End of September Mish Mosh

Second Post of the Day

It's time for another mish mosh post, but first, a word about yesterday's blog entry.

I'm regaining my equilibrium now - thanks for the messages of kindness and caring. Those mean a lot and are helpful.

Across the country, people are reaching out in love and support. A friend of mine from our Illinois days sent me this photo of flowers that were left on our Illinois church's doors by an unknown community member. 

From what I am hearing, the Grand Blanc community is wrapping their arms around those who were affected with an incredible outpouring of kindness, help, and love. Thank you, Gran Blanc, and thank you to others who have been reaching out.

Overcoming Health Issues

I've had a couple of procedures done during the past few days. One was an injection in the sacrum to stop pain and hopefully allow me to stand for longer periods of time. It seems to have been successful and should last up to three months. With the Feast coming up, I am very hopeful (and grateful) about that.

I had mixed emotions about this, though:

My temporary disability parking pass was changed to a permanent one. Disability parking has been so helpful, but when your tag says "temporary," your mindset is that you are going to regain the abilities that you are losing.

A permanent parking pass shifted that mindset and cemented the fact that where I am is the new normal. I was feeling a little unsettled about that until Craig started making jokes about how it was me that was never going to expire. Maybe you had to be there, but he and I thought that was hilarious, and his joking made me feel much better.

Molly

Mama is having her own health struggles. She is sporadically stiff and painful, and not wanting to move much. (Although that tail wags, wags, wags!)

In the process of nesting, she combined her bed with Pepper's. (Sweet girl, you may have as many beds as you want!)

Mama is going to be twelve in December. Lisa has had her to the vet and, beyond the issues we already know about, her vet has been unable to find a cause for the off and on body pain. It may just be the process of aging. 

We are keeping Molly comfortable and she is in good spirits (and eating well, just as a good Lab would. LOL) And, as I said, this is very sporadic; there are far more good, comfortable days than there are ouchy ones. But, good thoughts, karma, and prayers for Mama are welcome. Thank you.

Craig's Clown Cousin

I've mentioned before that Craig is a relative of P.T. Barnum and that he has another relative, a high school classmate of mine, who was a clown in Ringling Brothers/Barnum and Bailey Circus.

Joe was in town recently for our class reunion and made quite a splash.

He brought some literature from his circus days to share. (Yes, his last name really is Strange.) 

Joe puts paid to the myth that all clowns are creepy. He's a super nice guy.

It Wasn't Me! (Er, This Time)

For the first time ever, this happened - Craig threw Tammo's frisbee onto the roof of our park's pavilion!

Not gonna lie, but I laughed. A lot. Craig has the best aim and arm - he can throw a frisbee and have it drop exactly where he wants. His frisbees don't go on roofs. Until this one time.

We offered Tammo a tennis ball but he refused to chase it and just stood under his frisbee for quite a while. Poor guy!

We did get the frisbee down the next day and all is right in Tammo's world again.

Feast Sewing NOT Done

I thought I was done with my Feast sewing and could do some other sewing for myself. Nope! Ian came over to try on the Feast shirt I'd made him, and it's a good thing that he did. It was too small.

That boy young man has graduated into men's sized shirts! I had two men's small trade shirts on the rack for the Feast, so he chose one of them to wear. 

I am happy for him, but now I need to sew up a shirt to replace the one he will be wearing. I've got time, but we are getting close to the point where I won't be able to make anything else.

Then, a long time customer contacted me and asked if I had any aprons and pockets available. His girlfriend is going to be dressing in period clothing for the first time and needed some items to complete her persona's look.

I set aside an apron and a pocket for him and I'm glad I did. While I have five more aprons, I only have one, ONE!! more pocket. How did I miss that?

Luckily I can make a pocket in half an hour, so after I make the replacement men's shirt, I'll make some pockets.

Sleeve Buttons 

My order of 45 cards of buttons arrived, and Monday I sat down, paired them up, and turned them into sleeve buttons.

