A big THANK-YOU to all of you who have visited the Parlor at events and found something that you just couldn't live without.  And a THANK-YOU also to those of you who have ordered even though you've never been in the Parlor at events.  Keeping the Parlor going is a very hard job and the pay is probably about 25 cents an hour if I count all the hours I put into it---traveling hours to events, sewing, drafting new patterns from the old books, filling orders, visiting on the phone (especially with new frightened reenactresses), tagging items and loading into the van----oh well, it's all so worth it when I get to an event and meet new and old friends.  This allows me to enjoy my first love---of history.  Most of you know that I'm not in it to get rich, but to enjoy my love of this time period, the same as you.
    And so down the road we go.  This year it was without Link and with the new boy Mac.  He has went from verbally acknowledging everything to hiding under the cot.  Along with a short stint with the puppy prozac.  He may never be as outgoing as I would wish, but most of you understand that I need protection on the road----and that he is!!!  He's travelled through 16 states, chased the Atlantic waves and watched miles of roads from the co-pilot's seat.  He truly thinks that Motel 6's are made for him because they don't have a lid on the commode.  When he is too verbal when setting up the Parlor---well one asked for round from someone's gun will send him under the cot!!  He likes women when they are in long skirts and herds them, keeping their husbands at bay.  He doesn't like men especially with loud voices or women in pants.  Hopefully he will improve even more next year.  He loves to travel and is ready to do so when I'm packing the van.  A big THANK-YOU to all of you for accepting him and helping him to adjust.
    New this year is a new impression:  The Rich Refugee!!!  Most of you are tired of fighting for the rights to be encamped at an event.  So I have researched and stocked books that emphasize those who were not poor refugees following the armys.  So what would you do if you were told that within an hour there would be a battle in your front yard or corn field??  You would grab your trunk, clock from the mantle, jewelry box, candlelabra, etc. and writing materials to write to a relative that you were traveling with the protection of the army and hoped to take refuge with these relatives.  After all, Winchester, VA. changed hands over 97 times during the war!!  So, I am stocking these things for purchase.  Soon you will see pictures on the web site.
    Winter Quarters is when I have more time to update the web site, do research and design new items.  Hopefully I will get one of the two digital cameras figured out, so watch for changes and photos.
    Be sure to sign up for the bulk email list of updates.  It's on the Necessities Page at the bottom.
    Thank-you to all of you who are keeping our History alive!!