Flintlock Fun

I've just got back from an amazing business (?!) trip. A co-worker and I went out to the island and Fort Rodd Hill to begin to learn about black powder musketry in order to start doing demos at our site sometime in the future. Fort Rodd Hill is an amazing site. It is truly stunning right where it is on the ocean, and such a fun atmosphere - definitely a great place to explore. If you ever get the chance, go visit!



Five years ago I would never have imagined all the neat things I have been so very fortunate to learn since I've become an intrepid Heritage Interpreter. Imagine me, a wee speck of a girlie- coopering, blacksmithing, and shooting black powder flintlock muskets!

In Love With Church Sales

It is a well known fact that Church Rummage Sales are always the very best place to find things of quailty and good price. Since I have worked on weekends for the past few years it is practically impossible to steal away to one and find the treasures that are carefully laid out by the old church ladies. However! Last Saturday while I was walking to work I passed one of the oldest churches in the village and lo and behold the sale had just begun. I had ten minutes before I had to run up the hill to the site so I scooped up these little things for the house. Three 1930's picture frames (I much prefer the older ones, and am always on the look out for them) all for 1$, as well as a handful of vintage linens including three hankerchiefs, a lace doily, and two lace and embroidered cushion covers (perfect for the hammock) for 7$.

I wish I could have spent more time poking around, I didn't even get more than a glimpse at the pie table!

Dear Mama

I have been so very fortunate in my life to have many "mamas". Kind, intelligent, hilarious, critical, loving women who have somehow put up with me with elegance and grace. But here is my very dearest, a-swirling and a-twirling in all gold silks.

Happy Mum's Day,
I promise to never be like Kitty or Lydia or even Mary!

Merry May Day!

"Oh!" she cried out, "is it you—is it you?" And it did not seem at all queer to her that she spoke to him as if she were sure that he would understand and answer her.

He did answer. He twittered and chirped and hopped along the wall as if he were telling her all sorts of things. It seemed to Mistress Mary as if she understood him, too, though he was not speaking in words. It was as if he said:

"Good morning! Isn't the wind nice? Isn't the sun nice? Isn't everything nice? Let us both chirp and hop and twitter. Come on! Come on!"

- The Secret Garden