Coconut Shrimp

Today, we introduced Mizuho to the magical powers of Red Lobster's coconut shrimp. Claire left for the Grand Canyon on Thursday and the whole eat local thing must have gone with her.

Big Smith

Friday night, this roving iPhone reporter succumbed to a couple years of spousal pressure and accompanied her to a Big Smith live performance. Man-o-man was I pleasantly surprised! I expected a knee-slappin' night of Ozark blue grass music. You know, the kind that just makes you want to smack yourself in the head with a beer bottle in hopes you will black out. But instead, I found a band of six superbly talented musicians and song-writers influenced by blues, country and rock-and-roll, as well as the expected double dash of blue grass and obligatory case or two of Budweiser. It is amazing that five cousins could get along so well, and just as amazing that a classically trained violinist hangs out with those yahoos. Below, Rik shares a joke with the crowd while Molly refills her tank. Rik can make anything with a string sing, and his vocals are enthralling.

The founder, Mark, jams with Molly. Mark's musical influences come from a classically trained pianist mother, a teenage stint in a punk rock band, singing gospel in a Southern Baptist church, Burl Ives, rock-and-roll, a mentor uncle, his big brother's interest in blues and a graduate degree in music from Missouri State University. In addition to leading Big Smith, Mark and his wife own the MayApple Record label, he produces CD's and is a noted music archivist.

Mark's older brother Jody is on the left. He is a former university English professor and a poet. His energetic mandolin and keyboard licks are fantastico profundo. Pictured in the middle is cousin Bill playing his bass. His songs add a whole new punch to show.

If you haven't seen Big Smith. See 'em. If you've seen 'em, I know you'll see them again soon. If you see them play in the Blue Note, just maybe the sound board guy will hop on stage and play his beer belly to accompany his favorite song. The timbre on his tubby tummy was, well, pink.

Whitewater Ramble

Rockabilly jammin' Whitewater Ramble opened for Big Smith. Them guys are up and comers. Get out and see 'em.

Disney magic

56 hours at Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts and conference center. 3 speeches. 3 meetings. 4 feasts. 8 hours of sleep. A couple dozen friends and a couple hundred colleagues. And ...

... life is good

Like mother like daughter

Pat was in Philly. I was in Orlando, so Claire commandeered the captain's chair a la her mother's style--surrounded by books and dogs and nose in her laptop, working deep into the night.

International Night

Last night, Mizuho participated in the Mizzou International Night show at Jesse Auditorium. Colorful and spectacular native dances and humorous skits were performed by:

• MU Dance and Recreation Association
• Thai Student Association
• African Student Association
• Vedic Society
• OFFICIAL Dance Crew
• Cultural Association of India
• Japanese Student Association
• Hispanic American Leadership Organization
• South Asian Student Association
• Friendship Association of Chinese Student and Scholars

It was a bedazzling, fabulous three hours. I hope you were there.

Below, Mizuho (third from the right) and her dance troupe perform "Awa Ordi," which is danced at the Awa Dance Festival in August at the Tokushima Prefecture. Awa Ordi draws 1.3 million tourists every year. Mizuho's troupe practiced every night this past week, and all their hard work paid off with a flawless, high energy performance. I would apologize for my photography, but what do you expect from an iPhone, 12 rows from the stage in a dark theatre and me on the shutter?

A traditional dance by the Thai Student Association.

The MU Dance and Recreation Association kicked off the show with a number during which stone figures engraved on Indian temple walls come to life.

As the wood turns

Hollow form pioneer, world renowned woodturner, tool maker and author David Ellsworth gave an all day demonstration for the inaugural event of our new local chapter of the American Association of Woodturners on Thursday. It was a well spent vacation day for me. I think I learned a thing or two, and I know I bought a tool I will never use.

Yes that is Gary wearing one of the wood hats he turned. He is focusing intently on David's explanation of the Zen of balance and hip movement for shaping a cut rim bowl. At the end of the day, we had a drawing for the three bowls David made during the demonstration and I won this one. ;-)

Vernal Equinox

Yesterday, it was warm and sunny. The daffodils were thinking about blooming and I was avoiding spring yard work.

But apparently no one told the vernal equinox that it was suppose to bring spring. We woke up this morning to friggin' snow. They're predicting more, too... @#$%^&*1~*& :-(

Wiggins & Harris

Last night, Pat and I saw Phil Wiggins & Corey Harris perform a mixture of piedmont, country and delta blues in the magnificent Missouri Theatre. Both are incredible acoustic instrumentalists. If you get a chance, give them a listen. It will buff your soul.

24 hours of kid

In what we are hoping is Claire being home for 24 hours this month, at this writing she is home baking up a storm. Baking is how she decompresses and recharges her batteries. I look forward to delectable pastry treats and a couple extra hours on the rowing machine to compensate.

My new one person backpack tent arrived. I bought this for my BIG solo paddle in 2011, and the training runs this summer. Claire will be breaking it in during her spring break in the Grand Canyon in a couple weeks. Little Roser is thinking the tent is too small for her.

Other breaking family news:

• Pat is recovering quickly from the blood clots in her right leg. Thank you to everyone for your thoughts, prayers and get well soon wishes.
• Maggie, our soft-spoken and artistic Rhode Island Red hen passed away this week. She is survived by her coup mates Lucy and Suki.
• Our washing machine croaked, and was replaced by an energy and water efficient Maytag front loader.
• Mizuho is on a Rotary trip to Tulsa this weekend. She will return home for one day before heading off to Disney World.