Banana and apple to honor Alex the African Grey: "Banapple." It would be pinky-yellow, have a thick but edible skin, no seeds and a woody stem. It would be shaped like a yellow crookneck squash and be delicious, very nutritious and hypo allergenic so anyone of any species could eat it.

It took me a long time to come to terms with my periods. ( TMI? )

Another couple of pictures of the headstock of my new gurdy:







photos: dadgaderie.

This won't mean much to many of you but it is HUGE for me. A little backstory:

Nearly eleven years ago my beloved aunt Betsy died and, to my great surprise, left me a little money. I was holding the check in bemusement and wondering what to do with it when dadgaderie said, "That's your new hurdy gurdy."

He got it in one. So, I talked with some friends of mine out here in the Pacific Northwest who build gurdies (http://www.hurdygurdy.com/) and we settled on a particular model and number of strings, type of finish, etc., and I put a small down payment on it because they had quite a waiting list at the time- a year and a half or so. Well, obviously things got out of hand with the learning curve and with new and exciting things like experimental bracing and electronic additions and body styles and and and...

While I waited I got really familiar with my sweet Volksgurdy, did a lot of touring, guested on some albums, said, "It's a hurdy gurdy" so many times that if I had a penny for every repetition I could not only retire I could take some friend with me, and, in the process of all I've just written, sold at least twelve gurdies for my friends to fans and random passers' by.

So they Owe Me. Which my friends are well aware of. They have made a few experimental models which I've gotten to play and all I can say is, WOW. The BEST. HURDY. GURDY. SOUND. EVER. I mean, so good I've dreamed about playing them afterwards, multiple times. So good that those of you who do know my playing will not miss the old gurdy, as lovely as it is, one bit. (No, it's not for sale, but thanks for asking.)

Anyway, the finished product is NOT assembled... BUT many component parts have been figured out (the electronics in particular were a bitch) and it's definitely on the way. One of the prettiest components is the headstock. It was carved by a wonderful artist in New Mexico named Juan Wjinegaard and here it is:




photo: dadgaderie

Waking up next to dadgaderie every morning.

Music and where it's taken me in my life for the last 18+ years.

All my family and friends! And I do mean ALL! This includes the non-human ones, too.

All the problems I've ever had- I wouldn't be who or where I am today without them and I really, really like who and where I am so there you go.

Knowing you.

And, because I can't stop at five, here are some more things that make me happy:

The garden.

Bugs in the garden.

The duck that came into the kitchen the other day. We've named her Rosa Eileen because she's lame and walks with a limp. Would you like to see video of her? Just ask...

My chiropractors who do monthly free adjustments. I'm getting one today!

My hurdy gurdy which put up with 105 degree heat in Eastern Washington at the Merrie Greenwoode Faire last Sunday without pitching a hissy-fit until the last set when a storm front changed the humidity from practically nil to wet-wash-cloth.

My beautiful sandals which make me feel all girly in a good way. :)

Learning Reiki which makes everything better all day long and all night long, too.

Sunbathing in my $3 pirate queen bikini. I'm getting a tan again! YAY!

And that's all for now.

I once had a housemate experience which was less than salubrious but this one takes the proverbial cake. Read at your own risk:

http://community.livejournal.com/housematehorror/1451.html#cutid1

I don't have enough to do today.

My pirate name is Black Prudentilla Flint. I can't even say Prudentilla. What kind of a wussy pirate does that make me? Sad, isn't it. All those sea chanties under my belt, years of sailing experience (no, really) and I can't pronounce my own name. What a shame.

Here. Take the quiz yourself:

http://www.piratequiz.com/

Pretty new sandals and painted toenails:

I'm off to buy dinner. And nail polish. :)

Fascinating article in Scientific American magazine about sexual pleasure and the human brain:

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=the-orgasmic-mind

I don't know about you, but this explains a LOT to me!

Well, maybe you do. And big ones, too, but this story from Gimundo.com puts 'em in proportion:

http://www.hawkwalk.com/index.html

I subscribe to a number of alternative health newletters (oooh- quel surprise!) and this recipe was in the latest one. The author was calling it a "gateway drug" to raw foods. Personally, I like raw and cooked foods both. I'm not a fan of agave nectar, though- it gets wildly different ratings from various sources so I'd stick to something more well known like raw organic honey instead.

If you try this recipe, let me know how it turns out and if you liked it or not. I'm going to give it try when blueberries come in season.



Raw Blueberry Chocolate Pie - Filling from Shazzie and David Wolfe’s Naked Chocolate Book, Crust from Nomi Shannon’s The Raw Gourmet

Pie Crust:

1 1/4 Cup Organic Raw Almonds (Soaked)
6 Organic Dates
1 Tbsp Water
1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla
Dash of Cinnamon

Pie Filling:

2 Cups Organic Raw Cashews
2 Cups Fresh Organic Blueberries
2 Tablespoons Raw Agave Nectar
2 Tablespoons of Raw Cacao Powder

Instructions: Put all pie crust ingredients into a food processor or Vitamix and blend. Press into a pie dish and dehydrate for 4-6 hours. Put all pie filling ingredients into your Vitamix and blend. (Pretty simple right?) Put pie filling into pie crust once it’s dehydrated and put in the freezer for 1 hour. You can keep it in the freezer for a while, just make sure that if you don’t serve it within the hour, that you take it out and let it warm up for 30-45 minutes before serving!

A person who lives in a mid-sized camper van three quarters of the year (and sometimes longer) really should not have a shoe fetish. When it comes to the "useful" shoes I've managed to control myself for the most part- one pair of athletic shoes, one pair of plain black high tops, one pair of now almost antique Ariat's for horse riding, one pair of simple mid-heel sandals, you get the drift. But boots...

