[NR] A few of my Favorite Things...er People

[Rebecca Heydon]

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All of the posts the past few days about the good things caused me to pull
out pictures and flyers and all the other stuff I have saved and collected
over my SCA career.  I certainly had some laughs (and shed a few tears)
while going through it all.  And, of course, the memories....

My second Pennsic.....  I awoke my first morning there to find Dame Alisha
with her feet in our wading pool and playing with the fishing pole and
plastic fish that served as entertainment during the relaxing afternoons.
She was giggling so much and having so much fun one couldn't help but join
her.  That was also the year of the perpetual water fight around the pool
(it was warm that year!) and HE Athelstyne (sorry for butchered spellings)
got doused by a good 10 people all at once for telling a horrible joke.  He
also giggled a lot.

My first Gulf Wars in armor....Northkeep had the King's Battle Ribbon, and I
was given the ribbon to carry into battle by HE Thorgrim.  What an honor!
Master Beorhtlic (he was then just an HL), was my protection and we followed
Northkeep right up into the fray.  Beorhtlic was downed by bastard sword and
suddenly I was separated from Northkeep as well.  Someone tried to grab the
ribbon from me and it fell to the ground.  For lack of any other finesse in
action, I threw myself on top of it and became the bottom of a dog pile.  I
suffered more blows than I care to admit but I did save the ribbon.  And I
got my name in one of Robert Fitzmorgan's song, which I consider quite an
honor as well.

The court I received my AoA in was terribly special because it was my first
award in this kingdom.  Michael and Michaela presented the award to me at
Castellan.  It was one of those rare moments when just for a short time, it
was magic.  I think you all know what I mean.  The magic disappeared when
HRM Michael asked me to stand and I couldn't because I was kneeling on my
dress hem but that's okay.  We all had a good chuckle and nothing got
ripped.

Last year at Castellan, I did my very first feast.  Not only was our Crown in attendance but the Calon Crown as well.  Having two kings at *my* feast both scared and thrilled me.  One of my household sisters, Siobhan, made a subtlety for the Calon Crown right there on the spot and he was thrilled to death.  I worked hard at making that feast as good as I could and I was dead tired by the time court rolled around and seriously thinking I wouldn't go.  However, no one would let me sit in the kitchen.  At court that evening, I received my Sable Crane by HE Sigen's hand.  It was a perfect end to a wonderful day.

I have loved listening to Owen and Robert and Etienne and countless others with their bardic skills.  I, too, enjoy the sound of tent stakes being driven in in the middle of the night.  Watching fighting (and attempting it myself) has always been a thrill.  Listening to Blackfox on the pipes will always have a special place in my heart.  Then there is the Lilies where I got to fight alongside Mahadi.  There's the helping with taverns and feasts.  There's the tired but satisfied feeling one gets from autocratting.  The list goes on and on.

Last but not least, there is serving as an officer and working for the good of my group.  There is the pleasure of receiving a Cornerstone from TE Thorgrim and Sigen for service to Northkeep.  There is the pride in being a part of the Baronial guard.  I may have come from Calontir but Ansteorra is my home now.  Thank you all for reminding me of the good things that have happened here.

Rowan







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