Today we're up to our eyeballs in preparation for the biggest Civil War event of the season. Well, okay, we did go to Gettysburg this year, which pretty much blows away anything on the west coast, but for us, Fort Stevens is the big one. And both our units will be there, the 15th Alabama and the 69th New York, so we'll all be trotting between camps, hoping not to get shot at traitors by either camp! Not only that, but Alabama has a ton of new recruits this weekend, so we'll all be busy training and welcoming, and in the midst of all that, Sgt Lawless will be in New York as Sgt Archie Napier for most of the weekend.
It's amazing to me that Laura Ingalls Wilder's family, and many others like them, managed to fit all their worldly good into a single wagon. I could easily fill that wagon for just a three-day reenactment. If only you could see my kitchen right now: crates, baskets, boxes, jars, two breadboxes, a big cooler, all loaded down with several iron pots, half a dozen lanterns, two wash basins, a bread board, a dish drainer, a full set of dishes, silverware, cups, two tables, five chairs, sleeping pads and bags, pillows. Not to mention two guns, leathers, hats, trousers, a bunch of gowns, three hoop skirts, shawls, bonnets, boots, and a basketful of handkerchiefs, hair pins, gel, ribbons and other girly items.
While I was running thirteen miles this morning, the kids were packing and baking. Hailey, our resident baker, has undertaken the monumental task of preparing bacon biscuits, pumpkin bread, lemon cake, peanut butter and shortbread cookies, Mississippi cake, molasses pie, and an orange sponge custard. Wow - talk about "Do Hard Things!" Claire and Brennan washed dishes, chopped vegetables, helped with baking and packed.
It's not entirely my fault that we require so much baggage. Last year, the Captain asked if I'd be Company Cook, and fix dinners for those that want them. Until the last event that generally meant doubling what I make for our family and cooking for maybe ten people. But this weekend, I'll be making dinners for three nights for more than twenty people each night! At the last event, my big dutch oven was overflowing with jambalaya and we devoured every bite. I also found myself scrounging desperately for mixing bowls and serving dishes. So this week I went shopping! Hailey and I had a blast antiquing, and came away with some great additions to our gear: another cast iron pot, two big ceramic mixing bowls and two metal platters, plus a cute potato masher with a green-painted handle.
Laden down, but in delightful anticipation, we leave this century at first light tomorrow, not to return until Tuesday. Huzzah!
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Perseverance
I was going to tell you that the British pronounce "perseverance" per-SEV-rance. Only it turns out they don't. I thought they did, and I'm not sure where I might have heard that, but I think it would be cute if they said it that way.
Long-distance running is a good lesson in perSEVrance, because you never get to the good part if you don't stick with it. For me, running only really gets fun at a longer distance. I posted earlier about how the first mile or so of a run is always what I call "corset time," where I can't breathe and I wonder why on earth I would take to my heels with no one chasing me. So if you're only running 3 miles at a time, you're only just beginning to enjoy yourself when the run is over.
If you keep going though, you get that lovely sense of floating where you feel like you could cruise along for miles without stopping. And that feeling makes the whole sweaty business worthwhile. Well, that and the guilt-free milkshakes.
But there's more to be learned about perseverance from running. I have found that a run can change tremendously from mile to mile. What feels awful at one point can suddenly become the greatest run you've ever taken. Sometimes I'll be slogging along, maybe a little bored, my legs feeling kind of heavy, and then a great song will come on, or a lovely view will appear, or I'll hit a downhill stretch, and just like that, everything changes and I'll find myself charging down the trail, feeling strong and happy and full of life. That moment is so worth hanging in there for!
Life works that way too, doesn't it? Sometimes the smallest thing, like a thoughtless comment, a cloudy sky, or a change of plans can affect your whole outlook, and I don't know about you, but that can make me view my whole life differently until I'm in a downward spiral of negativity for no real reason. But that floating feeling is always just around the next corner.
