A week late and several dollars short.

[temperance14]

Annnd….had been staying at Dad’s (as noted prior) drove home Friday, too pooped to drive to Placerville that night as planned. Left Sat morn early and wide awake which is bloody amazing but Placerville beats Dutton Hall any day. Arrived ‘tween 8:30 and 9am, got directed to Pryankster encampment, found Dave and Ellen, directed where to park and to get dressed. No, prefer NOT to drive in costume. Garb was borrowed, pumpkin underskirt, green overskirt, saffron shift and beigey-peach courderoy bodice. Off white biggins. Shoes and off white/cream socks are mine. Shoes ok, socks were later judged to be not quite enough, and I was enticed into sock shopping.

Others had arrived after I came back down the hill. Thank you to all who took me in hand and adjusted and arranged clothes and hair. (Trying to bring all faces to mind, at this late hour: Sarah, Sarah and oh yeah, Sarah. Brian, Brian, Scott, Chris. sillmesaysme. ribben. Quena. Will come up with more.)

Went forth and wandered. Bit like Earth Day: nervous, preoccupied, a bit tired after initial rush. . Still confused, curious and questioning and exploring the world of Pryanksters. Missed opening parade, but so did damn near everybody, apparently. Rootbeer floats can solve much

3 dances Saturday; maypole was done by the kids. Saw bit of Lord Rusty’s juggling, who stopped by our site later for questions about Stripping the Willow. Nice Kiwi. Made mistakes, and lived to tell the tale, and frankly, enjoyed it. Watched a bit of rounders nearby. Discovered I had put lotion on the back of my neck, but not the upper back. Sarah added a scarf to my costume to cover back burn. Was later taken round by kay_gmd and groblek to see proper stripey socks. Tempted, but abstained for the day. My temperance moment.

E&D camped on site, others went back to Davis. I was determined to get one night of camping out. I love waking up like that. Do not love going to sleep to the sound of auto racing…..

Breakfast as good as lunch, and Guildmistress must not apologize nor worry. I love continental breakfast, and I really love a ploughman’s lunch. Yeah for cheese and yogurt dip with garlic!! Overcast day. barelyproper joined us. Ran back up the hill, past the cars to find a high spot to check on dad via cell phone. Got back barely in time to join first dance. Maypole was fun. And during the more complex dances, did a little “dance” with a toddler who liked spinning.

Drizzle started during 2nd dance, but we eventually went back for the third before getting somewhat rained out. During break, barelyproper and kay_gmd and Brian-Not-Groblek and I went back to the stand with the socks—bought 2 pair—off white and red, muted goldenrod and blue. Tried on masks, and BP took me round to a jewelry stand. Good prices—but abstained. Budget you know…..oh crud, they have a book. Bought book. Put on socks for last dance—mismatched pair.

Broke camp when steady rain started. Very sorry to have to go home.

And about the socks. Yes, wore sock—mismatched--to work as declared, under navy calf length knit skirt, and red top. Could honestly say that the sock matched—at least parts of my outfit. Just walked around with a grin on my face, standing up tall for once. One must walk tall and strut if you are going to be Pippi Longstocking.

No, co-workers did not get it. A few walked past, slowed for a millisecond, raised eye brow and got that horrified “Oh dear God, she really DOESN’T have any fashion sense, does she?!” look—and they walked on without saying anything. Only one asked, I explained where I had been on the weekend. She thought it was funny. Yep, Pippi Longstocking was mentioned.

But….one of my favorite student workers (her majors are dancing and psychology) snapped around in her chair, and grinned, “Oh girl, you just got another check on my cool list!”. (This was the one I told about Dicken’s Fair, and told her she really had to think about being a tart.) No, she wasn’t yanking my chain—she liked the socks.

And later met another student, total stranger in the hallway, tall burly young man, who watched me walk past and called out, “Lady, I REALLY like your socks!”. I laughed and said, “Thanks, I wish you could explain it to my co-workers: they’re just confused.”
He shook his head and said, “Ah, we really need to diversify around here!”

I like me socks! But now I need garters.