What Happens To Historical Cheaters

Or more accurately, One of the Most Embarrassing Moments I Can Remember. Oh yes, read on, it's quite amusing.

As most of you know, I reenact at a living history museum, Fort Nisqually, set in 1855. I have this very pretty outfit, complete with the slim waist, the dropped shoulders and the voluminous skirt.
For those that already *ahem* know what I'm talking about, here's the whole story:

As I set out to get ready for the monthly A/I meeting (Apprentice Interpreter), I felt nauseated and didn't want to go. I felt better after a while, but dressed rather sloppily. I added every layer I owned, except the extra chemise and the drawers. I always wear them, but this *one* time I thought, "Who's gonna know?". Yeah, you're catching on. . .

As I pulled on my knee-length stockings, I realized I was missing a garter, so I ran to the sewing room and grabbed the first fabric I saw: a bright yellow and orange batik print (much brighter and louder than in the picture). I ripped off some appropriately sized lengths and tied up my period-correct stockings.


The meeting was about music and dancing. We sang a few songs then went outside. The skillful musicians started the music and we danced in the cold grass. It was so fun, I hadn't danced in months.

We started this dance we usually do. At the Fort we call it "Jump in, jump out" but it's known by other names. It's a contra-style dance, danced in a circle. As a lady, you walk forward four, back four, repeat, jump in, jump out and you're twirled to the middle. You jump again then are passed to the next gentleman and repeat all until the music ends.

I was dancing with a very nice young gentleman, he's a new A/I this year. Forward, backward, forward, backward, jump in, jump out, twirl- a little too fast- WHOOSH!!! My skirt was up in the air, and everyone saw my beautifully improvised undergarments!!! *All* my stockings, my lovely garters, my bare knees, and *hopefully not* my chemise were revealed to the Fort, visitors, A/Is, and staff!!! (My English curriculum says don't try to be "cute" with more than one exclamation point. The author wasn't there.)

Luckily the light, drizzly rain put out the fire on my face, leaving it very brightly red. I kept quiet and as demure as possible until the next guy tried to twirl me. I couldn't stand it. "DON'T TWIRL ME!!!" I said desperately. Everyone knew by then. I think that scared the other guys, 'cause they didn't twirl me after that. I think my face remained red for the whole day. Now that I think about it, it's not that bad. . . Depending on what people saw. . .

Anyway, I have some sewing to do. I'm making another set of drawers and a very long petticoat.

~Sophia

Oh yeah. . . it's okay, you can laugh.

Brigade, Beach, Bowling and Busyness

Hi there! I'm back from a very busy, very fun week.
Brigade was last weekend at the Fort, we headed to the beach on Wednesday and came back on Friday, then tomorrow we're expecting visitors then school school school!
I must confess; this year I'm dreading school. I usually don't, but my schedule is SO tight this year. I'm going to be taking two math classes for crying out loud (even that doesn't help ;) ) I love math, but it can be really irritating sometimes.

Anyway, here are pictures from Brigade! I carried the camera around all day Sunday, but nobody minded:
All snuggly in my shawl. Here I am doing 19th century games on Sunday...


But I had some help!


No lower class ladies at tea!


Young woodworkers!


I waited forever for them to shoot the cannon, camera in hand, but just as they shot it, the camera turned off! Low battery, ugh!

My next post will be part two, the beach!

Okay, I'm not blogging about blogging.

Today I woke up at 7:00 to go to Fort Nisqually at 8-ish. I went and helped out at the History Camp for the middle school children. It was a lot more fun than I thought it would be!

When I got there, the only activity left to sign up for was the skit on the 1849 skirmish, so I signed up for that, even though I had no idea what it was. We sang at the flagpole, did morning chores then the kids went on a tour and the volunteers went into the staff building to wait. My hands were still freezing from the ice water in the metal bucket, so I grabbed onto someone's cocoa cup : )

We must've waited for ages, and there wasn't much to do, so eventually we ended up throwing tomahawks. No I didn't throw them, I just watched ;) So the kids came around, we got rid of the hawks and had them all sit down. We talked about history for while and that was fun!

I think that was when the new flagpole came, or maybe it was when we had the kids playing a game, but we ended up doing mat weaving. We cut up these reeds and had the campers weave them. I kept all of the leftovers, so look out for a post about my creativity ; )

After that, we beaded necklaces (I got to make one!) and did archery. No I didn't shoot them, I just watched ; ) After that we ate lunch. Then the campers were throwing 'hawks and one kid fell into a bucket and hit his head. If you think about it, that's hard to do even if you try. It just one of those things, I guess. I ran all the way across the fort to get ice, but when I got back someone had already gotten some. I dunno how they got it so fast, but it ended up fine....

Okay...Then I think we did the skit. I was a Native American character, and I didn't do much except for fainting under the tree (apparently a long standing tradition) and run. I don't know who got to be Segeass, but they had a good time (he got to die).

Then we make Fry cakes, and then I went home. I would've done the dishes, but my family wanted me home : )
Here's a picture of another volunteer and I.We hung out together most of the day:
I know I'm not smiling and I look really dorky in that hat, but it was hot and it kept the sun off of my face.
See my necklace? See the dishes? See the dorky hat? Okay.

Fun day! I can't wait to go help on Thursday too!

I think that's all. I want to try out adding pictures, so I'm going to make another post.