wishful Wednesday

in which our plucky heroine is a clever, if a bit wistful, monkey...

Back in the days when I lived up in OlyWa, for years and years I had the most magnificent swap ever. On alternate weeks, my friend M would get her house cleaned, and on alternate weeks I'd get a massage. Did wonders for both of us, and as all good swaps, we each were happy with the results and felt that our efforts were well recompensed. I've tried a few times here in Portland to set up something similar, but for various reasons it has not really worked out. (yet... I'm not giving up hope of a future success)

I really miss the assistance working out the stresses that accumulate in odd corners, and after the debacle of last Friday, my lower legs are feeling the trauma. M, my calves miss your skill and strength; wishful I am that I could find a local person willing to swap skill for skill - I do lots of useful and lovely kinds of things, at least I do when both hands are functioning, which should return before too long...

Speaking of which, 'twas needful to wash some dishes here... and lefthand is not yet really up for the task. I figured out that if I didn't fill the dishpans too full, and if I balanced the oven rack over the washwater, I could get things washed with minimal use of lefthand. Is slow, and a bit awkward, but definitely doable...

̿ ̿ ̿̿'̿̿\̵͇̿̿\=[^_^]=/̵͇̿̿/'̿̿ ̿ ̿ ̿
dog is resting, has ears up

"Meat Monkey Blues"

I know I have value
as precious as you,
but here on the table
that doesn't seem true.

The choices we're given
are damnably few;
Don't leave me here singing
the meat monkey blues...

You live as a doctor
and sworn to give care,
I live as an artist
with handicraft rare.

I lie on the table
with nethers stripped bare,
then treated so roughly
now does that seem fair?

The choices we're given
are damnably few,
Don't leave me here singing
the meat monkey blues...

Were our roles reversed sir,
your body in need,
respect would I offer
explaining each deed;

not touching you harshly,
uncaring you cry,
but thoughtful and careful
and do you know why?

The choices we're given
are damnably few,
I'd not leave you singing
the meat monkey blues.

For here on the table
or wide world around,
all beings are precious
wherever they're found.

Respect for each other
must never be lost,
when that is forsaken
we all bear the cost.

The choices we're given
are damnably few,
wish I was not singing
the meat monkey blues

The choices we're given
are damnably few,
don't leave me here singing
the meat monkey blues...

walkabout

Has been a week since my surgery and hand is doing really well.

Lost one of the two metal clippies that hold my outer bandage on. You'd think that it would be possible to purchase some spare clips (tried three different places), but nooooo, you are intended to simply purchase a new bandage when the clips get lost. Grrrrr..... (found my spare Ace bandages, and thereby could pry away one of the little metal clip gizmos that hold the bandage in place, so all is well again)

Went downtown today, various errands needed done, and there were all kinds of interesting things to see on my rambling-round:

woodland animal fountains downtown are a favorite

sad dog sculpture near a bus stop

Jamison Square Park is like a beach, but in the middle of the Pearl downtown. 'Tis a fountain which simulates a shallow tidal pool. (and on the other side is a bunch of sandy gravel) I took off my shoes and waded in the splashy water. Guess I'm not a real grown-up...

Empty windows and huge rusty shutters are on the edge between the sidewalk and a parking lot downtown. There were bioswale plantings between the buildings too...

The first acorns seen this year, fallen from sidewalk trees in the Pearl

Datura (do not eat) looks a lot like a Georgia O'Keefe flower. Is huge, like about as big as my outstretched hand and fingers together...

̿ ̿ ̿̿'̿̿\̵͇̿̿\=[^_^]=/̵͇̿̿/'̿̿ ̿ ̿ ̿

dog is resting, but on watch
(writing songs is a surprise, biting is easier)