Harper's Retreat Day Two

 Today I wasn't invisible.   As a shy introvert I often fall under the radar, so to speak.   Even with a shiny coronet on my head I sometimes feel seen but not necessarily noticed, if that makes sense.  Anyhow, here are some happy things:

• When I go to an event with our chiefs of staff, I get fed.  Pancakes for breakfast and hotdogs for lunch were much appreciated.
• Normally, Keziah and I have to split our time between activities at this particular event.  Because someone wasn't able to make it, this morning's thrown weapons was canceled so I was able to attend all of the archery tournament instead of just the finals.  The people running the archery came up with some fun shoots and I was able to watch them all.  The final shoot included hanging targets that moved with the breeze.  This added an extra element to the competition.  It was a lot of fun.
• I helped someone string the hanging targets which was also fun.  I really stepped out of my shell for this day.
• There was a lovely display of arts and sciences.  People showed off there calligraphy, sewing, embroidery, book binding, illumination, and more.
• In the late afternoon there was a delicious feast.  With Keziah not there, I had some anxiety as I had to figure out who to sit at head table with me and who to say the toasts.  In the end, I really enjoyed the company at head table.  If anyone had a complaint over who said the toasts, I haven't been told.  Phew.
• In the evening the bardic competitions were held.  There were two children that competed for Youth Bard and three adults who competed for either Baronial Bard or Warrior Bard.  Thankfully it wasn't all up to me to choose.  Teamwork!  That was followed by general bardic.  It was lots of fun.
• I was invited to a private camp to visit with some people that I just met today.  I went, in the dark, to places in the encampment that I hadn't seen yet in the light.  I got there, met some people, and heard stories.  When it was time to leave we left as a group with new friends escorting us back to the main part of camp. 
• The stars were bright tonight.  We also saw satellites. 

People helped me to feel special today and it was very nice.  Here are some pictures I took throughout the day:

A beautiful view of Mount Monadnock.

Pond

Dragon targets

The Dragons were hit!

These targets the archers needed to hit the Dragons, and not the sheep.

This one they also had to avoid the sheep.

The final two.

Hanging targets.

A lovely display of this woman's art.  Embroidery, painting, and a book she illuminated and did the calligraphy.  She also bound the book.  Superb! 

A harpist.

A singer.

☮

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

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

There is Internet!

Here are some happy things from today:

• In the morning I heard that our cousin from Virginia, Evelyn, wanted to come and see Keziah’s store.  It was closed, but we made plans to meet with her there anyway.  It was another good visit.  She really liked the shop and gave some pointers on some of the jewelry that people have donated.
• Keziah decided to stay home and not go to this weekend's event until Sunday, after the hurricane moves away.  I decided to go.  The drive to the site was mostly rural and very lovely.  As the sun set I stopped and took a picture or more.

• It was mostly dark when I got to the event so I haven't seen much of the site yet.  It seems nice so far.  I am staying in a cabin with friends. There is room for eight and we are six.  It is so nice to have a cabin instead of a tent sometimes.
• The one thing I did tonight is attend the cheesy bardic.  Cheesy bardic is when they bring cheese to bardic.  I got to hear a story and a song before we all just started talking.  One of the ladies there knows my brother in Maine.  It is a small world!

☮

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

Currently listening to: Homage to Catalonia, by George Orwell.

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

Voluntary Time Off

First, some information… there is an event this weekend that I might go to.  There is also the possibility of a hurricane.  These two things (individually or together) may make the internet problematic and I may not be able to post.  

Yesterday I wrote about the person who wanted to wear the same style shirt as me today to make it three days in a row.  They didn't. They chickened out.  Honestly, I don't think anyone noticed the first two days.  Here are some happy things from today:

• Since I woke up early and became stressed about the event this coming weekend, I took the VTO offered at work.  I worked for about an hour before they let me go for the night.  I didn't expect it, we seemed busy.  Suddenly I had more time to get ready and felt better.
• The weaving that I was hoping to finish for this weekend will not be done.  However, it wasn't coming out right and I didn't like it.  It turns out I made a mistake when I warped it.  That is fixed and I have started the band again.  It looks better already.  I got about three fingers wide woven to use so far.

• After doing things around the house to get ready for the weekend, I went to DIY Craft & Thrift to help my daughter out.  I finally worked the register for a little while and learned more about that.  It has a touch screen that didn't like my touch.  She has been getting a lot of donations and was able to be productive on the floor while I tried to cover the register.

☮

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

Currently listening to: Homage to Catalonia, by George Orwell.

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

Silliness

Happy Wednesday things:

• Occasionally, work gives out t-shirts or other things.  One of those t-shirts is tie-dyed and I wear mine on Tie-dye Tuesday.  So on Tuesdays there are usually at least a handful of people wearing them.  Today I was wearing a red t-shirt that work gave out in 2021 and so was someone else.  They noticed that we both had the same shirt on two days in a row and started calling me twin.  Then plans were made for us to wear matching shirts again tomorrow.  Silly stuff!
• This week Gideon, my grandson, started taking the bus home from school.  He finds it loud and bumpy.  Apparently, this is also where the gossiping happens after school.  I am finding this a little humorous.  That may change.  😉
• There are many snowberries on a bush by the house.  They are pretty, and toxic to people.  Pollinators like the plant as well as deer and some birds (according to this site).  They remain, unless eaten, through most of the winter.

☮

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

Currently listening to: Homage to Catalonia, by George Orwell.

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

Sweet Music

 Some happy things from today:

• At work, the music was good and I was able to sing along with some of the tunes while I worked.  This is happening more often lately and I like it.  Last week I even heard a sea shanty by Stan Rogers!
• Over the weekend my protégé gave me some of my favorite Oreos.  They are a wonderful after meal snack. I just try not to think about the gluten.  😉

Double Stuff is important!

• Somehow, even though I didn't sleep super well last night, I was able to motivate myself to do dishes.  Yay clean dishes!
• Today is my deceased father's ninetieth birthday.  For this I share a happy memory of singing with him and my mom on long drives.  Weirdly, I don't remember if my brothers sang along or not.  Maybe, because I was the youngest, I was in front between my parents and the boys would have been in the back, I just didn't pay attention to them.

☮

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

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

Cat in My Lap

Here are some happy things from today:

• The orange tabby, Winston, jumped onto my lap today while I was on the computer. Winston doesn’t usually come to me.

• Zed's birthday is this month so his car needs an inspection. The check engine light has been on so I had the code for that read today. The people were very friendly and offered a cheap, possible fix. It seems to have something to do with dirty gas or a dirty gas valve. So the first step is to put in a fuel cleaner. I'm thankful for friendly service.
• Gideon had historical questions to ask me after school today. Sad circumstances that I am thankful he was comfortable to ask me.
• There is a second rose that bloomed while I wasn’t paying attention.

☮

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

Finished listening to: Golda Meir: The Life and Legacy, by Charles River Editors.

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

Family

 Happy things from today:

• TF and I made the time to go over our goals for the week.  We are hoping to get back on track.
• The family visited with our cousin from Virginia, Evelyn, and some friends.  It was really great to see them all again after so much time.

• Evelyn brought some pictures and things for us from her home.  They were left in the car because we got groceries on the way home or I would share some.

☮

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

Started listening to: Golda Meir: The Life and Legacy, by Charles River Editors.

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