Betty’s Neighborhood

What one thing, without fail, puts you in a bad mood?

stupid drivers

Did you dress up today?  See any good costumes?

I wore devil horn clips in my hair. Saw Raggedy Ann and Andy driving around at lunchtime. And now, there are all the trick or treaters coming along. Oh, my boss/dean had a witches hat, but had it laying on the table in front of her at this morning's meeting. I think one of my colleagues dressed up as Elvira, but I never saw her, so who knows?

All hallows eve. Me. in an elevator, displaying the devil horns I sported all day long at work. Another woman in my department wore a similair pair. We were twins, so to speak. Neither of us had tails. I told her I knew of tails not for public wearing, but we shouldn't go there. I bought wigs to do Bettie Page or oh, that deliciously 'Froed character Beyonce played in the Mike Meyers film, but time got away from me and I didn't pull together a costume in time for handing out candy. So far I've had almost ten trick or treaters and NO pirates, which surprises me to death.

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What's the weirdest thing you've ever eaten? 
Submitted by Megan.

Oh intestines, I'm sure. I used to get the tripe tacos con cebollo y cilantro at my local tacqueria. And I loved them. For a while I thought it was fish. Sure, the texture is squid-like in consistency. But I still ate them after learning their true identity. That is, until I had menudo. No, not those sweet teenybopper boys from Mexico. They're in fact named after  a soup of cow intestines.

Whew. I'm up for anything and I tried menudo. Ian said it smelt like a slaughterhouse. Other than being completely flavorless, the odor really turned me off. No more menudo.

Then the next time I ordered the tripe tacos, I took a bite and spit it out. I dunno. Some kind of weird reflex. Haven't had one since. I stick to the cecina tacos now.

I ate a lot of paste and glue when I was a kid, so maybe that's like eating horse? I'll try anything, except for brains or head cheese or pickled things. I say that, but I could possible try a nibble. I love new tastes, new experiences, so I don't usually swear off anything.

Then when I was little one of my favorite things to eat was raw macaroni enfolded in a slize of american cheese. yeah, weird. What else? Oh, slices of butter straight off the mold. And this one is really gross. I used to mastigate potato chips, save them in the side of my mouth and then use that as a topping for one chip. There are probably several other odd techniques or practices that I've since forgotten, for good reason.

If you are going to dress up for Halloween, what will you be? Why? 
Submitted by Auweea.

I'm rather thinking Darth Vader. You see, my parents already have that costume and I could borrow it and not have to buy anything. Trouble is, I fear it would scare my trick-or-treaters too much if I wear it while distributing candy. Other than that... Who wouldn't want to be a pirate? Or, I could pull out my conservative black suit, wear my glasses, sensible shoes, and just be the Librarian I already am. Then too, we probably have the makings of a locomotive engineer's costume at home as well. Simple, really. Decisions, decisions!

What was your very first job? 
Submitted by Laurel.

I was an historical interpreter at Rocky Mount in Sullivan County, Tennessee. They interpret a year or two in the 1790s when RM was the U.S. Territorial Capital and Gov. William Blount was in residence living with the Cobb family. I dressed in clothing of that era and when folks came to tour the house and grounds, I usually showed them the kitchen, herb garden, smoke house, and "weaving cabin," which was p.c. for slave cabin.

At that time, it was one of the few historic sites doing first-person interpretation. Many historic sites do third-person interpretation, where the guide is dressed in clothing of the era, but retains her/his personality and speaks about the home and grounds from the present; like Old Salem. First-person meant that I was "in character" or acted like I lived in 1791. That was a bit difficult. I didn't have the speech patterns down.

And crazy introverted me! Even applying for the job was a lark. I saw an ad in the newspaper and sent in my very limited resume quite without knowing what the job entailed. One of my references was my high school history teacher. It just so happened that she was on the musuem's board at the time. Still after an interview and tour I still did not get that I'd be talking to strangers about this home. It wasn't until the first day on the job that I realized what was expected of me.

The first few weekends--I worked Saturdays and Sundays on alternate weekends--I followed around another interpreter and learned her speil. Then eventually took it from there, embellishing details here and there. Of course, there were times when one had to be careful what one said, like when the Andrew Jackson scholar was on tour. No mention of his liquor stash in the huntboard. Andy was Mrs. Cobb's cousin or relative of some sort. Other than the speaking-to- strangers/public speaking bit the job was awesome. I learned so many skills: Fireplace cooking, picking & carding wool, tape weaving, rudiments of spinning flax, uses of herbs and plants, natural dyeing, etc. I didn't appreciate all those things then, but now I do, and wish I'd taken advantage of all the opportunites to learn more about natural dyeing and spinning.

There was a good sized library on site and we were expected to research our characters and clothing and circumstances. I was an indentured servant called Rebecca. Not much of a stretch. I loved not wearing shoes in the summer. No makeup, or minimal makeup. My foundation garments, well... I wore a bra because I'm not one of those women who could ever go without, and I never got appropriate foundation garments.

That was in 1989. I worked there a few years until I needed a job that offered more hours, more money. But then, in 1998, when I was inbetween library jobs I worked for them again. This time I was another character, a fine lady from Baltimore, Catholic, even. But that was kept queit and mostly for my own character development. The frontier was not Cathlic-friendly in those days. My clothes were much nicer this time around. And since I worked there everyday I was invovled with their education programs. That meant that when schools groups came to spend the day with us, I taught a craft in the morning and showed them around the house in the afternoon. There were several "stations," both craft and home. I taught quilting, candlemaking, fireplace cooking, and colonial games. In the last one we made bean bags and they did a bean bag toss. But there were other games, to play and learn as well.

Now I reflect on that job and think about what a great opportunity it was. "Work" was fun, challenging, and I learned so much every day. Of course, the pay was minimal; minimum wage. The one benefit was a card that gained me free entrance to any of the Southern Highlands Attractions (but their site isn't working).

What's the best way to spend a rainy day?
Submitted by Vee.

I spent mine walking around DC. Sometimes with an umbrella, sometimes without one. But, it was lovely nonetheless. Most normal rainy days I spent inside my home knitting or reading. That's what rainy days are best for. Maybe with a spot of hot tea.

What gameshow or reality show would you kick butt on?

That $10,000 Pyramid show from the seventies and eighties. Or maybe Jeopardy. My brain is filled with trivia. I like to think I'd kick butt on Project Runway or that Chef show on Bravo where they talk about fresh meat but actually compete in cook offs and such. Why can't I think of it's name?

Oh, I want there to be a knitting reality show. I could be the one to pick all the yarn. I'm good at that. But finishing things? Sometimes my attention wanders...

What's the most memorable building you've lived in?
Submitted by Shelly.

Once again, I am boring. I haven't lived in any memorable buildings. Okay, there was this one house in Alaska. When I flushed the toilet I could see the ground outside because there was a gap in the floor. Otherwise, none of the buildings or homes or apartments I've dwelled within were remarkable in any way.

Let's make a list.  What are 20 things in your life that you're grateful for? 
Inspired by wyndslash.vox.com.

Twenty things:

1. A job that pays well for this region in which i have great autonomy over my work flow;
2. A wonderful husband who is also my best friend in the world;
   
3. My relationship with my mother is fabulous;
4. My health is pretty good;
5. Having and maintaining all my natural teeth;
6. Two very sweet dogs who are always excited to see me;
7. Living in a lovely area of the country where the temperature is moderate at most times;
   
8. Traffic here isn't as bad as it is elsewhere, but it pretty bad for here;
9. Friends and acquaintances that I can count on;
10. I can read;
11. I can write;
12. I can vote;
13. I don't wear a veil in public or private;
14. Being/Having tenure;
15. Having shoes on my feet, clothes on my back;
16. Never gone hungry;
17. A very nice home that is partially paid for;
18. Having traveled outside the united states;
19. Internet access at home and at work;
20. The opportunities I've had despite being born a white working-class woman in Appalachia.