hippety hoppety!

Easter began early for me this year. As in, late last night, in the wee small hours, just past midnight. The peace guy had said earlier that he had gotten something for me for Easter, then added it was something for both of us - and I was totally, but pleasantly, surprised that he had done such a thing. Something for me for Easter?? Really???
As I've mentioned here, this particular holiday is not especially a favorite of mine. The death of my mother is heavier than usual on me when the Peeps are in bloom.
So, last night, after our return from a late movie, we're just sitting around the table, enjoying a little bowl of the lentil soup he'd made earlier. Yummy soup, too, with a bit of sausage and lots of carrots for splashes of color! He glances at his wristwatch (yes, Virginia, folks still wear those!) and says, "it's close enough to Easter." Then he rustles around in the 'fridge, checking to make sure the surprise had not broken, and... ta da! A golden bunny!
A golden-coated, dark chocolate, HOLLOW bunny!
Wow! I haven't had a hollow chocolate bunny in DECADES!
I don't believe I've EVER had a hollow DARK chocolate bunny!
Super deluxe COOL!
(big grin!)

bass

For such a tiny word, it packs a huge amount of meanings.
Consider this: how many of us have eaten seafood? Or riverfood or lakefood? I'm talking FISH. In this context, bass (pronounced /ˈbæs/) refers to a large meaty fish in the same family as the perch and the grouper. In other words, a fairly mild, yet juicy and flavorful, lean protein source, best when grilled or pan sauteed. Makes my mouth water just thinkin' 'bout it!
But for the past two days, I've been listening to two different types of bass. No, no, no, not those "singing" fish you mount on the wall.
No.
Yes, they are a fun gag gift for your favorite fisherman. But hang in there a moment, sweetpea.
I'm talking bass guitar and double bass. The former was featured in a band last night, a group from California called Sea Wolf. (Yeah, I can hear you: are they Jack London fans?? The answer: Yes, yes, the lead singer is!) The band was going to be in town as one of the offerings of the Savannah Music Festival. I had listened to a playlist of their songs a night or so ago and was captured by their use of water imagery in their lyrics. Very nice! Nice rhythmic music, too, if you catch my drift. Ah, yeah...
[Did you catch my little joke with water imagery?]
(smile)
Anywho, one of the bandmates in this pop-rock group was playing a lovely Rickenbacher bass guitar, a classic with musicians for several decades. Not only do the guitars emit a wonderful deep tone, they're pretty, too.
Well, they are!
That was last night. I deliberately chose a seat in the last two rows, at the end, so I could feel free to get up and dance if I wanted.
I never sat down.
Not once.
True story!
Today, at noon30 as the folks at SMF call it, I was treated to the sounds of a completely different instrument, the double bass. A mainstay in jazz groups and orchestras, the very large instrument tends to produce music that sometimes only dogs can hear.
Seriously, the tone is that low.
This time, the band was a jazz trio, plus one. The Aaron Diehl Trio was to play selections by the late John Lewis of the Modern Jazz Quartet, as well as other pieces. But, for this show, they would be a quartet, with vibraphonist Warren Wolf in their midst. Very nice addition! And an invigorating show, with Jason Marsalis sneaking in to replace the drummer for the final song. Sah-weet!
And so ends my little treatise on bass types.
Well, almost!
How could I possibly leave without referring to one of the greatest bass lines in vocal music?
I could not and shall not.
With no further ado, here's an energetic bunch of young men in a bass choir, treating us to "Blue Moon".
Enjoy - and y'all come back now, ya hear?

what's your name, little girl, what's your name?

The Psychiatrist & The Proctologist

Best friends graduated from medical school at the same time and decided that, in spite of two different specialties, they would open a practice together to share office space and personnel. Dr. Smith was the psychiatrist and Dr. Jones was the proctologist.

They put up a sign reading: "Dr. Smith and Dr. Jones: Hysterias and Posteriors".

The town council was livid and insisted they change it. So, the docs changed it to read: "Schizoids and Hemorrhoids".

This was also not acceptable, so they again changed the sign. "Catatonics and High Colonics" - No go.

Next, they tried "Manic Depressives and Anal Retentives" – thumbs down again.

Then came "Minds and Behinds" - still no good.

Another attempt resulted in "Lost Souls and Butt Holes" - unacceptable again!

So they tried "Analysis and Anal Cysts" - not a chance.

"Nuts and Butts" - no way.

"Freaks and Cheeks" - still no good.

"Loons and Moons" - forget it.

Almost at their wit's end, the docs finally came up with: "Dr. Smith and Dr. Jones - Specializing in Odds and Ends".

Everyone loved it!

love and golf

Ed and Linda met while on a singles cruise and Ed fell head over heels for her. When they discovered they lived in the same city only a few miles apart Ed was ecstatic. He immediately started asking her out when they got home.