I get a great sense of accomplishment from running. It's hard! But hard is good. My girls read a book a few years ago that I really liked, called Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations, by Alex and Brett Harris. The book suggests that the teenage years shouldn't be a final blowout of childhood immaturity (think Miley Cyrus), but instead can be a time of challenge and growth, and preparation for a really great adult life. "Do Hard Things" is a great motto, but not just for teens! I love the idea of doing hard things and challenging myself, even if it means returning home filthy, sweat-soaked and starving. Or diving into a pit of icy mud.
Long-distance running is a good lesson in perSEVrance, because you never get to the good part if you don't stick with it. For me, running only really gets fun at a longer distance. I posted earlier about how the first mile or so of a run is always what I call "corset time," where I can't breathe and I wonder why on earth I would take to my heels with no one chasing me. So if you're only running 3 miles at a time, you're only just beginning to enjoy yourself when the run is over.
If you keep going though, you get that lovely sense of floating where you feel like you could cruise along for miles without stopping. And that feeling makes the whole sweaty business worthwhile. Well, that and the guilt-free milkshakes.
But there's more to be learned about perseverance from running. I have found that a run can change tremendously from mile to mile. What feels awful at one point can suddenly become the greatest run you've ever taken. Sometimes I'll be slogging along, maybe a little bored, my legs feeling kind of heavy, and then a great song will come on, or a lovely view will appear, or I'll hit a downhill stretch, and just like that, everything changes and I'll find myself charging down the trail, feeling strong and happy and full of life. That moment is so worth hanging in there for!
Life works that way too, doesn't it? Sometimes the smallest thing, like a thoughtless comment, a cloudy sky, or a change of plans can affect your whole outlook, and I don't know about you, but that can make me view my whole life differently until I'm in a downward spiral of negativity for no real reason. But that floating feeling is always just around the next corner.
I get a great sense of accomplishment from running. It's hard! But hard is good. My girls read a book a few years ago that I really liked, called Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations, by Alex and Brett Harris. The book suggests that the teenage years shouldn't be a final blowout of childhood immaturity (think Miley Cyrus), but instead can be a time of challenge and growth, and preparation for a really great adult life. "Do Hard Things" is a great motto, but not just for teens! I love the idea of doing hard things and challenging myself, even if it means returning home filthy, sweat-soaked and starving. Or diving into a pit of icy mud.
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Muds to Suds Race 2013
The "Before" picture - before the mud, the suds, the sawdust, the yelling soldiers, the painful crawling tubes, the deep sand, the high walls, and the other thing too horrible to mention yet.
First we ran through deep sand along the river's edge. Then came the first mud pit - not too bad, I didn't get wet apart from my legs. The weather was cool and cloudy, so I wasn't too keen on running the whole race soaking wet.
This was pretty far into the race. I'm soaking wet, and I can't believe I'm smiling after the thing.
Once you're soaking wet, they cover you in sawdust. I crawled daintily through this, and then did a face plant at the end just so I wouldn't look bad. Or good, I guess.
The suds box was really fun! I went through just after they had reloaded, and the suds were nearly over my head. There were at least four nets in the box we had to crawl under, so no avoiding the suds.
We ate free hot dogs that were really good, and root beer floats. Now we're home again, clean and back to normal, more or less.
At the starting line.
First we ran through deep sand along the river's edge. Then came the first mud pit - not too bad, I didn't get wet apart from my legs. The weather was cool and cloudy, so I wasn't too keen on running the whole race soaking wet.
Karl in the first mud pit.
This was pretty far into the race. I'm soaking wet, and I can't believe I'm smiling after the thing.
Once you're soaking wet, they cover you in sawdust. I crawled daintily through this, and then did a face plant at the end just so I wouldn't look bad. Or good, I guess.
This wall was really high! But it was easy to climb, and no big deal after the thing that came before.
The suds box was really fun! I went through just after they had reloaded, and the suds were nearly over my head. There were at least four nets in the box we had to crawl under, so no avoiding the suds.
