2023 Another Happy Year: commedia del arte

Thursday, August 10, 2023

Thirteenth Full Day at Pennsic

Some happy things from today:

This morning I visited a merchant friend and asked if they could glue pearls back onto the coronets. They gave me a tube of glue and now both the coronets have six pearls again. Yay!
In the afternoon Keziah and I watched our first steel fighting tournament. The majority of SCA heavy fighting involves rattan wooden swords. Using heavy steel is a relatively new practice in the SCA. Things were a little different. With rattan, the fighters use the honor system as to whether a blow is good or not. With steel (not sharpened), there are judges who watch to determine which hits are good.
When the fighting was about half way through, there was entertainment. The Foxy Bard and Twig performed some lively music.
The last few years when I go to Pennsic my ankles start to swell at some point. It isn't until then that I think about keeping my feet elevated. Today Keziah let me borrow a pair of compression socks. There are silly monkeys on them that make me smile.
For over a year I have been working off and on (mostly off) on a chemise to go with a new Viking apron dress that Keziah and I made. I finally wore it today and it fits. There was concern that my body shape had changed some and it would be too small.
Zed, Keziah, and I went to a Commedia del Arte show by the Commedia Allstars. It was loosely based on this article by The Scallion (https://thescallion.blog/2023/03/02/breaking-pennsic-lifeguard-removed-from-office-for-refusing-to-allow-alligators-in-lake/). They did a wonderful job. We laughed, booed, hissed, and cheered for the hero. I will add that The Scallion article is fiction, but based on a real life situation.

Some pictures:

Bug

Flowers and bee

Steel fighting

Coronets with pearls.

Pretty clouds.

Commedia selfie

Commedia

☮️

Currently reading: She's Come Undone, by Wally Lamb.

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

Monday, August 7, 2023

Pennsic Full Day Nine

Some happy things from today:

It is really nice to get back to camp just as the rain starts. It is also really nice that the tent doesn't leak.
There was a large Arts & Sciences display. I went and was almost immediately overwhelmed by the amount of people in this mostly indoor space. There are huge barn doors that were open that let in a lovely breeze on the many people. Thankfully, I found Zed. He and I looked at some of the displays together and that helped me to at least see some of the amazing craftsmanship and skill exhibited.
I'm enjoying getting to see some of the babies and small children that are here this year.
In the evening a friend and I went to see i Sebastiani, The Greatest Comedia del Arte Troupe in the Entire World. I performed with them a few times five years ago or so. There were a few new performers this year. They put on a really great show.
Our camp neighbors have a small cathedral. They have been doing some lovely renovations this year. The stained glass windows are beautiful.
Back at camp I met someone who used to play in the SCA 25 years ago or so and came just for the 50 year celebration.

Pictures: