Conversation

Earlier this month I wrote about a person at work who wants to help me be less shy. Today we had a quick conversation of the general, ‘how are you doing,’ type. He asked me if I was happy. I told him I find something every day to be happy for. I didn’t tell him that today one of those happy things was that short conversation. Other happy things from today:

• Gideon starts an art class today. I am excited and happy for him. 
• I finished watching the movie Tangled this afternoon. Without giving anything away, there was a part near the end that made me happy. Part of me was also a little shocked, but I could see where they were going with the storyline so I am okay with it.

Winston on the move.

☮

Currently listening to: The Awakening, by Nora Roberts

Currently reading: Fallen, by E Prybylski

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Tired Monday

Last night I found a YouTube channel about the history of food. The particular episode that I watched was about pemmican. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't like it but the history tidbits were fun. Other happy things:

• Keziah and I drove long distances to return the rented air purifiers back to Maine. They wouldn't all fit into the van so we needed both cars. I’m happy to have helped and happy that they are back safe and sound.
• We stopped for lunch at a seafood restaurant. Everything was delicious and Keziah and I got to talk about upcoming events.

• There is a case of eggs in the kitchen on the floor. Nanni, the gray tabby, has decided that she likes to sit or lay on the box. It looks like she is nesting!

☮

Currently listening to: The Awakening, by Nora Roberts

Currently reading: Fallen, by E Prybylski

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Birka is Over

The Market Day at Birka event revolves around the merchants. On Saturday there was fighting, meetings, the fashion show, and the arts and sciences display with dancing and bardic at night after court. The merchants are open Friday evening, all day Saturday and through Sunday afternoon. Many merchants do tend to pack up and leave early, but others stay to get as many sales as they can. So today I visited with a few merchants and friends as well as packing up. Other happy things from today:

• Keziah and I also had a guild meeting to attend. The SCA has guilds for people wanting to learn specific things along a particular path. This morning our local group officially received a charter to be part of the Guild of Foresters. This guild is basically to learn about outdoor living during the middle ages. We got to see new members join and others advance in rank. Our main reason to attend was to sign the charter saying that Stonemarche now has its own group of Foresters.

• Spending time with people and participating in the event this weekend was good, but so was getting home. The introvert in me was ready to be home and hotels are nice but I am looking forward to being in my own bed.
• Many people this weekend felt better about attending because of the air purifiers that Keziah worked so hard to obtain.  Many of them had signs on them with names or dedications.  One funny one that I saw was from 'Sir Phil Tration.' 

☮

Currently listening to: The Awakening, by Nora Roberts


Currently reading: Fallen, by E Prybylski

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Birka Day Two

It was a busy day. I woke up early and did some weaving. It wasn’t enough though and never had time to get back to it. I’ll do my best to finish the bands up in the next week or so. I feel like the pressure is off and I can stop stress weaving. Other happy things from today:

• There were approximately 1200 people at the event today and the vast majority of them wore masks. It made me feel just a little safer and hopefully there will be less illness after the event. There always seems to be some kind of cold or flu that people bring home after the Birka event. 
• Keziah and I were able to spend some time in the merchant hall and see the lovely things that were in the arts and sciences display. 
• We had a small group of people that were at their first event that we talked with about the SCA. 
• There is a fashion show that has a different theme each time. This year I think the theme was mythical creatures. People were very creative. My favorite was a group of teens who put together costumes to show the seven deadly sins. Each of the seven teens had a sin that they found a way to portray. 
• Deserving people were recognized for the wonderful things they do at the court in the evening.

Here are some pictures from the event:

☮

Currently listening to: The Awakening, by Nora Roberts


Currently reading: Fallen, by E Prybylski


Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Birka Day One

There aren’t as many people at the event as in previous years, at least not yet. There are more people than I am used to though. So far I kept to myself a bunch and I am okay with that. I didn't even bother putting on my medieval garb.  Here are some happy things from today:

• The day didn’t go off as planned. I forgot some things at home-most important was my wallet. It all turned out alright though and that is what I can be happy for.
• At home, Winston tried to climb on my shoulder to get to my food.  Too funny!

• I got to see some people I haven’t seen for a while and I got some quick hugs.
• Keziah and I went to dinner with some other Baronages and got to know them better. It was a fun evening with them.
• About half of the last band is done. Depending on my morning I am sure to get at least another quarter of it done, not sure about the rest though. Progress is good.

☮

Currently listening to: The Awakening, by Nora Roberts


Currently reading: Fallen, by E Prybylski


Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Goals

It feels like all I did today was weave and walk. That covers most of it. I did laundry, dishes, helped clean out the cars, and ate too. Gideon was great. He helped with the cars, the dishes, and helped me with my laundry. Here are the happy highlights:

• The pain in my back seems to be lessening. Hopefully this trend will continue.  
• I took a break from it all and just rested for about 45 minutes.  Sometimes self-care is the most important thing.  
• Intervals of about fifteen minutes between weaving and walking or some other break seems to work fairly well. I got all my steps in and finished one of the bands. If things go well tomorrow, I’ll be able to weave a bunch. If not, there won’t be any chance of them being completed by Saturday afternoon.

