So-So mid-week

What a mixed-feeling kinda day this is so far. On the one-hand, I find myself emotionally taxed. For the past few days, I feel like I have been dealing with quite a number of buttheads. While I recognize the importance of trying my best to be polite, my forehead feels very bruised after smacking it against the wall several times. Sometimes, I really WANT to just lash out and scream, but that isn't the Right Thing To Do (tm).

Why is it that keeping one's cool seems to take up so much more energy?

On the other-hand, I am happy to have a little bit of calmness in the schedule of my life at the moment. After finishing Paul's birthday, I feel like the "holiday season" is now officially done and over with. Yes - what a LONG season that is. Sure, I have other things coming up, and other responsibilities - but at least these are new and not long-outstanding-on-the-to-do-list-projects. Right now, I would like to concentrate on finishing up my Italian sleeve, making a new Italian outfit, do some painting on a few scrolls, and finding inspiration in some new projects.

Tonight - some maintenance stuff around the house.
Tomorrow - scriptorium
Friday - newcomers at the house
Saturday - event
Sunday - a play in WeHo. WooHOO!

Kids and the SCA

Recently, one of my local SCA Newcomers asked if she could bring her kids to the newcomer classes. The first thought that came to my mind was, of course, concern. Don't get me wrong - I don't have a problem with kids. I DO have a problem with distraction. And, of course, I confess to cringing at the memories of trying to teach newcomer sessions while out-of-control, screaming children ran amuck in my 100 year old, filled-with-antique-Eastlake-furniture front parlor.

Yet, there are always counter-examples. I recall years and years ago, I walked into an SCA kitchen and volunteered to help. The head cook graciously accepted my offer, and put me to work. Shortly after I began chopping vegetables, a small child walked into the kitchen. JUST as I was about to politely advise her to leave the kitchen, for fear of getting in the way or getting hurt, the head cook said, "Oh good. You're here", and began putting her to work. This child could not have been older than 6 years old, but she was obviously very familiar with the kitchen and mature beyond her years. As the years went on, I worked in more and more kitchens, as did this child. She was one of those wonderfully intelligent and mature children who did well by the SCA and vice versa. Of course, having both parents being Pel-Laurels probably didn't hurt. :-)

Last year in March, my honey and I had the opportunity to travel across country to attend Gulf War. When we walked into the registration hall, I heard an excited cry from behind the desk, "Giuseppe!!!!!!!" At first I didn't recognize her. It was MaryBeth. After a very delightful reunion-hug, she then introduced me to her fiance'.

Is that yet another wrinkle and gray hair on my head? Just yesterday she was 6 years old.