burlap, the blues, and birds

So, I missed the email that said that I have to get some burlap or brown cloth to complete the tule (yes, tule, not tulle) skirt that Filia made for "simulation day" at her school (they are simulating a day in the life of the Ohlone Indians). They have been researching the Ohlone for a couple of months. Her school has simulations every year, different ones for each grade. Last year she had Old Palo Alto (circa 1900); next year will be Colonial America; the year after that will be Goldrush.

Simulation is on Friday, so I have plenty of time, but I'm confused about exactly what I'm supposed to do to the skirt. The burlap is just to make it modest, since the Ohlone didn't cover the same parts of their bodies that we do. She's going to have a tattoo painted on her, but luckily not by me.


Meanwhile, I'm feeling pretty blue the last few days, for no obvious reason. Things that might cheer me up include:

good news
gratuitous praise
cute, whimsical, or beautiful images
silly jokes


There are a pair of Hooded Orioles nesting in the palm tree in our front yard. I see them more often in back of the house, because that's where the big windows are. I don't know if they're still building their nest and are in our back yard for nesting materials, or if they're finding food here. I haven't been able to get any pictures of them, but the male is a bright yellow-orange while the female is drabber, but still very pretty.