Spoon and Blade

<BODY BACKGROUND="spoon_and_blade_i000005.gif" TEXT=#000000 LINK=#0000FF VLINK=#FF0000 BGCOLOR=#F0F0F0 > <BASE TARGET="_top"> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s6 style='text-align: center;'> <IMG SRC="spoon_and_blade_i00000f.gif" BORDER=0 ALIGN=MIDDLE WIDTH=413 HEIGHT=90 > </DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s2> <B></B><TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="2" > <TR> <TD WIDTH=77% VALIGN=TOP > <DIV class=s3> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>Achlo There! Welcome to the Spoon and Blade! Let me introduce myself, I'm Seamus MacPhail. In the custom of Highland hospitality all are welcome here. Just pull up a log and have a seat around the campfire so we can trade stories and if we are lucky my wife will have some Scotch Eggs ready to eat and there may be some good whiskey left in that old barrel. Not the stuff I've been making, but the real stuff from back home in Scotland. I've made my way so far with the help of my wife Nessa. I've done some trapping and guiding, however I am mainly making whisky and working for whomever can pay me the most for my services. Except for the British. I think they would kill me on sight anyway. So lay down the sword and pick up a pipe so the festivities can begin! Oh, and please sign our guestbook, My head gets a little fuzzy after a while and I like to know who stopped by.  </FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s3 style='text-align: center;'>                      <IMG SRC="spoon_and_blade_i000007.gif" BORDER=0 ALIGN=MIDDLE WIDTH=100 HEIGHT=100 ></DIV> </TD> <TD WIDTH=25% VALIGN=TOP > <DIV ALIGN=right class=s1 style='text-align: right;'>  </DIV> <DIV ALIGN=right class=s1 style='text-align: right;'> <A class=s1 HREF="spoon_and_blade_000009.htm"><IMG SRC="spoon_and_blade_i000006.jpg" BORDER=0 ALIGN=MIDDLE WIDTH=318 HEIGHT=283 ></A> </DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s3 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='color:#FF0000;font-size:17pt;'><B>Last updated:6/16/08 </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s3 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='color:#FF0000;font-size:17pt;'><B> </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s3 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='color:#FF0000;font-size:17pt;'><B> <a href="http://users3.smartgb.com/g/g.php?a=s&i=g35-05766-0a"><img alt="Guestbook" border=0 src="http://extras3.smartgb.com/b/gb_80x40.gif" width="80" height="40"></a> </FONT></DIV> </TD></TR></TABLE></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s3 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='font-size:25pt;'><B>Notes and updates from Seamus MacPhail: </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s3 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='font-size:25pt;'><B></B><B><IMG SRC="spoon_and_blade_i000017.gif" BORDER=0 ALIGN=MIDDLE WIDTH=465 HEIGHT=32 > </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s3 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='font-size:25pt;'><B></B></FONT><FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>I went on a Canoe Trek on the second leg of the <A class=s3 HREF="spoon_and_blade_000038.htm">Spoon River</A> this past weekend. I've been able to get the review up already. If you were on that trek and want copies of the pictures I took, you need to give me time. I took over 120 pictures, and about 85 turned out. I need to figure out who want's what pictures and get them  to each individual.  </FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s3 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'> </FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s3 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>We finally have a new Mortar Maiden for you to view, <A class=s3 HREF="spoon_and_blade_000037.htm">Liosag MacNamara</A>. This fine young lass actually posed a couple of years ago, but I accidently filed her pictures under already used. So to make up for that mistake. I'm sorry Liosag.  </FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s3 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'><B> </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s3 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'><B></B></FONT><FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>Sorry for the delay, but I finally have up the reviews of this years <A class=s3 HREF="spoon_and_blade_000020.htm">Gathering at Macktown</A> and <A class=s3 HREF="spoon_and_blade_000036.htm">Bloody Lake Rendezvous. </A> </FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s3 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'> </FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s3 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>We are selling our wall tent. You can see pictures of it on our <A class=s3 HREF="spoon_and_blade_000003.htm">pictures page</A>. We will be bringing it with us to various events, if you are interested in it please come see us. It is a 10 by 12 foot Panther Primitive wall tent with the large loops on the walls. It has a 8'4" peak and 4' walls. it's made of the 10.38OZ Sunforger w/Flame Retardant. There is a 10" sod flap and A stove hole insert. It is in very good condition. There is one small tear that was sent back to Panther to repair. It comes with the complete set up package:  2 uprights, 1 ridge, guy ropes and stakes. (No outside wall poles). The cost of this tent new would be $864 with out tax and shipping and handle. We are asking $550.00.  </FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s3 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'> </FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s3 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='font-size:24pt;'><B></B></FONT><FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>Also our e-mail address has changed. If you have been trying to contact us and haven't received a response, please make sure you have the new address.  </FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s3 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='font-size:16pt;'> </FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s3 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>Also, as you have noticed we have not updated the <A class=s3 HREF="spoon_and_blade_000012.htm">Mortar Maidens</A> for a while. I wish I had a better excuse, but honestly it's because I've fun out of models. So if you are doing any of the events we are, and know someone that wants to be a Mortar Maiden, let me know!  .  </FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s3 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'> <IMG SRC="spoon_and_blade_i000017.gif" BORDER=0 ALIGN=MIDDLE WIDTH=465 HEIGHT=32 > </FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s3 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'></FONT><FONT style='color:#800000;font-size:14pt;'><B>Recipient of the Trail of History 2006 Official Booshway Award for Outstanding Public Interaction. </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s3 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'><IMG SRC="spoon_and_blade_i000017.gif" BORDER=0 ALIGN=MIDDLE WIDTH=465 HEIGHT=32 > </FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s3 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>Also as a general announcement, Nessa and I are no longer with Clan Chattan. We felt that it was time for us to go out on our own with our family. We had been contemplating the idea since July of 2004. We finally decided it was time to go in a different direction. To dispell any rumors that are floating around; Clan Chattan is NOT breaking up. Rumors of this have been floating around and it is not true.   </FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s3 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'> </FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s3 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>We would like to thank Clan Chattan and it's members for all the help, support and friendship over the years and hope to maintain our bonds. We wish you all the best of luck. Thank you for all the great memories.   </FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s3 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'><IMG SRC="spoon_and_blade_i000017.gif" BORDER=0 ALIGN=MIDDLE WIDTH=465 HEIGHT=32 > </FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s3 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>I received my shipment of Black Powder a couple of weeks ago. When I opened the box I heard the angel's sing and a bright light appears like I had opened the Arch of the Covenant. Thus I had to play. I know this wasn't the safest thing to do, but I just had to get a picture! </FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s3 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'><IMG SRC="spoon_and_blade_i000011.jpg" BORDER=0 ALIGN=MIDDLE WIDTH=498 HEIGHT=395 > </FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s3 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'><B></B><B><IMG SRC="spoon_and_blade_i000017.gif" BORDER=0 ALIGN=MIDDLE WIDTH=465 HEIGHT=32 > </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s3 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'><B></B></FONT><FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>In the December Issue of <A class=s3 HREF="http://www.smoke-fire.com/">Smoke and Fire</A> they had a humorous article called "You Might be a Re-enactor If...". I read the various submissions and found that many of them hit a little close to home. So after talking with Nessa about this and coming up with a few of our own. I decided to post a list of some of the best ones.  </FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s3 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'> </FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s3 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'></FONT><FONT style='font-size:14pt;'><B>You Might Be a Re-enactor if... </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s3 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'> </FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s3> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>...you set up a hawk block in your yard. </FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s3> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>...you have a closet designated just for period clothing </FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s3> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>...you determine which new vehicle to buy based on the amount of re-enacting gear can fit into it </FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s3> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>...you spent more money on beeswax candles than on light bulbs last year. </FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s3> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>...you display more canvas then the local art gallery. </FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s3> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>...the smell of wood smoke lowers your blood pressure and makes you smile. </FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s3> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>...you will pay $80.00 for a linen hunting shirt, but refuse to squeeze out $12.99 for a half-decent oxford at Wally World. </FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s3> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>...you proudly display historical weapons in your house, but your modern firearms are all in put away in a storage closet.  </FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s3> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>...you go modern camping with friends and show up with candles, lanterns and no flashlights.  </FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s3> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>...the power goes out and you grab candle lanterns instead of using the readily available flashlights. </FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s3> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>...your house looks like an armoury, museum and/or taxidermist shop. </FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s3> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>...you have various parts of animals laying around your house. </FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s3> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'> ...you have a separate room in your house designated for camping equipment.  </FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s3> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>...your wedding gift to your spouse has the word "baker", "wedge" or "wall" in it. </FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s3> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>...you look into the trunk of a friends new vehicle and think about how much gear you can pack into it. </FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s3> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>...you and your friends have a totally different meaning of the term "roughing it". </FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s3> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>...you think the participants on Survivor are wimps. </FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s3> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>...You see someone you've known for years and don't recognize them in modern clothing. </FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s3> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>...you have seen bed sheets, bed spreads or even drapes that you thought would make good clothing. </FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s3> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>...you've driven past some open land and thought, "What a great place for a battle or a fort!" </FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s3> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>...you've worn wool even when the temperature tops 100 degrees. </FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s3> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>...your kids can correct their history teacher. </FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s3> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>...you have been asked in a gas station (Hospital for me) if you are Amish. </FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s3> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>...in a conversation with a co-worker about camping, they all think you are insane when you tell them what type of gear you use. </FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s3> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>...you see a beautiful girl in a bikini and wonder what she looks like in a bodice.  </FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s3> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>...your $36,000.00 vehicle sits in the rain so your $200.00 tent can stay in the garage.  </FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s3> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>...you plan the pregnancy of your child so it has the least impact on your re-enactment schedule. </FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s3> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>...you will eat items that have fallen onto the well trampled ground around a campfire, but not if it falls on your kitchen floor. </FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s3> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>...you have two levels of hygiene, "at events" and "at home". </FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s3> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>...you own your own artillery. </FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s3> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>...you annually dispose of your Halloween pumpkins by cutting them up with various swords to test which one works best. </FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s3> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'> </FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s3> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>And Finally: </FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s3> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'> </FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s3> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>...if you've contemplated relocating your family to another region that has more events. </FONT></DIV> <DIV class=s3> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'> </FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s3 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'>All the above either applied to us or hit way too close to home. Most of these where taken from the Smoke and Fire word for word, or slightly altered to make them apply more in general to us and our group.   </FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s3 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='font-size:14pt;'><B></B><B><IMG SRC="spoon_and_blade_i000017.gif" BORDER=0 ALIGN=MIDDLE WIDTH=465 HEIGHT=32 > </B></FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s3 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='color:#008000;font-size:20pt;'> </FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s3 style='text-align: center;'> <FONT style='color:#008000;font-size:20pt;'> <script type="text/javascript" language="JavaScript">var site="s19spoonandblade";var g_frames=true; </script> <script type="text/javascript" language="JavaScript1.2" src="http://s19.sitemeter.com/js/counter.js?site=s19spoonandblade"> </script> <noscript> <a href="http://s19.sitemeter.com/stats.asp?site=s19spoonandblade" target="_top"> <img src="http://s19.sitemeter.com/meter.asp?site=s19spoonandblade" alt="Site Meter" border=0></a> </noscript>    </FONT></DIV> <DIV ALIGN=center class=s3 style='text-align: center;'> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://ss.webring.com/navbar?f=j;y=seamusmacphail;u=defurl"></script> <noscript><center><table bgcolor=gray cellspacing=0 border=2 bordercolor=red> <tr><td><table cellpadding=2 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr><td align=center> <font face=arial size=-1>This site is a member of WebRing. 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