We held Samhain at John the Ferrier’s this year, which was a big shift from the old 4-H site.  It felt much more intimate and familial than usual.  We camped in the back meadow, which is where we’re building the long hall.  Without the cabins, and with the cold weather, we really did spend most of our time together in one group.  The fires were bigger, the meals were simpler, and I think there was more singing and general "woooohooooo this is fun, let’s  stay up all night"  and less  "oh crap, this is stressful and over-scheduled" than we’ve had in a few Samhains. 

I mentioned cold.  Samhain was cold.  Cuuuuu-holllllddddddd.  I had to skip Friday night, because I was, well, my joints are made of glass, and common sense and my husband and pets ganged up on me.  Friday night was in the teens, which simply does not happen the first weekend in November in Virginia, by the way.  It’s just not done.  Foul play.  I headed down first thing Saturday morning, and was so happy to find everyone hanging out in the (roofless, wall-less) long hall around the fire, as opposed to just shivering or something.

I think Samhain was a true freeze-out, which we haven’t had in ages.  You can tell it’s a freeze out by what it does to attendance: lots of localish regulars bail, but the folks from far away cold places, like Michigan, come and remind all of the Appalachians that it’s not really cold at all.  And things like hot spiced cider and homemade chicken soup become far more prized than beer.  Discussion of layers also marks a freeze-out.  I know I looked like a paper doll, because I was wearing so much that my skirts were truly triangular and my arms were incapable of hanging straight down.   

I got a lot of requests for knitted items from folks.  It was pretty funny, the hinting.  "Boy, those are nice hobo gloves, Lanea.  I love those colors.  I sure like hobo gloves" and "Ooh, a silk-wool hat.  What a good idea.  I bet that’s nice for sleeping at winter camping events.  I love winter camping, but my head is just never warm enough when I go to sleep.  Imagine that."  Message received, everyone.  I’ll see what I can do between now and Imbolc.  Maybe I’ll even have folks come over and knit with me, if we can find a good time. 

I wasn’t taking a lot of pictures.  I got a few, which I’ll add when I find the camera. 

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