Bill Bolten was an awesome person. I first met him at the Waterloo Ren Faire as Marco the magnificent. He had a smile and handshake for everyone, and was always upbeat and asking how YOU were. The world is a little worse off for losing him. but the angels are all laughing...

WATERLOO - Bill T. Bolton, 46, of Lincoln, Neb., formerly of Waterloo, died Monday, March 3, in Ankeny from injuries sustained in a truck accident.
He was born May 15, 1961, in Utica, N.Y., son of William and Geraldine Morgan Bolton. He married Colleen Miller on May 1, 1982, in Waterloo.

Mr. Bolton attended Utica schools and Vineyard Leadership Institute. He worked as a printer for Martin Brothers Distributing, most recently as a shuttle driver between Lincoln and Cedar Falls. He also worked as a church planter for Vineyard Church, Lincoln. He briefly served in U.S. Army.

Survivors include: his wife; a daughter, Becky (Brian) Bolton Peters of Waterloo; a son, Nathan (Jenni) of Waterloo; five grandchildren, Kylie Cutsforth, Corbin Peters, Grace Bolton, Ben Payzant and Sam Payzant; two brothers, James (Debbie) of Yorkville, N.Y., and Philip (Melissa) of Middleville, N.Y.; and two sisters, Patti Bolton of Staten Island, N.Y., and Judy (Sean) Atkins of Michigan. Locke Funeral Home Iowa, Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Funeral Home, Funeral Services http://www.LockeFuneralHome.co...

I"m looking for a good used tent, either a double-door canvas A frame 6-7 foot (bakers) or a small square ren tent, 6-7 foot. I cant afford much but its something I"ve needed for a while. Poles and pegs needed too.

or you have a link to an inexpensive tent maker (especialy in the midwest) let me know!  

 

muchas gracias!

Merrydeath

unfortunatly, I wont be able to go to the fest. My friend and co-conspirator is sick with the flu and then today my grandson went into the hospital with RSV and possible pneumonia. I guess I'll try to go next year instead. I also had a car accident Monday morning. It was pretty bad but I was able to drive away. Not to someone who went into the other lanes. She died after a semi hit her car....

 

IN A BLINK...


Last Monday, Feb 4, will be in my memory for a long time. I was going home from Omaha  and feeling a bit melancholy. Going east on I-80 and not really seeing much in the morning fog, I remember thinking, 'if a deer goes in front of me, I wont see it'. Just as I went over a small hill, I saw a patch of black ice in front of me. There was salt on it but not enough. My car spun 180, 360 degrees, going around and around in the dark and fog. I yelled and tried to pump my brakes but it was no use. I ended up backend first in a ditch, facing traffic. I checked: no blood, nothing broken, and my car was still running. I drove a bit forward over the grass in the ditch and tried to drive out all the way. I got one tire on the road but couldnt get over the lip. I pushed the gas a bit, still no going onto the road. Slowly I reversed the car and went back down the bank. Just as I got down a bit, I saw a white and red wall run in front of me. A semi had gone in the ditch and just run over the tire marks I had made on the road. I sat for a moment, then drove in reverse into the ditch. I was worried that the semi was going to slide back into me, since it was a bit muddy, and the semi was slammed into the hillside. I watched it a moment, then decided I had better get out of my car. The driver of the semi got out and askd if I was ok. I shook my head yes, and then just shook a bit with all the tension. Another man came over, saying he had seen the whole thing and just how terrible it was. I agreed but wondered why he was so upset over the cars in the ditch.

and then it occured ot me to look over my shoulder at the westward lane of traffic. In the Median sat a green car that looked like mine, only the top was gone. I breathed deep, and realized that a car that had been behind me had spun out of control. It had gone into the other lane of traffic and slammed into the semi, which then traveled across to my lane of traffic, almost crushing my car. This wreck was all that was left of her car.

I stood and shook for a moment, and saw another semi almost hit a truck by the side of the road. Going into my car, I got my big lantern and tried to warn the cars and semi's to slow down... it helped a bit and no one else had an accident, thank goodness. An ambulance came on the scene, with paramedics checking everyone out. They let me sit in the ambulance to keep warm and make sure I was not in shock. After all was said and done, my car was ok and drivable, and didnt need a tow to get out of the ditch.

The woman who died in that wreck was young, and her life cut short too soon. Why did it happen like that? I might never know... I have to think that it just wasnt my time and it was hers, or I'll wonder why there is a god that would allow something like this... I prefer to think that it was just fate. A cosmic instance. Of course, my sympathy goes out to her family, with a wish for strength and hope ..

Meanwhile, I'm looking at life more closely, what I really want and what I can do.. I'm hoping that my future has someone special in it, who likes ren faires and movies and tv and hugs and apples and me! I can hope...

My grandson has some health issues, but so far its ok. He has RSV and on oxygen for now, but he's in a good hospital with caring parents. Your prayers would be appreciated for him. He'll be a year old on my birthday next month. What a delight..

I guess my final words are: don't live for the future, live for now. Next year might not be. That doesn't mean you do what you want to whoever, but don't wait for after dinner to have dessert, dont wait for next year to go on vacation.. carpe diem.

I added some new pics of the re-enactors fest from 2007 and vids of us dancing the macerena... what a blast!

BORED? waiting for warmer weather to wear garb or buy those boots?

The Fourth annual Re-enactors fest is coming soon to Chicago. This isnt specifically for fantasy enthusiasts, but more for those who appreciate authentic reproductions and lessons. It spans ages from Roman Legions to WWII but all are invited to come. Second weekend in Feb, at the Sheraton in Chicago. BRF goers will be there! (they request no fantasy apparel since that is available at other conventions.)

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http://www.reenactorfest.com/

February 8 - 10th, 2008
at the Sheraton Chicago Northwest in Arlington Heights, IL

Reenactor Fest will be at it's traditional location at the beautiful Sheraton Chicago Northwest next Febraury!
Everything you love about Reenactor Fest will be there again... and more! The vendor halls, seminars, live music and demonstrations, the Grand Ball, nightly parties, and the electricity in the air that only happens when you bring so many great reenactors together in one spot!

Reenactor Fest is open to the public, and has stuff for all ages to see and do. Kids 10 and under get in free!

Adult Admission AT THE DOOR is only:
$15 for one day
$20 for two days
$25 for all three days