day Katherine and I went to Jo-Ann's. If it wasn't Monday, it was Tuesday.

Well, anyway, we went to Jo-Ann's because I have a number of Civil War underpinnings to make for certain persons--preferably before next weekend which is our first reenactment of the season! I, being the entire doof that I am, misread the sale ad and thus was happily expecting the muslin to be 50% off. Oh. It doesn't start until THURSDAY, you say? Well...now that I feel stupid, I'll come back then and get my mass of yardage! (Which I did, this morning, in conjunction with a grocery run. I walked out with an entire bolt of muslin for just over $25.)

I was also pricing for possible other notions for an upcoming project, my "bother's" Confederate general's uniform! Tickles me pink, it does. :) I'm still not entirely settled on what I'm going to use for the "chicken guts" on the sleeves. I don't want anything that looks cheap and "costumy"; it would ruin the effect. But anyway--there will be more on that project in the future.

Yesterday, I cleaned the chicken coop before breakfast. (That 45 minute buffer on the "dirt" detoxer leaves me open time slots sometimes.) The morning was spent doing a little straightening up and the afternoon saw the staggering fact that we organized our yards and yards and yards of material!!!!

You are allowed to die with shock.

That concluded with 1 box (all units are rubbermaid, just so you know) of 1 yard pieces, 1 box of 2 yard pieces, 1 box mostly full of 3 yard pieces, 1 box mostly full of 4 yard pieces, and 1 box crammed full of 5, 6, and 7 yard pieces. Then, of course, is the scrappy stuff which is supposed to be made into quilts, Katherine's box of fabric, my comforter bag of fabric, two small rubbermaids of doll material, one BIG rubbermaid with the material still on bolts in it. So yeah. We still have some material all over the place to join the mess of unfinished projects, un-started projects, and clothing items to be re-purposed. Oh, and perhaps a mending job or two.

We like fabric. Just in case you didn't know.

I was completely wiped out by the end of the day, but surprisingly, don't seem to badly off today. Which brings me to my next subject: a Racheal Health Update.

The week after Savannah got married, the following Wednesday to be exact, I started my new killer/detox regimen. I won't give any dates for the following, because that would be too precise for my taste (or memory)...

Anyway, I have been having, get this, E-N-E-R-G-Y!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My brain may not still be working at capacity, but I have been able to move, energetically--all day long (or mostly all day long) in a way that I haven't for quite a long time. Gee. ONE DROP of that fungal killer is doing this to me?? (And I'm not kidding, most days it is only one drop, not two.) I had some headaches when I first went on it, but since leveling out on one drop, I haven't. I wonder how it'll do with two drops. Maybe I'll attempt two next week.....maybe. I like feeling good. :D

Evidence that my brain still isn't fully functioning...I forgot what else I was going to say. 

However, I probably should mosey off of here (coffee's gone) and get to my Thursday baking. I have to go get some rhubarb for pies...and I'll double check with Mom on what else she wants or does not want made. Either way, I'll try to get US some bread made. We have enough eggs now that it's not a strain on our breakfast to whip up some breads.

​Thursday: COOKING. 

On Thursday, Abigail and Grace K. came down--they spent the majority of the day over at the church helping with the decorations while I baked chicken and later potatoes and carrots. My knee was sooo sore from squatting down every fifteen minutes to turn and baste the chicken. So much so that I ended up wrapping it for the wedding. (I damaged that right knee several years ago.)
 
My Aunt Terry also flew in that night--but after I went to bed, so I didn't see her until the next morning.

Oh...and I nearly forgot! My bees arrived! So I got them installed into the hives before lunch.

Friday: SO MUCH STUFF

Finishing up cooking, decorating, etc. Katherine baked the wedding cake and afterwards I popped in carrots and potatoes. It took forever for the first batch of carrots and potatoes to cook because the oven does not like the temperature to be changed.....I burnt half of the second batch because I thought I turned both ovens off before I went to bed, but I only turned the top one off. *rolls eyes* Hey, give me a break--it was 1:30-2:00 am!!

Anyway, several persons of our "house party" spent most of the day over at the church again. Aunt Terry, who played the organ for the wedding went over to make sure she got some practice. 

Someplace during the afternoon, I was peeping out the window and noticed this green car slowing down and pulling in. I went out, not sure who it was--and then I yelped, "It's Erik!!!!" (And then I remembered that car from before. :D)

Just in case you don't know--Erik was Savannah's first suitor. It didn't "work", but ended with a lasting, family-wide friendship. Erik, indeed, is the first and eldest of our adopted brothers. The beautiful happy lady next to him is his wife of two years--Allie. She's also now officially family. What a gal! :) We'll visit with them a little more here in a paragraph or so....

Sometime in along in here, the R brothers' also arrived, but they went straight to the church, so I really have no idea when they showed up. 

The rehearsal was supposed to be at 5:30, but I think it came off a little later. :D I *think* it went off well, but I've never been to a wedding rehearsal before, so I don't know. I don't have any pictures of that--or after when we were at the rehearsal dinner--but that was fun. Within earshot and with whom conversation was engaged with was, clockwise: Erik, Allie, Grace, Me, Abigail, Aunt Terry, Dan, Andy, and Katherine. I'm not quite sure of the rest of the seating waay up the table...
 
The conversation ranged from firearms (I think that was Dan and I mostly :D), music, history, family stories, reenacting, to coffee vs. tea (or both!)...and whatever. After laughing ourselves silly, various persons drifted away to hotels and our house. The House Party was all of us, Aunt Terry, Abigail and Grace, Erik and Allie, and Dan and Andy. I actually rode home with Dan and Andy--thanks to them tossing Andy's guitar (!!) and the suitcase in the bed of the pick-up. I expected to ride in the back of the cab, but I got to ride shotgun instead. :) Night air, music blaring, and brothers. :) It was a good ride...even with the wet, cool air-induced coughing fit. :D 

Anyway, when the House Party arrived, I went pretty much straight into pin-curling my hair. I think I got it up in record time...

In the meantime, Andy pulled out his guitar and jammed away. In my own opinion, I think he kept us all going. :D Before I got back into the kitchen, the rest of the the party started shredding cabbage, making salads, slicing ham, washing dishes, etc. It was so...awesome. It's what family is supposed to be like. Music, laughter, singing, talking, cooking--all way into the night. Or rather, into Saturday morning.  We finally all either, left to go to a hotel or crawl into bed, at about 1:30. I think I only got about two hours of sleep, so I did pretty decently the day after.

Saturday: THE WEDDING

Well, before we got there, we ate breakfast, goofed a little bit, and then rolled into last minute "stuff". That 'goofed a little bit' included a minor jam session of two guitarist (Andy and I).

Abigail and Savannah  went over earlier than anyone else while the rest of us concentrated on having coffee, tea, and breakfast....