But first, I made a satin slipcover for the display case I am borrowing from Rick.

Rick is a silversmith and has several jewelry display cases that he uses for his items.  He's loaned me this one for sleeve buttons, but the foam cushion inside it was starting to deteriorate. Hence, the black satin slipcover.

Citrine "paste" and rhinestones.

Large pearl and rhinestones.

Medium pearl and squared rhinestones.

Small brass domes.

Pewter and silver.

Pewter and silver.

Celtic design. (Kyle loves these and has a pair.)

Pewter and silver. (I love these!)

I have a lot on hand, enough that I think I can offer a good variety throughout the Feast. I may even have a good head start on Kalamazoo, 2026!

 

Well, two doggos are lying next to me, imploring looks in their eyes. I know what they want - it's time to go play a little frisbee in the park! I'll wrap this up but I did want to thank you all again for your caring and concern. I appreciate the love that's been sent my way.

These Are My People

There were several hundred people in that building, including children and teenagers. Pregnant moms and parents. Older folks. People using walkers and wheel chairs. Teacher Daughter Lisa's very best friend attends this church (but luckily was not there yesterday.)

These are my people.

I'm shocked, sickened, and saddened.

"Contention is a choice. Peacemaking is a choice. You have your agency to choose contention or reconciliation. I urge you to be a peacemaker, now and always." Russel M. Nelson.

Wise words.

That's all for today.

Sarah is Here!

I've got Sarah here this weekend and have been spending time with her instead of writing.

Left to right: me, Sarah, Vanessa, Mila, Craig, Lisa, Curt, and Ian.

I'll be back tomorrow. Stay 'tooned!

Something for Me

The basic undergarment for 18th century women was the chemise (in French) and also called a shift (in English.) It was a simple white garment made from linen or cotton with sleeves below the elbow and a neckline that had a drawstring. It fell below the knees and above the ankles.

I have been skipping wearing my chemise for the past five years. It was just easier to go without one because usually no one could tell you weren't wearing one anyway, so why add the extra layer?  At least, that was my thinking.

And then I started making sleeve buttons. There were some that I thought were absolutely gorgeous.

Like these that my friend and customer Larissa is wearing at Hartwell Tavern in Lincoln, Massachusetts.

They are my favorite out of all the pairs of sleeve buttons I've made thus far.

The more sleeve buttons I made, the more I wanted a pair. So, despite the short time frame before the Feast and the many other things I needed to be doing, I sat down and made myself a chemise.

A chemise that needed sleeve buttons.

Then I spent a pleasant half hour going through the sleeve buttons I'd made to sell, trying them in each sleeve to see how they looked.

The choice was difficult - I liked so many of them.

Pair after pair after pair...

This sleeve button was a surprise - I'd thought it was pearl. But when I put it into a stark white chemise, I noticed that it is actually a very pale blue.

I'm still undecided but am leaning toward this pair. 

It's a pearl surrounded by tiny silver beading.

However, I just received an order of 45 cards of buttons (about 150 buttons) and I may find something I like better among those. 

Stay tooned on this one!

Using Art to Teach

Second Post of the Day

Having items on hand for the kids to touch and examine is a really good way to teach. But when those items are fragile, very old, valuable, or borrowed, you may have to limit what can be touched and what is a look-only.

Leslie suggested that I have some pictures of horses in the 18th century to help give the School Day kiddos a better understanding of how that life looked and was lived. Here are the paintings I selected.

18th century artist George Stubbs painted many horses and is always a good resource for research.

Countess of Corning's by Livery of Charlton, 1760, by George Stubbs.

Pferd und Stallknecht, Thomas Gooch, 1750

English saddles have not changed much since the 18th century, so I also brought home my English saddle when I raided my tack trunk for the shabraque.

It's in need of a good cleaning and I'll post pictures of it after I've finished that task.

The pictures are framed and ready to be set out in my display.

