Holly Hobble does Pennsic
Prior to leaving for Pennsic I was having what I think might be a torn ligament problems in my right foot. This caused me to walk differently and resulted in a LARGE blister on my heel that I, in all my wisdom, though would be OK to drain before leaving for Pennsic. This resulted in a bigger problem as I could no longer walk on that foot. I went down to Pennsic Chirurgeons the first full morning after setup. They told me to keep the foot dry (which again considering it rain most of the week, or you were sweating to death, was quite difficult) and to stay off that foot and keep it clean . . . Can you say "major muddy paths"?!
(Thus, I apologize to those encampments I promised to visit and wasn't able to do so. I really wanted to see Captain Duncan's, duncan_mcguyver, Pirate Ship and the Juryrig crew, but atlas it wasn't meant to be. I will just have to catch up with you at MDRF.)
The next morning I went back down to the Chirurgeon realizing I could not get by hopping or hobbling my way around Pennsic all week. I asked if I could get a set of crutches from them so I could get around on my own. Because of arrangements made with EMS they were no longer able to provide crutches, or for that matter much of any health care services including antibacterial ointment "Neosporin". So they looked at my "wound" again and then gave me a ride back to my tent.
Slightly discouraged but still determined to see as much of my first Pennsic as possible, I attend the Royal Court that evening with some of my camp mates. One of the Barons, (I apologize because I don't know his name) Master Chirhart, went up to receive an award and he was using crutches. As we were milling about afterwards, I started a conversation with him. He told me had a box/something heavy fall on his foot, as he was setting up camp. I joked with him saying that he must have brought his crutches from outside our little encampment, as I knew there was no way of getting them from the on-site first aid stations at Pennsic.
I then relayed my experience and he told me on-the-spot to take his crutches! Ok, this offer was so much more advanced chilvarly, kindness and gallant then I had ever experienced before. I told him that, "No, I cannot take your crutches. You need them." He told me that one of his subjects had gone off-site to get them for him, and they would get him another pair. He went on further to say that he had died three times last year due to heart problems and was brought back to life, and now he just wanted to help people and to make them happy. He rejected my offer to pay for them. His entourage helped him into his vehicle and then one of his attendants brought me back the crutches. I convinced him to take my money and to slip it to the Baron after they had departed. He said he would do so, and then they took their leave.
I must admit getting around Pennsic was much easier now that I had an additional two metal "legs" to lean on. It kind of made the thunder and lightning storms interesting as well. I camped with the Barony and I was later given, with much pomp and circumstance, my new camp name. Lady Brigid O'Hara asked me to bow my head as drew out a sword and she dubbed me Holly Hobble of Ponte Alto.
Besides my above listed Pennsic adventures, the new name may also be due to the fact that I told the encampment that I thought the name of my favorite childhood doll was "Holly Hobble" and didn't find out until years later that her given name was "Holly Hobbie". Way too many things are uttered sitting around a bonfire with a mug of ale in your hand . . .