A reenactor friend of mine has posed the question, basically asking why it annoys many of us to be complimented on our "COSTUMES"....
I have given this much thought so here is my answer to her, and any one else who would ask the question.
A long time ago a debate arose in the miniature world about the use of the word "CUTE" Now its true that some miniatures are cute, but what that mean? Cute like kittens? Cute like fuzzy bunny's?....
Some people who are miniaturists spend long hours replicating something in what we call scale, usually one inch to a foot, often it is furniture. The craftspeople would study exact dimensions, spend hours carefully carving and sanding, waxing and buffing, to have an exact replica of the piece they were trying to duplicate. In a photograph you would not be able to tell the difference between the full size of the item and the scale size item. Another issue would be price, a hand crafted museum quality piece could cost hundreds to thousands of dollars.
Would anyone who had real knowledge of what goes into creating that item call it "CUTE"?
To me a "COSTUME" involves plastic, velcro, zippers and the like, or it is something people pick out of their closets to walk in the town parade for their victorian days festivals, they are well meaning and having fun, but they are not educated, they have not studied about what it means to be period correct, While many of us started reenacting in similar outfits, we quickly realized that something was wrong and most of us correct it.
Education and caring about what you wear helps the experience and helps bridge the gap between amatures, and true "LIVING HISTORIANS"
You will also go from camp sitters, to educators, by having a deeper knowledge of what you do, and showing it.
I would like to think you could step into this room!
So when well meaning people call my outfit a "Costume" I just smile and say "thank you" But if a fellow reenactor calls it a costume, I would not like that at all. You feel that if someone calls your hard work "CUTE", Or your carefully prepared, period correct outfit a "COSTUME" it is demeaning, and devalues the hard work, cost and time spent on what you have done to look as authentic as possible!
"Cute" we are not! But does it look like we stepped back into time? I hope so!
I hope not to give anyone the impression I am "Thin skinned" about all of this "CUTE" and "COSTUME" business, its just that I take my interests seriously, and so do most of the miniaturists and living historians I have the great pleasure to call my friends ,but this is the reason I would prefer it if people could use other words to describe things.
We would never ever berate anyone who admires our hard work,and calls it "CUTE or a "COSTUME", maybe just cringe a little on the inside, So if anyone takes the time to talk to us we will listen, answer questions, and be thankful that they care enough to come out and see what we do. Thanks for looking in, MRS COOK
Just an update, been very busy at work lately, so I have not had much time to write.
People are probably wondering about my diet, Still sticking to the major parts of my plan, No flour, Milk, white sugars, Dark Colas, Coffee and very little white foods. Turned my Dad down for an ice cream stop yesterday...As time goes on this has gotten easier for me, Financially it is hard to always have all of the good food I want around, But I still am not backing down, I refuse Mcdonalds and Burger King, I have become accustomed to turning down cakes, Cookies, Donuts etc...
My Dad complimented me yesterday, and that was very meaningful to me, He said" Whatever I was doing looks like its working" and that I looked better. That means a lot to me.
My work has changed and sometimes this can be very stressful, but by getting a handle on my diet, I find that it makes it easier for me. I will be honest here I am not checking my sugar enough, but when I was, the numbers seemed to drop some, I suppose this will be a slow process as my body heals. It took a long time to mess it up, and it will take a long time to get better.
I am nearly six months into this "Super food plan" I have no desire to go back now, and I rarely if ever have any regrets, Maybe when I couldn't have the rolls at the Eagle Tavern, or will pass up my favorite Ice Cream bar at the fire works. But here's the deal....One slip up can lead to another and another, I have written about all of this before, Since I refuse medication, I have to be hard lined about this, this is my life, and Cookies, and fatty cheeseburgers, Pizza, Hot dogs Fried Chicken,etc... will take that life away from me, not add to my life. I had to say..."Enough is enough!" And I meant it....
I have had changes at my work, and now Dave has gotten the shift he has wanted at his work for two years. For the last couple of years Dave has had to work 22 hour weekends, which meant no activity's, including Civil War reenacting, weekend B.B.Qs, movies, or anything....On the other hand I have had complete freedom on the weekends to do what ever I wanted. It will take some adjusting to, but I think it will work out. As far as Civil War goes this will free me up to do more weekend camping events, and allow Dave to participate. he has missed so much, including the Christmas party's, which he loves to cook for.
So that is a quick update on whats been going on in our lives, Jordan, Scotts Girlfriend, has been staying with us since her terrible house fire, Nice to have another female around this place! We have a wonderful relationship with our neighbors, and their wonderful little boy, he comes over and shares my Popcorn with me at night, and believe me I don't share my Popcorn with just anybody! As always wish the finances would catch up, but I have been blessed with great people in my life, so life is good right now, enjoying the summer so far. Take it easy, and thanks for checking in, Mrs Cook
Casey is snoring under the desk as I write this! She is dreaming of visiting all of the neighbors around here! Her favorite activitity!
So I am going to take some wild turns in this blog, but I hope it all ties in!
Last week was a wild roller coaster ride of emotions, From the Greenfield village reenactment, to the fire that devastated the home of My sons Girl friend, I have done a lot of thinking about life, and possessions and such. When we do camp at Civil war, esp those who would open our tents to the public, we really for the most part , take what we need, now don't laugh , some of you who haul my stuff, I have a bed, a table, a trunk that stores my clothing, some dishes, writing materials, a lamp, a broom. I have some food, a carpet that keeps the coldness and dampness down. For the Out side, I have food storage, a shelf, some tables and chairs. Since I do conduct a laundry business, and Cook I have the implements needed to have a fire, haul water and hang up laundry.
It all fits in one van. Wagon size.
Nothing I bring is for show, it is the basics needed to live, I use everything, and If I find that something is not being used, I dump it from the kit.
My luxuries if you will, include a few photographs, some basic jewelry kept in a little box, a bible, and my pipe, and tobacco. I have a beautiful little mirror that I like.
I suspect that most poor folk of the era, and that is what I portray, made do with pretty much the same.
In our little community, the folks share what they have if there is a need, You can borrow, or barter goods, or services. The community works for the good of all its citizens.
Now look around your house, how much is there that is truly needed for survival, and how much is for comfort? I for one have a ton of cloths, books, teddy bears, things collected from nearly fifty years of life. It is my world.
Imagine if in just a few moments it was all gone. Scotts girlfriend, Jordan is living that right now. She showed me the pictures, her clothing is all melted together, her bed is a twisted mess, her parents bedroom now has sky for a ceiling. A lifetime gone in a flash.
From imagined horrors of war, to a real life tragedy, in just a few days time.
But one thing in common, is community, the want to help, the ability to help this girl, we will share what we have, and our home, and many others have stepped up as well.
So I guess the message is don't take what you have for granted, we were lucky that Jordan and her family were not injured, love the people in your life as deeply as you can, and don't isolate yourself from family and friends, don't let little annoyances, turn into big battles.
Don't forget to be thankful.
Possessions define us somewhat, but it is the memory's that come from our connections to people that will last forever, and comfort us in our troubles, and sustain us in our lives. I hope everyone has a truly wonderful day today, Thanks for checking in, Mrs Cook.
