No folks, that’s not the party’s theme, its Rita’s age – she has made the big 7-0!
Rita’s just blown out the candles here.
Rita & Steve
Sondra, Bill, Rita, Lorraine, Judy & Lisa
(oh for a slightly wider angle lens or somewhat bigger room!)
The Rathbone Party Pooch, George & Steve
Urchin 1 & Urchin 2
(otherwise known as Darriel & Kat)
The food was wonderful & the singing was even better.
Well the rendezvous and motorcycle camping season for 2011 has come to a close. Oh there will be days spent in the woods and solo rides from time to time, but the time for organized events for this year is past. For the next four months I will be spending most of my non work days quietly at home working on house and gear projects. I’ve got more than enough of both types of projects to keep me very very busy, enough to make a beaver look down right lazy in fact.
Currently I’m working on tying up loose ends on various projects already in progress as well as getting various small projects done. I’ve finished the red stripped petticoat, repaired several seams and reattached some loose buttons on my attire. The small wood boxes the Urchin and I used when we did Civil War events have been cleaned, had hinges and hasps attached as needed, gotten the CW markings removed and been repainted flat black. Now I’ve got a box for my iron stakes, a box for kitchen utensils and a box for candles, fire starters, fat wood and matches. Two days were spent making fire starters so I’ve got a goodly supply of those in store also.
Most recently I’ve been working on belts. The white belt is a 18th century buff leather military belt (yes it’s real buff leather). It just needed its buckle sewn on and holes punched in it. The black belt next to it is a belt I got from Barkertown Traders and it was originally medium brown. I shortened it to fit me, dyed it black, stitched a new movable keeper for it, sewed the buckle on and punched the holes. I intend to use it to hold my match cote in place. The brown belt next to it is another military belt that just needed its buckle sewn on and holes punched in it. I have a French infantry belly box to reassemble to go with it. The belt will be an even brown color once the Neatsfoot oil finishes soaking into the leather. The last item is my blanket carrier. I originally made it too long but that’s been fixed too. I also worked on some powder horn straps but need to get some D rings to finish them up.
The routine house cleaning in the bedroom, bathroom and kitchen are done and the rendezvous gear has been unloaded from the van. I found some stock interior trim fasteners at Lowes that fit the 10 holes in the van floor from whatever cargo racks the previous owner had in my van. They makes things look finished and block insects from coming in the mounting holes. I also took the van to the car wash and got the rest of the EPR mud removed.
Time to kick back and watch a Big Bang Theory episode or two. And contemplate a name for my Chevy Express van. Suggestions on a van name are encouraged.
Its October and time for the OVPR ! A-Ho ! After the mudfest of the EPR I was more than ready for a four days in the 18th century woods with my friends. Its time for Shining Times ! I was able to get to camp Wednesday evening just in time for BBQ pork dinner (which was most excellent), but then had to scurry around to get my camp set up by nightfall.
Here’s my camp all unloaded from my mule Chevy and ready to be setup once I return from dinner. The mule is already in the corral for the duration.
Here’s my lodge all setup. I had to wait until Thursday morning after breakfast to take this shot. Flash photos at Vous are down right disrespectful.
The fall OVPR traditionally has a pumpkin carving contest. These fellows were out and about by Thursday afternoon. The rain Friday and Saturday seemed to limit the carvers but there were still over 18 carved pumpkins around for the kids Trick or Treat on Saturday.
Gypsy Jane had to work so she didn’t get to the Vous until Friday noon. Here’s our lodges, the fire ring has been moved just under the fly so we weren’t cooking out in the rain.
Thursday was wonderful – sunny and warm. A great day to be camping in the woods.
Friday and Saturday were nippy to the point of cold but still a great day to be camped in the woods. The rain was steady but there little wind except up on Trader’s Row.
Nothing like good hot homemade stew to warm one’s inner man.
The rain meant a fair amount of folks put up side walls to their flies. There wasn’t much wind but it was nippy. Ah, 3 old friends just hanging out around the fire at Feather’s lodge. (Feather’s the guy in the middle.)
Another family keeping warm around their lodge fire.
Back from a Good Day on the Range. The rain made it hard on the shooters but a goodly number competed anyway.
A watched pot may not boil, but when you’re having Shinning Times, who cares ?
Of course Hootie Owl saw that all was well at the Tavern.
Dulcimer Dave and Preacher Ken entertaining at the Ladies Social.
And me, Ballad Singin Sue trying to keep warm. Under the hunting shirt I’ve got a wool vest over a flannel shirt. The pants are 14 oz. wool. The hat is NOT for sale. Yes I’ve had offers to buy it right off my head. If you want one, Jas. Townsend sells them in both black and gray wool felt. The feathers you have to find for yourself.
