Boot Time

You know how back in olden times people didn't have TV or movies or the internet or basically any entertainment beyond knitting and using a stick to roll a hoop around?

These poor children never lived to see Bachelor in Paradise

And you think how on earth did they spend their time? What did they do with all of those empty, Netflix-less hours?

Well friends, I have discovered the answer. 

They spent those extra hours lacing up their shoes. 

Even this illustrator got exhausted and just did the laces halfway

Ok, so this may not be the most accurate depiction of history, but I spent some time unlacing and re-lacing some historic boots this week and it took forever. 

I'm at the tail end of the shoe project, and there are just a few things left to do. One of those things is putting proper stuffing in the shoes that are fragile or difficult. There are several pairs of tall lace-up or button-up boots that I've elected to do myself because they take patience and care--and for some reason I was under the illusion that those were qualities I possessed. 

It was just one shoe! How did the time just melt away?!?!

This was a pair where both of the shoes used to be laced like the one on the right. I had thought that maybe the laces were broken or the holes were ripped so they couldn't be laced properly, but after taking a careful look I realized that someone started and was then like I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS and just wrapped the rest around in a big knot.  It is a beautiful thing when you connect with someone from the past and feel like you share a moment with them. I feel you, person who gave up on properly lacing these shoes. I share your pain, I will continue your work. We are one. 

In All The Choirs

Remember a few weeks ago when I was experiencing a choir-based emotional meltdown?

Right. So after that there were auditions for other choirs at church and I wasn't too optimistic. You see, I'm a soprano, and in the choral world we're kind of a dime a dozen. Auditioning as a soprano often includes a bit of reality check.

So I was emotional because the choir I loved was ending, and because there seemed to be a real possibility that I wouldn't find a new choir home. During the audition the director asked about my experience in the Northwest Girlchoir and I got choked up.

Other NWGC alums KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT

I was in a fragile state. And in the emotional fog, I somehow got talked into being in TWO choirs.

Which more than doubles the weekly time commitment that my old low-key choir required. Last week I had two different two-hour rehearsals on weekday evenings, and then sang for two services on Sunday.

But so far I've really been enjoying it. It is a lot of choir, but I don't really have a lot of non-work hobbies. I love my job, and so most of my outside interests also relate to clothing and fashion and history. If you take that away, my only other activities are watching things on Netflix and having drinks with friends. Two awesome hobbies to be sure, but if other people can find time to do things like train for marathons or raise children, I can probably squeeze in a rehearsal or two between episodes of Miss Fisher.