Within a couple of weeks, Ed had taken Linda to dance clubs, restaurants, concerts, movies, and museums. Ed became convinced that Linda was indeed his soul mate and true love. Every date seemed better than the last.

On the one-month anniversary of their first dinner on the cruise ship, Ed took Linda to a fine restaurant. While having cocktails and waiting for their salad, Ed said, "I guess you can tell I'm very much in love with you. I'd like a little serious talk before our relationship continues to the next stage. So, before I get a box out of my jacket and ask you a life changing question, it's only fair to warn you, I'm a total golf nut. I play golf, I read about golf, I watch golf on TV. In short, I eat, sleep, and breathe golf. If that's going to be a problem for us, you'd better say so now!"

Linda took a deep breath and responded, "Ed, that certainly won't be a problem. I love you as you are and I love golf too; but, since we're being totally honest with each other, you need to know that for the last five years I've been a hooker."

Ed said, "I bet it's because you're not keeping your wrists straight when you hit the ball."

it's so tragic that i, in the prime of my life, cannot love someone living instead

Speaking of coincidences, here's another one.
Earlier this month (on the 9th), the peace Guy and I were both home on a Saturday afternoon, not doing anything in particular. I had popped my "Happy Songs" cd into the player and was listening to it while doing stuff on the computer.
Well, of course I'm singing along, since that is what I do.
At one point, the peace Guy comes into the room and says to me, "What on Earth are you listening to?"
You see, the line above had just been enthusiastically sung by me.
He apparently was not familiar with that Fossil tune. "Josephine Baker" is a quasi-mournful, cheeky song that always brings a smile to my face! Hence, it is one of my "Happy Songs"!
So, I explain that to him and he tells me about her - Josephine Baker - being featured in an animated French film.
Say what?!
Super cool!
He brings up the film segment featuring her and we both watch it together.
Super cool!
Then, four days ago, Cercle Francais is showing that film as their free monthly movie.
And I found out about it via an email.
And it was the first I had ever heard about them having free monthly movies, which they apparently do on a regular basis.
Like, monthly, during the school year.
And the movie was being shown on a Thursday, an open night for me.
You better believe I was there!
When the heavens throw a party for you, you have to go!

peanut butter & Elvis, too

So, here's a funny thing!

What? You talkin' to me?

Yep! Guess what I had the other day for lunch at the school? I'll even give you a hint: Elvis would have thought it was pretty dope!

What?! Okay, this is all because you went to that Georgia Elvis Festival, isn't it? So, now you think there is some special significance to this coincidence, right?
You know I'm right.

Hmphf. You know, just because you don't lend an event any importance doesn't mean the event was not significant.

Oh, c'mon, I'm just playing with you. What did you have for lunch?

Okay, but don't laugh... I had the Peanut Butter Elvis Melt!!!

Seriously? The school thought the kids would go for that?

I have no idea what the chef thought. Maybe, just maybe, he knew about the Elvis festival and wanted to pay it homage! Or maybe the stars aligned since I was going there for lunch and he was inspired to create this dish especially for me.

Seriously? I mean.. SERIOUSLY???

Yes. It could happen. Little miracles like that happen all the time to brighten life.

Oh, so now we've gone from "coincidence" to "miracle"? Really?

You know, you don't have to believe, but I choose to do so. When I walked in to The Galley and was looking around to see what was offered for lunch today, this entree brought a big smile to my face and my heart. THAT is what makes it important: it reminded me of happy times at Spring Break, happy times with Mama.

You're right, of course. Just because something is not relevant to one person does not mean that there isn't meaning in it for another. We each have our own version of the world, after all.
Okay, tell me about this food you're talking about.

Thank you, thankyouverymuch.
Sorry, I couldn't help myself!
Actually, I could have stopped myself, but I chose not to do so.
I don't know why people say that: "Sorry, I couldn't help myself." Of course they could have. They simply chose not to do so. Then, as an apologetic thing to smooth any ruffled feathers, they offer that phrase.

Um, weren't you going to tell me about your lunch?

Oh, right. Okay, here it is: two thick slabs of white bread, spread with peanut butter and filled with crispy bacon strips and sliced banana, then smeared with butter on the outside and grilled.
It was gLoRiOuS!!!

Elvis would have agreed, I'm sure! How often do they offer that?

Well, that's the thing: I've never seen it on the lunch or dinner menu. I suppose it's possible that they may have it at breakfast, but I wouldn't know as I don't ever attend that meal at school.
The Melt is a rather labor intensive sandwich, so I cannot imagine they would offer it at such a busy time. Heck, the Galley may well never have it again, as much time as it takes to make it.
I think this may have been a one-time, never-before, never-again thing.
That makes it even more meaningful!

smile!