Serious Hobbying

Hobbies are so varied.  Yesterday, Miss Maia and I attended a festival of sorts called "The Passing of the Ice Dragon".  It is sponsored by the Society for Creative Anachronism which is "an organization that is dedicated to researching and re-creating the arts and skills of pre-17th century Europe".  Although, if you are interested in the same time period on the Middle or Far East you will find much to interest you as well.

This is a group of people that take hobby seriously.  They meet to learn how to engage in various fighting arts, such as fencing, broad sword and pole fighting, thrown weapons, horse riding and so on.  To support these activities they create the weapons, in such a way that death will not come to those engaging in the sport, armor, clothing, shields, banners to represent themselves while competing and some even create a "persona" that they use when engaging in their interest.

In addition to these "manly" pursuits, which actually have a very high number of women participating, there are areas that would interest almost any person under the sun - cooking, sewing, woodwork, leather work, metal work, drawing, painting, calligraphy and illumination, toy making, games, dancing, story telling, research, history, geography, map making.... I could go on and on.

In our fast paced days, it can be a welcome relief to slow down, sew by hand, make lace or battle armor, spin wool, visit with friends or paint just for fun.  I am consistently impressed by the friendliness and eagerness, of all the wonderful people I have met, to share what they love most about their hobbies and knowledge (in addition to some of the most chivalrous men I have ever met).  I have also been inspired and impressed by the high level of artistry and craftsmanship in all the creations I have seen.  Check out their site www.sca.org and enjoy a good glass of mead for me!