Yesterday David seemed very comfortable holding his violin, so I suggested we use his bow to play a few “Mississippi Hot Dog” rhythms. (Mississippi Hot Dog rhythms are four “Mississippi” sixteenth notes and two “Hot Dog” eight notes in succession. It is the first rhythm Suzuki string students begin to play.) With one hand I supported his elbow, and with the other I prepared to guide his hand through a smooth down-bow.
After the first couple of bowings he twisted away. He’d been wanting to play on the new violin for days, weeks, months, and this was finally his chance to work at making music on his own.
For several minutes he moved his bow quickly, slowly, sideways and across. He played over the bridge and around it. He smiled and frowned, listened and watched. And then when he considered his work done, he returned the violin and wrapped his arms around my shoulders, his mass of curls pressed hard against my chest. And then he sighed. His little cup runneth over.
It had arrived in the mail the day before. When the first drip-drops began to fall, Carmen ran downstairs to put on her boots and new rain jacket. When she stood ready at the open door a mean, loud thunderclap chased her back inside, crying.
Nevermind. We’ll try out the jacket on another rainy day.
Avocados and onion rank at the bottom of the list (for having the lowest pesticide load). That’s not to say it’s not a good thing to buy organic avos, or onions, or whatever. No pesticide is better than some, and an organic orchard is a healthier environment for the people that work and live in and around it than a conventional one. But if you’re at the HEB and avocados are on sale, don’t feel too concerned about snagging a few.
And don’t forget to buy me some while you’re at it.