At some point, I had to jump into the car and run into town to to pick-up Grandpa's suit from the cleaners. I drove WAY faster than I usually do....the three cups of strong coffee  I had had didn't help that race any. 

When I got back I kept right on running. We finally got out at almost 1:15 (we were supposed to be at the church at 11:30!), I think, and I RAN some more, rushing stuff in from the car...

​I finally managed to get around to getting into my bridesmaid dress, hurrying my make-up job, and taking my hair out of the "dew-rag" and un-pinning it. I was responsible for Scott's ring, so I stuffed it onto my thumb. Hannah, our photographer (and friend!) was in and out taking pictures. I think we all looked nice--I might have even attained what I was aiming at when I told Hannah's mom the night before, "I will try to look beautiful..." and then nearly fell out of my chair as I spoke! :D (I was leaning off to the side, in that half-dumb fake-confidential style that I have fun with from time to time.) Believe me, people were laughing...........

No matter what, I felt like I looked pretty, even though I was HOT (I mean temperature-wise!!!) when I got changed. It took me a while to cool down after all that sprinting up and down stairs.

Now, I know you are DYING to see the bride's dress:

Anyway, the ceremony was not overly long--but it was nice. Musically, Andy sang "O God Beyond All Praising"...the S's sang Psalm 46 in harmony...and there was the congregational hymn "All Creatures of Our God and King". I faked most of it, but kept my lips moving so I looked like I knew all the words! :D

The Pastor's message was not long but it was good (though please don't ask me to repeat any of it--remember, I only had two hours of sleep Saturday morning)...I had my camera set up in the balcony, so I'll be able to hear it again. :) Vows and rings were exchanged...and IT WAS DONE. 

Sorry I haven't any more pictures at this point...but I hope to put some more up eventually when Hannah gets done processing them.

However, during the wedding, our friend Ruth had a seizure! I had no idea what was going on and I did not look. If I had, I probably would have dropped my armload of flowers and charged over just like Mom and Dad and Erik and Beth (my cousin who is a nurse). At any rate, later I was able to go to GeeGee (Ruth's mom) and hold on to her until Mrs. M took her to the hospital where Ruth was being taken. I couldn't do anything else. Poor GeeGee was fighting tears and I knew that I had better not start bawling or she really wouldn't be able to hold it together, so I just kept my arm around her shoulder and said whatever that fell out of my mouth. I feel, while sad that Ruth had to be ill, that I was yet honored to be the family representative there at that moment. I just love both of them...

I bounced between the upstairs and the downstairs talking until it was time for pictures.

After pictures, Dan on his fiddle and Andy on the bodhran led the wedding party down into the fellowship hall. I really should have been directly behind Savannah, but because I was filming it, I followed on the very end, behind the groomsmen. Whenever I get the videos off the camera, I may get around to getting them on here....(and for my filmmaking friends, I think that I probably got the smoothest walking shot I have ever managed! I wonder if wearing heels helped??)

I tell you...the guests were so good about helping clean up. Though really, I think Miss K (remember this sweetheart?) and Allie did more than their fair share of the dish-washing! 

Between us, Miss K, the R's, the K's, and Erik and Allie, the rest of the clean up was executed pretty snappily. I was really starting to droop, so I'm afraid I was not in an awful lot of help.

It was told us that the relatives were coming over and I warned the brothers--knowing it would be a long evening and that they would be getting a little wound up. :D

Anyway, I hope they didn't think us rude, but Katherine and I spent the majority of our time out in the back room playing music. Dan looked about dead, though he did perk up for a bit once he got his fiddle out--after "fiddling" around on my cello. By the way--I think I've found my new "jam with R's" instrument--the cello. I can just find the drone note.........

At about two o'clock, I decided that I had better go to bed, so I went around and told everyone "Good-night", took a shower, and slipped upstairs.

I woke up at about 7 and snuck around trying to let everyone sleep while I readied things to go to church. I think Mom got the fellas and Katherine up around 8:45--giving them 30 minutes to get up, dressed, fed, packed, and out the door. We all swung it more or less. 

I ended up crying on and off all through the first service; I was just exhausted and the whole everything just caught up with me. I considered getting up and going to the bathroom and actually bawling, but I kept my seat and tried to be quiet. As the final hymn was being sung, I leaned over to Katherine and whispered to her to please get me a cup of coffee as soon as the service ended--which being an absolute doll, she did. It helped and I was able to smile sheepishly and semi-engage in conversation while wondering how red and puffy my eyes looked...It's very odd, but crying in public is not nearly as humiliating as I once would have thought it. Or maybe it's just because the people I was crying around are trustworthy?

Oh well, enough waxing philosophical about tears.

Savannah and Scott didn't make it to the first service (naughty young un's ;D) but they showed for lunch and the second service--only they didn't eat lunch since they had just had "breakfast". I had remembered to bring the camera.....

The R brother's left after lunch so they could get home in time for Andy to tickle the keys for their church's evening service. Glad to say, they got home safely! 

Savannah and Scott hit the road after the second service:

Erik and Allie likewise left--but to come to our place to see Mama and Daddy a little more before they left. So...while we got pictures with them before they drove off--we got to see them again at home as they ate supper with us!

My cousin spent Sunday night with us and Daddy took her to the airport about mid-afternoon Monday so she could catch her 5:30 flight. It was good to see her, even if I didn't spend a huge amount of time with her.

Monday, Robert and Lessie came to spend the day. :) They brought Mama a present....

While we would go out for supper, we fed them lunch...

Like I said, we went out for supper. We went to Red Lobster and I ate and ate. Scallops. :) Anyway, I ended up dopey. Hardly surprising, really. 

They came over for breakfast this morning before hitting the road again.

And now we have clean-up, re-organization to do, and I need to get the wedding videos off my camera. At present, I think every female in the house is just vegging in front of a computer. Daddy just got back from taking Grandpa to a doctor's appointment. And I'm not sure that I don't have a little meningitis prodding me in the neck. Bah. 

It was just wonderful and awesome to see so many people... :) 

Have a great Tuesday, y'all! I'm just relaxin' today...

Busyness has defined this week. I cannot remember what I did on Monday--other than dishes--and singing for 45 minutes at the top of my lungs. No one else was home, that's how come I got away with that. ;)

Yesterday saw a whole slew of things being done: Mom got the Tandoori chicken marinating, I peeled 12 pounds of carrots and stuffed them in ziploc bags and jammed them back into the fridge. I washed dishes once or twice (or more). I did laundry; a little abstract "straightening" in the living room. I ironed both mine and Katherine's bridesmaid dresses (THAT's what I did on Monday--I stitched up the sashes!) I cooked two meals. I cleaned the bathroom (I just realized I forgot to scrub the floor........) I baked some bacon and managed to burn some of it. 

I readied my beehives--I thought the buzzers should be arriving today, but it looks like probably Thursday.

I was in and out of the house several time and actually spent some time in the bright sunshine and wind--and farm chemicals.

Now, I know better than to dance around in herbicides and insecticides. I got a whiff of "something" at some point while in the middle of messing with my hive and just kept right on doing whatever it was I was doing. I was literally in and out of the house all day and Savannah says 'everyone was spraying' yesterday though I only saw one--the jerk who really should have only sprayed Helen's field (right next to ours). However, he did our field as well (couldn't he see the boundary??)...and he was real sloppy about it too. Davy is always very respectful around our property, but this guy wasn't. I was kinda hoppin' indignant, but none of us wanted to go out into the spray and give the dope a piece of their mind. (Daddy was up state under a dentist's fist at the time.) Well, Mom had had the windows open some and they didn't get closed immediately. Even closed up though, some of that stuff still seeps through the cracks.

I kind of feel bad about not going out and trying to get that guy to cut it out, spraying our land and all, for two reasons: 1) we already have corn planted and I suppose it's quite possible that whatever he was spraying, which would be for beans, may damage our crop--or kill it completely and 2) he wasted his employers money! But I didn't want to go out--but I guess I might have well as gone out, I got sick from it anyway!! 

That explains why I've spent the last couple of hours in my chair in the living room, vaguely paying attention to the cleaning Mum is doing in the next room. I have done a little laundry today as well as dishes--and I DID get the roasters washed this morning and I made lunch! So, I guess I haven't been one-hundred percent useless. Still, I don't feel good and I have the random aches and pains in addition to the meningitis. 

I hope I feel A LOT better in the morning because Abigail and Grace come in tomorrow as well as Aunt Terry. 

It's been a while since I actually posted anything, hasn't it? So...updates!!

#1: Savannah is getting MARRIED!!

His name is Scott (and I'll skip the last name 'cause that's just what I do) and he lives in Florida. :) He came up recently and it was "made official" (even though it was anyway) and the date is set, April 30. 

#2: The kitchen is getting remodeled. At last. :) I regret me that I have no pictures handy for you, but this is the cumulative amount done so far--the new counter tops (butcher-block) are down along with the installation of the new (old, but refurbished) farmhouse sink (it is awesome!) In addition, we now have a dishwasher! AND most excitingly--the carpet has come up. Not that it "came up" all on it's own, but Daddy and Mama got it out. I stayed away as much as possible as the first day ended up aggravating my lungs and stuff so badly that Mom "ordered" me to bed the following day. (I really was hacking and wheezing.)

#3: I've been sewing (see #1). We've attempted three different styles for bridesmaid dresses and this last one is going to do the trick, we think. I actually just made the bodice rather than the entire dress, but it worked so nicely that I turned it into a wearable shirt (in fact, that is what I wore today!)

#4: We had the delight of visiting with two of our 'brothers' over lunch...

It's always a joy to see these guys (and Caleb, who wasn't able to make it). They were exhausted because they had stayed up much to0 late due to a gig they played the night before! I wondered if Dan was going to drop off to sleep a time or two...(shoulda had a black coffee instead of a tea, brother...) Ah well. Teasing aside, I look forward to seeing them again at the end of April... :)

#5: We are supposed to be playing in our church's recital here in a couple of weeks--but I suspect all three of us girls need to practice a little harder. :D I haven't played as much this past week as I did the week before...perhaps next week I will get back into playing every day again.

#6: I FINALLY took my birthday present from two years ago out a few days ago...

She shoots nice--and for some reason I decided to call her "Jenny". Daddy rigged up the holster on a cross-chest strap...so I carry it backwards for my shooting hand. Essentially, I cross-draw with the off-hand and then cock her with my shooting hand. My best group was about 2 inches across (I guess I was standing between 8-10 feet away?) Most of them (though I only shot three cylinders) were more like six or so...call that gun-handler error. With the steel case ammo, I had to removed the cylinder and knock the shells out with a cleaning rod. Daddy told me that I probably wouldn't have the problem with brass case. Definitely need more practice with the beefy "Jenny", but so far I can say that I like it. :) (No doubt about it...I like a handful of a revolver.)

Church tomorrow...adios for now!

Even though I was staving off the remnants of my cold (I was pretty miserable on Sunday), I thoroughly enjoyed the conference!

Our trip over on Sunday was uneventful...for which we were glad. 

(Click on the pictures to see them larger.)

                                                                              The Travelers

I had a fever by the time we got there (actually a 99.3--so a real fever), so I was allowed to be lazy about unloading Annabelle. I went to bed fairly early.

Monday morning...(excuse me while I refer to my blue spiral bound that effects to by my journal [yes, you may gasp with surprise, I actually do keep a journal now...even if it does end up with substantial holes in it, I haven't given up this time around])...ah yes...Monday morning, I went downstairs an whole hour early, due to a misprint on the email I had gotten concerning my impersonating. Anyway, I eventually ended up offering to help the lovely ladies setting up the registration table and while I felt more in the way than anything, they did accept the offer. Thus was the slightly awkward beginning to a fantastic three days.

When the time rolled around for myself to actually start my impersonating business, I took up my station (I *ahem* rather put my stakes in right there by that sign). I forget all the people I talked to over the course of next two days as they tried to guess who I was portraying (the impersonators where the clues in a treasure hunt): Mrs. General Stuart. I mean Flora Cooke Stuart, wife of James Ewell Brown Stuart. :) Since nobody knew who Flora was (she didn't do anything spectacular), the means of guessing my identity was really guessing JEB Stuart's identity. I got quite a lot of practice referring to "my husband"--rather an odd sensation to an unmarried woman. :D

Anyway, a few instances stand out to me: the tenacious determination of a blue-eyed boy of about 10 and his reticent little brother (about 6) who had no idea really even who JEB Stuart was (I was really impressed by this kid), the three little girls who would end up being my playmates for the latter half of Tuesday, the young man who won the 18+ age bracket of the treasure hunt, the pretty lady that reminded me of a lady at church, the sparkling blue eyes and dimples of a fellow impersonator (so I'm a sucker for dimples), the rapidity of the two brothers who tied for the win in their age bracket (they made me laugh), the family with all the pretty little girls in their matching dresses and their three brothers. The youngest was missing both his top front teeth and completely charmed me. :D

Well...that seems like more than a few, but you get the idea. I talked to a variety of people and enjoyed it all for the most part. I only fell out of character a couple of times, which I thought was pretty impressive since it was my first time impersonating like this. (Um...did that sound like a brag?) 

Between impersonating, I attended sessions like any other normal conference goer. Monday's sessions:
The Cause of the War Between the States (Dr. Morecraft): The long and short of this one was the theological background; the differences between North and South. Roughly, the South still maintained an orthodox Protestantism whereas the North had accepted "Enlightenment" theology and had become Unitarian. 

