While Disconnected

Finally. I got a phone call on Friday evening from my computer guy. My PC was set to go, all sparkly and updated with the latest anti-virus and spyware. Yes, I could do this myself, but I would spend more money. That's right, it costs me less to have it done professionally than to buy the updates myself!

Anyway, when I dropped PC off to ACC (my computer wiz), he asked how I was doing. "I'm feeling a bit disconnected," I replied. And I did, feel that way, that is. Now, I did have my little, cranky laptop and I checked email twice each day and read some blogs. Everything took many times longer on that little laptop. It wasn't happy. I talked to it quite a bit, not always nicely. But it and I survived the four days and now we are both happy. I have PC back and laptop gets to sleep in it's dark, zippered bag, tucked away in the corner of my closet.

Some interesting stuff happened while I was feeling disconnected. The manager of that East Gloucester restaurant called for the annual pre Memorial weekend tuning. I always dread that job. Rarely is there a parking spot nearby, the piano is a nightmare to get into with it's over sized, artist palette painted lid that requires three people to slide it tailwards and balance on a couple bar stools. Then there's the manager...
Amazingly, I was able to park nearly in front of the building. Amazingly, the piano was not too terribly out of tune so I wasn't quite so nervous about that precariously balanced lid. Amazingly, the manager...well some things don't change.

I had a surprise call this week. Some of you who have been reading here for awhile might remember a certain problem with a local tech. Well, said tech called me and came very near to apologizing. Sort of spewed compliments rather than sorries, but was trying to communicate the same message which, ultimately, was that my services were needed. I'll give most anyone a second chance and I agreed to the job. Keys were dropped off on Friday and it is a decent amount of work to be completed in a week. Tech has already called trying to change things around but I'd gotten too far into the job. Iffy that I'll consider any more work for this tech in the future after seeing and hearing the tech on Friday.

Saturday was my first craft fair of the year. I was not very optimistic about the entire endeavor and was feeling like I'd made a mistake signing up for the fair. I felt even worse when I saw the turnout of participants. The organizer remarked that only seven had signed up. That was going to look very unattractive to shoppers. Then, as the opening time passed, it was obvious that two participants were no-shows. Only five tables! A little pottery, some photography, beaded jewelry, doll clothes, and my miniatures and ivory jewelry. I pretty much figured I would be taking a loss. But, somehow, I sold stuff! There was never an enormous crowd. People just trickled in and out. Every once in a while there were a dozen or so folks at a time. But, I sold stuff! Two easel miniatures, one pair of earrings, and eleven necklaces. I still can't believe it. And the rain even held off until I had packed up, rolled my belongings to my truck on T-Wharf, and loaded up.

This week I'm building a seven foot rocket. Don't worry, it's inoperable.

Unrelated Thoughts and Deeds

Before I forget to say this, here it is. My PC is going to be having it's yearly service mid-week. I still hope to be around, checking up on all of you using my outdated and unreliable laptop. All being operable!

This has been small miracles week and it's a good thing considering some other stuff, but more on that later. First of all, I got a call from the DPW. They HAD found some of the graves that I was looking for. All I needed to do was go down and pick up the paperwork, which I promptly did. My apologies to the DPW office for doubting their capabilities (at least on this one). With the papers that gave the gravesite addresses in hand, 'A' and I set out for Beech Grove Cemetery. Well, we may have been given the addresses, but the cemetery had no street markers. So, although we knew that the Manning relatives were buried in lot 45 of East Elm, we had no idea which street was which. Needing a good walk, we roamed and read markers.There it was! Hard to miss! I took some photos (obviously) and we decided to wander another cemetery on the other side of town, Locust Grove. Locust Grove is owned by Rockport but is located in Gloucester. Welcome to my odd little town.

'A' and I took Saturday off and headed north to Skip's for lunch. It was busier there than usual. 4 o'clock was the scheduled start of their first classic car show of 2010. Even though we were there at noon, people were starting to arrive. 350 cars expected for the first show. We finished lunch and as we headed for the local shopping area to visit a 'Building 19 1/6', I called home to check on the mail. I just had a feeling...and it came true. My check had arrived from the art association! Anyway, 'Building 19 1/6' is a discount, overstock sale store that has everything you never need unless you don't buy it. 'A' bought four DVDs at only $3.99 each. I resisted the temptations of the office supply section and spent nothing. When we got back home I checked out my check, they had also enclosed copies of the sales receipts. The photo was sold to a Rockport resident - South End, the painting sold to a guy from Stoughton, which is a good distance from here. Both did sell on the same day, actually consecutive receipts!

This Saturday is the craft fair. The corrected hours are from 11 until 4. Each time I've participated in this particular fair, I have complained about poor advertising. I decided to take matters into my own hands.I have posted announcements on some local bulletin boards and have a similar sign (with the town added to the info) in the rear window of my truck.

Last night, as I checked my email, I was in for a surprise. Not a pleasant one, although nowadays, after 8 years of a variety of similar emails, they have become pathetically amusing. For the first four and a half years after my divorce, my ex found it entertaining to send threatening emails to me. He also posed as me online on several rather questionable adult web sites giving my contact information. He began a smear campaign against me with business associates and through several online sites. His threatening mode continued, in earnest, until my local police filed criminal harassment charges against him and had him served (overseas) with a restraining order. Since that time, he has calmed down, sending only about one email per year. Last night was the first in about 15 months. We chuckled when reading his absurd claims and threats. Copies have been printed and filed. Poor soul is obviously miserable to need to keep doing this. What satisfaction could he receive? For the record, I have never once responded.

I was reading an online friend's blog the other day and the subject matter got me thinking about a song on the CD "Bridge to Havana". So, Uncle B., the song is titled "Unlonely" and it is performed by Montel Jordan and Carlos Alfonso. And spell check does say unlonely is not a word.

So what else have I been doing? I've booked myself on the Thacher Island boat for a mid-June island trip. I'll check out the condition of the reed organ. Hopefully, all will be well with it after it's second winter alone. I'll probably use any spare time out there to do some sketching. I've just finished another painting. No title yet, not even dry yet. You get to see it first here.

So, I'm Weird. What's Your Excuse?

This morning's adventure to the town hall was to search cemetery records. I have to express my disappointment. Maybe it's just me, I know I'm a little different, but to me, we seem to have a very dull, somewhat off-putting, poorly trained in public relations crew down there at the town offices. All I wanted to do was look up a half dozen names in the cemetery records. Was I able to do this? No. I had to leave them a list. And please write my name and phone number on that list. They (the DPW office) will call if they find anything in the records. I have the distinct impression that the list was filed in the shredder the moment the door shut behind me upon leaving. I hope I'm mistaken. Even if I am mistaken, their search will be somewhat useless as many of the names are duplicates but of different generations of the same family. I did note death dates, but I'm doubtful if they will take the time to notice.

On the other hand, Bob sent me a link to a grave locator website and I've had a blast exploring it. I'm going to start photographing all the Manning gravestones.

**********************************

I hauled myself to the art association, yesterday, to inquire about the whereabouts of my check that was supposedly put in the mail, to me, a week ago this past Monday. Oh dear, they were apologetic, my check had not been mailed after all! They wait 30 days from the sale of the artwork before paying up. Huh. Well, when did the pieces actually sell? She looked up the info on her computer to find that they had sold on April 18th. Both of them. Yeah, I find that very unsettling. Two totally unrelated mediums and two totally unrelated subject matters sell on the same day. Anyway, it was exactly one month to the day as I stood there and heard her say she'd be getting the check out in a few days. I wait. Maybe by the end of this week?

**********************************

Big night out tonight! I went to the library to hear/see a presentation by Paul St. Germain on his book about Thacher Island. It was a packed room for a well commentated PowerPoint presentation. I got my book signed. Paul will be giving the same presentation next month for the historical society. I'm going to that one, too. Same song, same verse...it's Rockport... not a lot of options for a night out!

Friday Again? Already?

It's getting really bad when so many different things are going on that I can't remember what they all are or were. That's how I feel this week. I did get a lot accomplished, but looking back I mostly see the things that I didn't get done. That bothers me.

I owe quite a few people emails. I WANT to stay in touch, I look forward to hearing from them, I really DO want to write some emails. It's just that by the time this time of day (night) works it's way around, I'm tired. I'm tired now and I debated whether to blog tonight. I knew that if I didn't, tomorrow I would wish I had. Just like those emails. I probably should be writing them instead of this. Oh well.

I had a successful morning at the historical society on Monday. I started through picture files and found these two with Manning's store.The larger photo is how his shop was when he occupied the right half of the Manning Block (the building to the right of the hanging sign) and McLane's Shoes was in the left side. The small insert was later, post Manning, with Oker Tailors on the left and A&P Grocery on the right. This Monday I plan to photocopy the large photo, sans insert.Here's the view today (literally!). The Manning Block is the beige building with white trim on the left side of the street. I also discovered, quite by accident, that the historical society has in it's collection, the clock made by Manning and shown in the newspaper photo of him that I posted in a previous entry. AND, here's a pretty cool, old photo of the Manning Organ Company building in Millbrook Meadow. I guess I should mention that when I am finished with the actual research for the Manning article, I will begin as a trainee, in research, Monday mornings, at the SBHS. Just thought I needed something else to do! Volunteer.

Other things...the lawn got mowed for the second time this season. Not a favorite job, made even nastier by all the pollen which, of course, bothers me terribly. I grabbed and swallowed one of 'A's Actifeds before I started. I guess it helped a little.

Keys arrived on Tuesday. And on Wednesday. Thursday, too. And today! I got a call this afternoon from a tech in Florida. He's shipping a rush job. Within a bit over a week's span there will have been keys from CA, MS, NJ, FL, and MA! This is great news for my pocketbook. On Wednesday, I took my truck in to my mechanic because the brakes were starting to sound a tad scratchy. The short of it - oil, filter, new front brakes, and two new front tires totaling just over $550. Ouch.

Yesterday was a girl's day off. The three of us headed to Exeter, NH. A friend of my mom's just moved there and wanted my mom to come see their new place. I thought it best that I drive my mom for the first trip up there so that she could familiarize herself with the route before driving it on her own. It was a nice, sunny day and a pleasant drive. We spent about 2 hours visiting and then the three of us (A, mom, and I) went to Skip's for dinner before heading home. Total time - 7 hours. On the way home we spotted Manning Street, in Ipswich, a town where many of the Mannings had lived. I'll check it out in a couple weeks when I head that way on a tuning job. Most of the old houses in Ipswich have original owner/date plaques on them so maybe I'll find a Manning home.

Today, I forced myself to make two different contact 'calls'. The first was a drop-by the art association to inquire about their timetable for sending out payment checks on sold work. Ummm, the treasurer said she put them out to be mailed on Monday. Today is Friday, I live in the same town, something doesn't add up. I told her I'd give it a few more days, then if I haven't received it, I'd be back. Then I FINALLY made a decision on an upcoming craft fair. There are two coming up, in town, on the same day. One, at the Old Firehouse and not my favorite venue at all. The second, at Spiran Hall somewhat off the beaten tourist path and less obvious. I chose to try the Old Firehouse again solely due to better sale hours. So on May 29th, 10 a.m - 4 p.m. that's where I'll be. Selling miniatures and key ivory jewelry - hopefully!

Today was a good day. May good stuff continue to happen for all of us!

Home for Sale

I just received an email from a friend in Florida. Seems my home is for sale. Yes, home. It will always be that for me. Looking at the pictures, I can see that some changes have been made. Mostly, I hate to see that the gorgeous, art deco lighting fixtures in the front hall and dining room are gone. I knew I should have taken them with me! Then there is the ugly drab wall-to-wall in the bedrooms, but after 8 years of being a rental property I'm sure it needed new. The other flooring looks nice, some wall colors have changed, the kitchen now needs an update. Some info in the listing isn't complete like it lists only a shower for the bathroom when the main bath has a tub, as well. And no picture of the workshop! Certainly they could have taken a better picture of the front of the house. If you want to see the listing you can go here. I'm homesick.

Today's Explorations

Early this morning I headed out to take photos of Manning's stores. Morning light was best for the photographs and for finding his Main Street store unobstructed by parked cars. His second store on Railroad Avenue required some good timing to get the shot in between commuters. For Rockport, Five Corners is a busy intersection.

Pictured here is Manning's 38 Main Street store (currently number 75). Manning occupied the right half of the establishment and McLane's Shoe Store the left half. The Manning family owned the building referred to as "The Manning Block". At a later date, the left portion of the building was A. F. Oker's tailor shop, where in 1932, Mr. Oker was murdered.
This rather drab, red building was Manning's second store and he lived in a small apartment on the second floor. The current address is 1B Railroad Avenue. When Manning owned the building it was number 2 and subsequently number 1A (when a number 1 was built). Currently, number 2 is across the street. The original building has been modified over the years and the store front first floor lost in blandness. Manning worked 10 hour days at this location until his death in 1930 at age 96.

Monday is Manningday

I spent a better part of this past Monday tracing the locations of Manning family homes and businesses throughout Rockport. What started out as a simple, self-imposed assignment about a small-time, small-town reed organ builder has become much more. The first complications were the repeated use of given names within the Manning family with no designations of Sr. or Jr. or II or III. This was true with the lady's names, as well. After composing a timeline and then receiving a genealogy from a distant Manning relative, much of that finally got sorted out in my mind. Yesterday, I came across another Manning - Bertha. Bertha Manning was a music teacher who boarded at the 2 Railroad Avenue residence and shop of William N. - 'my' guy. I shall have to check back through the genealogy because I don't recall seeing Bertha there!

Anyway, William Norwood Manning moved to Rockport with his family when he was 11 years old. They took up residence at the Manning Farm located on Nugent Stretch, the 'main' road from Gloucester to Rockport.Only the stone summer kitchen remains today and is open to the public, during the summer, as the Babson Museum. At the age of 14 William became a paid violinist for the Universalist Church in Rockport, about 2 miles from his home.

The entire Manning family became very intertwined in business deals with fathers, sons, and uncles as owners, partners, and shareholders. The family included doctors, lawyers, civil engineers, farmers, fishermen, dentists, inventors and musicians. The family was also involved in the manufacture of isinglass. William operated a storefront on Main Street (indicated by one red location on the map - you may have to click and enlarge to see the color indicators) were he specialized in jewelry, watches, piano-fortes, violins, and clocks...and in the repair of all of those. His business was in the easterly side of the store with a shoe store occupying the westerly portion. (After Mannings vacated the store, and probably no longer owned the building, the easterly half became the A&P Grocery store and the westerly half was devoted to Oker's Tailor Shop. Interestingly, in 1932, Mr. Oker was found murdered in his shop. Later, as a local woman was to testify as to the identity of the murderer, she was murdered and her residence set ablaze to cover the crime. These two murders have never been solved.) Sometime around the turn of the century (1900), William moved his residence and his retail and repair business to number 2 Railroad Avenue (see red on map) and remained there until his death in 1930 at age 96.

The Manning Organ Company was in production for about three years. It occupied the upper stories of the American Hide Seat Company factory in Millbrook Meadow (Mannings also held stock in that company as well as several others to follow in that location).(see red on map-Isinglass factory) When the organ company failed due to poor economic times, the equipment, patents, and organs were auctioned off. The building was then occupied by The Lawrence Spool and Bobbin Co., then the Russia Cement Co., and finally by Leander Haskin's Isinglass Company. That company moved in 1915 and the factory was deserted. It burned in July of 1932.
The present day site of the organ factory at Millbrook Meadow, now a town park.

The Mannings owned other properties in town and several will be noticed on the map in the general vicinity of Poole's Corner, the intersection of Main and Beach Streets. The Manning house on Beach Street was later joined with the house to it's north, becoming a large family complex. After the death of it's owners, the house became an inn under the name of Manning House until it was torn down in 1965 to build the 'new' "Captain's Bounty Motel".

So there's just a taste of what I've been up to. Tomorrow morning I hope to get to town early, before too many parked cars, and photograph William's original shop. Then I'll head to Railroad Avenue to photograph his last home and shop. It's been more difficult than expected finding the locations of these buildings. Not only have the streets been renumbered several times, the odds and evens have changed sides. Buildings have been added and some taken away. Many times the records of Rockport are conflicting!

I have found many interesting items in the six boxes of Manning family papers at the historical society, including Uncle Charlie Bolles Manning's first letter, written as a child, to his 'papa' about the escape and subsequent retrieval of his pet squirrel and a delightfully detailed drawing of the sailing vessel on which one of the elder doctors Manning served. I've yet to finish the boxes and also will be checking out the photo files. In addition, next Monday I hope to open up the Manning organ and photo the realization of some of W. N.'s patents.

For now, it's on to some writing of the article

And Another One

Well, busy, busy, busy.

A new book has been added to the sidebar. "Overboard" by Michael Tougias. Same author that wrote, among others, "Ten Hours Until Dawn". This new (out in March) book is a riveting story of survival. I found the characters to not be as well developed as in previous books by Tougias and that, for me, took away a bit from the story. All in all, though, well worth the purchase and the reading. Would make me think twice about an overnighter at sea!

Also, here's a new painting."Seaside Farm", 16 X 20 in oils. Still not dry!
No check yet from the RAA on the two sold pieces. One more week and I'll be giving them a call.

