Archery in the HOT Sun

I don't know that I've mentioned it here before, but my husband and I belong to the SCA, better known as the Society for Creative Anachronism. It's an international medieval reinactment organization. Last weekend a nearby branch of this organization held a three day event along the Umpqua River, at River Bend Park. We went up on Saturday to shoot archery, and hang out with friends.

First thing we had to deal with was the heat. It was predicted to hit 102 degrees that day (it did), and we were shooting archery out in a mown hay field next to the river. So, not only was it bloody hot, it was humid as well. As per usual with SCA events, we were supposed to start at 10:00, but didn't actually start shooting until after 10:30. It was already in the high 90s by then. But we battled on, shooting what is called a Royal Round = targets at 20,30, and 40 yards, then a speed round at 20 yards.

An hour in, I was standing behind Robert between shoots, as he was the only shade. We both drank gallons of water, and I never had to pee the whole day, 'cause I was sweating rivers.

That's me at the end of the line, looking like a twelve-year-old next to those bigger guys (The river is  right on the other side of those trees). Also, I was using the cheap $30 kiddie bow I bought to practice mounted archery with, so I made them all promise not to laugh at me before I started shooting. Robert decided to just spot arrows for me instead of shoot (I think he just didn't want to use that silly little bow), which was good, as the arrows were really hard to find, slipping under the grass and hiding so well that a some folks lost a few that day. I had fun, barely hit anything, and probably sweated off five pounds...which I didn't need to lose.

As a reward to myself, after the shoot, I headed to the grassy area of the park, where the big Rainbird sprinklers were going, took off my boots and socks, and went in to play. You know what, it's just as much fun as it was when I was a kid. It also saved me from passing out due to heat stroke!

We stayed to watch the fighting—heavy weapons and rapier—then headed for home at around 3:30, as it was an hour's trip and we needed to get back in time to clean stalls and put the horses up and feed them. When we arrived at our place, the temp gauge on the deck read 105 degrees, in the shade! 

Robert and I both had fun, wished we could have stayed for the festivities taking place that night, and decided it was time to get out my 30+ year old Browning recurve and see if it was safe enough to restring and shoot ground archery with (which it is, as we just had it tested, and were told it was fine and good to go). I'll keep using the kiddie bow for mounted archery until I get better at that, and won't worry about dropping a $160 bow and having my horse step on it. Actually, the Browning wouldn't work for mounted archery anyway, as it is too long.

Now we just need to get Robert a bow, and we will both be able to shoot. Hopefully, if it's as hot as it was that weekend, there will be sprinklers we can play in afterwards to cool off. 

Still Playing After All These Years

My husband and I just got back from spending four days playing pirates at the HUGE Northern California Pirate Festival...or as us insiders know it, NorCal. Held every year over Father’s Day weekend in Vallejo, CA, it is an event we look forward to every year. We get to hang out with all our pirate buddies, dress up and act silly, listen to music, dance, eat good food, and best of all, be part of the crew of the schooner Aldebaran, and fire cannons! So, at an age when I’m expecting my first Social Security check, I am still playing—and loving every minute of it.

Playing—it’s not just for kids. Playing is good for you. Playing keeps you sane, gets you away from the doom and gloom of the news headlines, gets you away from your job worries, keeps you interested in things, keeps you from becoming the stogy old fart everyone avoids like the plague. I never want to get to a point in my life where I no longer want to throw on a costume and go play...at whatever.

Trying new things. I never want to get to a place in my life where I am afraid to try new things. As part of the crew of the Aldebaran we get to help sail her to the event site. When Captain Hayden, midway through the sail from Richmond to Vallejo, asked if anyone wanted to take the helm and see how it felt to steer a 72’ schooner, I jumped at the chance. For fifteen minutes I got the experience of a lifetime, feeling how truly alive a ship is, how to keep her pointed in the correct direction—nothing like driving a car—and getting just a hint of the thrill and also the responsibility of being at the helm of a ship. It was scary and exciting, and I loved it!

I’m lucky, in that at age 62, I am still physically fit, still active, and the only health issue I have to deal with is a mildly annoying hyoidal hernia—which I gave to myself by each winter lugging in heavy boxes of fire wood for the wood stove for twenty years. I still ride my horse, do barn chores, and work in a large garden all Spring through Fall. All that helps keep me moving and limber. For now, when I ask my body to do something, it pretty much answers, “Right.” I know my limits, and I tend to push them, but not to the point of stupidity. So far, that plan works for me.

So, pirate or Steam Punk, Medieval or barbarian, or just fooling around on Halloween, I’m there, still playing dress-up, still learning new things, and best of all, still playing. If I’m lucky, eventually I’ll drop dead in the middle of, “Oh wow, that was so much fun, I can’t wait to—”