Sudsy Karl.
We rang the finish bell together. I stayed ahead of Karl on the running stretches, but he caught up at the obstacles.
So I'm running along, over halfway through the race and finally hitting my groove after the initial sand pit that kind of kicked my butt, when one of the sadistic race volunteers calls out, "Hey! Are you ready for the ice pit?!" Say what? Ice pit? ICE PIT!?!
Yep, a pit of icy mud, with a soldier standing beside it. He sneers at me, "You can't handle this." Although I can't imagine what on earth would ever possess me to dive willingly into a pit of ice water, nothing, absolutely nothing, motivates me like being told I can't do something. "Yes I can!" I yell back. "You won't make it," he says, grinning. "Oh yes I will!" I shout, diving gleefully into the icy depths. Oh my gosh. I gasped, I choked, and I seriously wasn't sure if I'd make it out the other side before my whole body went numb. But I did, and then tingled all the way to the next obstacle.
The "After" photo - after 2 long sand pits, a gnarly web climbing wall and a long spiderweb of ropes, a tire course, a stack of hay bales, two high wooden climbing walls, one with knotted rope to pull up by that made me feel like Private Benjamin, two long plastic tubes that were hell on my knees until I figured out how to scootch through on my backside, a whole row of high hurdles, several sets of back-to-back mud pits that left me staggering around unable to see, and a pit of ice water.
The "After" photo:
Some of our friends ran too.
Look at the tidy princess. Her face isn't even dirty!
The showers. They weren't warm. And where were the firemen we were promised?!
See these socks? They're actually white. Or they were.
We ate free hot dogs that were really good, and root beer floats. Now we're home again, clean and back to normal, more or less.
I love Private Benjamin:
The Long Winter?
A friend of mine posted on Facebook the other day a picture of a waist-high ants' nest near his work. In the comments below, someone noted that we may be in for a hard winter. That caught my attention, because I swear the numerous geese around here are fleeing in droves! Now I'm curious: are we in for a cold or snowy winter?
I am reminded of the beginning chapters of Laura Ingalls Wilder's The Long Winter, in which Laura and her family observe many signs in nature of the approaching record-breaking winter of 1880-81. When I read The Long Winter as a child, I thought it was the most boring book in the series, but re-reading it as an adult is absolutely chilling, (pardon the pun.) The family is starving and only keeps warm enough by huddling right up next to the stove. It sounds like they had no insulation apart from boards! I'll bet they wished for their old home in the creek bank! And I have to wonder: didn't they see it coming?
Feeling curious, I looked up predictions for our coming winter. Here's what Farmer's Almanac says for our area:
Animals' fur gets thicker. Duh. That can't be an old wives' tale.
Acorns have thicker shells. Does anyone have an oak tree nearby to check this? One thing I really miss about leaving California is the stately, gnarled old oak trees.
Increased rodent activity in your house. Eww.
I am reminded of the beginning chapters of Laura Ingalls Wilder's The Long Winter, in which Laura and her family observe many signs in nature of the approaching record-breaking winter of 1880-81. When I read The Long Winter as a child, I thought it was the most boring book in the series, but re-reading it as an adult is absolutely chilling, (pardon the pun.) The family is starving and only keeps warm enough by huddling right up next to the stove. It sounds like they had no insulation apart from boards! I'll bet they wished for their old home in the creek bank! And I have to wonder: didn't they see it coming?
Feeling curious, I looked up predictions for our coming winter. Here's what Farmer's Almanac says for our area:
Annual Weather Summary: November 2013 to October 2014
Winter will be much snowier than normal, with frequent snows from mid-December through the first three weeks of January. Rainfall will be near normal, with temperatures below normal, on average, in the north and above in the south. The coldest periods will occur in mid- to late December, early to mid-January, and mid- to late January. From: http://www.almanac.com/weather/longrange/WA/Everett
Hmm. Sounds like we might not make it back to California for Christmas, but at least we won't be holed up twisting hay for fuel and sipping bean broth!
