THE FOOLS OF APRIL

Chaco, Just Fooling Around
    April is the month of Fools, starting with April Fool’s Day, and in our country, running toward tax day on April 15.  Also playing tricks on gardener’s in the great northeast, giving us a warm day, then snow.  Then warm, then MORE SNOW!!!!   T.S. Eliot called it the cruelest month of all, but for broader reasons.      Though I don’t like pranks very much, I do love Fools, because that’s what artists are, going out on the edge and standing there, peering toward infinities others never see. But you don’t have to be an artist to be a Fool.  They show up in all kinds of arenas, saying things like, “I have a Dream,”  or “I’m sitting right here in this bus,” or “Give Peace a chance.”       There’s a folktale titled The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship, and in it, the Tsar says he’ll let his daughter marry whoever could build him a flying ship.  Of course, the youngest , most foolish boy in the village, decides to try.  “How will you get this done?” his mother demands.  “God only knows,” he replies.        But not knowing doesn’t stop him.  Nor does it stop any self-respecting Fool.  We just go ahead and build that house, or write that novel, or paint that starry night. And now, here’s a brief list of some of my favorite Fools, who do justice to the term:
A big Hoo-ya, for Scott Hickman, Greg Wright, and Dr. Eileen Jenkins, who saw an eagle shot on a firing range in Afghanistan, and decided to step in and help.  Also Pilots N’ Paws , and all the other folk who helped get Eagle Mitch to Berkshire Bird Paradise.And let’s here it for Pete Dubacher, who runs Berkshire Bird Paradise , caring for about a thousand permanently injured birds, including Eagle Mitch.Speaking of Fools of the World, let’s hear it for my Lithuanian ‘cousins’ in Vilnius, who took a run-down artist’s section of the city and declared it an independent republic, with its own constitution.  The people of Uzupis reach out to artists around the world, and I’m proud to be their Ambassador of Fearlessness and Joy. Let’s also give a shout out to Venus, or Aphrodite if you prefer, because it’s her month, and as the goddess of love, she is certainly Queen of All Fools.                The name April comes from the Latin word aperire, which means "to open", and being open to possibilities others call, at the least, impractical, is what Fools do best. So here’s to the beautiful vision of Fools the world over.  Today, if you have a vision, pursue it.      f you don’t, make one up. 
      If you want to read more about the craziness of saving Eagle Mitch, go to amazon.com .  If you want to know where else my folly has led me as a writer, visit my website, wildreads.com .     

BLOODY FOOL
   A Fool is an easy treat to make, and since this month marks the end of the Blood Orange season, I decided to use some in mine.   If you don’t have any Blood Oranges, which are a beautiful red inside, and full of antioxidants, then use pureed strawberries or raspberries.  And maybe put a ladyfinger on the bottom of the bowl, or add some rum because you know the rule of all good fools:  PLAY WITH YOUR FOOD!




Juice of 2 blood oranges1/2 cup sugar1 1/2 cups heavy cream1 peach, peeled and sliced, or 1 cup of frozen peaches, thawed and pureed with about 1/4 cup of waterAbout 1 cup of butterscotch chips, chopped up or ground in a nutgrinder.
Put the juice, the peaches, and the sugar in a saucepan.  Bring to a boil, and let it reduce to about 1 cup.  Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn.  You may be a fool, but you don’t want orange blood all over your stove, do you? 
Strain the mixture, put it in the fridge, and let it cool for a few hours or let it sleep there all night long, dreaming foolish dreams.  
Whip the cream to stiff peaks, and as you continue to whip it, pour in the cooled syrup.  Maybe keep a tablespoon back, to drizzle over the top, which is pretty.   
Most Excellent FoolIf you were smart enough to save the blood orange rinds you can put it in that.  If not, get a pretty bowl.  I mean, what are you saving them for, anyway?
Sprinkle the butterscotch chips on top, and laugh like a Fool.