[Ansteorra] ideas... long

[Tina Michael]

 So, we all seem to know what some of the issues are with the magic rubbing
off and all, but what can we do to recapture that magic and spread it to
other folks that may continue the Dream when we are long gone? We have all
chipped in with ideas such as putting away the technology, and covering up
the mundanities but what will bring in new blood to the mix? It doesn't
necessarily have to be younger blood either, there are so many older folks
that are tired of the modern (mundane) world and are looking for a way to
escape from it even for the weekend.  We have to step out of the campground
and go out in the world and find those like minded souls and let them know
who we are and that we exist.

  Years ago, I was working at Walt Disney World and I was sitting drawing
my own versions of fairy tale princesses in big fabulous dresses to give
away as coloring pages and a fellow I knew from the character department
caught me at it. He asked if I drew the picture, I said yes and that
anything I could draw I could sew, he said 'well, have I got to tell you
about a fun group of folks that would love to see what you can do!" After
my first event I was hooked, wow! A place where I could imagine fabulous
gowns and wear them and people would not think I was a little weird!
Yippee! Then they found out that in my heart there lived a Vaudevillian
soul who wanted to make the costumes, wear the costumes and then get up and
tell stories and sing too? No one had ever let me do that before, not my
parents, teachers in school and definitely not my job. I had all of the
encouragement that I could want, I was 'adopted' by several households and
groups. And I bloomed in the SCA.

  What I was given was the most precious thing anyperson or organization
could give, love and acceptance for what I was and what I could offer to
the whole. We need to be constantly vigilant for those people out there who
might be looking for us and not know it. We need to stop being insular,
look up from the iphone for a minute and see the people, who might already
be wondering what we do on the weekend. and find their spark and kindle it.
But most important of all, appreciate them, nurture them and encourage them
once the lure of the Dream catches their curiosity. We all got involved in
this because we were interested in some aspect of it and we were curious.

 Alright now ya'll, get out there and look! Let's all dress up funny and go
somewhere and talk to people and if we see that curious spark take on the
challenge of igniting the flame.

Vivat the Dream
may it live long
in hearts and in poetry, story, and song.
For all men need a Dream as we all ken
and each time that we gather we dream it again.

God bless Mistress Warjina, I love that song.

Lady Augustina Elizabetta da San Germano
aka Tina
cause it is more friendly and easier to type