as I said, I'm getting a tattoo when I'm sixty

.... and I did. This one. I just brought her home, and I want to let her get a little acclimated before I start to play with her or subject her to a photo shoot. 
(Luna is an amazing company. Read all about it.)


Commence free-association:


I never even thought about playing ukulele until one of my Panera friends suddenly posted on FB - that she was thinking about learning how to play, and would any of us talk her out of it? Um, no, dear, we won't. We'll jump on the idea like baby bunnies into a field of carrots. 


Then we'll start scouring YouTube and coming up with amazing stuff - like a ukulele master who plays a totally acoustic uke version of "Bohemian Rhapsody," another who plays "Girl With the Flaxen Hair" (which sold me, utterly), and, of course, Zooey Deschanel singing "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve" (wearing a tiara - which, we have decided, will be a mandatory accessory for our Girl Group. I always wanted to be a Shangri-La, like my last-namesake, snapping my fingers and singing "Remember ** walking in the sand...")


I have a very spotty history when it comes to performing. I hate it. I hate being looked at, photographed, noticed. My childhood was stuffed so full of performing (ballet, viola, piano, guitar, etc.) that by the time I got to college, the only way I got through presentations was to take my glasses off and allow my myopia to erase the audience. Once I could, I avoided "performing" in venues larger than a conference room, and only if I knew all of the people at the table. For years.


However. This might be a little different. If nothing else, it's a totally new way for me to have fun, and that has to be a good thing, yes? We're all jazzed about the idea of playing at the Holidome in Rhinebeck. 


Yes, I've been knitting. I'm almost done with a pair of Pumpkin Pie Socks (shown here in their infancy), a Wingspan shawl in a black/navy/white/baby blue Crazy Zauberball, and a couple of other projects.

My husband and I have seen Loudon Wainwright III at least 4 times. A few weeks ago, he had his ukulele onstage, but didn't play it. Next time, maybe I'll bring mine along and have him sign it. In the meantime, enjoy!