I think they're going to be helpful when I am teaching during School Days.

Guess I'll find out soon, right?

Tick! Tick! Tick!

 

An Overlooked Find in My Tack Trunk

 First Post of the Day

As I prepare for Feast School Days, I've looked at a lot of 18th century paintings, one of the best ways to find documentation about life in the 18th century. This painting made me pause - something I'd already passed over was perfect for my presentation!

I ran out to the barn and retrieved my dragoon blanket from my tack trunk. It had been stored in there since my high school years when I was riding in my high school dragoon unit.

Thanks to my friend Susan Bensema Young, I have learned that the actual name for a dragoon blanket is "shabraque."

I have done some research but found conflicting information as to who actually used the shabraque in the militia. Some sites say that they were used by officers to help militia members distinguish who was in charge; other sites say entire regiments wore them.

It you want to see some really beautiful reproductions, Hussar Saddlery is a good place to go.

George Washington with a shabraque. (See the bearskin on the pommel covering his gun powder?)

My shabraque has been in my tack trunk for fifty plus years but it is in good shape. Still, it needed a washing and after checking the fabric content, I decided to wash it in cold water and on a gentle cycle. (What? You don't wash your saddle blankets in your own washing machine??)

I air dried it and then checked it over for any needed repairs. It's now folded and been added to the sidesaddles and riding habits draped over my dining room chairs.

School Day is two weeks from today and I am just about ready. My friend Belle is borrowing a riding habit and will be joining me in the presentation. I've written up an info sheet for us both; the rough draft is below.

We won't read this aloud or anything, but it's a nice thing to have on hand if nerves take over or your memory blanks for a moment.

Tick! Tick! Tick!

A Really Cool Raffle Donation

Second Post of the Day

Amid all the planning for The Feast of the Hunters' Moon, I am also preparing for Happy Trails V - The Dan Patch Show. (Note to self: holding a live show a few weeks after the Feast is not the best idea!)

Donations have been arriving, including this one from Marilou Mol. She saw it at BreyerFest and thought it would be perfect for the show. (She was right.)

Cheryl Erickson's new book about the Standardbred, Greyhound.

To commemorate the 100th running of the Hambletonian, there were 100 special slipcases made for the book.

and Marilou's book has one of the slipcases!

The back of the slipcase.

The book itself.

The book is signed by the author, includes a bookmark,

and has tote bag to keep everything in!

What a generous donation! Thank you, Marilou! Whoever wins this in the raffle will be a really lucky person!

Leslie's 18th Century Side Saddle

First Post of the Day

Ever held something in your hands that you know is REALLY old, even centuries old? 

Participating in living history has allowed me to have that opportunity more than once. My two favorite items?

Parson John's 1726 Anglican Bible.

Frank Jarboe is a minister in real life and his living history persona reflects that - Parson John. He provides the early morning church services (18th century style) at many events, including Kalamazoo and the Feast.

Frank always lets me look at his Bible and honestly, I get the shivers knowing it has been in use for 299 years (300 next year.) 

The other is my sister's 18th century sidesaddle. And it's sitting in my dining room right now.

The horses who wore this saddle and the women who rode in it are long gone, but still there are echoes from the past that I feel when I touch or look at it. I wonder about those who used it and where it has been. More shivers.

The fixed horn is beautifully decorated

and the leather tooling is exquisite and well preserved. Look at those tiny stars!

The sewist in me also wonders about the stitching. The first known mechanical device for sewing was invented in 1755 by Charles Frederick Weisenthal, but I don't know if that was for use on leather or not. Perhaps there was a tool that punched tiny holes together and then they hand sewed it that way?

This saddle has been examined and dated to 1785 - 1795 so it's around 230 - 240 years old. 

The stirrup irons remind me of those that have been found during archeological digs at Fort Ouiatenon.

This is one that was unearthed during one of the digs on the original site.

There is more to come on the things I have for this year's Feast School Day. Stay 'tooned!