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Thursday, August 18, 2011

once upon a hoop skirt. . .

"Do you hear the people sing, singing the song of angry men? It is the music of a people who will not be slaves again! When the beating of your heart echos the beating of the drums. . .
 - there is a life about to start when tomorrow comes!"
Do You Hear the People Sing, Les Miserables 



Thank God for flip flops that allow one to traverse (or rather wade) through mud spattered, rain soaked fields-turned-parking lots; feet can be washed. These were my thoughts when at last the storm abated to a drizzle, and my family decided to brave the elements, dashing toward the Visitors Center, breathing in horse manure and rivulets of gun-smoke. Grey skies; too cold for August, matching the uniforms dotted among coats of blue. Costumed people were everywhere. . .swaying skirts, yelling children, tents marching in rows down the usually quiet paths of the Living History museum. . .

My first REAL reenactment. . .or at least, the first battle I've ever seen live. I love history, have a love-hate relationship with sewing, and know how to dance. I am *so* going to do this someday. . .and am now more inspired then ever to finish my Civil War Ballgown. As I stood huddled under my umbrella, watching the fifers, gawking at the not always dashing "soldiers". . .I was swept back over 150 years. Crazy, I know, but under all the pink-prissiness and femininity, there is nothing I love more then God, guts, and country. And hey, I don't even support the South. Am I allowed to say that? ;) Ok, I'll admit I ride the fence. . .

The clouded overcast added a flourish to the plot; like a scene from a movie; reminiscent of puddle-dodging along the cobblestone streets of Williamsburg Virgina. Simple thrills are the most meaningful. Closing your eyes, transforming something, anything, into a piece of the past. . . flip-flops turned to high-buttoned boots.


And then it really happened. . .my sundress vanished under the bell of a hoop, a real  hoop. Oooh. . .there is nothing as divine or feminine then a big, swingy, lovely, HUGE hoop. It almost gave me goosbumps.  . .

 

Need I say how in LOVE I am? Of course if I order a hoop from this particular seamstress, she'd have to take the top up quite a bit, or else cut off the fifth boning, which is illegal. Proper hoops have five "bones."
  
 

. . .the sun finally overcame the clouds: just in time for :shiver: the battle. With bated breath we watched the warriors take their places. And I must say, the Calvary men are the most epic-ly-dashing. Even if they were "rebels."  ;)  - thundering across the field on gorgeous steeds, swords clanking at their side. Total heart skip. 

 



"Do you hear the people sing? lost in the valley of the night. It is the music of a people who are climbing to the light! For the wretched of the earth, there is a flame that never dies; 
- even the darkest night will end and the sun with rise!" 
Les Miserables, prologue 



My soul drank in the lonely trill of a bagpipe; raced with the horses; pulsed with the cannons roar; took in every sight, smell . . .and blocked away the whelm of onlookers. Now there are all sorts of yummy book ideas swarming my head. Last month: barricades, a young single father fighting for his life, nearly giving it for his little girl, (my beloved Renรจ!) Last week: an 1860's cattle ranch in Texas, (long story there.) Now? Jace Cahill, Confederate solider. And yes, I said Confederate. You have permission to call me immature. ;)


On a personal note: I *cannot* wait to delete my horrid header. Seriously. . .I do NOT like it. Another week, another week. You'll see why then. But what's with the loss of followers? o.O TLRoS went from 172 to 167 in 2-3 days! I know I haven't blogged in a while, but its not THAT boring, is it, ppls?

**Photos by Anna

12 comments:

  1. YAY for Les Miserables. And you looked so beautiful in your hoop. Looking so forward to seeing the new look...and don't worry about the followers thing. It happens. =/

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  2. GASP!!! I. Want. That. Hat. And that hoopskirt. And that parasol! I want it ALL such lovely pictures :))
    And I don't think your blog is boring at all, I love it! :))
    -Jocee <3

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  3. That sounds like so much fun. I would love to wear a hop skirt some day. They look so beautiful and feminine.

    It seems like lately I've been loosing followers faster than usual as well. Quite odd.

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  4. I hardly ever think to check blogs for updates, so as far as your view counts are concerned, the best thing you can do is keep sharing the link on Facebook whenever you post an update.

    If you ever happen to visit Oregon during the Summer, you should know that there are at least four good-sized Civil War reenactments within driving distance of Portland: early May, 4th of July weekend, Labor Day weekend and late September. I usually attend at least one or two, and have even gone into battle a couple of times. Several of the girls from ECD come for the whole thing, so you could hang out in our part of the camp too (we're Union, don't worry)! :-)

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  5. That sounds like loads of fun!! :)

    We have a friend who recently joined up with a 'calvery' unit... He is hoping to recruit us to join up with the 'camp' or whatever. Guess if he recruits a lot of people, he gets promoted. But, it is also a way to try to get younger kids to join in. Seems sad that kids now a days aren't interested in history. I absolutely LOVE it... who couldn't? Not to mention that it is very good to know your history so you don't repeat the bad things that happened (like, the CW.. much as the period is glorious with the hoop skirts and whatnot, what whole thing was disgraceful to our country..)

    I hope you are able to join in on the fun next time around!! :)

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  6. That looks like SO MUCH FUN!!

    And I don't think your blog is boring at all. Don't worry, I won't be among the numbers leaving your followers list. And I think your header is very pretty, although I miss the old one... it was so very Narnian and neat.

    ~Stephanie

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  7. Yaaay for reenactments!!! Aren't they amazing???

    And they're *not* rebels. They're Confederates. And they're totally dashing. If I lived then, I'd be a Confederate girl, yup, yup. Sigh. When will you learn?

    Sigh. It's been years since I went to a reenactment, and you're making me want to again! Love, love, love! And that hoopskirt....myohmy.

    BTW, that new plot? Sounds delish. And having a Confederate hero does not mean you're immature...on the contrary! :-)

    Love ya. Amazin' post...and awesome song to go with it, of course! :-)

    And I like the header. Just being obnoxious like that. :-D

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  8. I love your blog! :)

    I would adore going to a re-enactment. And I'm insanely happy because you've posted lyrics from one of the absolute best songs in the universe. :) That one always gives me delicious goosebumps. (I didn't realize how strange the adjective "delicious" was when describing goosebumps until this moment :)

    And since I'm a South Carolinian...most of us ARE kind of Confederates...not that I can honestly say they were totally right or anything like that...but it's our state's heritage and the confederate flag is posted EVERYWHERE :)

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  9. Do You Hear the People Sing? is one of my most favoritest songs ever! And I am totally envying your hoop. ;D

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  10. Hi Michaela! I have a giveway going on at my blog,www.blessingseveryminuteofmylife.blogspot.com. If you could join, I would LOVE it!!!!

    Blessings in Christ,
    ~Rebecca

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  11. BTW, your blog is not boring:)

    Blessigs in Christ,
    ~Rebecca

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  12. You know....you could have gone with a child's hoopskirt. Probably would fit better.

    Hehehehe.

    I'm just kidding, of course. I'm only saying it b/c I know you have an awesome sense of humor and you won't kill me...right? :-P

    Flop

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