Autumnal Equinox

And now comes my favorite part of the year! Sunny days, cool nights, clear skies and moons that fill the heavens!

Cute, eh?

I think the top one may possibly be the cutest stuffie I have made yet. The cat I like too. The sheep.... well, I think he is very homely, but I am hoping someone likes him! He certainly has a classy Aran sweater! I really think I need to make more of the birdy ducky whatever though.... maybe I will call him Kyle. Don't ask me why!

Never Forget

Nine years ago today almost three thousand people were killed in a terrorist attack on America. Muslims worldwide celebrated. Today, I will light a candle.

Hornet trouble

I have a problem. A fairly big problem. Here's a picture. It is a European Hornet. They are getting into my house in multiples. One or two nearly every night. We figure they are coming in with the cats or when we open the door to put out the torches or check the coals or whatever, though we never actually see them come into the house. I hope that is what is happening. I hope they don't have another way in that is just an open door for them. Their own personal entry into our abode. Now, you entymologists out there can tell me how gentle these guys are, how unaggressive unless threatened (what threatens them?) and how unlikely they are to sting unless provoked, but you see, I am allergic. Very allergic. I get stung, I die. That kind of allergic. So, just pretending they aren't there is not really an option for me. Last night one came in and then between my calling for my dh and his arriving, it disappeared.... and he couldn't find it. He waited up until almost 0100, but no sign. Now, I know it was there, it was a good big one, hovering by the door about knee high. Looking menacing. I didn't sleep so well, I can tell you. This is really not very good. Did you know the European Hornet hunts at night? I didn't know any stinging waspy type critter did. In fact, I thought that was a safe time for most bees and wasps. Ha! Silly me. Turns out these guys actually fling themselves against windows trying to get to lights, hurl themselves into glass. Now, if they like light, for heaven's sake, why don't they hunt diurnally and sleep at night like a normal bee! I am not a happy person right now.

Busy Times

Trying to sew enough stuff to sell.....

Pennsic Pretties

One of the reasons to love Pennsic is the wonderful garb, the fabulous amount of work people do on their clothing. This young woman is a late period Persian, and has paid good attention to detail. I love her coat, her veils and her shoes. In fact I love all these shoes, I just love shoes! The first two pics are getting ready for court, so lots of people are pretty well spiffed up.
The next pics are depictions of some other really good reasons to go to Pennsic...SHOPPING! It is always fun, even if you don't buy much. There are goods from around the world, amber from the Baltic, silk from Asia, cotton from Egypt, bronze bells from India, saxon artifacts from England, and so much more. Then there are the craftsmen from right here in the States and Canada, goldsmiths and silversmiths, seamstresses, smithies, basketmakers, potters, woodworkers. There are merchants of books and vendors of pies, sellers of fine shoes and those who import or make leather pouches. There are cheaper goods as well, for the less discriminating buyer, and bargain shops for those wanting just a quick fix. You can buy catnip for your cat (it is good to appease the catgods when you return home after a prolonged absence) and a gift for your catsitter too. You can buy a drinking horn of carven oxhorn with the battle of Malden engraved around the sides, or a leather drinking jack to buckle on your belt. Hand blown glass bottles can be found, and music on cd. Or the largest bodhrun and loudest hurdygurdy you could want. Have you ever heard a hurdygurdy? Sounds alot like a cat having his toes squeezed! Not a howl, but a complaint. Bells, beads and bawds, you can find them all at Pennsic. Only 344 more days til next year.....

Where Did the Magic Go......

There will be more pictures and more posts, but tonight I am trying to reassimilate to the mundane world, and it isn't easy. It is hard enough coming back from a normal vacation, where you are removed in place from your normal position and have people to meet your needs, but to be removed in both place and time, and by about 1500 years, it takes a little getting used to being back. Just a bit of a wrench.

Pennsic, Inside the Tent

I live pretty comfortably here, yes, it is outside, and it does rain. It does get hot and it does get cold, but on the whole, it isn't too bad, comfortwise. I have shade and all the things necessary to stay hydrated and fed and rested. I have entertainment....in spades! I have a fan and a wet cloth! Really, not too bad!

The night sights are pretty too, and the shopping is good. I have been taking classes and learning lots of stuff. No dancing though, too hot.

Pennsic 39 Set Up

So this is where I live.... or rather, this is the sitting area where I rest and eat and cook. Also the common area is right next door, the big yellow tent.

AND ITS OFF TO PENNSIC.....

Staging, Phase Two

See, much better! Almost all done. Just the food and toiletries, and mundane clothes to pack, the things I really can't do until tomorrow! The last minute things have been bought and picked up by my wonderful husband, who is cleaning the car tomorrow so I can pack it tomorrow after work. THEN I GET TO LEAVE!!!!!!!! No, I am not a bit excited, why do you ask?