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SQUASH ANALOGIES

I sprinkled botanical notes about chayote squash, the band’s odd namesake, in bridges throughout the book. The squash (planted by the ranch dogs) and their magical growth stages are an intentional analogy for the band’s unknown status and transformation.

Bridge Excerpt: You Say It’s Chayote?

“What is a chayote, exactly? Although not completely unknown, for many the chayote is still a strange, unfamiliar thing. A foreign and bumpy-skinned new adventure in vegetables. It’s not just anyone who knows how to say it, let alone eat it. There’s a greater likelihood if you reside, or once resided, in the Southwestern United States, Hawaii, or Mexico. It even makes the rounds in parts of Asia, Australia, and the Caribbean region. It’s a plant that’s been around awhile, seen things, been things—but so have many of us humans who aren’t necessarily legendary, either. No, the chayote doesn’t share the celebrity status of the beloved pumpkin, for example. Yet. You could argue, if you’re the type to engage in dry conversations about Cucurbitaceae (and if you are, I’m sorry for your audience), that there’s been a chayote seed swallowed at some point, at some time, in practically everyone’s ancestral gene pool. Let’s talk pronunciation: Start off with chi, emphasis on the ch. Chi-oh tay. Perhaps remember it this way—it’s not a “shy” plant, it’s a squash. Then say to yourself, “Oh-kay, that makes sense, it’s chi-oh-tay.” It’s not in the coyote family, so don’t pronounce it like it’s a four-legged, howling, wild canine. To be fair, if you’re not familiar with the squash, it’s not just you. The chayote would really benefit from more marketing. If you do already know what it is, maybe things are picking up for this little vegetable family. Or it could be you’re a savvy gardener or special squash aficionado. Good for you. But there’s no shame in never having heard of this squash. It’s not everywhere, and it’s not for everyone. But now you’ll recognize it …”