I looked up signs of winter. Strangely, I found them listed as "folklore." But I thought it was widely understood that nature could predict severe weather? It makes sense to me, although I'm sure there are plenty of myths sprinkled in with true signs. Here are some signs I found of harsh winter weather approaching:
Apparently black and brown woolly caterpillars show narrower bands of brown if winter is going to be cold.
Squirrels and birds stock up.
Bees nest higher in trees.
Early bird migration. Check. I'm seeing that one!
Increased rodent activity in your house. Eww.
Bigger pine cones and thicker corn husks, because, of course, the corn needs to save a few seeds from the hungry critters to re-seed in spring.
And Laura's Pa observed that beavers and muskrats make thicker lodges.
(From: http://webecoist.momtastic.com/2012/11/02/signs-of-winter-weather-14-folklore-predictions/)
Has anyone observed any of this around here?
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Not All Good Fun is Clean
We're getting down and dirty around here! Check out what Karl and I are doing this weekend.
2.5 miles, 22 obstacles, lots of mud!
Here's the info: Muds to Suds
And here's the Course Map
I can't wait! :-)
2.5 miles, 22 obstacles, lots of mud!
Um, wait a minute. Is that fire? Do we have to jump over fire?! It's supposed to be a mud race!
Here's the info: Muds to Suds
And here's the Course Map
I can't wait! :-)
Monday, August 19, 2013
Captain Brock Falls; Rufus Rises
...In which, a good time was had by all. To say the least. The Battle at Roy was fun. It was so much fun, that I've held off writing about it for a week, just to savor the experience.
We have some marvelous new recruits. This is Scarlett and Olivia. They're fun!
This is Rose. Rose is one of the Usual Suspects, and we brought her along with us from home. She's hooked now and wants to come back to the 1860's with us again! The 1860's are incredibly addictive and should be experienced with extreme caution.
These two fine fellows are on a water run. Private Dennis Billings, on the left, is a fine new recruit. You'll hear more about him in a minute. You may remember Private William Barry, on the right. His brother Sylvester tried to go over to the Yankees last year and was arrested and shot.
Morning inspection: The girls picked up Rufus' hand-slap game pretty quickly.
And then graced us with a fine Hokey-Pokey:
Clarence passed inspection with flying colors.
Calvin, rattled by the 1st Sergeant, almost didn't!
Are these not the most adorable southern lads you've ever seen? That's Oliver, who is Olivia's, um, brother. I think Oliver and Clarence are very much alike!
1st Sergeant Newton and Captain Brock. Before the trial. More about that later...
Miss Sarah's husband Jonathan joined us as chaplain. It was a pleasure to have him!
Look how large and fearsome our battle line is. (The line overall. Individual soldier size may vary. A lot.) Go Alabama!
I had a whole crowd of young 'uns around my tent this weekend. Isn't Miss N. adorable? The children chopped a huge pile of vegetables for Saturday's supper.
This is Miss P., who is Miss N's sister, providing shade for Rufus. Miss P. is adorable. I saw her on Wednesday at the fair and she didn't recognize me outside the 1860's, though she's spent several weekends hanging out with me!
Trouble brewing. Corporal Sammy called Clarence to come help him with something, but he wouldn't say what. Looks like they're plotting something with Wilson, Johnny and Corporal Danny. Hmm...
Captain Brock greets Lieutenant Williams at the start of his trial. Seems our fine Captain has been investing our pay unwisely.
Captain Brock tried to charm the jury of his peers, he tried to distract them and make an escape, he tried everything, but to no avail.
They brought out evidence against him. He says he invested our pay in the Bank of Nashville, but that bank went under in '61! Where's the money? It turns out Captain Brock has a gambling problem.
Captain Brock, stripped of his rank, removes his hat and turns his tie over to...
