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September 1 | September 16

September 1, 2007   What a glorious day for a walk through the village at the 2007 Maryland Renaissance fair. Our day began with a mid-day meal. Sir Aidan enjoyed one of his favorite items, a "Link on a Lance". And Daddy scoffed down "Macaroni and cheese on a stick". Mom was not as adventurous and a simple ham and cheese wrap. But if you're in the mood for some great food, this is a good place to visit. Turkey legs, sausage, bread bowl potato soup, and more will fill you to contentment!   We stopped by to visit our friends at the Woodbutchery. Alice and Alan are coming up on their 1st wedding anniversary! To think that it was just 1 year ago that we became addicted to faire going from attending their wedding!   We journeyed around the village and found a most merrimented group watching the "London Broil" troupe of jugglers. Oh how festive and humorous they were. Not to mention very good at their juggling. The 3 men stood in a line and tossed their batons to and fro. The man in the middle caught the items being thrown at him from the front, then tossed them over his head to the man behind him. Who then tossed the items past the man in the middle back to the man in the front. My goodness it was a sight to see. Then a volunteer they asked for. A young woman Nichole was pulled from the audience and placed in the center of two of the men. While the third brought out the "Blades of Death". Yes indeed, they tossed these giant knives in front of her and behind her while she stood motionless in the middle. Oh it was a death defying sight to see, to say the least. Not to mention poor Nichole who was wondering what in the world she had gotten herself into. But they day was won by the masterful jugglers! But the day was not over. With Nichole safely back in her seat, the troupe added to their Blades of Death, a giant circular blade that was reminiscent of a deadly gigantic pizza cutter. And not to diminish their feats of glory, they stood on boards, that balanced on a large round tube that caused them to roll back and forth atop a bench for sitting. From their precarious balanced position, they began tossing these blades of death to each other! Glory be what a brave act of skill and excitement it was!   We had arrived at the bottom of the hill, in the Kid's part of the village, just in time to see King Henry's knighting ceremony. As with last year, Sir Aidan was excited to attend and participate. His goodly deed this year was "Taking care of our new puppy". And the King was kind enough to re-affirm his chivalry and dedication to the kingdom. At least this year he wasn't scared of the King. He did have a problem turning around and facing the audience for his introduction. But at least he was still a little gentleman.   His goodly deed this year was "Taking care of his new puppy." Could have just as easily been - "Being very brave during the house fire!"   As usual, people continually stopped us to take Sir Aidan's picture. Of course he's such a ham he loved every moment of it. While we were near the Kid Village, an oriental couple stopped the 3 of us and asked if they could take our picture. The wife and baby stood next to Lord Garrett and the Daddy snapped the portrait. of his wife with this crazy dressed up family. Before we knew it, there were others standing in line to take similar portraits. I guess we are sight to see at the faire.   But I think it's more likely to be the charisma of Sir Aidan, who truly gets most of the attention. Many of the visiting Moms point at him as they walk by and direct the attention of their family and friends to his noble appearance. Of course he had an exceptional time playing pirate on the great pirate ship docked in Kid'ville as well. Steering the great ship, rushing across the deck to the hidden portal that slides below deck, and running up the gang plank. Playing with the visiting crew and making new friends was the mission of his day. And of course to mark his visit, a special henna tattoo. He picks the image by himself. This year we had just visited Hollow Earth Swordworks. Who's logo is tree under the northern star. I think it was his inspiration. It was on to another show and storytelling by William Teller. A very humorous gentle, from Sir Aidan's point of view. He laughed, and giggled even before the story telling began. Lord Teller recanted a tale of a lizard who loved to sing about his rock home and a bear who lived up the hill and heard the lizard's song. The bear rushed down and asked the lizard to teach him the song, which he did of course. Encouraging the audience to join in and sing along. Which we did of course. But the bear had trouble remembering it and kept coming back to the lizard over and over to learn the song again. Until finally the lizard explained to the bear that he should sing the song about his own home and his love of his den. Once the bear changed the tune, he easily remembered the song. - On a side note, on our way home we talked of the day and wanted to sing the song. Sadly, we were like the bear and couldn't remember the very song we had song at least 5 times ourselves!   