11 May 2010

G C E A

There's a gypsy caravan parked in front of my house.

Guess what's been my dream since I was a little girl?

That's right. To live in a gypsy caravan. How did you know?

It'll be here until Thursday morning. You should come by and see it. Then you and I can talk about how romantic it is, and how all our lives we've dreamed of traveling light, playing wild music, and maybe selling a little snake oil on the side to fund our adventures.

It's very hard to sleep at night, knowing that bright, dreamy, hand-built, hand-carved, hand-painted caravan is out there. Not that I'm blaming my insomnia on my gypsy dream.

The people that came along with the caravan are not themselves actual gypsies, but are book artists Peter and Donna Thomas, and we are doing a broadside project with them. It's been a pleasure to spend time with these lovely new friends. They are making their way across the U.S., peddling wares, giving lectures, and making connections and art. Yesterday we drove all down to Thistle together and collected soil samples in a gorgeous rainbow of reds and browns. Today we sifted them to get at the fine particles that can work for making pigment. Ooooo! I'd like to know just who it is that thinks Utah is not a colorful state. You need to come over and play in the magic dirt with us—you'll certainly change your mind.

Last night I tried playing a few quick songs on one of their ukulele books. (Click the awesome link. Do it.) My most successful tune was "Rubber Duckie." Man, that's got satisfying chords!

So now I'm determined to get a ukulele.

And one day, if I'm very very lucky, my own gypsy caravan.

*sigh*

3 comments:

Scott said...

No one who has see Southern Utah can say this is not a colourful state!

Again, another bunch of wonderful reads from one of my favourite writers. I need to check more often. I read your entries and say, 'Wow, what an interesting life she has. Wish mine was that interesting.' =)

Geo said...

Hey, Scott, if you and Merilee want to go collect dirt with us sometime, we're game! Bet we could think of something fun to do with it.

Anna said...

AGH! I want to go traveling around the country in a gypsy caravan! What am I doing going to work today? I could quit and do something truly cool. sigh. maybe someday.