The Pirate Lafitte (Bill Potter): Lafitte was a pirate, despite his helping Andrew Jackson win the Battle of New Orleans. :D Anyway, Mr. Potter discussed pirates in general a bit and drew the distinction between an pirate and a privateer. Of course, he actually told Lafitte's history! (One of the Summer's sons was impersonating Lafitte...his costume was quite dapper...and he had a great pair of boots. So did his brother... :D [Boot-philia, I think we might call this].)

You Ain't Just Whistling Dixie (Mrs. Morecraft): I didn't take any notes...but I laughed all the way through it as Mrs. Morecraft drew Southern words and phrases out and laid them before her appreciative audience. Dr. Morecraft informed Daddy and myself later that he was watching me (I was in the very back of the room and he was sitting in his wheelchair near the doors) as much as he was watching Mrs. Morecraft. Apparently, I amused him. :D It's really quite a compliment. 

The Industrial Revolution and the Family (Wesley Strackbein): I must have been either hungry or not feeling well, because my notes (and memory) on this particular talk are rather sketchy. However, this (edited) little scribble probably sums things up fairly well: The industrial revolution destroyed the family economy unit; children were up until this point an asset, not a liability--this was switched with industrialization. Technology must be our tool rather than our master.

The Fascinating History of American Music (Geoff Botkin): I immediately thought of one of my brothers when Mr. Botkin began this one. :) Anyway, I did not take any notes for whatever reason...but did find the session interesting, despite my current inability to regurgitate any of it.

Tuesday's sessions:
The War of 1812 and the Battle of New Orleans (Bill Potter): I do so enjoy Mr. Potter's talks, even if I have a time of it taking notes from him. At any rate, he opened the issue with a discussion on whether or not the War of 1812 was even a just war. I confess I had never thought about the question before. The consensus was that it was a little iffy as to legitimacy; I would have to do a little more research on my own before I would state conclusively either way. (An interesting factoid here...during this war, New England threatened session...just thought you might like to be reminded of that fact. ;]) And...my notes are rather sparse...

Old Hickory (Wesley Stackbein): Of course, me, myself, and I had to go to the session on a fiery red-headed hero of mine! As Mr. Stackbein reiterated a couple of times, Andrew Jackson was by no means a perfect man, but he definitely had traits to emulate. I won't give you his history here though...

Economics, Law, and Liberty (Dr. Raymond): The more I listen to Dr. Raymond, the more I understand why Savannah has such respect for him. This was the first of several of his sessions that I attended. He is such a...vivacious...blunt speaker. Anyway, this talk was essentially on tithing...and the implications of it, etc.

The Social Engineers and What they Designed (Geoff Botkin): At this point I had "lost" my notebook (in the form of handing it to Katherine to take back to the room because I was unable to handle it and keep up with the little girls). Therefore, I obviously did not take notes. 

I missed a session on Tuesday because first I was talking to "Captain Jack" and tying knots...and then because I was talking to a 12-year-old laddie...and then because the little girls descended upon me. I am still not exactly why they took to me the way they did, but I guess my internal "kid-magnet" must have activated. I didn't mind it at all, that's for sure!

Wednesday's sessions: 
Robert Lewis Dabney, a Giant Among Men (Dr. Morecraft): A short history of Dabney.

Principles of Christ's Lordship in the Founding of America (Dr. Raymond): Oh, bother. I simply do not know how to condense this one! He covered too much history! (And ground.) Let's see if this passes: Dr. Raymond demonstrated that these United States were founded on Christian God's Law, not "natural law".

The Geo-Political Ramifications of the Incarnation (Dr. Raymond): My notes on this one were really, really sketchy. Hardly enough to jog my memory. Let's see...God's Kingship should be a fact to us...total comprehensive rule over all nations, laws, people, etc. 

Woodrow Wilson: A Sacred Fool? (Bill Potter): I chose this session over the other two because I really didn't know that much about Wilson, except that he was a progressive and was president during WWI...and that he was from Virginia. Now, I know a little more about him and more about his politics. He really was what we would call a "liberal" and became such by turning his back on the staunch southern Presbyterian upbringing he had had. I thought this little sidenote was interesting: the 19th Amendment granted women suffrage...and the majority of women were actually opposed to the idea. Oh...and the 16th Amendment (Income Tax); it never was ratified!

The Challenge of the Reformation in Modern America (Geoff Botkin): The final session of the conference, Mr. Botkin exhorted the attendees with a list of "mandates" (these may not be quite right, I didn't always get them written down fast enough): 1) Be prepared to walk alone for a season; 2) Providence leads us to hope; 3) Remember what is at stake; 4) Re-learn everything if you  must; 5) Defend, assert, and model what the church should  be; 6) Disciple Christ's men by inspiring them to courage; 7) Stand firm, but do not be formulatic and rigid; 8) Maintain a pioneer spirit; and 9) Be gentle and magnanimous.

However, to drop back in time a little...
We didn't get any pictures Monday...and Tuesday the photos Savannah took of me in my "day clothes" were so bad (somebody forgot to remind me to lift my chin! ;P) that I decided not to post any of them. I do have enough vanity you know. But there were some nice pictures of my sisters, so I'll let you look at those instead!

Tuesday evening was fun! There was the big "reveal" of who was who of impersonators, a costume contest (which I'll go ahead and tell you that I did not win ;]), dancing, and the announcement of the treasure hunt winners. 

There wasn't really much dancing, because all the other stuff took up time, but it was still fun. The last dance I did with a toddler on my back. :) I really do enjoy incorporating small children into the dances. The look of joy in their eyes far, far outweighs any "inconvenience" their ignorance causes. 

Anyway, I'm sure y'all want to see my awful hair-do. Mama saw the pictures and she gasped in horror. Literally. I'm not kidding you.

I was so impressed that I got "the look" that I left it up and wore it that way in public. The things we will do for our 'art form'.... What was really "funny" about it is that I am the one that cannot stand hair over my ears. I think the only reason I handled it was because the hair is actually poofed off over the ears and doesn't sit tight against them.

Anyway...here are the girls:

I had issues with my skirt...originally, the skirt opening was in the back, but when Savannah stitched the bodice to the skirt to keep them together and spare me the embarrassment of my corset strings doing a jig down the back of my gown, she had to turn it around (for obvious reasons). the pleating is heavier in the that portion of the skirt, so it hangs down differently and therefore I kept stepping on my skirt. Before I wear it again something has to be done. 

The next day, I returned to my preferred hair style. (And yes, I did wear my Secession Cockade all day long.)

I did my shopping that final day, purchasing several books, though certainly not as many as last year. 

Thursday morning, Daddy and I sat with Dr. Morecraft while he ate his breakfast, along with Mr. Botkin. It seems to me, on the one hand, rather odd and awesome to be sitting and talking to these well-known men...but then on the other, sitting and watching them eat breakfast reminds me that they, like myself, are just regular human-beings. Sure, they may be older and wiser than myself, but they are also just like me, persons created in the image of God, fallen in Adam and redeemed by Christ Jesus.

We pulled out and headed into southern Illinois to pick up our sink...