But alas there was more to see and do. We journeyed back to the Woodbutchery for the 1st of what will be our annual family renfaire picture. Thanks to Lady Alice and the beautifully crafted and very large tree throne that rests in the corner of the butchery. She graciously snapped the picture for us. So here we are, dressed in our garb and having a wonderful family day together. Before we left, Sir Aidan had talked Lord Garrett into purchasing a very special walking staff for his use. It's the third time Sir Aidan has picked out a similar staff and asked to take it home. This time Lord Garrett gave in and acquired the finely crafted staff and Sir Aidan was indeed excited and happy.   We made our way along the lane and found a special little place called "The Midsummer Knight's Dream". Within it's walls are very special Woodbabies. From unicorns and griffins, to some very special wolves. Upon a shelf waiting to be noticed was a wolf who seemed familiar some how. It was not so long ago that we lost our own special Merlin wolf to cancer. Being the kindest and most carrying noble, Lord Garrett prodded me to adopt him. And within moments he sat upon my shoulder and traveled through the village sharing his magik with those who noticed him.   Many children noticed him first, as he moved to look at them wondering by. They asked to pet him and asked if he was real. How did he move and his he alive? Of course he is, you can touch him can't you? You see him moving don't you? Their excitement was contagious and eventually the Mom and Dad would take notice and share in the magikal experience.   Thus ended our adventure for this day. It was fun, exciting and once again filled with magik and wonder.   September 16, 2007 What a day! There were many happenings to see and do. First and foremost; it's Alice & Alan's 1st wedding anniversary! And we had to pay our respects of course. It also marks an anniversary of sorts for us as well. It was on this day 1 year ago that we attended our first renfaire. And it was here at the Maryland renfaire for Alice and Alan's wedding.   One year ago on this day we decided to make attending renfaires in full regalia our family play thing! And we have scarcely looked back ever since. It was a great decision and one we're having a fantastic time putting into practice!   But first and foremost as mentioned before, there's a wedding anniversary to be acknowledged. We tracked through the lanes until we came upon the Wood Butchery. We were met with a slice of anniversary wedding cake and a glass of champaign. The cake, saved from the original wedding day, was fabulous and made it through the year keeping it's same wondrous beauty and flavor.   The bride and groom wore there same renfaire wedding day garb and both looked as wonderful as they did a short year ago. So our gift was given. Hugs and congratulations were accepted. Introductions to my family were made and now it was time to walk through the village.   Oddly enough this is the first time Sir Aidan, Lord Garrett and I have made it to a jousting match here in Maryland. It's not like we haven't had our opportunities to attend. We just haven't made it around the village to get a seat in time to see a match. On this day, we were following my sister Pam and her planning clock.   Now one thing about this jousting arena, it's a little small. Well compared to our very first jousting arena which was at the 2006 Carolina Renfaire. Unfortunately we failed to record that event, other than in our memories and renfaire Journal. A failure I was not going to repeat on this day!   Four knights graced the field before us. Honoring their King, each other and the crowd that surrounded them. We were favored first with feats of skill. Riding at a gallop each knight attempted to slice an object in two as they rode by with sword in hand. Next they attempted to slice a series of ribbons that adorned steaks set before them on the run. A skillful bunch of knights these were.   They adorned their armor and meet in turn in the center for combat. With sword and shield they clanged and banged upon their opponent. It was exciting to watch and amazing to bear witness to the steadiness of their very large and well trained horses! They did not flinch or shy away from the combat taking place above their ears. Instead they responded to their riders commands, turning and prancing to assist in winning the combat.   How terribly hot they must have been in that metal on such a very warm late summer day. But they performed with strength and valor and indeed a victor was proclaimed.   Their next feat of battle was to run full force through the jousting field. Spear and reigns in hand the strength of their steeds paraded quickly toward each other. Sir Aidan was mesmerized by the dueling as you can see in that first picture above!   The first pass was a draw and the great knights took their turn in line for a second chance to be victorious. But as the second group of knights raced toward each other, the smell of victory was in the air. And we were not disappointed. The knight of blue seen here scored a hit and knocked his opponent from his horse. Victory! Hissah! It was a wonderful day, filled with fun and merriment by all.