In Loving Memory of Baron Patric

We all have that one person in the SCA that made the dream come alive for us...the person that opened their heart and home to make this game special....a person who kept us coming back...that person to me was Baron Patric.

Id like to share my fond memories of this beloved friend.....

My very first SCA experience was at a fighter practice some 9 years ago....i knew no one and felt a little out of place and uncertain as to what i should and shouldnt do. This very tall, teddy bear of a man, probably recognizing our newby gaze, came over to my cousin and i and introduced himself..... "miladies, my name is Lord Patric...how are you this evening". His chivalrous display was a refreshing change, and we were immediately taken in by his kind face! He soon took us around the site, sharing his knowledge of the SCA and introducing us to some wonderful people. He explained the fighting etiquette, the various kinds of armor and even let us try some of his gear on. I can remeber laughing out loud as my cousin and i took turns hitting each other on the head with a sword, while wearing his helmet. Naturally the marshall came over and we got busted (Lord Patric included) but it was too late......we were hooked! If this kind and generous man was any example of what the SCA was all about, then we wanted to be a part of it too!

My cousin and i decided to try a camping event next....Crown Tournament! We each sewed one outfit and a cloak, and then loaded up the car. We headed to the event with great excitement, but when we arrived we realized we still didnt really know anyone so we ended up driving around the site for sometime, trying to figure out where to camp. Lord Patric, once again, spotted the "lost newbies" and invited us to camp with his family. So there we were among these gorgeous tents with our cheesy little pup tent and hibachi grill, never once feeling out of place due to the kindness of one man and his family. This was definately the turning point of the SCA for me. His benevolence made me strive to be a better person and a mentor to new folks in the SCA. I wanted to make people feel as welcome as he had made us feel. I will always remember this kindness...were it not for him, i may not be living the dream today!

Over the years we would run into each other at events and share fun stories of how we all met and what we were up to in our lives. The last event i saw him at, Baron Patric and Baroness Mary insisted that they carry my 3 month old daughter during their procession into court. It was her first event, so who better to spend it with then the folks that welcomed us into this fine organization.

We will miss you dear friend!!!

Gifts From Nepal

Here is a photo of Jordyn wearing her new t-shirt and wrapped in prayer flags from Nepal. If you read my last blog, you learned of our friend Jon's adventures over there. Its a wonderful site, so be sure to check it out! He was kind enough to bring back these goodies for Jordyn, and as you can see....she loves them! Thanks Jon!!!
Its a gorgeous day up here in the mountains...but then again, when isnt it! :) I went down to the city for a few days and had a wonderful time with family and friends! It was my cousins birthday, so we gathered for food, drink and socializing! Its always good to get away for a few days, but a few days is about my limit in the city...then i am ready to come back home. The peaceful sounds of nature are what my mind and body crave....I love it up here! Of course Jordyn loves visiting with folks too...she is quite the social butterfly...but after a few days she definately misses her daddy. So, after some fun with the fam...dining at the armadillo and ordering chinese take-out...shopping sprees at the fabric and craft stores....it was time to venture back home! So here we are...Jordyn rocking away in her swing napping, and me, kicking my feet up with a good book and pondering my next project!
What was your weekend like?

Tales from Tibet

Hi again....ive been enjoying following along with my friend Jon's adventures in Katmandu and Tibet....he's a techno geek, so naturally he's been sending phone messages to his podcast site.......lotsa fun! Check it out if you get a chance...... tibet2007.therestofeverest.com/
He's been working on a film of Everest, and now he's back over there doing more research, etc....He's already had some interesting mishaps...but continues to travel forward!   Good Luck Jon.......and be safe :)

Crisp Spring Morning ~

Another beautiful day up here in the canyon! Its a toasty 19 degrees right now, and justin, jordyn and i are curled up in front of the fire....complete with sweatpants, slippers, and a warm drink. Winnie the Pooh is dancing across the screen in search of a Heffalump with his 100 acre wood buddies, and im about to start working on another quilt. I am participating in a block exchange....20 women make 20 quilt squares, and then mail them out to one another....we each end up with 20 different squares to make a quilt with. Women from all over the globe are participating, so its quite fun! This particular block is made with asian fabrics and the pattern makes a paper lantern....very pretty indeed! I look forward to going to the mailbox each day to see if any new blocks have arrived.....so far i have only rcvd one, but the deadline is May 1st, so there is still lots of time left! I may even get around to those neglected christmas gifts i never finished :) I love days like today!!! What projects are you working on?

Moondance Publication

Well, i am happy to say that i sold a design recently, and it is now on the cover of a belly dance catalog called "Moondance, Inc". The owner of the company discovered my artwork on Tribe!   I am very excited about the international publication of this catalog and hope that it brings me widespread exposure and future business opportunities! Wish me luck!
Please go check it out and tell me what you think :) And if you are wondering who the dancer is......its the lovely Sarah :)
The company link.....
www.moondancebellydance.com/

Have a nice day......and happy spring!!!!

Warm Wishes...

Yesturday was a toasty 57 degrees and it was fabulous! The sun was out for most of the morning and the snow is finally beginning to melt. Our cabin is now surrounded by puddles of water and mud...but at least its a different color than snow :) With no wind, i thought it would be the perfect opportunity to go for a hike with Jordyn, so we grabbed the mountain stroller and headed west. We were joined by our good friend Kate who led us on a fun hike in areas i had not journeyed before. The crunching underfoot of dry grasses and bushes...the sounds of gravel crackling under the wheel of jordyn's stroller...and chirping birds....it was a perfect day! We even discovered some well camouflaged deer that had been spying on us. For most of Jordyns life so far she has been cooped up in the cabin, so today was quite exciting for her! She refused to nap, even though we were out for almost two hours...she didnt want to miss a thing! I can see she will be a perfect hiking buddie when summer rolls around! Warmer days are just around the corner...........and there is much to discover! I cant wait! :)

No More Classes...

Well, another semester of classes finished! And i thought i would be done with school forever...but as a Nationally Registered EMT, i have to recertify and take a refresher course every two years...not to mention the CE hours i have to take during the two years! But the class is definately a good thing....especially since we dont run on that many calls up here in the canyon! The class keeps our skills sharp!
2006 brought some very difficult calls to run on....we had about 5 code blacks in a row, one of them being a local that we all knew....one being incredibly graphic....and then we lost a very dear friend....the paramedic who trained us... to a nasty car accident involving a semi.
As volunteers, these tough calls make it difficult to continue...and many of us had to take a break for a while to regroup! After all...why do we torture ourselves doing something that we arent even paid for! Living with the images...the nightmares...the fear! Why do we continue to do this to ourselves? Why....because someone has to do it....and why not be me! Im young (relatively)...strong....and I want to do for my community, so that someday, someone else will come forward to do the same! Is that too much to ask, volunteering a few hours of my time so that people can feel more safe and secure? It is very satisfying to know i did what i could to make someone feel more comfortable! And if other folks can do it, why not me!
We are here to help people....help our neighbors....our friends...our loved ones.....and thats what its all about!