Ban the Bunny Hop

Scandal. When I was home this weekend my mom recalled a little about growing up in a rural area in South Dakota. I think we got on the topic because I was talking about Gruene Hall and the awesome Texas dancehall tradition, and of course it makes sense that these dancehalls exist wherever a large number of Germans or Czechs or other Europeans settled in the Mighty Midwest. See, I know a few things about Germans and Czechs, because I descend from both. While this probably leads me to some inner confliction because one half of my ancestry invaded the other half during World War II, overall it's a jovial combo. Things I know: - we like beer. - we like to party. So there were a few of these dancehalls around the towns where my parents grew up, and apparently there was a room dug out of the dirt under one of these dancehalls where meals could be prepped and served. Mom said that when people were really rockin' upstairs, the floorboards would be creaking and dirt would be falling everywhere. So much, in fact...that they actually outlawed the Bunny Hop at one of these halls. Criminal! But it cracks me up. How does one enforce no Bunny Hopping? Dang.

The Incandescently Lovely Shawn Colvin

I am just stewing in music lately, it's a good thing. Here's one of my favorite Shawn tunes from her newest album These Four Walls -- it's called "Tuff Kid." We're both South Dakota kids, Shawn and I. She lived in Vermillion, I was born in Aberdeen. I'd like to think it adds a certain Midwestern sensibility to writing a song. And makes you Tuff.

Baby J.Po

As a toddler Jana would stay up late and wake up early, never changing out of her PJs, to compose massively complex compositions for organ. Unfortunately, due to her small stature, she could only reach the first row of keys.