After collecting the sink, since we were going through the area, we contacted brother Andrew and met up for a coffee (his pretty sister was unavailable or she would have joined us to!) Unfortunately, we plumb forgot to get any pictures!! 

Thankfully, we got home with no issues...
~~~
I might as well briefly tell you that I mowed today...and that I managed to bend the blades even worse than ever by hitting a stump. However, in the process I learned that I can indeed take the blades off and straighten them--to a degree. If I had worked at it a little longer, the really badly bent blade could have gotten straightened out better. Oh well...

I ate enough dirt today, what with me mowing and the farmers plowing...and the wind blowing. :P 

A'right. Good-night, y'all!

Seeing the lateness of when we got home amongst other things, I opted not to attempt delving into the next section of Authentic Christianity today. Instead, I'd like to redirect you to an interesting little article by a friend of mine (and go ahead and read the rest of his blog too!)

It just so happens to be on one of my "pet" topics (which I admit, I am a wee rusty on since I 've done very little recently along these lines):
 https://thetruebadour.wordpress.com/2015/01/14/twenty-four-theses-on-jurisdiction-and-lawful-resistance/

Standfast!

Oh and where to begin??? What a glorious, joyful weekend!

I suppose, for the sake of coherence, I probably ought to start on Friday and the trip over to Illinois. It was, thankfully, uneventful and we did not arrive late, even though we got out a little later than we intended. One of the first things I noticed was that Providence Church did not have the usual castle wall facade up...things seemed to be a little more loosely organized in general this year, but it really didn't detract from the lectures and fellowship, so I am not complaining. :)

Unfortunately, we did not get very many pictures, so I haven't any pictures to show you of our dear S's. They were already in Illinois visiting family and came to RefDay for Friday and half of Saturday. They came on over here Saturday afternoon  and just left this morning, taking my elder sister with them...but I'm getting ahead of myself.

I was standing in a doorway talking with my 'brother' Andrew H. when I spotted the S's. I rather unceremoniously blurted, "Oh!" or something like that and left off in the middle of a sentence to dash the fifteen feet to where they were sitting. I'm afraid I was really quite rude and I must apologize for it.  

However, minutes later, I grabbed Andrew by the elbow and propelled him over to meet the S's...and then R and L...I think, were roped into the group to meet them. There was so much talk and laughter and joy that I cannot remember everything that happened...or what order it happened in.

Friday there were three lectures. Two by Phil Kyser and one by Douglas Bond. The topic of this years Reformation Day was the Huguenots--of whom I knew practically nothing. Dr. Kyser first spoke in a general overview sort of way about the theology and orthopraxy of the Huguenots. One could say that they were the "Christian Reconstructionists" of their day; with the same kinds of total-life view of the application of Scripture. (By the way, I do classify myself among the 'Reconstructionists'...there is of course, some variation within that categorization because of human nature.)

Dr. Kyser's second talk (after Mr. Bond's) landed right down my alley--the Huguenot just war theory. He referenced a book "Vindiciae Contra Tyrannus" (or something like that) by a Frenchman named Mornet (I believe; and it's probably not spelled correctly) that I put on my "must-read" list. I agreed...and I nodded...and I took notes...and I grinned...suffice to say, I thoroughly enjoyed that talk.

Douglas Bond's three talks (one on Friday, two on Saturday) were really rather like one, just split into three parts, in which he told stories about different persons and event that took place during the Reformation in France: he spoke of Calvin, Verit, the queen of Navarre, Renee of France, Gaspard Coliny, and others. (There is a bit of story that goes with that, but I'll get there in the chronology.) Anyway, Mr. Bond is an engaging speaking, though, rather like Bill Potter (also a story-teller) not someone I am able to take notes from--so I didn't; I just listened. 

Friday evening, the Josties did the concert. I enjoyed it more than I expected too. For some reason, I assumed that they did gospel music--and a lot of gospel is rather well...not my cup of tea (partly because of the theology of the words and partly because of the way people sing.) I was pleased to hear that they actually know how to sing. (Sound like a snob, don't I?) 

Saturday is always the most particularly exciting day...we girls got up and got decked out in our outfits:

We had a little time to spare, so we goofed around a little...the above mentioned attempt at opening the window was part of that. Turns out, I had actually locked it when I was trying to unlock it. (In other words, I did get it open eventually.) Katherine thought I looked so funny tugging on the window that she had to get some pictures...and they did come out funny, so I thought I'd share them for your amusement.

We got to the church a little early, so took a brief reconnaissance drive around to locate the school were the dance was going to be that evening. (I knew where it was, but we thought we'd familiarize ourselves with the route.)

Well, we got back, pulled into the parking lot, and parked next to a silver car with an NRA and AOPA sticker on it. We made a few remarks about it...(NRA's a good thing!) without knowing who it belonged too--turns out as we found out that afternoon, it belonged to none other than our adopted brothers R!! It was hilarious that we unintentionally parked right next to them!

So, we go into the building, not knowing the R's were there yet, trot up the steps and who do I see across the foyer but Caleb! In a matter of minutes, three sisters and three brothers were greeting each other and talking 90 miles an hour, across this little circle. The S's arrived and were dragged into the circle by yours truly. I don't know exactly whose idea it was to sit together, but we ended up in a single row like this: Andy, Caleb, Katherine, Racheal, Savannah, and Dan. The S's were in the row ahead of us since we all wouldn't fit in one row.

My fingers went nearly ceaselessly during the three talks that took place that morning (Rev. McDonald's impression this year was of Gaspard Coliny's elder brother--the name I forget) and I got the entire cuff of Andy's second kilt sock finished! Yay! (I finished the first sock Friday on the way over.) Toward evening, I had Andy try on the completed sock and it fit perfectly! He seemed to really like it...and it appeared to me that he didn't want to take it off! I am going to make him and Dan both a set of kilt flashes to go with their kilts/socks. (Dan got himself a kilt...I forgot to ask what tartan it was, but it looked rather like Graham to me and Graham is my primary tartan claim.) I have also been commissioned to knit Dan a pair of kilt hose. :) However, you're not here to read of the Socketeer's business prospects...

Let's see...we were to have a jam session between lunch and the Highland games (about an hour); so we gathered out in the cold wind and the slight sprinkle and waited....and waited...and waited while the poor over-taxed food vendors worked as fast as they could to feed the line of people. Both Dan and Caleb had already eaten by the time Savannah, Katherine, Andy, and I had gotten our food. (The H's would have already eaten, I guess, because their last name falls in the first half of the alphabet and we were assigned to eat according to last names.) Once we ate, we went in and jammed. As promised, Andy helped me on 'General Taylor' both during the jam session and later as we headed toward the Highland Games. (As of this afternoon, I'm doing terrible on it; but I do know what it is that I need to work on.) I still can't keep up with Andy's flying fingers, but I did a little better this year because I am in practice better than last year. I don't know exactly what it is, but my guitar's tone doesn't seem to blend overly well with his...even though I was in tune.

