Cajon...

 

No, that is not the singular form of testicles in Spanish... that would be cajones (slang for having courage).  A cajon is a wood box used for making percussion sounds, originally from Peru...

 If you recognize the surroundings in the photo above, that is a cajon in the motorhome.  I was not looking for another guitar, but have been interested in this percussion instrument.  This particular one can be used acoustically, but also has a pickup built in, so you can plug it in to record or to use it with an amplifier.  For my use, it may replace a full drumset.  Maybe.

You play a cajon by striking the front or sides with your hands (you can also use brushes or mallets) - where you strike will determine the tone: towards the middle will be a bass drum tone; in the upper corners will sound more like a snare drum (there are snares built into it); somewhere in between will sound more like a tom-tom drum.  Strike it on the sides and it will sound like a bongo or conga.

Mark and I are getting together today, so I'll have the opportunity to try it out with another instrument.

Also today: I am dropping off the Vespa at a dealer here to get the front fender replaced.  The appointment is for tomorrow morning, but it is on the way to Mark's.  It will save me a chilly ride tomorrow morning.

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The plan doesn't always pan out.  After posting the above early this morning, Rufus barfed.  Then, a few minutes later, again.  Then, again.  Our furry boy doesn't feel good.  He wouldn't eat - that is a real sign that he doesn't feel good.  We debated taking him to the vet... but, decided to see how the morning progressed.  Not much different by 10:00, so I let Mark know we'd have to reschedule.  We felt we needed to keep one of us here to keep an eye on him (the plan was for the 4 of us to get together).

By noon, he wanted to drink some water.  By 1:00, he ate a tiny bit.  By 3:00, he was ready for a bit more food, but you can tell he is still listless.  5:00 and he ate a bit more, but still not his normal chow hound (um, cat)... but he definitely looks better than this morning.  Joan went to get him some food made to digest easily, but no more barfing since this morning. 

This morning, while Joan held him, she asked if I'd play something on the cajon... certainly not the most relaxing instrument, but I can vouch that it can be played somewhat quietly.  Rufus likes music, and the cajon didn't seem to bother him at all.  Joan pulled up some music, and I played along to a few songs; I kept the concert short.  And very low key.