Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ra

(Why am I naming days?)

8/26/14, Day, 13,993 (Mercena Day 12): Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ra

I grew up calling my father’s mother Baba Dodie. The legend goes that this odd nickname comes from my cousin Chris’ attempt to say “grandma” as a young child. We all adored our Baba Dodie, and it is through her that we are linked to the Newton Genealogy that gave us Mercena’s name.

She was born August 26th, 1915, and to honor her birth yesterday, I sang the Irish lullaby popularized by Bing Crosby, Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ra.  Of course, growing up I didn’t know the song was made famous by Bing; I only knew it as the song our Dad sang us (our Mom had a different lullaby as the lead in her repertoire).

I don’t remember whether or not Baba Dodie sang that song to him as a child, or whether or not I just made that up because of the lyrics (which, I’m pleased to learn, have a unique Schulenburg variant).

So, to remember Baba Dodie on her 99th birthday, I made sure to sing that song to Mercena on her 12th day, and whether her great-grandmother’s spirit was there or not, she had a much more peaceful day and night yesterday.

We also had a great visit from Amanda Feldman and her beautiful five-month old baby Maggie.

Perhaps most importantly, we’ve developed a technique that has soothed her from a serious crying jag the last three times we’ve attempted it! So, for the moment, no more inscrutable wails…

Technique never stands still: it only advances or retreats…

Writing: 128 out of 162 days (Untitled Space Play)
Spanish: 119 out of 162 days
Music: 31 out of 67 days

What small things did I do yesterday to help build the Honeycomb?
(And what does it mean to “Help build the honeycomb?”)

• Ate and cooked local, organic, vegetarian food, and used cloth diapers for Mercena;
• Asked the Dept of the Interior to reverse their decision on seismic blasting for Atlantic drilling;
• While I’m not opposed to GMOs on principle (I like science, after all), I do believe in GMO-transparency and so I’ve signed a petition for honesty in GMO labeling;
• Asked Dr. Margaret Chan to speak out against so-called “gay cures” in China.