We actually did a few of songs that we girls are proficient at--including "Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah"--which our brothers informed us was much too fast. Ha! ;) It's not a dirge, you guys! ;D (It was actually rather humorous, the banter about that...) 

But we did 'Salley Gardens', one of my favorites (me finger-picking to boot!)...'Be Thou My Vision'...oh boy...I can't remember the rest, but it sure was fun. Strumming, bowing, percussion, whistles, voices...I look forward to the next jam session. :) (Maybe I ought to practice a little harder too!) 

We moved on to the Highland Games with little ol' me trying to match my  voice to Andy's and conquer General Taylor; by the time we got there, Andy told me he thought I had it...well, sorta, Andy...sorta. :)

Caleb did not win the cabor toss this year; I think he came in second (or third at the least)...and someplace along in there in the rock toss. I went and bugged Andrew about getting in on the 'funn' but he didn't because he had a shoulder bugging him. I agree, it's not a good idea to stress already bothersome joints/muscles. I stayed over there instead of wandering back to where Savannah and Katherine were because I could see better (the announcer) had stepped in front of us three and I got busy hollering for all my "brothers" (the H's, the R's, and the B's). I figured I might as well get into it and have fun. 

Christopher, Thomas, William, and Joshua B. were being noisy in a different fashion and I vainly tried to get them to slacken their "war chant". Andy told me to ignore them and they'd quit--but they wouldn't have. I know those guys...they are so much themselves (which sounds weird).  I heaved Christopher up at one point and he was squawking, "Put me down!" with a huge grin in his voice...and so I kept ahold of him until he asked sweetly if I would, "Put me down...please." What? PLEASE? From the Lion-hearted?? Yes, dear...

I grabbed William around the shoulders at one point too...I forget what it was about...but he really doesn't mind the affection. (Those boys know that I love 'em--because I've told them so.) Thomas doesn't stick around as long for hugs. :D I'm doing good with Joshua just to ruffle his hair--he's never been as receptive to it anyway (he likes Katherine best of us three girls).

Daniel B. did the cabor toss for the second time this year. He's such a scrawny looking young man, though tall enough, that the he doesn't look like he could handle it well, but he did pretty decently. Give him a couple more years and he may be giving the standing camps (Caleb and a feller named Matt [who plays a pretty mean piano, too!]) a run for their money. (Daniel doesn't talk to me much these days [he's 16 and too into football after church to want to stand around and exchange pleasantries with me], but we're still family, as his coming up Saturday evening to let us know his 'battle wounds' were not hurting anymore, showed. I'm pretty fond of that tall, skinny, blue-eyed kid.)

Let's see...there were all kinds of humorous little situations, from one guy taking a head-first dive into the dirt right after his rock went flying, to joking about the Canadian running around in shorts and shortsleeves while everyone else was dressed a little heavier; even the guys in kilts had on more clothing with long sleeves and all.

I did it...I really did. Whether or not I should be embarrassed about it is another question. I gave my last year's critique of Andy's sword play to him--and like a gentleman he listened to me...and even took it. I could see that he was defending himself a little tighter. In other words, he stayed in the fight a little longer! I mean, literally, there were a couple of times that I wanted to snatch a fallen boffer and chase some dude off from Andy last year. :D I do so enjoy a good bout of sword-play that it can be hard to "just watch" the boffer wars. The three R's fought shoulder to shoulder...and at one point, some guys in front of me encouraged themselves, "Let's get the Canadians!" and promptly descended upon the three of them. I was thinking: "But they're not Canadian!" Oh, well...odd.

Let's see...I don't want to bore my readership with flash-tidbits of moments that either amused me or had significance to me...but would be "blah" to you all...so I'll just sum up the Games in this way: I had much fun watching them, talking to Andrew and Andy, teasing the B kiddos, yelling in support of my friends, laughing, and looking "goofy" (according to KT) with my shawl tucked on top of my head. After a while, I got cold and along with that, both my 'Lymie' wrist and hip started to ache a little, so when Savannah, Caleb, Katherine, and Andrew headed in, I went with them.

Shortly after that, the other two R brothers came back from the wars. Andy with beat up hands (not good for a professional musician); he held his hands up to show me his swollen knuckles and his hands were still quivering. Dan had a goose-egg on his right wrist, though I didn't know that until we were dancing the Virginia Reel and he had to quit clapping because it was bothering him. (I stamped my foot so hard I make my knee hurt during that dance. :D)

The discussion of "where are we going to go eat supper" started in earnest. No one wanted to see me out of sorts from food (me most especially!) and so we settled on a Bob Evans some 10-15 minutes away. The R's led the way in their car and I moved to the backseat to allow Andrew the use of the front seat (afterall, his legs are twice as long as mine!) and thusly we went, "Won't Caleb drive a little faster? I'm hungry!!" :D Turns out, he was driving so slowly because he thought Savannah was an overly cautious driver. (I.e. a duffer--like me.) Anyway, so we got to Bob Evans and I laughed something about only Caleb and Andy be the normal looking people amongst the seven of us, for Dan was kilted and Andrew was decked out in early 1800's styled finery, not to mention the medieval/Reformation style outfits of the ladies of the party! I really didn't feel as awkward as I thought I was going to. Some lady in the restroom asked me if we were with 'the show' (apparently there was some sort of Broadway-esque show playing in Peoria)...

After we were seated, I cornered Dan to get some information concerning the voice over he is supposed to be doing for me and as soon as I said "Voice Over" he got this look on his face that really cracked me up. I swallowed his excuses (I have less excuse than he does for not being any further along than I am!) and proceeded to order my salmon. There was lively conversation and plenty of laughs over our supper. I'm afraid I looked askance at the blueberry pancakes that ended up in front of Dan...I could just imagine eating that and being so sick I couldn't walk straight. :D It was even more fun though to tell Andy "Eat!" every two minutes...he really only glared good-naturedly at me once. (We had a time limit because the ball started at 7:30.)

Well, we made it (and many thanks to Dan for picking up the tab for the entire table!) and were there and ready when the dancing started. Mrs. B called this year and I think did a pretty good job for her second full ball. I was pleased as punch when Christopher strolled up and proffered his hand to me. I don't recall the little stinker ever asking me to dance before...that was the Waves of Tory...so we had short me and even shorter Christopher--but we managed the arches without over much trouble. :)

As previously mentioned, I did the Virginia Reel with Dan, whose arm was hurting him. He kept clapping, then stopping, and then starting again. It's odd how somethings just "happen" even though you know it would be better if you quit doing whatever it is. (I've done that while playing spoons before; the blisters start coming and I just keep playing.) It's practically impossible not to clap during the Virginia Reel!!

The Virginia Reel and the Gay Gordon (or Carolina Promenade, depending on who you are talking to) are my favorite dances and both were done. I started that one (it's a mixer) with Andy...likewise the Pattycake Polka (and of course, I had to mention how 7 lb.s of Bacon does it...and he quipped something about 7 lb.s of bacon sound good. Goofy! ;P) 