I thought I had the boots mostly, sort of, under control. Only about seven pairs of black boots of varying function, all of them suitable for gigs so that doesn't sound so bad, does it? Those are the boots which just barely fit in the little closet here at the houseboat. I believe there are a number of other pairs in storage but I haven't seen the inside of those boxes in, er... *pause to ask dadgaderie when we moved out of our house* ...five years now. (An aside- FIVE YEARS??? HOW THE HECK DID THAT HAPPEN?!?!??? My gods...)

Okay, I knew I had a problem but today it's become abundantly clear that I need to Deal with my Fetish.

I went out today for some Retail Therapy at Ballard Goodwill. It being spring and closets being cleared out there were plenty of cast off boots to peruse, none of which moved my needle or were near enough to my size to allow speculation except for one pair of what are sometimes called "booties," meaning ankle-height boots. I don't have any booties in my collection- not counting the Ariat's which used to be presentable for gigs but are now only fit for riding in- so I eyed them with interest.

Now I have some Rules when it comes to my shoe and boot buying. They can't be expensive (no $100 footwear on a folkie's income- the van's "feet" come first and those tires are going to cost a bundle when it's time to replace them), they must be in very good condition (especially the heels), they should be a useful color (that is to say black) but most of all, they must be comfortable and they must be leather.

These little booties weren't expensive at $7.00 and they were virtually unworn, so that was okay, and they were a lovely glossy black, so that was okay (no glossy boots in my collection) but they were a half size too small and worst of all, they were NOT LEATHER.

I don't know why I have a Problem with plastic or faux leather shoes but I just do. Somehow it seems Wrong, beyond the heat and sweat issues, a lie that just shouldn't be told. Weird but there it is.

I walked around the store in these little booties dithering over them for almost an hour. They were tight but bearable and that was with fairly thick socks on. I looked at them in a mirror and thought, golly, those are cute with these old jeans- too bad they're too small. I walked around in them thinking, well they may be small but boy they sure are solid to walk in even with that high heel. I tried on some blouses and looked at them in the mirror- yep, still cute, still solid to stand in...

I dithered some more and then of course I bought them thinking, I can always return them if I hate them later. I went home, googled the name on the insole and found basically the same bootie for about $100 new.

Then I put them on with thin socks and wore them pretty much all evening and though I wouldn't want to run away from rabid dogs or muggers in them I probably could bruise someone substantially with the heel and not lose my balance so of course I'm keeping them. Okay, I would have kept them even without the self-defense aspect- they're darn cute, a great deal and will look fabulous with my leather trousers and they certainly dress up these old jeans. Luckily, since they're so small, they'll fit okay in the closet but I don't think I can buy any more shoes at all unless I actually can bear to part with a pair to make room.

It would be amusing to me if my Shoe Fetish turned out to be the motivating factor in us getting a non-mobile home again.

It's an absolutely gorgeous sunny spring day here in Seattle. There are birds singing their heads off in the trees, a few little fluffy white clouds overhead just to set the swallows off the better as they jet back and forth eating bugs. Bless their little hearts. Everything is green and growing, there are flowers everywhere. Dadgaderie and I walked a fair way today and at least five miles yesterday with my mother so my feet are really tired and I have somewhat sore legs, too. We got back hot and thirsty and couldn't wait to remove some excess clothes and open up the houseboat to the air and sun. Mona the Siamese cat went hurtling at full speed outside (which is to say, hobbling quickly- she's at least 19) and flomped in the sun as soon as the door was opened. I thought, now that's a good idea. I changed out of jeans and turtleneck into a new-to-me tie-dye dress and after a snack went outside, laid out on the deck of my Mom's houseboat and sunbathed for the first time in years.

It felt so good, even better than I remember from my childhood when sunbathing was a regular and important part of my day whenever the weather cooperated. I plan on making a regular date with the sun this spring and summer, and even into the fall if the weather holds out. This means shopping for a bathing suit... which is kind of a horror to undergo but with the lure of the sun I will just bundle up my whiskers and do it so I can indulge myself properly. I love this tie-dye dress (thank you, Sue!!!) but for maximum (legal) exposure I need a suit.

to watch out for:

http://v.mercola.com/blogs/public_blog/Did-You-Know-Elephants-Can-Actually-Paint-Pictures--59596.aspx

of a migraine and other oddities:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/08/health/08brai.html?em&ex=1207886400&en=ea896328b745feea&ei=5087%0A

This article about Hilary Clinton was in Mother Jones last fall. You may have seen it but I missed it entirely. I found it enlightening and disturbing.

http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2007/09/hillarys-prayer.html

My Darling-

As our home unfolds I am filled with an ever increasing joy. Thank you for your willingness to move into new realms. I love you dearly.

Jack.

I mean Le Trombone, aka "The Most Evil Man In The Universe." He posted to LJ a couple-three days ago about a favorite web-comic back in production and I, foolish person that I am, went to take a look. I'm now up to episode 524. I also laughed so hard today that I just about fell out of my chair. And I'm not sure I can explain why, either, though it involved a cat named Cujo, his clueless "owner" and the plot to extract cat scent from Cujo's... No, that's quite enough of that for this family audience. Here's a good episode, though, if you're into chocolate, science and the female mind:

http://www.galactanet.com/comic/view.php?strip=524

Dang you, Le Trombone! You are an EVIL MAN!!!

How odd. Three LJ friends have just posted about finishing writing projects, all different but all coming together today. How very odd. Good, tho'...