☮

Currently listening to: The Awakening, by Nora Roberts

Currently reading: Fallen, by E Prybylski

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Little Cat Tree

Before I pull out of the parking lot at work I check for messages on my phone. An email came in from work and I almost didn't check it. I'm so glad I did though, it was an opportunity for voluntary time off. I took it and so I'm not working tonight. I had been trying to decide whether to take the night off or not and that opportunity made the choice easy. Not only is the weather wet tonight, I will have more time to prepare for the weekend. Other happy things from today:

• Some weaving happened. I was tired so I didn't weave for long. After making a mistake I had to fix I knew I needed sleep instead of staying up to weave.  It was a good nap.
  
  
  

• Keziah got a new toy for the cats. They aren't sure what to make of it yet. The limbs with the balls on them bounce.

• Zeke made dinner tonight and I liked it. I'm a very picky eater so finding things that I like can be hard. Hawaiian chicken was really good though and I'm glad I was awake tonight to try it. Normally I'd be asleep preparing for work tonight.

☮

Currently listening to: The Awakening, by Nora Roberts

Currently reading: Fallen, by E Prybylski

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Weaving Week

This month seems to have flown by. I'm not ready for our big event this weekend. I will be, but not yet. Keziah and I heard from His Majesty, King of the East today. He is also trying to prepare for this weekend. Other happy things for today:

• For some reason all my aches and pains are just a little different at work. I don’t know how to describe it, but it is a good thing.
• Every day I hope to get a little more weaving done. That wasn’t much today, but it was something and every bit is one step closer to done.

☮

Currently listening to: The Awakening, by Nora Roberts

Currently reading: Fallen, by E Prybylski

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Snow, Snow, Snow!

Gideon has spent some time today wandering the house, looking out the windows, and saying, "There's so much snow!" He is not wrong. I'm not sure how much of the snow is from this storm and how much from the storm the other day, but there seems to be at least a foot. Gideon went outside and helped to shovel the snow. I am again, really happy for the plow guy.

 Other happy things from today:

• Keziah started a GoFundMe to raise money for air filtration for the event we are attending this weekend.  The filtration should help to alleviate the amount of germs floating in what could be very crowded rooms.  She needed to raise about $2000 and did so in a few hours.  So many generous people!
• The snow removal and car moving for the plow took some time.  The cars got stuck.  In the end, I didn’t get as much weaving done as I had hoped. It has started though and it will be a big part of this week.

• Nanni decided today was the day she would try to be a lap cat. She usually comes by for pets and then goes away to sleep. She wanted to sleep where the loom was. I did the best I could to keep her happy and weave.

The pink flowery bag has my loom.
I'm under the blanket that Nanni is on.

☮

Currently listening to: The Awakening, by Nora Roberts

Currently reading: Fallen, by E Prybylski


Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Happy for Friends

It was a very stressful day with my SCA life. I think it has mostly resolved itself better than the day started, though I would have preferred it hadn't happened at all. Yes, I'm vague-posting. This is my happy blog though, and I'm happy that much of today's strife is now behind me. Other happy things from today:

• I packed up my loom and went to visit my friend, Amy. Together we got the loom warped so that I can start weaving again to make the bands for the Champions–correct this time.

Warped!

• We also went for a nice walk. The snow from the other day was still quite pretty. If it wasn’t, it wouldn’t matter anymore because it is getting covered with a fresh blanket of snow.

• Our cat, Winston, apparently likes to drink from the faucet.

☮

Currently listening to: The Awakening, by Nora Roberts


Currently reading: Fallen, by E Prybylski


Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Walk in the Snow

We have a built-in Bluetooth speaker and exhaust fan in the bathroom that allows us to listen to music (or whatever) in the shower. I absolutely love this feature. When Keziah went to use it today it hooked up to my phone instead of hers. She yelled out letting me know this followed by, "I know what game you're playing!" We laughed, I relinquished my control of the Bluetooth and continued to play my game.
Other happy things for today:

• With yesterday's realization that I made mistakes with the weaving, I decided to push forward hard to get this piece finished so that I might be able to start the replacement bands soon. That piece is woven, it just needs to have the ends hemmed.

• I went for a short walk around the property. It has been a while, navigating the trails with the overgrowth from summer was hard in spots. It was nice to get out of the house and see the snowy hills and trees.

Deer tracks.

☮

Currently listening to: The Awakening, by Nora Roberts

Currently reading: Fallen, by E Prybylski

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

My Mistakes

Sometimes on Friday I think it is Saturday. I'm glad there are still two days left because I have managed to make a mistake with the bands I have been weaving for my champions. The two I finished have the wrong AS year on them. My current plan is to give them to my champions anyway as placeholders until I can weave up some more. The good news is that two bands are ready for next year. Happy things for today:

• More than half the band I am weaving is done. I'm on track to finish that one this weekend.

The correct SCA year.

• I spent part of the day just resting and it was good.
• It snowed and the earth here needs that.  It is a good thing for the environment.

• The snow was heavy and we have someone who comes and plows so we don't have to shovel the big driveway. Yes, I might be happy about that every storm this season.

