At the 2010, Grandfather Mountain Games I met Ryan Ross and his friend Abigail. We discussed a custom bonnet that compliments specifically my Newsome box pleat in the XMarks the Scot tartan. (I was not a moderator at this time.) With some gentle guidance from Abigail we settled on a design and I got in the queue to have it made.

During the wait I became a moderator and Steve sent me the copper burnished moderator XMarks clan crest badge. I had Steve add one of his silk dandelions. Later Steve would send Ryan a remnant of the XMarks tartan to make the cockade. In celebration of my 4th anniversary at XMarks the bonnet arrived.













Needless to say, I am tickled to death with Ryan’s bonnet. He is such a talented man and a treat to work with. Ryan added a number of improvisions to his normal design on this bonnet. I really appreciate his effort to individualize mine.


So now for the ‘pose’. Steve is always after us to show our kinder side as we go about our work as moderators.




Sometimes we get have to get a sterner due to some of the antics you guys perform.




And some of you, just get a little too carried away………………..