M Ljin

A lovely video on how to make gut strings by the medieval technique!

I suppose that in a bowed instrument, gut strings will be naturally more durable. But when brushed with the fingertips as in lute playing, that may work too.

Overview of the video:

- Soak sheep guts in rock alum solution to give them a basic PH.
- Rinse until all salt and alum are rinsed out.
- He slides the gut onto a scissor blade and then cuts to give them a flat rather than round shape.
- The strands are twisted together on a jig made of four boards in a square, with holes on them. Half a clothespin is used as a handle to twist the guts together. Some strings are made with two guts, some three, etc. They are kept quite wet through the whole process.
- Then they are cut from the jig and let to dry for three days. They are smoothed out with scouring rush, before being oiled with olive oil to protect them from moisture and give them flexibility. After this they are ready for use.

Judson Carroll wrote: Regardless, Yes, I do.  Mushroom hunting was how I got into all this!

Same with me!

You should be proud of yourself just for thinking about the impact you have on other beings across the world. Not many people do that.

I have found that the way is slow, but worthwhile, to do things thoughtfully. Within reason—wearing ourselves thin while trying to do things well isn’t sustainability. My definition of sustainability is something where it helps the planet and soils and yourself, and younger generations want to follow in your footsteps. Do what you can, acknowledge where you are with compassion, and don’t try too hard.

Did you know that Thneedwort can cause permanent changes to the nervous system? I used to be a disorganized, messy person, but after taking two CERTIFIED VERIFIED THNEEDWORT CAPSULES UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF TRUSTWORTHY APPARITIONS, I could suddenly concentrate, get things done, and keep the house very clean without stress or difficulty.

We have one of these, which is very nice. It works by sweeping back and forth, and inside, a brush rolls along, sweeping the debris into two spaces which can be opened and emptied. It is small, light, makes little noise, and is as effective as a vacuum cleaner. I think it is a good low tech option for cleaning floors, carpets, and even (as I tried today) raised surfaces that might otherwise be difficult to sweep.

https://fuller.com/products/electrostatic-carpet-sweeper

With the recent pirate thread I had to post this one:

Lawrence Older sings Elder Bordee

Powerful plants can often be psychoactive, and psychoactive plants are often powerful. Our nervous systems span the entire body and are an essential part in communication throughout the body. I have some minor experience with cannabis but do not take it very often.

Dimitrios Dallas plays the Pontian lyra. Tune not specified.

Judith Browning wrote:The real work is
becoming native in your heart,
coming to understand
we really live here,
that this is really the continent we’re on,
and that our loyalties are here,
to these mountains and rivers,
to these plant zones,
to these creatures.
The real work involves loyalty
that goes back. . .
billions of years.
The real work is accepting citizenship
in the earth itself.

Gary Snyder
(1930 to pres, American Poet and Buddhist Teacher)

I’d add that along with this, becoming native to and of our hearts, our selves, and if we can do that such that our own bodies, minds, selves, ancestral lines and communities become our homes, then something important has changed, and we can feel at home with anything going on.

Paul Brady -  Arthur McBride.



Paul Brady (with Andy Irvine) - Mary and the Soldier