Captain Newton! That makes Rufus 1st Sergeant, and Danny 2nd Sergeant. The whole pack shuffles.
Private Brock is remanded to his unit for punishment.
Captain Newton was prepared for an execution and called for a Roman vote. I reminded the unit, however, that Captain Brock had never voted to execute one of his own men, so after discussing possible latrine duty, and with promises of good behavior in the future, Captain Brock was returned to his post.
After the fun, we returned to business, with our annual board (Rufus says "bored") meeting on Saturday night. Here's the board, (minus me, Civilian Coordinator, because I was cooking.) I made a huge pot of jambalaya for about 20 people and they ate every bite! I need a larger stove...
The Saturday evening light was golden and lovely.
Did I mention that (Captain) Kyle joined us again? You'd think he'd have had enough after being trussed at the last event, but he's a sucker for punishment and we were delighted to have him.
The girls. Wish my teen years could have been like this! Scarlett, Hannah, Clarence, Bethany, Rose, and Rachel.
Sunday morning inspection. Calvin is still in his nightcap.
Sgt Lawless laughs at him, and has this to say, "Before us in proud humiliation stood the embodiment of manhood..." from a speech by Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. Rufus always has the perfect thing to say, doesn't he?
But Calvin passes inspection.
So does Clarence.
Sgt Newton tries to intimidate Hannah...
...and Scarlett, but they just laugh.
Miss Sarah always passes inspection. Maybe it's the cookies...
Kyle looks worried. Maybe he should bring cookies.
I love Pvt Rounds' poses!
Apparently Rob has been up to a little naughtiness over in artillery camp...
Creepy!
But in other news, Sergeant Lawless received a promotion! He's now 2nd Lieutenant Rufus Lawless. Which actually means that he's still 2nd Sgt Lawless unless both the Captain and Lieutenant Rounds can't make an event, then Lawless is in charge.
On Sunday morning, some of the fellows had to help the artillery crews move a couple of cannons.
Sammy, did you call the 1st Sergeant "Sir" again?
The young 'uns, defending their southern home!
Private Billings instructed Rose in the use of the bayonet.
Then came the best part of the weekend. I don't have many pictures of it, because I was too busy! Private Billings asked if I would be his Mama. I happily agreed, and we dressed him in the blood shirt we'd made in May, and then we strolled along the audience, discussing the farm, Uncle Henry's failing health, and the difficulty of getting the crops in with all the men away. Heads turned.
Captain Brock and the rest of the unit showed up looking for conscripts. My boy clung to my arm and had to be dragged away, but they took him nonetheless, along with Mrs. P's boy Sammy. Then, (as you knew it would), the worst happened. As we sat watching the terrible battle, a stretcher appeared with a dead soldier on it. Mrs. P. said to me, "I think that's your boy, Mrs. Kirkland!" It was indeed, oh sorrowful day! I wept over his body, but when a passing civilian asked for his shoes, my ire was roused and I told him off. A boy standing nearby laughed, and I asked him, "Are you mocking my pain? Would you give your life, as my boy has done?" He shook his head shamefully. I turned to other onlookers. "Who among you would spare your child? I see some of you with boys old enough to fight. Why aren't they out there, defending their homes as my boy has done?"
I love this stuff!! :-)
My boy, unfortunately, kept twitching in his death throws until I threatened to take his bayonet and finish him off! Here he lies.
But the unit survived intact.
"O Captains, my Captains!"
After everyone else left on Sunday night, a few of us die-hards (chuckle) remained. Sometimes the after-party is almost as much fun as the event. We hung out at my tent cracking jokes until Hailey said, "Just for the record, I could not be having more fun!" That pretty much sums it up for all of us.
The girls asked if they could sleep out by the fire. I said, "No." "Maybe." "Yeah, that sounds fun." So we slept by the fire - Hailey, Claire, Rose, Me and Rufus, with Kyle and Donny in their cars behind us. It would have been great, except for the mosquitoes.
