Thursday, April 7, 2011

Time to cut the wick

To be honest, I didn't want to get out of my warm bed early this morning and put on four layers of antique garb, trudge up a muddy path, hold my breath past the pigpen, and cut the wick, stir the wax, and play at being a chandler for 96 fourth graders.

Today was my first day back to work after winter hibernation, and I always grumble while searching for my buckle shoes in the dark. But once I get there...

...I remember why I love this job and the children with their questions. Like today - "Are you comfortable wearing that junk, lady?"

I love the tools of my trade - today, a candlemaker

and the smell of wood smoke

and still rooms

and the company of other history geeks

Every year I say "This year - I'm quitting. I'm too old for this." And when the day is over, I say, "Well, maybe next year".

Thanks everybody for your kind words and prayers. I'm feeling much better.

32 comments:

Hana - Marmota said...

I wish you a good Living History season!

Nancy said...

You are one of my favorite history geeks, art girl! Feel better.

Julie D said...

I love your junk! It's beautiful! Also, I can't imagine anyone better suited to being a chandler for 96 fourth graders. I bet they love you.

amy said...

oh how i wish i could take my kids there to see you!!!! they would love it... and i would love it.

Chelsey said...

I'm so glad that you're getting back in the swing of things! Those kids must love the experience!

Emily Young said...

Those 96 fourth graders are lucky!

I really love that last photo. It looks like a movie still.

Unknown said...

love love love.
I remember my gr4 trip to Black Creek Pioneer Village outside of Toronto..

You are a wonder , you are.

Rae said...

You have a really neat job!! If ever I'm there...
have a good evening dearest.

Amy Smith said...

Fabulous post.
Shows a little bit of your heart.
Loved this.
xo

Cheryl said...

I love seeing peeks of your work day, if that is not too weird! I love that era. I'm sure the children were glad you made it out of bed!

Leslie said...

and so it begins again... i so love these photos, and the news that you are feeling better.

Joy Lake said...

Great post! I love the photos especially the last two; they are soooo Villege-esq.

Jodi said...

Yeah, and I'm wearing the bad color...heeheee

IslandHome said...

Jodi you rock your junk! That comment made me laugh out loud :-) I love seeing your photos and posts of your work and wish I could have your kind of job. Have a great season! Julia

Amy said...

Love history geeks! We have a similar place nearby. . . and now I'm in the mood to go again. Giggled at the thought of asking one of the people in period costume if they're comfortable wearing that junk?! :)

angelina said...

blesss you jodi, everything you stand for is peaceful and timeless and beautiful. xoxoxo

Jennifer said...

Hilarious! Glad you are feeling better, Jodi. I am sure the kids loved the experience.

Cindy said...

Loved this post! (Coming in from Studio JRU)...I have already had fun browsing around...I think I will have to visit often...we might be kindred souls...my little girl just took up spinning at the end of 2010. We have a living history farm approximately 2 hours from where we live that we get inspired by!

Blessings!

Deidra said...

"Are you comfortable wearing that junk...?" That's too funny!

I loved this post - didn't know this about you. I've been that fourth grader, and the mother of the fourth graders who wanted to ask similar questions. :)

Unknown said...

Squee! I love your job! I love your little buckled shoes!

Jen said...

I'm sure the kids love it! We are always taking our brood to see living history farms and enjoy seeing actors dressed up in period clothing and working using the tools. There's nothing like seeing it in front of you to make history come alive. It looks like such a fun thing to do!

Jennifer {Studio JRU} said...

That is so neat... and so interesting! Especially for a history geek like me. :) What a wonderful way to teach. What a wonderful way to learn. I am so glad you joined us on (in)courage to share your heart!

Laura said...

You are my hero. This past week, my 14 year old forgot his lunch. It just so happened that this coincided with the Civil War Days field trip. I made a little trip over to our city park with the brown bag. Unfortunately, I got trapped in a diatribe by Abe Lincoln, which I found fascinating, but, when my son saw me waiting for him with lunch in hand, he said, sweet as pie, "go away, mom". Can you believe it? Me--sacrificing an hour of my day to listen to Abe and Mary Lincoln talk about slavery and the war and their convictions, just to deliver a pepperoni roll and a couple of oreos...only to be shunned? Friend, you are a saint. I do believe the kids love this stuff--except when mother shows up with lunch. It is truly art, and I was mesmerized.

Playdates is every Monday--late morning. I do hope you will join us some day, but, no pressure. It's all about the joy, and inviting Him into it.

Many blessings to you, dear one.

Joan said...

Your photos are like paintings/old prints, Jodi! They capture the stillness of the setting completely.
Which reminds me to thank you for your quiet moments post a couple of days ago.
Loved the contrast between music and quiet.
Between the gifts of your dearie musicians and the quiet gifts of your visual beauty, which in a way, came off as a form of music, as opposed to visual noise. Thank you for the treats!
(I know it's not this post, but I'm too lazy to switch to it. My computer might implode.)

Michelle DeRusha said...

This is your job???? Jodi, this is the coolest! Do you work at a living history museum??? How did I not know this?!

Emily Young said...

That last photo DOES look like something from the Village! :)

Joan said...

testing

Unknown said...

What a fabulous job you have! Incredibly interesting, I must say. Enjoyed visiting you :)

Jodi said...

Michelle, yes this is my job!!!! I work in a colonial living history museum.

mountain mama said...

i love this!!!
we love to take the kids to hands on learning lesson of times past.

i will have to remember "rats on rats" that a good one! :)

so nice to meet you! God bless~

Cara Sexton said...

I don't know where you work but your pictures were so beautiful and I find the whole concept of getting to dress up and play chandler so appealing that, should you ever decide to go through with quitting, I'll volunteer to move to wherever you are and fill in for you. ;) Love it. (The photos remind me of Plimoth Plantation in Boston, one of my favorite places on Earth). Anyway, I'm rambling. Enjoyed the glimpse into your work! :)

Jodi said...

Cara, when you're ready to move, let me know. They always need good help. Since there's no mad rush of people willing to play indentured servants for about the same amount of pay :)

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails