So much has happened since October 2009. I have thrown myself in feet first to Civil War reenacting. For those of you who do not know, we Bowman kids were raised with a love and respect for history especially for the American Civil War. It was just something we grew up learning, talking, and singing about. I didn’t pay that much attention in history class in high school; I had other things on my mind. It was when my Dad retired from the Air Force the year I graduated from high school in Las Vegas and we moved to Kentucky (where he could legally practice Dentistry in the state that he was licensed) that my interest was peaked. I now know why he was SO excited to move back to Kentucky after 25+ years. It was then at the age 18 that I slowly found a more meaningful interest in our heritage. Living in Kentucky, history is so rich out there. It’s everywhere you turn. I fell head over hills in love with Kentucky. Not only is it absolutely beautiful but the Civil War history finally came alive for me. At that age, I was still so busy with school, boys, and figuring out what I wanted in life that I look back and have so many regrets. One being is that I wish I had taken advantage of learning and reenacting more with my Dad and brothers and enjoying those weekends with my Mom as she sat beside him on a modern lawn chair and supported him every time from the side lines. What I would do if I could turn back time. How many more memories I would have had being the only daughter still living at home till age 22. I am trying to make up for what I could have learned about the Civil War that as I am like a sponge these days soaking up everything I can get may hands on and read. I don’t think I have had as many phone conversations with my Dad since I have been married as I have had over the past five months. My sister Kristen says it perfectly, “Dad is like a walking encyclopedia”. So true! I’ll ask him one question and it ends up leading into me asking him ten other questions, and before you know it time has flown by and I know ten times more than what I knew before.
Eleven years later, married with three beautiful children I finally decide it’s time to give my kids what my parents have given me; educational, fun, and wholesome memories. I want to carry that on. It wasn’t a hobby my Dad got into after retirement. My Dad fell in love with Civil War reenacting when he was in high school at the age 16 when it was the 100th anniversary of the Civil War. It grew from there and was part of him before my Mom and Dad got married.
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It’s part of us Bowman kids too and a lot of my childhood memories and even up till I got married has to do with Civil War reenacting. What better time to start then when my children are little and so carefree. The few times that we have joined up with my Dad and brought my kids along and participated was a lot of fun! It’s hard to believe that taking them away from modern society for three days and going back in time could be fun, but they entertained themselves, ran their little hearts out, and relaxed in the evenings. To me that’s what spending time as a family should be about. No modern distractions, just having fun and being together. Mark and I do a lot of fun things with the kids like camping and hiking, but Civil War reenacting brings an educational and historical side to it. If I can get them to love, respect, and find an interest in our American heritage, than I believe down the road I will have succeeded as a parent in that one area.
For the past three years I have been meaning to find an Civil War Regiment to join up here in Utah, but never put forth the effort in doing so. Once I started doing more events with my Dad and kids down in Arizona, my Dad suggested that I really look into joining a group up here because I would be able to do more with it being so close by, but still being able to attend the events down in Arizona with my Dad when I wanted. Last October I decided to fly down to AZ by myself and do the “American Heritage Festival” and fall in with Dad’s regiment down there. I usually travel down there with all three kids, but this time I decided to go alone and have some one on one time with Dad and my Mom. It ended up being the high light of 2009 for me! I portray Dad’s field nurse (he is the medical field surgeon) and I wanted to come prepared fashion wise with a period correct nurse dress and etc... I ordered a few things and my interest in Civil War has taken off from there ever since. My dear friend Miss Rachel (down the street) helped me alter a dress one evening and after that she became hooked too. Before I left for my AZ trip, we both signed up with the “Utah Civil War Association”. Yes, Utah has a Civil War group and believe it or not a few Civil war battles were fought out here. It has made it so much more exciting and fun to have someone close by who shares the same interest and excitement as I do. I think we actually feed off of each other. She sews…I did not…now I do! Through her teaching me how to sew and walking me through almost every step, I have learned not only to sew but save so much money in doing so. On another future post, I will post about my sewing projects which will most likely be boredom to many, but it has become a hobby of mine now.
In closing this post, I have to say that a new permanent chapter in my life has begun. Mark and I are done having babies and the children have become easier (at this moment). Life is wonderful! This new adventure in Civil War reenacting has just begun. I know for a fact that this is not a temporary hobby of mine now, it’s is going to become a life long interest that my family and I can do together for years to come. As I look ahead in the future I see my sons growing up as teenagers reenacting the Civil War fighting side by side. I see Miss Lydia making her own hoop skirts beside me in the shade under our tent awning while playing the civil war songs in the evening on her guitar around the camp fire and me on the hammer dulcimer with all of my children singing together. And we can’t forget about Mr. Mark Jones. I pray that he will continue to have patience with me as I get organized. He has been such a rock from the very beginning; supporting me and coming to the events, parades, and dances. I don’t think he is quite sure what to think of all this, but one thing is for sure, he loves history too. Its helps to have a supportive spouse to share all this with. I can’t wait till we go full throttle this year and attend as many events as we possibly can, together as a family. I sincerely have found a true love for the Civil war and our American heritage, especially during the middle to late 1800’s. Thankfully I LOVE the fashion that they wore. NOT pioneer keep in mind, it’s Victorian with hoop skirts, petticoats, chemise underpinnings, pantaloons, and corsets ). I have started a collecting many treasures and can’t go in enough antique stores and thrift stores. I already have a broach collection (up to 12 I think with the help of my Dad) and I get giddy when I think about the next time I can get all dressed up, go back in time, and reenact, especially with my family and my Dad.
Why? Why did it take me so long to finally join and get blissfully lost in this exciting life long adventure? All I can say, is at least I am doing it now…..
Eleven years later, married with three beautiful children I finally decide it’s time to give my kids what my parents have given me; educational, fun, and wholesome memories. I want to carry that on. It wasn’t a hobby my Dad got into after retirement. My Dad fell in love with Civil War reenacting when he was in high school at the age 16 when it was the 100th anniversary of the Civil War. It grew from there and was part of him before my Mom and Dad got married.
+of+scan0245.jpg)
It’s part of us Bowman kids too and a lot of my childhood memories and even up till I got married has to do with Civil War reenacting. What better time to start then when my children are little and so carefree. The few times that we have joined up with my Dad and brought my kids along and participated was a lot of fun! It’s hard to believe that taking them away from modern society for three days and going back in time could be fun, but they entertained themselves, ran their little hearts out, and relaxed in the evenings. To me that’s what spending time as a family should be about. No modern distractions, just having fun and being together. Mark and I do a lot of fun things with the kids like camping and hiking, but Civil War reenacting brings an educational and historical side to it. If I can get them to love, respect, and find an interest in our American heritage, than I believe down the road I will have succeeded as a parent in that one area.For the past three years I have been meaning to find an Civil War Regiment to join up here in Utah, but never put forth the effort in doing so. Once I started doing more events with my Dad and kids down in Arizona, my Dad suggested that I really look into joining a group up here because I would be able to do more with it being so close by, but still being able to attend the events down in Arizona with my Dad when I wanted. Last October I decided to fly down to AZ by myself and do the “American Heritage Festival” and fall in with Dad’s regiment down there. I usually travel down there with all three kids, but this time I decided to go alone and have some one on one time with Dad and my Mom. It ended up being the high light of 2009 for me! I portray Dad’s field nurse (he is the medical field surgeon) and I wanted to come prepared fashion wise with a period correct nurse dress and etc... I ordered a few things and my interest in Civil War has taken off from there ever since. My dear friend Miss Rachel (down the street) helped me alter a dress one evening and after that she became hooked too. Before I left for my AZ trip, we both signed up with the “Utah Civil War Association”. Yes, Utah has a Civil War group and believe it or not a few Civil war battles were fought out here. It has made it so much more exciting and fun to have someone close by who shares the same interest and excitement as I do. I think we actually feed off of each other. She sews…I did not…now I do! Through her teaching me how to sew and walking me through almost every step, I have learned not only to sew but save so much money in doing so. On another future post, I will post about my sewing projects which will most likely be boredom to many, but it has become a hobby of mine now.
In closing this post, I have to say that a new permanent chapter in my life has begun. Mark and I are done having babies and the children have become easier (at this moment). Life is wonderful! This new adventure in Civil War reenacting has just begun. I know for a fact that this is not a temporary hobby of mine now, it’s is going to become a life long interest that my family and I can do together for years to come. As I look ahead in the future I see my sons growing up as teenagers reenacting the Civil War fighting side by side. I see Miss Lydia making her own hoop skirts beside me in the shade under our tent awning while playing the civil war songs in the evening on her guitar around the camp fire and me on the hammer dulcimer with all of my children singing together. And we can’t forget about Mr. Mark Jones. I pray that he will continue to have patience with me as I get organized. He has been such a rock from the very beginning; supporting me and coming to the events, parades, and dances. I don’t think he is quite sure what to think of all this, but one thing is for sure, he loves history too. Its helps to have a supportive spouse to share all this with. I can’t wait till we go full throttle this year and attend as many events as we possibly can, together as a family. I sincerely have found a true love for the Civil war and our American heritage, especially during the middle to late 1800’s. Thankfully I LOVE the fashion that they wore. NOT pioneer keep in mind, it’s Victorian with hoop skirts, petticoats, chemise underpinnings, pantaloons, and corsets ). I have started a collecting many treasures and can’t go in enough antique stores and thrift stores. I already have a broach collection (up to 12 I think with the help of my Dad) and I get giddy when I think about the next time I can get all dressed up, go back in time, and reenact, especially with my family and my Dad.
Why? Why did it take me so long to finally join and get blissfully lost in this exciting life long adventure? All I can say, is at least I am doing it now…..
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