I think nearly all the dances were ones I had done before...since I am learning the ECD terms and steps, I'm getting to a point where I can just pick up and go with a dance after a real quick walk through. Remembering the names and which is which is the hard part! I love to dance! 

It was roundly agreed amongst ourselves that we could have kept dancing much past 10...but since we had to be out of the building by a certain time, we had to quit. I was sooo wound up that night that I didn't conk out very fast and then I woke up early. 

We wiled away the time before it was time to go to church by packing and loading the car. Oh, and 'peep ob-ing'. ;) Looking out our window, we could see the parking lot of the neighboring hotel--even from that distance, I recognized members of the J family (whom I don't actually know, but I know who they are). Minutes before we left, I spotted two heads bobbing along...as soon as they appeared from behind a tree, I knew who they were. Of course, the guitar case really helped, but I knew it was Andy and Dan without it. :D

The sermon was edifying and interesting as Rev. McDonald spoke on verses 9-22 of II Timothy 4 (the end of the book). He was noting how this was, in a way, rather like Paul's last will and testament and how he was thinking about people, not possessions or position, as he neared the end of his life.

I find that communion is a bit on the awkward side at Providence, but I appreciate being able to take it all the same. And that church sings. Not just robustly, but in parts. You can hear the sopranos, the basses, the tenors, and probably the altos if you're really listening (we tend to get lost, I think, between the sopranos and tenors). It is just a joy to sing at Providence because it is so beautiful. 

The church kindly provided people lunch on Sunday afternoon. I went downstairs with my sisters and Andy, but, because I offered to take Bibles and jackets upstairs, I ended up going through the line with Caleb and Dan (rather than cutting back in, I just joined the end of the line). Dan filled up a tray again this year, but not as much as last year...and once again, he ate practically all of it. :D I was full after a single plateful.

During lunch (like last year) Savannah and Andy talked non-stop. Caleb interjected into whichever conversation he wanted to, and Dan and I probably spent more time talking about guns than anything else. :D Katherine was quiet for the most part and just ate while listening intently to Savannah and Andy; until R came over and slipped in between KT and I...there was some joking about me having enough room...which I assured her I had enough room and we'd know that I didn't when I fell off the end of the bench and hit my head on the brick wall beside me. ;)

Before we left, we spent roughly another hour doing a hymn-sing in the sanctuary. Seth, someone I know who they are because of filmmaking, accompanied us on the piano. We concluded with "God Be With You Til We Meet Again" (which I did not know)...and it was so beautiful, I was beginning to choke up!

Then, seriously right before we left, we had a little photoshoot where Katherine got to use the timer on her camera. Here's the results:

It's really funny...because if you are scrolling through the pictures, we look like we're all swaying if you flip between them. :D (Obviously, we did not stand in age order, or height order or in any usual sense of photographic orderliness. We just lined up like siblings and waited for Katherine to dash back to the group.)

And just one final picture...Andy, waiting for his brothers to return so they could start home:

It was a grand weekend...and I look forward to seeing all the friends mentioned in this post "the next time" whenever that rolls around!

God Bless Y'all! It's a joy knowing you!

I have been under radio silence for over a week now (I think). The reason has been the WWII Remembered reenactment in Linden, Tennessee. We girls went as vendors, so for a couple of weeks prior I had been sewing and sewing (post on that coming soon). 

It was a one day event (on Saturday), but we girls left home on Thursday in order to swing over and collect some friends of ours. We spent the night at the H. house before loading A and R's things into the truck and hitting the road.

A. sat in the front with Savannah (longer legs than mine!) and I confess, that though I was sitting directly behind him, couldn't hear what their most interesting conversations were. Only by straining my ears could I catch the jist of them...guess that's what you get for putting two soft-spoken people in the front seat of a very noisy vehicle. :D

We arrived in Tennessee safely and we got ourselves registered, scouted out where we'd be setting up the next day, listened to some live songs as the mic checks were underway, and I, at any rate, got eaten by mosquitoes (nasty bugsys!)

The fact that we girls are used to Eastern time actually was a blessing because we woke up earlier in the morning and so were able to get out the door at 7:30 (like we planned) without much extra stress. Below is what we looked like (minus the aprons we would later don):

You can't tell in the picture, but the Army-brat in the sailor suit's scarf had little Navy signalmen on it. Mama picked it up the Goodwill just a day or two before we left. I love it!

As vendor's the day was something of a flop. We sold a few things, but not near what we would have liked to sell. When talking to various people on the organizing/planning/event host staff, it became clear that there were not as many folks there as they had expected; also roughly half the vendors pulled out and didn't show and "a lot of the reenactors" cancelled at the last minute. Odd...

Anyway, the actual reenactment part was outstanding. The battles, which ranged up the street from the encampment (which I never did make it down to!) up to the courthouse. Here's the set up: The Nazi's held the town and there was this HUGE Nazi flag hung on the courthouse. The Allies (101st and 82nd Airborne, and a British paratrooper unit) came up the street from the encampment, past the vendors, and took the town. Dropping the Nazi flag, they replaced it with a little US flag. 

Anyway, now that you get the idea of the strategic movements of the battle, let me tell you a little bit about the experience. As the Allies came up the street, they were firing. It really gave one a sense of what it would have been like. I wasn't afraid, because I knew the cartridges were blanks, but I could easily imagine being afraid under the circumstances...so, I got into character and hunkered down behind my tables (but not in such a way that I couldn't see) and jumped every time the small howitzer roared. 

I guesstimated to A that the shell was probably "this size" (holding up my hands in a rough circle about 5-6 inches across) and we tried to figure out what caliber that was. [After doing a real brief Wiki search here, it looks like it could have been a "75mm Pack Howitzer M1 (also known by its post-war designation M116)". According to this, it was primarily used by Airborne units...at any rate, it was a smallish one.]

The first battle (there were two), I was down at the vendor area and really felt right smack dab in the middle of things. The second battle, I went into the spectator area and didn't feel quite so much in the middle of things. The were both well executed.

At some point during the first battle, I was standing near the front of this pretty antique Ford pickup (it was red!), shading my eyes and looking towards the courthouse square. One of the field photographers (101st, I believe his patch was) was facing me [his back to courthouse], so I glanced back to see if there were more men coming (I wanted to know if I needed to get out the way)...there weren't, so I realized he was taking my picture, so I faced back the way I had been and kept squinting up the street (it was pretty sunny). After a moment, he grinned at me and said, "Perfect!" before wheeling and hurrying up the street toward the fighting. I must say I was rather flattered. :)

The overall organization and coordination of the event was probably the best of any reenactment I've been a part of. The Courters (and their church) did an outstanding job getting everything ready and making it work, even with the little hitches that inevitably happen. I really hope they do it again next year! I'll try to make it if they do! (*mumbles: Can I get my old truck fixed up by then?*)