Rufus put on the "bonnet of shame." I'm not sure why. It's tough coming out of the 1860's. Do whatever you've got to do to re-adjust. I don't judge.
It pains Kyle, though.
Donny and Kyle, modern versions. Love these guys - the laughter never stops when they're around!
Clarence's dog tent.
Clarence, midway through re-entry.
We went out to breakfast and ate the cinnamon rolls we missed on Sunday morning. (Sunday morning cinnamon rolls are an Alabama tradition, but Calvin was sick of them and asked for biscuits and gravy instead. But we made up for it on Monday.) Rose nearly had to be dragged from the restaurant, and I think we were the very last ones to leave the event.
But we've got Fort Stevens in 3 weeks!
We have some marvelous new recruits. This is Scarlett and Olivia. They're fun!
This is Rose. Rose is one of the Usual Suspects, and we brought her along with us from home. She's hooked now and wants to come back to the 1860's with us again! The 1860's are incredibly addictive and should be experienced with extreme caution.
These two fine fellows are on a water run. Private Dennis Billings, on the left, is a fine new recruit. You'll hear more about him in a minute. You may remember Private William Barry, on the right. His brother Sylvester tried to go over to the Yankees last year and was arrested and shot.
Morning inspection: The girls picked up Rufus' hand-slap game pretty quickly.
And then graced us with a fine Hokey-Pokey:
Clarence passed inspection with flying colors.
Calvin, rattled by the 1st Sergeant, almost didn't!
Are these not the most adorable southern lads you've ever seen? That's Oliver, who is Olivia's, um, brother. I think Oliver and Clarence are very much alike!
1st Sergeant Newton and Captain Brock. Before the trial. More about that later...
Miss Sarah's husband Jonathan joined us as chaplain. It was a pleasure to have him!
Look how large and fearsome our battle line is. (The line overall. Individual soldier size may vary. A lot.) Go Alabama!
I had a whole crowd of young 'uns around my tent this weekend. Isn't Miss N. adorable? The children chopped a huge pile of vegetables for Saturday's supper.
This is Miss P., who is Miss N's sister, providing shade for Rufus. Miss P. is adorable. I saw her on Wednesday at the fair and she didn't recognize me outside the 1860's, though she's spent several weekends hanging out with me!
Trouble brewing. Corporal Sammy called Clarence to come help him with something, but he wouldn't say what. Looks like they're plotting something with Wilson, Johnny and Corporal Danny. Hmm...
Captain Brock under arrest?! It can't be!
Captain Brock greets Lieutenant Williams at the start of his trial. Seems our fine Captain has been investing our pay unwisely.
Captain Brock under guard.
Captain Brock tried to charm the jury of his peers, he tried to distract them and make an escape, he tried everything, but to no avail.
They brought out evidence against him. He says he invested our pay in the Bank of Nashville, but that bank went under in '61! Where's the money? It turns out Captain Brock has a gambling problem.
"That's not me! These are fine fellows. It's not what it looks like; this was a business meeting." Then Captain Brock had the gall to try to implicate me. Me! Back in May, the Captain asked me to perform a small secretarial service for him, by making up the bond certificates from the Bank of Nashville. But I had no knowledge of the illegality of his actions! Fortunately, the Colonel was not distracted by the Captain's ploy, and soundly denounced him for trying to drag an innocent woman into his downfall.
Colonel Toby Gulley, head of the Confederate forces, debates the matter.
Captain Brock, stripped of his rank, removes his hat and turns his tie over to...
Captain Newton! That makes Rufus 1st Sergeant, and Danny 2nd Sergeant. The whole pack shuffles.
Private Brock is remanded to his unit for punishment.
Captain Newton was prepared for an execution and called for a Roman vote. I reminded the unit, however, that Captain Brock had never voted to execute one of his own men, so after discussing possible latrine duty, and with promises of good behavior in the future, Captain Brock was returned to his post.
