Infrared Theremin

Brain was part of the Music Marathon on Saturday at Woodland Pattern. It was an electronica-infused event. I was not prepared to be amazed.

Machiavellian Machine is pictured performing below. I tried to get a shot of his theremin-playing hand.

I saw him outside and asked about it. He verified that it was, indeed, a theremin: an infrared one, at that. I didn't think to ask if that was a vocoder on his microphone. Dangit.

Paul Schwarzkopf of the Milwaukee Riverkeeper performed as well (see below). He was the guy with the glowing red eyes in the background, not the guy sweating under the tinfoil hat.

Succulence!

Cacti and succulents have always amazed me. I have been growing them for years. They have fan clubs. They are inspiring. They have vivid, evocative names like "Living Stones" and "String of Beads" and "Burro's Tail." They even have their own Dome. I have some that I have been lovingly cultivating for years (one since at least 1993), and ones that are special cherished gifts (they really are the gift that keeps on giving, as I have potted many cuttings for loved ones as well). In San Francisco, jade plants get to be several feet in diameter, just effortlessly growing on the street: a sight that was as extraordinary to me as the Golden Gate Bridge or the Wharf. Those are like the Redwood Forest of succulents. But I meant to write about tomatoes.

These are not tomatoes. These are succulents.

As you may know, Kellner's is now under new ownership. I stopped there on the way home from work the other day, looking belatedly for tomato plants- unfortunately, the ones they had were cursed with yellow leaves, brown spots, and thrips. Not something I wanted to purchase, or even compost. Yuck.


But I wandered into the building and discovered a portal into another dimension: a greenhouse, previously closed off under the old ownership, that was filled with breathtaking cacti and succulents. I found heaven.

Cacti and succulents at Kellner's in the magical greenhouse.

More succulents and cacti.

I purchased two plants as well as some cacti and succulent soil mix (usually I make my own mix, but... I'm still dedicated to the 3/50 project, and, and...) and found a couple more loose succulent chunks on the overwhelmingly disorganized shelves: pieces that had fallen off other plants and were already starting to form wee babies of their own. I liberated those tiny fallen pieces to be able to help them flourish in my own new succulent garden (as you can see, one cactus is dead in the photo above). Tomatoes will have to wait for another day: the Farmer's Markets are opon us now, anyway.

Gotcha!!

So, for a long time now I have been wanting one of those neat grabber things, with a little squeezy handle and the ability to pick up anything without having to bend over. Even a threaded needle, as I have been catching up on my mending (PUN!). E-Z Grabber. I fully endorse this product, even though my insurance did not cover it.

Well, I finally got myself one. Look how cheerfully yellow it is too! What a happy color for grabbing. Usually I want something for a long time before finally breaking down and buying it, and since my body broke down first, and then I reached my breaking point (oh do all these whiny puns SLAY ME!) I bought one from the always-helpful Ye Olde Pharmacy. It didn't break the bank. I love that place (and puns). They sell things no one else seems to have (for instance, I also got a non-aluminum deodorant crystal thing. Honest people in my life can help me test it out.) I mean it.



Speaking of sensory issues, my PT gave me some interesting advice: use sensory pleasures, such as funny pictures, petting the cat (yes, Jinxxx is in my lap right now, "helping" me type), and pleasant smells to trick yourself help the brain release chemicals that will alleviate pain. So, after getting the grabber thing, I went to Penzey's and bought allspice and cloves- two of my favorite and most pungent spices.- The clerk there was so helpful. She was an older lady. She saw me open the door with my cane and was imediately at my side, found exactly what I wanted justlikethat, put it all in her pockets to carry it for me, and was just incredibly kind (another glowing endorsement, I know). The store was a bit quiet and I told her my rationale for extra spice use. She told me she knew all about pain- indicating to me what I had already noticed- the ravages of rheumatoid arthritis- and yet she was so kind, so helpful, so pleasant.


So I made an amazing hot beverage (recipe: hot water, allspice, cloves, pinch of brown sugar, tsp vanilla). It did seem to help. It certainly was tasty.


And I can't wait to use my grabber to clean up trash in Lincoln Park this summer, the original reason I wanted it in the first place. Look out, chip bags. Get out of town, blunt wrappers. I'm coming to get you.