Going In Circles

Okay, I just spent the majority of the day on Manning research. First at the SBHS, then at the Rockport Room of the public library. One step backwards. The photo of Manning's last shop that I posted a couple days ago is incorrect. I've just noted that on that post. More photo taking will be in order. So...number two is not number two, then to now. It actually was switched to the opposite side of the street while none of us were looking! Old number two is new number 1B. I also now have addresses for Manning businesses that range from 18 Main Street to 38, 40 1/2, 50, and 71. I do have a very accurate description of the 'genealogy' of the buildings on Main Street and will be using this info to find the exact locations that I want to photograph.

And on it goes, more to come!

Sunday Super Surprise

Today started like most other Sundays with oversleeping (only by 30 minutes) and then spending a relaxing hour over breakfast after which I dressed for church, headed out, and got there early - as usual. I guess it's better early than too late! I chatted with a couple friends, then a good sermon and accompanying good hymns, then home to get some lunch.

After lunch I made the short trip down the road to Smith Hardware to pick up some mineral spirits (for painting) and some screw elbows for mom's kitchen display of cookie cutters. Smith's had a bunch of new stuff in, so I spent a little more than I planned, buying some special glue. It dawned on me that I needed some steel wool, so I bought that, too. The store was very busy. Everyone is welcoming Spring, getting out to do outdoor projects and 'running into' neighbors who had been hibernating in the cold months. Town is busy, too, with it being a nice, warm weekend. My next stop was in town.

Today is pick-up day for artwork in the Contributing Members Show at the Rockport Art Association. If you remember, I exhibited two pieces this year - an oil painting and a photograph. I drove down and fortunately found a parking space on nearby School Street. After grabbing my tote bag from my truck and paying the meter, I headed for the art association. I checked in at the front desk to be sure today was indeed pick-up day, then headed back to the gallery to retrieve my artwork. More than half of the exhibit had already been removed. I entered the first gallery and started to the left to un-hang my photograph.

It wasn't there. Huh.

I proceeded in to the back gallery to get my painting, rounded the corner to it's wall location to find it was missing, as well. Double huh.

What had happened to them? Had someone moved them? I double checked all the walls. Nope, not anywhere. Maybe the staff had started to ready the galleries for the next show and were stacking the remaining works someplace? Maybe they were just..........missing?

I went back out to the front desk and asked, "What happens when I can't find my two pieces?"

"What's your name?"

As I told her, another staff member approached from an adjacent room. "I tried to call you. You don't have an answering machine?"

"Yes, I do," I replied.

"Um, I must of dialed the wrong number," she said.

And then she said, "Both your pieces have been sold!"

YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now I wait for the check, which should be in the mail, for 60% of the price tag on each piece. The Rockport Art Association takes 40%. Hope she sent the check to the correct address!

Progress...

is being made in the research department! I've finally got a good grasp on William N. Manning's genealogy. Well, at least those that came before him, his children and grand-children have yet to be discovered by me. Not that much of the family relationships are really relative to the story that I will be writing, but it gives me a sense of Billy's lifestyle, temperament, and the influences on his life choices. I received an email from a distant, 'sideways' relative of Billy's and will be checking out some of the resources at the hysterical (oops, did I say that?!) historical society for their genealogical research. My journey has found far more information than I expected was available about a far more complicated man than I anticipated. Now I am trying to finish the expedition in to Manning's history with what is left in the present day.This picture shows the Railroad Avenue shop where Manning had his second store and repair shop. Billy and his second wife, Louise, lived above the shop until Billy died at age 96. The building has just been restored in the past 5 years or so. (Update: This is not the correct location. The building is actually across the street. Leave it to Rockport to have changed the numbering. Evidently some things were numbered sequentially regardless of which side of the street. Now everything has been switched to an odd/even system). Now I need to find out where number 38 Main Street was located in 1870. Not an easy task as the numbers have been reallocated several times over the years. 38 Main Street is where Manning's first shop was located.I'm looking forward to another Monday morning of research.

What On Earth Is Wrong With People?

Please pardon the lack of precise details in this post. You'll get the idea without the need of numerical accuracy.

Awhile ago a teen girl committed suicide. She had bee relentlessly bullied by a half dozen or so of her classmates. Those classmates have been arrested and charged with a variety of offenses directly related to and found to be resultant in her suicide. One or two of the young men were charged with statutory rape in this case.

So today, one of these young men was once again in court. This time he has been charged with driving under the influence. The judge released him! The police are stunned. I am stunned. Then the news report shifts to the young man's neighbor. She's thirty-ish, well spoken, well dressed. I couldn't believe what she said. Something along the lines of, "He's a good boy. A nice boy."