After the fun, we returned to business, with our annual board (Rufus says "bored") meeting on Saturday night. Here's the board, (minus me, Civilian Coordinator, because I was cooking.) I made a huge pot of jambalaya for about 20 people and they ate every bite! I need a larger stove...
The Saturday evening light was golden and lovely.
Did I mention that (Captain) Kyle joined us again? You'd think he'd have had enough after being trussed at the last event, but he's a sucker for punishment and we were delighted to have him.
The girls. Wish my teen years could have been like this! Scarlett, Hannah, Clarence, Bethany, Rose, and Rachel.
Frederick and a stunning sunset.
Sunday morning inspection. Calvin is still in his nightcap.
Sgt Lawless laughs at him, and has this to say, "Before us in proud humiliation stood the embodiment of manhood..." from a speech by Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. Rufus always has the perfect thing to say, doesn't he?
But Calvin passes inspection.
So does Clarence.
Sgt Newton tries to intimidate Hannah...
...and Scarlett, but they just laugh.
Miss Sarah always passes inspection. Maybe it's the cookies...
Kyle looks worried. Maybe he should bring cookies.
I love Pvt Rounds' poses!
Apparently Rob has been up to a little naughtiness over in artillery camp...
Creepy!
But in other news, Sergeant Lawless received a promotion! He's now 2nd Lieutenant Rufus Lawless. Which actually means that he's still 2nd Sgt Lawless unless both the Captain and Lieutenant Rounds can't make an event, then Lawless is in charge.
On Sunday morning, some of the fellows had to help the artillery crews move a couple of cannons.
Sammy, did you call the 1st Sergeant "Sir" again?
The young 'uns, defending their southern home!
Private Billings instructed Rose in the use of the bayonet.
Then came the best part of the weekend. I don't have many pictures of it, because I was too busy! Private Billings asked if I would be his Mama. I happily agreed, and we dressed him in the blood shirt we'd made in May, and then we strolled along the audience, discussing the farm, Uncle Henry's failing health, and the difficulty of getting the crops in with all the men away. Heads turned.
Captain Brock and the rest of the unit showed up looking for conscripts. My boy clung to my arm and had to be dragged away, but they took him nonetheless, along with Mrs. P's boy Sammy. Then, (as you knew it would), the worst happened. As we sat watching the terrible battle, a stretcher appeared with a dead soldier on it. Mrs. P. said to me, "I think that's your boy, Mrs. Kirkland!" It was indeed, oh sorrowful day! I wept over his body, but when a passing civilian asked for his shoes, my ire was roused and I told him off. A boy standing nearby laughed, and I asked him, "Are you mocking my pain? Would you give your life, as my boy has done?" He shook his head shamefully. I turned to other onlookers. "Who among you would spare your child? I see some of you with boys old enough to fight. Why aren't they out there, defending their homes as my boy has done?"
I love this stuff!! :-)
My boy, unfortunately, kept twitching in his death throws until I threatened to take his bayonet and finish him off! Here he lies.
But the unit survived intact.
"O Captains, my Captains!"
After everyone else left on Sunday night, a few of us die-hards (chuckle) remained. Sometimes the after-party is almost as much fun as the event. We hung out at my tent cracking jokes until Hailey said, "Just for the record, I could not be having more fun!" That pretty much sums it up for all of us.
The girls asked if they could sleep out by the fire. I said, "No." "Maybe." "Yeah, that sounds fun." So we slept by the fire - Hailey, Claire, Rose, Me and Rufus, with Kyle and Donny in their cars behind us. It would have been great, except for the mosquitoes.
Rufus put on the "bonnet of shame." I'm not sure why. It's tough coming out of the 1860's. Do whatever you've got to do to re-adjust. I don't judge.
It pains Kyle, though.
Donny and Kyle, modern versions. Love these guys - the laughter never stops when they're around!
Clarence's dog tent.
Clarence, midway through re-entry.
But we've got Fort Stevens in 3 weeks!
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