☮

Currently listening to: The Awakening, by Nora Roberts

Currently reading: Fallen, by E Prybylski

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Color

Last night I dreamed of green grass and flowers coming up through patches of snow. The flowers were beautiful and nameless in yellow, purple, blue, and pink. The purple and yellow ones were very vibrant in the dream.  I thought of these small flowers off and on throughout the day. Color is a wonderful thing. Other happy things from today include:

• Popcorn was served during lunch break. This salty snack was just what my appetite appreciated at work.
• I was able to leave work early today which meant that I had time to go to the studio with Keziah and Gideon. There is a chemise that I have been close to finishing and I was hoping to today. Unfortunately, it is just a little too small and so I am redoing some of the seams to hopefully make up the difference. This means that it may not be ready to wear by next weekend. The good news is that I am accepting that and moving on. I may still try to finish it, but weaving has to come first.
• Keziah worked on a bunch of pottery last year and much of it was finished and out of the kiln.  She has learned so much and done so well with the pottery classes.  

• After doing some vague math I figure I have six to eight hours of weaving to do and hope to accomplish that by Monday. I got a good start today.

☮

Currently listening to: The Awakening, by Nora Roberts

Currently reading: Fallen, by E Prybylski

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Weird Wednesday

It is going to be a weird one. I wasn't feeling well after work so I didn't accomplish much. Therefore, my happy things are a little different.

• Indoor, modern plumbing is something that I am happy for. I have had friends that lived off grid for a while in upstate Vermont. No electricity or indoor plumbing. I couldn't do that in the winter…🥶
• Ice packs and heat packs that help lessen the aches and pains. 😌
• Belts, the kind that hold up my pants. I forgot to wear mine to work and it was missed, a lot. 🙃

Sunset!

☮

Currently listening to: The Awakening, by Nora Roberts

Currently reading: Fallen, by E Prybylski

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Basking

We have a small enclosed porch that warms up quite nicely in the afternoon sun. After having my midday meal I went and sat out on the rocking chair. I looked at all the stuff that I should take care of out there, mostly gardening supplies. Then I did my DuoLingo and read some Facebook. I did these things so that I wouldn’t fall asleep sitting there. It was a relaxing time. It is not a quiet time, we are on a loud, busy street. Maybe next time I’ll wear ear buds to dampen the sounds.


A couple other happy things:

• The plow guy came. In hindsight, it might have all melted before the next freeze. This is a weird winter.

• I have a little black pillow that has a little black round vibrating thing that goes inside. I had forgotten about this. It feels good on my aching back. :)

☮

Currently listening to: The Awakening, by Nora Roberts


Currently reading: Fallen, by E Prybylski


Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Martin Luther King Jr Day

It was a snowy morning and I chose to stay inside. A good day to weave and I got a little done. I'm trying to pace myself so that my back doesn't hurt more.

I'm also stretching and using a cold pack occasionally. The back seems to be improving and I want to encourage that trend.

Other happy things from today:

• It was a work holiday for Zed so we watched some of the series His Dark Materials. It is indeed dark, so Gideon is not watching with us.  I'm not sure why I don't remember the books being so dark.
• I took it easy today, but still got my step count in by walking around the house.

☮

Currently reading: Fallen, by E Prybylski

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

Secret

There is a small group of friends that meet most Sunday mornings to be creative at a local coffee shop. I’ve been invited to join them. They do writing, and so I tried to write a little too. I didn’t get very far though. I'm still happy to be included.  Other happy things from today:

• For Christmas, someone enrolled Gideon in a monthly recipe/cooking club called Raddish. Tomorrow he will be making a meal for the rest of the family (I'll be sleeping). Because I won't be sharing the meal, I got to help him make the Secret Sauce today, so it will remain a secret from everyone else. It was fun helping him make the sauce and he is SO excited to make the meal for everyone tomorrow.

• Our local SCA group had a virtual meeting.  One of the things I like best about the meetings is getting to see the faces of friends that I've been missing.  I also got a glimpse of a newborn baby! 
• There was another gorgeous sunset this afternoon.

• The day ended up being very busy and I didn’t get as much weaving done as I had hoped. The first pattern has been started though and tomorrow is another day.  I don't like stopping in the middle of a pattern.  I'm very tired though, so stopping is a good thing.

• Keziah has been away all weekend and is back.  She had exciting adventures and stories to tell about the place she visited and people she saw.   

☮

Finished listening to: Practical Magic, by Alice Hoffman.

Currently reading: Fallen, by E Prybylski

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.

City Walk

Snow was falling this morning so we are back to winter temperatures here in New Hampshire. Walking around Concord this afternoon I was cold. Still, it was good to be outside for a little while.

John P. Hale

A more modern look nestled
 between the older brick.

Icicle lights are hanging over me.

Here are some other happy things from today:

• A little bit of weaving happened. My back is bothering me, so not as much as I'd hoped. The picture is what I've done over the last two days.

• There have been some exchequer (treasurer) tasks that I was falling behind with and I got some of that done.

☮

Currently listening to: Practical Magic, by Alice Hoffman.

Currently reading: Fallen, by E Prybylski

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay safe.