Yeah, I'm really believing that.

Monday Mornings

For the foreseeable future my Monday mornings will be devoted to research at the Sandy Bay Historical Society for my next ROS article.Monday morning is the only time that the research room is open, at least at this time of year. Just over a week ago, I began searching the Internet for information on William N. Manning. "Billy" Manning built reed organs, here in Rockport, for a brief period in the 1870's. The Sandy Bay Historical Society Museum has two of his organs in their collection. One of them is a rather typical design, the other, I believe utilizes Manning's particular patented construction. He has several patents, to his credit, on improved actions for reed organs (as well as an early form of roller furling for sailing vessels). He was a musician and a composer, playing violin, piano, and organ. He was the organist for the Unitarian Church in Rockport. He wrote at least four compositions that were published. One of local interest is "Our Cape Ann Home".He owned two stores in Rockport that sold organs, music, violins, jewelry, and clocks. I haven't discovered which store came first, Main Street or Railroad Ave. Maybe he had them both at the same time. The Manning Reed Organ factory building was located in Millbrook Meadow. It was occupied first by the American Hide Seat Company with Manning Organ Company located on the upper floors, then by the Lawrence Bobbin and Spool Co., the Russia Cement Co., and finally, until it's abandonment in 1915, by the Haskins Isinglass Company. On July 2, 1932 the building burned. "Billy" came from a rather large family that arrived in Rockport in 1798. His grandfather was one of Rockport's first physicians. Many others in his family were doctors, lawyers, and educators. Some, like William, seemed to thrive on inventiveness. As with most early Rockporters, several family members along with the same family friends seemed to be continually involved with each others businesses, served on several town committees, and held offices of community or religious importance.

Last Monday was my first sojourn into the files of the research room at the historical society. I read through the folder for the Manning Reed Organ Company, took 6 pages of notes and recorded which early photos or documents I wished to photocopy (the copy machine was broken). I gave the research room copies of the Manning patents to add to the file. Since then, 'A' and I have walked two cemeteries. We located the Manning family plots at the Union Cemetery.

If the society's research room is open tomorrow (doubtful as it is a state holiday), I'll be starting through the six boxes of Manning Family Papers. I'm also bringing my digital camera to photograph some items if the copy machine is still not functional. I'll be donating copies of the four pieces of sheet music written by Manning.

I have added links to the web sites for the Sandy Bay Historical Society and Museum and for the Reed Organ Society to the sidebar.

In My Inbox

I received this email:

Hello,

My copy of the most recent ROS* Quarterly arrived in the mailbox today. As is my custom, I immediately leafed through it, and came upon your well-written contribution.

What a GREAT story and photographs! Thank you so much for returning the beautiful Smith American reed organ to life and service!

Your work is truly appreciated!

Kind regards,
Brenda -------
ROS president

I also received a phone call from a restorer in Alabama. We had a great one hour conversation!

Inspired me to start the research for another article. I'll be heading for the historical society on Monday morning!

*Reed Organ Society

Exciting Events in a Small Town

I just renewed my membership to the Thacher Island Association. Along with the renewal form was an invitation to include an added amount which would assure the purchase of a signed copy of a new book, written by the president of the association. I thought it might be a good read so I sent the extra money. The book should be released (and therefore in my mailbox) in early May.So that happened just a few days ago and today, in the mail, I got my renewal notice for the Sandy Bay Historical Society. Enclosed with the renewal form was a list of this years special events. I'll be attending a few, I'm sure.

April 13 - Community House School Years. This should be interesting. My parents used to live just behind and sort of next to the Community House. As you may recall, I have acquired a few items from there, have serviced the piano there, and attended many other functions in the building.

May 11 - Appraisal Night. I might bring something to have the antique specialist take a look at - or not.

June 8 - Twin Lights of Thacher Island, Cape Ann. Presented by the author, Paul St. Germain. (book shown above) I plan on attending this presentation at an earlier date in May, sponsored by the library. If it's really good maybe I'll be up for a rerun.

July 13 - Telling Time featuring Bob Frishman of Bell-Time Clocks. I repaired Mr. Frishman's Duo-Art upright piano and he repaired my mantel clock. He's an expert in museum quality clock repairs and restorations. I'll be at this one!

August 10 - Quilts. Ummm, although I have made numerous quilts in the past, my interest in it is also in the past.

