@ 9:30PM
My mom asked a few days ago if I was interested in any of the reenacting gear that she was getting rid of. My family did late 1700's, early 1800's reenacting for many years while I was in high school and after but my mom hasn't wanted to get back into it after her stroke and resulting hemipalegia a few years ago. I wasn't super interested by Ria, my qpp, was interested so we headed over there tonight to check things out.
There was a lot more than I was expecting. We quickly found an outfit Ria could wear to any events we want to go to or keep as spare Halloween costumes (though she's missing a cap, we'd need to pick one up if we went to a proper event). I think I still have an outfit but there were pieces I'd always eyed, like a light green wool vest I'd always thought was nice. We piled it all up in a trash bad and we'll need to wash and repair some but that's exciting.
Quite unexpectedly though my mom was also getting rid of her yarn stash. She used to fingerweave belts and sashes before her paralysis so it's really bittersweet. I'm really excited though. It's a quality of wool I just wouldn't be able to afford on my own and it's two whole trashbags of it. I'm one of those nerds who really likes hand winding my yarn cakes too so it looks like so much fun all around. I'll need to be careful. I've sometimes reacted to unwashed wool. And I think some of it will need washed before I can work with it because of the dust. But I'm hoping I can make some nice scarves and hats for friends or for trade soon.
My dad kept saying "it's a blast from the past" and honestly it was. We were looking through reenacting gear while surrounded by piles of old photos my mom was going through and an assortment of random of their heirlooms they were rearranging. It was a nice feeling. I feel lucky. Not everyone gets to have that connection to their family histories.
I've noticed this month, with the experiment, that I've made more time to go over and chat with family - and some neighbors. I wonder how much I've been getting worn out by my phone and the internet more broadly and that's kept me from having the energy for proper socialization when I have the spoons for it. I'm grateful to have a chance to get more in touch with my natural social impulses. They're pretty low. I can go a long while without needing to talk to people but I do still want it. Even if it's just casual. Perhaps especially if it's casual.
Hope anyone reading this is well. May you have a nice conversation with someone you don't know well soon.