SC - weekend cooking trials

[Karen O]

    I've also found that a couple of pieces of scrap carpet (6' x 3') work
really well as a sleeping pad, and it's usually free, if you know where to
look. As such, they can be pitched if they get wet or otherwise icky, or you
just don't feel like toting it home.

    Sieggy

> Ok folks, since no one has said it, I will (after all, I'm an Old Queen
> and can say what I want!)...
>
> While punctures are probable, and a big problem when they do (though
> YMMV), I consider the Really Big Problem to be the *noise*. Vinyl air
> mattresses have a peculiar sound all their own- and I don't know 'bout the
> rest of you, but if you've ever camped next to an amourous couple, there's
> nothing quite like the EE-ee-EE-ee-EE all night long, and then you have to
> try to say "Good morning!" without cracking up... think I'd want to
> advertise like that? Nooo- it's bad enough when Certain Countesses (then
> Princess) round up judges and scorecards to sit outside my pavilion door
> when I wander out looking for my tea (taking their lives in their hands, I
> might add!) and I had been trying Very Hard to Be Quiet. The knight I was
> with thought it was hilarious. (Note use of the *past* tense...)
>
> My 'futon' isn't really a futon- it is a couple layers of foam pads (one
> eggcrate) and a feather bed, layered up, covered with one of those
> zippered mattress covers, and then covered with a corduroy sleeve. It has
> webbing straps sewn to one end that wrap around to roll it up, and for a
> temporary bed or tourney bed it is really nice. The layer of feathers
> holds heat (nice when a friend got hypothermic recently) and the foam
> keeps some spring. It rolls up quite compactly for a double bed and
> because the corduroy is upholstery fabric, I don't worry if something
> gets on it during transport or if it gets some random champagne or whipped
> cream on it. _It WORKS_ and that is what I care about. And it allows me to
> be comfy in camp, which along with the tea is a a public safety measure...
>
> telnetting from Alys' again (I'll be back in Portland later tonight!),
>
> 'Lainie