September 17 - 'Chowdah' Supper. I don't like chowder (fish and/or clam) but it's to be followed by a presentation on Dogtown by Ted Tarr so I'll be there.

October 12 - Ice Harvesting in New England (tentative date). Just weird enough that I might go.

November 9 - Military History of Halibut Point. Sounds like an interesting presentation. We have quite a few lookout towers on the island and Halibut Point State Park is the location of one of them.

December 5 - Holiday Open House. Yummy desserts and a concert on the Manning reed organ that I restored. You can bet I'll be there!

Rewards

It's interesting going in to people's homes to tune and repair pianos. You just never know what they're thinking. A few years back I think I wrote a blog post about the homemade pumpkin pie that I was served at a tuning customer's home. She was so thrilled that she had made it from scratch, from pumpkins she had grown in her own backyard. Thank goodness she left me alone in the room to enjoy my slice.

And thank goodness I had a sealable plastic bag with me. Worst pie I'd ever tasted. Truly gagging.

A couple months ago, I spent some time with a potential customer. I say potential because it was a first visit to a very old upright piano. When I arrived, the owner apologized that things were a mess at the house. A water pipe had broken, their basement was flooded, they were trying to determine where the pipe broke and city workers were in and out. The piano had many broken parts. It would take several hundred dollars to make it even playable. I gave them an out saying that they had more pressing expenses with their current water problem, the piano could wait. No charge for the estimate. I left with a half dozen free-range eggs!

A month ago, it was another first time customer. They had booked a free estimate (local) about six months ago and then had canceled at the last minute. This time they were specific about what the piano needed. "We have two missing bass strings." Once I arrived at the most recent appointment, I discovered that they had hired someone different six months ago. He tuned and told them that he would order the two strings. They still hadn't heard from him. I took measurements, ordered the strings and scheduled a time for installation of the new strings. Two weeks ago I installed the strings and checked the tuning over. It needed tuning VERY desperately. In addition, it sounded like no one had tuned the top octave since the piano was new in the 1960s. I gave the customer a choice. I could return in two weeks to fine tune the two new bass strings, no charge, or we could schedule it as a full tuning (tuning fee). She scheduled the tuning. That was last week. Besides being paid in full, she had a gift for me. She was somewhat apologetic saying she didn't know if I'd "be into this kind of thing". She handed me a bag with this cross that she had made for me. I don't think it much matters, into it or not, what a wonderful thought!
Today, my Spring issue of the Reed Organ Society Quarterly arrived in the mail.

And guess what?

No guesses, huh?

I'll tell you. My article, with all nine photographs in full color, about the Thacher Island reed organ that I restored has been published!!!!!!!!!! I've just returned from having two, gorgeous, color copies of the article made. One for the president of the Thacher Island Committee and the other for the president of the Thacher Island Association.

On and On and On

Work, play, work. I've been busy.

Mom's kitchen project (better known as a project for Deb) is progressing nicely. The top cabinet fronts and doors have been refinished. The bottom cabinet fronts are done and I'm working on the doors and drawers. The granite guys came a day early and the counter tops and new, undermount sink look great. Once the rest of the doors are finished I'll just have some veneering to do on the visible ends of the cabinets. The current end panels are too nicked and poorly touched-up to try to refinish. Veneer is the best route. Then there is a little shelf section to build. The old one was ugly. This summer I'll take some time to tile the walls between counter and upper cabinets.

I've still been getting a moderate amount of piano work. Hooray! Tunings aren't as numerous but key work is steady.

In between real work and Mom's work, I've had chance to go out to dinner with friends - just once. A very interesting couple. He's a retired graphics designer/business owner and cartoonist. She's a consultant for mental health and suicide prevention programs within educational systems.

And I've been doing some more painting. Even bigger this time. 18 X 24 is pretty much my larger limit. I think it'll be titled either, "Maggie's Blue Door" or "Nestled Near the Forest". I'm leaning toward the latter. Any thoughts? Anything better? Some of the colors aren't exactly correct as shown here. Among other things the sky has more blue in the painting. It's a bit washed out in this photo. The gardens are more vivid looking drenched in sunlight. You get the idea though. When I get the time, I'll add it to the sidebar slide show.

