Does the slang term buttload have a meaning beyond suggesting there is a lot of something? If I said he has a buttload of money, you likely think of a rich person. I know people who have a buttload of personality and a few are more deserving of the slang term, butthead. The Tangerine Taco is an evil buttload. But I digress, a butt in mid century referred to a large wooden cask to hold wine or ale for transport-hence buttload. It could also be called an “assload”—all a donkey could pack. To be precise a buttload is 126 gallons or 475 liters. It is the equivalent of two hogsheads-63 gallon barrels. To round out today’s stream of conscienceness— a firkin is a 9 gallon wooden bucket for storage or fermentation. Each day in our country the Regime is providing an “assload” of diversions to keep us from focusing on the crimes of the wannabe King.
I enjoyed an article in the New York Times about Laubens, they still custom make oboe’s. I was impressed with the craftsmanship required to shape the 2 foot long instrument with 50 separate keys. The keys are fabricated and meticulously placed to allow the unique and beautiful sound of the oboe. The instrument is one of the most difficult to play like the French horn and the Violin. The sound is described to be “piercing yet solacing”. In French, originally the ‘hautbois’ translated it means “high, loud wood”. The Italians, “transliterated” to ‘oboe’ and the name was adopted in English in the mid l700’s. The oboist must have amazing breath control to bring the double reeded mouthpiece to life. The first sound you hear as Orchestra tunes is the Oboe.
The sound is said to imitate a duck. I enjoyed listening to a live concert of “Gabriel’s Oboe”. You more likely recall the ‘peeping’ sound as it was a part of the Sonny and Cher hit, “I got you Babe” or a more sophisticated overture—“Swan Lake”. The oboe is “breathtakingly difficult” to master and was likely “invented by a sadist”. If you are not up to the challenge, the Ukele, is thought to be the easiest musical instrument to learn and enjoy.
As you can tell, this week I wanted a diversion/distraction from another awful week in our country. I have not heard a word back from our Senator’s or Congressman and they each continue to stand behind the Wanker. Giving him the green light on incursions in Venezuela and apparently ok with his Greenland threat to NATO. I can only assume they are good with the ICE abominations that take lives and threaten our communities. I am still waiting for the Town Hall meetings in Idaho where they face their constituents. Don’t hold your breath!!
Enjoy the backcountry view as Hank learns all mountain skills in McCall.
Happy New Year, don’t take the bait, but do stay engaged, the future of our children and country are hanging in the balance. Mike