And She Found It

Going back to Thanksgiving Eve...

Since I knew I'd be doing most of the cooking for Thanksgiving dinner, I opted for a pizza night.  Amanda was working late so it would just be R, Mom, and me.

Mom always orders two slices of cheese pizza, R and I decided to split a large pizza - half pepperoni, half cheese. 

I'll preface the following tale with the fact that I hate pepperoni.

I went to pick up our order.  Mom's two slices were in there own package within a bag.  I took that to her first.  Handed it to her saying, "Mom, here are your two slices."

Ray brought the large pizza box in to Mom's kitchen for the two of us to easily grab our slices and eat dinner with Mom.

Ray and I each ate a couple slices - I noticed that there was one just cheese slice left for me in the box.

Mom finished her first slice and then TOOK MY LAST SLICE from the box.

"Mom!  That's my last slice!  Your slices were separate."

"No, I've only had one slice."

"I'm not saying you had more than one slice.  Where is the other piece from your package?  Remember, your two slices were packaged separately!"

"I haven't eaten two slices.  This is my second slice."

"Then where is the second slice from your package?"

"I don't know what you're talking about.  This is my second slice."

"No, that's my last slice, out of the box that R and I are splitting."

"Well, I've only had one and I wanted two."

NEVER MIND

Forward to Saturday morning.

Mom says, "What's this in my microwave?"

I go to see what she's talking about.
She pulls out a slice of pizza.

"That's the second piece.  The one you should have eaten instead of taking mine."

"Oh well, sorry, jeez......"

Dementia 

Over...Over Due, Over Worked, Over It, Over All

Yeah, I'll get around to writing something worth reading, soon.  I promise.  Right now, though, the title 'bout says it all.  Mom is no longer allowed to drive, which means that I am chauffeur for her and for A.  A's schedule is variable week to week and we never know the next week's schedule until the Thursday night prior.  We used to rely on Mom to fill in as needed if I had a tuning appointment or just someplace I needed or wanted to be.  No more.  How do I work full time and do this? 

Add to it that Mom's memory has failed considerably.  Makes me unusually cranky to have to remember stuff for her, check that she eats correctly, takes her medicines, remind her many times each day of appointments, errands, bills to pay, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat.

I know she can't help it.

I tell myself that over and over and over.  It helps for a couple seconds!

Past Time

After the last post where the time was combined with old piano parts, I got thinking about what I have created over the years from other parts of pianos.  One side table is missing from the photo line-up below.  I still have it, but it is stored due to lack of space.

A simple shelf in my kitchen was once a piano lid

A pretty fretwork front panel becomes a 'stained glass' wall panel when old silk neckties are used to fill the open design

I needed a coat rack in a narrow space at the top of my staircase.  This half front panel and some added hooks worked.

A little storage truck.  It was once on legs but wouldn't fit under the window in its new home (still have the legs).

A bookcase (currently rather messy) from an old reed organ case.

An entertainment center and display cabinet from two piano cases circa mid 1870s

A large oak storage truck at the foot of the bed.  I use it for extra linens.

It's Time...

to reveal a little project undertaken last month.  I received my PTG Journal and there was a photograph of a birdhouse made from piano parts.  Well, I could do that, I thought.  But I don't want a bird house.  I don't even want a fake bird house.  Maybe I'll just make a storage box...or something.

Then Ray said, "You could put a clock in it."

Why hadn't I thought of that?

So........

Concert Roller Organ

I know there is a way to post video on here, but I just can't wait long enough for the upload.  There has to be a better way.

So here are some photos instead.

I love the decal produced by Decals Unlimited.  Just wish they also had the decorative ones originally located on the front and sides of the case.  Of course, all were originally stencils, not decals.

Looking pretty good.  It was rather beat up and the workings needed a complete restoration when I bought it.

I got 8 old rollers (cobs) with the organ.  Then I bought these 5 new cobs.

I don't remember if I ever posted the restoration photos on here.  I'll check.  I just might also try uploading that video in a separate post.

A Disappointing Show

In many ways. 
Today was the opening of the Contributing Members show at the art association.  What a disappointment.
Firstly, a lot of the work was iffy.  Now this is not a 'professional' show, nor is it juried.  So, they hang what ever is submitted.  In past years most of the work has been pretty darn good.  This year.......well, an off year, I guess.
However, that wasn't the worst of it.  The show itself was poorly hung.  Lack of care, lack of knowledge, or just bad.  Even the food was pathetic. Doesn't speak well of the organization.  Especially when the exhibitors have paid dues, paid an entry fee, and will have to fork over 40% of the sale if one is made.

There's mine, smooshed down in the center.  At least it shares this space with some decent work.  The painting above mine could have held its own space.  They should have traded it with the watercolor on the left and then given a bit more space between the upper and lower paintings.  Same goes for the spacing on the other pair.

And then.....

One of the two galleries. 

The Opening is held on the same day as Town Meeting.  Just plain dumb.  The show was poorly attended.

The Woods Can Be a Scary Place - Part 2

You are being watched...

Title?

The latest from my easel.  Not my typical style...but I like it.  The big problem now?  What to title it?

Puzzling?

A massive 2000 pieces, 3 people, and 2.5 weeks of on and off puzzling and..........

it's FINISHED!

The Woods Can Be a Scary Place!

Perilous Position

What's This Sneaking Away?