When I was on vacation in Atascadero we went to Atascadero Lake Park and bumped into a vintage car show. They had an old timey band and one lady was playing a washboard with gloves on with thimbles attached to the fingertips. That reignited an old desire in me to someday learn to play a washboard.
I'm trying to remember when I first wanted to do that. It may have been when I saw a street performer named Miss Tilly performing at a juggling convention in the '80's.
Then a few days later we were cruising along Higuera St. in San Luis Obispo, CA when I see out of the corner of my eye a couple of transients; one playing a washboard. Later that day he walked right by me toting his washboard. So I figure the universe is trying to tell me something.
So when I got home I went to the Lucerne Market and bought the smaller of their 2 washboards. When I got to the register, an employee behind me with silver hair and a friendly smile asked me if I was going to do laundry by hand. I laughed and said I hadn't even gotten used to using a clothesline yet, so I definitely wasn't going to do laundry. I was going to make a musical instrument.
The cashier smiles and says, "Oh a jug band." And then the first lady bursts into song, singing a couple of old tunes I've never heard before! Priceless.
I already checked at the feed store for a cowbell. They have one but I think I want a smaller one.
I wish I thought to pick up some hardware there. I need to put a strap on the thing and figure out what else I want on there. Since it is a lingerie washboard, I'm tempted to hang a bra on there. I think being a juggler and all, I'm definitely going for the comedy element.
Yes, I'm becoming a corny old bat. Ha. Luckily there are a lot of Youtube videos about making and playing a washboard. I'll keep you posted.
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| Fairy mushrooms and thyme. |
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| Houseleeks in my new rock garden. |
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| No one around but this froggy to hear me practicing my washboard. |
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| I have the whole Mojave desert to practice in. |
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| My Mexican bird of paradise has new leaves. I just planted it in my Zen Garden. |