Throughout the day, they had speakers and live music up next to the courthouse. I didn't hear any of them really except for the first veteran who spoke. He was one of the Dachau concentration camp liberators. I think that A caught all the speakers on video (he was out and about with his camera enough), so I'll have to bug my brother for copies (please ;])... 

I gave hugs and kisses to as many of the WWII vets in attendance that I could get to. There were the usual jokes about me flirting with the old men, but it doesn't matter. I do love the old gentlemen for who they are and what they did and as my own grandfather is of them and that age, it doesn't seem odd or inappropriate to me. (Besides, I have yet to meet one of these men that has refused the affection. :D)

I feel that this post is rather inadequate, but I'm really quite tired and think I'm fighting off another meningitis attack. I'm just glad that didn't come over me yesterday, because I was driving. (YES. Racheal has finally learned how to drive highway speeds!!!)

We didn't get many pictures because as reenactors we were going to try to follow the rules (no modern looking cameras)...so that is why there are practically none. 

I did get to meet a few people that hitherto I have only a) heard about, b) seen pictures of, or c) read their blogs. I met a couple of the Botkins...I actually had a short conversation with David and Nadia over the doll dress table. They have a two year old daughter who was getting quite sleepy. Anyway, Mr. David Botkin left the table with a Lady Libby business card in his hand. :)

At supper that evening, we sat across from a lady and her red-headed son (he was one of the medics) from Florida. I was going to ask said young man at some point whether or not he did Civil War reenacting because he looked soo familiar. I'm not sure I haven't seen that face under a grey kepi before...Anyway, I didn't ask and Sunday morning I was too tired (and thus shy) to stroll up to him and tap him on the elbow and ask. He probably would have been nice about it if I had because he seemed to be a nice fellow. His mother looked really familiar too... Oh well. I guess it won't kill me to not have my curiosity satisfied. 

Speaking of Saturday evening though...after supper, Steven Bowman (a filmmaker I had name [and to a degree, face] recognition with), did an interpretation of Winston Churchill's speech after Dunkirk (you know, the famous "we will fight on the beaches" speech). He did such a GREAT job; putting on the accent, slurring like Churchill...it was really enjoyable. (He didn't quite sound like Churchill, being too young to really get the grovel going right, but was really close.)

Afterwards, the Boyer sisters did a little show, replete with USO arm bands and all. There were old favorites and songs I had never heard before. One of my favorites was "Put it in a Box, Tie it with a Ribbon, and Throw it in the Deep Blue Sea". It was really catchy. (Do you know that one, Mrs. S?)

Once the entertainment was over, I was well satisfied to head back to our motel and get to bed. My sunburn was beginning to catch up to me.

Sunday morning we joined Christ the King Church for worship. It's the first time that I have ever been to a Reformed Baptist church, so it was interesting for that in and of itself. However, the message(s) were edifying and Biblical. We stayed to eat afterwards and had a good conversation with a pretty young lady named Norah. A. was further down the table in conversation with another fellow filmmaker. 

We headed back to the H.'s around 4 o'clock (central time) and got in someplace between 7:30 and 8:30. By that time I was too tired to really bother what time it was. We ate the supper that was waiting on us, talked to the rest of the H. family for a while and then everybody went to their respective sleeping quarters. The pull-out couch I was loaned was pretty comfortable and I slept good and hard all night long.

We girls didn't leave until nearly noon the next day because after a good breakfast and a couple cups of coffee made by the still exhausted A, L, the youngest of the H. "kids" 'hornswoggled' (a word used to describe me by A! ;D) us into a game of Frisbee. He's so tall he just reaches up and plucks the flying disk out of the air. Anyway, L had to leave to go to work and the rest of us kept playing for a while (yes, Savannah still had on her heels!) and then we just jawed for a while.

I drove home (as I had driven over on Thursday) and we got home before 7. 

I am grateful we got to go; it was a good time with friends (family ;]) and a good reminder of our history and how we ought to hold brave men in esteem. 

I really hope they do it again next year!

Thanks for putting us up (and putting up with us), H. Family!!

Well! I told one reader early last week that I was going to put up some pictures of the canning process...but, as is clear, I never did get around to it. Too much canning and other things thrown into the works precluded my blogging--and then when I did have that extra few minutes, I just didn't feel like it. So...here's the pictures from early last week. :) (And I wish you could see Curio sitting in my lap with her head on my hands while I'm trying to type...it's interesting! :D)

Let's see...the above was probably Tuesday. 

Thursday was my parents 32nd wedding anniversary! Believe it or not, they actually went out for supper. I'm not sure that in my 22 years if they've ever done that before...lunch, yes. But supper? I don't know. :) 

Saturday was a market day and Mama's birthday! (I don't have any pictures, so you'll have to hop over to her blog.)

Anyway, after the usual Saturday routine, she got surprised with a some stuff...and the knives that Daddy and I bought (though indeed my contribution was primarily hiding them and oiling the new bamboo cutting board in the secrecy of my room) her were a big hit. And here is the neat part...the two worst secret keepers in the family managed to keep their lips sealed and their excitement bound down until the right moment! I didn't even tell my sisters that there was a birthday present for Mama in my room. ;)

Saturday morning was extra enjoyable, because some friends came and set up with their instruments...and brought me a lovely bundle of mustard greens! (Which, we still have not eaten...and I very much look forward to. I could eat that whole bundle by myself in one sitting. :D I do not remember a day when I did not love mustard greens.)

I had a rather unusual Sunday morning yesterday. I was planning on staying at home with Mama (who it turns out wasn't expecting it) and I did...but more for the reason of executing a work of mercy/necessity. 

I butchered two roosters. A couple days ago we had a cock-fight--one rooster got killed (we ate him) and another one had most of his neck skin flayed off (though I didn't see that til the day after). Surprisingly, that rooster still seemed in good health, but one who had a boogered up eye was acting really lethargic and unhappy. Then there was another one with a messed up breast. I could not catch that one (the set up is not good for catching birds unless you have a dip-net--which I do not...yet), but I got the other two and took care of them. 

By the time I had them caught and dead, the scalding water was too hot (Mama had turned it back up when she came out to see if she could help me), so I sat out on the steps by the side of the house in the little breeze and watched bugs and the hummingbird visiting the feeder not three feet from my head and doing a little praying. I am consciously making an effort to use quiet moment like that to pray because prayer is an area I am very weak in.

By the time lunch rolled around I was clean and had gotten through a few pages of Authentic Christianity. I would end up, later in the day, taking my reading out under the Lindon trees in the orchard...it was such a beautiful day!

This morning, I must confess, I woke up at 8.00....that is LATE for me and I had no intention of sleeping that kind of late...and now, I think I shall close this post and go see if anybody is having tea this morning, for that sounds just grand.