Spinners, Smart Alecs, and Guys Who Insist They're Part of the Regiment

Yesterday I did the unthinkable. I kinda-sorta involved myself in one of those historical recreation fairs. I think I've said that recreating battles and stuff like that baffle me a little and even though I absolutely know some people love that sort of thing, when I think about what people are doing a big question mark pops up over my head and my mouth forms an O.

But I dressed up in Colonial garb and went anyway because I volunteer at the joint and I get volunteer hours toward it, like credit for double hours not to mention, plus they would have an area where spinners would be spinning and I thought, "hey, I'm a knitter! We'll connect! I'll meet new people! Maybe learn to spin!"

Hundreds of kids were there and most of them wanted to touch the fiber, learn how to card the wool and watch me knit and watch the spinners spin. And just like all knitting or spinning related things, one smart alec will make a fuss about sheep and wool.

Smart Alec: "So you shave the fur off a sheep?"

Lovely and Calm Spinner (L&CS): in character "Why yes, lad."

Smart Alec: "Do you have to hold him down when you shave him?"

L&CS still in character and smiling: "Oh laddy, why of course! But they romp off ever so happy that they've been shorn from their hot and tangled fleece! Some sheep actually lay down for the shearers, but most need to be held."

Smart Alec yelling: "That's torture! Why would you torture an innocent animal!" (kids around him starting to look confused)

L&CS still in character and slightly smirking: "It is not torture, my lad. The sheep would suffer lest we not remove the fleece."

L&CS not in character looks over at me and mouths: "Who IS this kid?"

Me not in character: "Hey kid, What do you think the Colonial people did? Go to Walmart, or something?"

I wonder who this kid's parents are. I mean, the sheep live. It's not like they slaughter them solely for their hides or something. Oh, and I did get to learn to spin. I am smitten. And the sheep that gave his wool for me to learn on must be quite the sheep. When I asked one of the spinners, Francis, where she got the wool, she told me she just goes to her friend's farm and asks for some. "That was such a lovely color; I bet he is a happy sheep," I said. And then she promised me that she would tell her friend that I thought so.

Except for a few folks remaining in character no matter what (drove me nuts; crap, they even arrested a "thief" in the "townsquare."), it was a good day. Now I would like to get a spinning wheel. I'm not sure it'll go with my decor, but what the hay.

BTW: See the wheel to the right? That's the one I learned on and guess what? After she left me alone with it, I promptly broke it.

Also: Commenters, please let's not get into the conversation about whether or not it's cool to use wool.