My Challenges

Wow, who would have thought how much impact this path has.  It has made me look at myself with a different eye that is for sure.

Always seemingly sure of myself, my friends know that that is a cover, I keep wondering where I am on this Camino del Nobles. Doubt scratches in.  What have I done, what have I changed, what has been my impact, have I made any difference?

Prudence

Well, so far I have continued this journey in reading texts and documents related to the SCA.  Of course being on the Board helps that, simply because we are regularly updating the policies and procedures in the society.  Having stepped down as Chair, I hope to leave the board in twelve months time having made a small difference at least. My major project now is to create a register of all past board members to facilitate the creation of an "Honour Roll" for the SCA Ltd Webpage.

All the people that have served on the board have had input to the way this game is played, making sure we are all legal and above board.  They deserve a little recognition for that.  I am certainly grateful for all the previous work that was done to get the Board to the point it is today.

Franchise

With my name and device registered, I am now in the process of registering a badge from said device to easily label my possessions and to display on heraldic items.  My device is rather fiddly to embroider with its three little Ankhs so I am hopeful my bordered ankh will pass muster.

From looking the part.  I am currently creating two outfits, one completely hand sewn, to enhance my wardrobe.  I am hopeful of having these both finished by Great Northern War but they will definitely be finished in time for The Feast of Santiago.

Largess

The act of generosity. Hmmm.

I have been teaching a lot over the past few months, I have never really considered this largess but I can certainly see where it fits now.  Within my group I endeavoured to get the ladies into at least one new but simple outfit in time for Great Northern War.  On the most part the methods crossed over to the men in the group as well, but only the ladies have participated in the classes by choice.  Everyone has had the opportunity to create a chemise, underskirt and sideless surcoat over the last few weeks.

To facilitate this further I have also offered space outside of the usual Wednesday nights to assist people in finishing their creations. They will have a new outfit in coming weeks which is lovey.

Piety

Stewarding of Demos in recent months has been interesting. Two very different demonstration events have occurred with one more to come. The first a demo in the park, where we did our thing for a few hours.  Coordinating people to set up and pull down, to fight and to do things publicly that we generally only do when we are only with fellow SCAdians.  Fielding questions from the public about what we do can sometimes prove challenging for people. I found that one of the key roles of a Demo steward is to instill confidence in others to encourage them to share their wonderful abilities.

The second demo was at the Local Annual Show.  A bit different for us as it was really outside of our scope.  I could not have done this one without the wonderful help of Josseline de la Cour as a static display was required for two days and none of us have the beautiful garb that she does.  Normally, when you undertake a demo here in Warwick it is just a quick liaison with council. The Show demo proved different.  This one meant meetings and constant contact with the Show Coordinator, the stress of whether everything was as secure as they said, meeting their requirements as well as our own.  Putting on a demo over two day.  There was highlights however. Our fighters got to perform in front of a 300 plus crowd in the main rodeo arena of the show for the evening entertainment.  That was a lot of fun to participate in, with the crowd getting behind every blow.

Anyway, I am rather wandering off topic now, back to it. It seems my teaching of classes come under this heading as well.  I just assume this is expected in my role as A&S officer in Stegby.  I am also currently co stewarding for the upcoming event and coordinating a community project or two that we are involved in.

Prowess

Skill sets, improvements, lessons learned.

I am still to pick up that bow, it has been a busy time for me personally and as I don't drive and hubby has been away a lot I have not been able to get to a practice.  But it is still going to happen. 

I have however learned how to do cutwork embroidery in the last few weeks, I am creating headwear, other than a scuffia, for the first time with an embroidered Italian coif in progress.  The big personal challenge I have given myself on this one is the completion of a dress, skirt and sleeves, completely by hand, no machine sewing in sight.  So far I have the skirt and the sleeve components are in creation.  I am getting a lot out of this as each piece comes together.  I am rarely proud of my own achievements but this dress is the change in that. 

Kindness

Maybe the biggest challenge of all.  What I have done to improve in this area is actually quite personal although SCA related.  It is to do with acceptance of things that you can not change, acceptance of differences and acceptance of the fact that sometimes you simply have to walk away from things.  Kindness goes hand in hand with patience, and at this I am not doing to well. But I know that I have made advances here, but I think to share this part of the journey will require a conversation rather than a written blog.  Kindness is personal, it is about heart and it is about spirit.