Sticking With the Unusual

Yep, there's a new book in the sidebar. Dark Tide, The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919, written by Stephen Puleo. There is so much packed in to this tragic tale. Yes, in January of 1919, an enormous tank of 50 feet high and 90 feet in diameter ruptured due to structural deficiencies and sent a wave of 2.3 million gallons of molasses outward in all directions. Of the many injured, 21 persons died either by drowning in the dark, heavy syrup, or from crushing injuries sustained as surrounding structures gave way and collapsed. This devastating event is enveloped with accounts of anarchism, WWI, immigration, terrorism, and the influences of big business. Seems some things never change.

An Ego Boost

Yesterday, I went down to the Rockport Art Association with an oil painting and a photograph to enter in the Contributing Members Show. I had contemplated for quite some time about which painting to show. I knew that I would be exhibiting the photograph, "Thacher's Little White Cloud", seen below.After some deliberation, I made some changes to my Salt Marsh painting adding more depth to the shadow areas and enlarging the cloud mass at the upper left corner so as not to visually shrink in to the corner of a frame. I was very happy with the result and retitled the painting, "Sentinels of the Great Salt Marsh". The old version is shown here. I didn't get around to photographing the new version.Today I received my e-newsletter from the art association that listed upcoming classes and exhibits. My oil painting was chosen as the visual for the Contributing Members Exhibit listing!
I'm super pleased!

Time? Time?

I've been silent for awhile...again, huh? It just seems like so much is happening, although nothing earth-shattering. First off is that work has continued on in a moderate mode. This I like, generally speaking, as it should mean that all jobs get finished up with no scheduling panics.

However.

Since I had an abundance of work through the holidays, I had saved aside almost enough funds to pay for a huge amount of dental work. Not so much fun. Mix in to that getting all the tax forms filled out for all three of us. Then there's been the increase in tuning and in-home repairs. And this Thursday is the time for submitting artwork to the art association's contributing members show and I had some final touches to make to a painting and a frame to buy.

Now add to the mix that my mom decided to start a kitchen remodel.

Yep, I'm cramming!

Refinishing kitchen cabinets, demolishing the old laminate countertops, reinforcing some counter framing for the new granite she has picked out. Then I've got some ugly sliced brick to remove from the walls over the counter with the inevitable plaster to skim-coat repair. Thursday the granite guys are coming to take measurements and make a template. My mom had to have a new sink and faucet purchased before the granite guys arrive so that they can take them to mount to the counter pre-installation. Total, so far, three trips to the granite company, one prior trip to another company, two trips to the big box DIY stores, with the last trip successful in purchasing a sink at one store and faucet at another after three hours of debate! After the guys make the measurements, it will be approximately two weeks until installation and we've (I've) got to have everything ready.

So, what's the next week look like? Monday: ship some keys, pay some bills, dentist, another box of keys should arrive, more cabinet sanding. Tuesday: key work, movie with 'A' (Alice in Wonderland with Johnny Depp!), work on removing ugly brick. Wednesday: coffee with a friend, key work. Thursday: granite guys, art association with painting and photograph, work on kitchen, ship box of keys. Friday: clean house, grocery shop, plaster in kitchen. Saturday: who knows?

The Storm

The rain came in torrents yesterday afternoon and the wind blew from the east. It was so nasty that I actually drove right up in front of the door at Stop & Shop when I picked up 'A' from work so that she wouldn't get soaked. For once the weather forecasters were correct unfortunately, and the wind speed continued an upward trend well in to the night. I snuggled under the covers watching the Olympics and cringing every time the roar of the wind drowned out the audio on the TV. My bed would shake and the wind in the window screening screeched. There were thumps and bangs. As I gave up trying to stay awake long enough to watch all the skating, and turned off the lights, the wind seemed to calm down. I wondered what our yard would look like come daylight.

After the wild winds of nightfall, I was totally surprised in the morning to see only a littering of small branches and twigs in the yard. Then I looked across the back road to my neighbor's and saw that their moderately large pine tree had fallen atop his pick up truck and her nearly new sedan. A big mess for them with damage to both vehicles. Further down the street a small apple tree had toppled near another neighbor's shed. After breakfast, and the realization that our cable TV wasn't working, I headed for my package shippers. I was hoping that I had missed yesterdays pick up and I could slip a receipt inside a box of keys that I had left there for shipping. As I traveled out Main Street there were several trees fallen across driveways and in yards. There was the top only of a large pine tree hanging upright amid the power lines. As I neared my destination there was a lot more debris to avoid. Huge sections of wooden fencing from a condo complex were strewn across the road and nearby a row of 25 foot tall arborvitae - ish trees were a tangled mess, some of them had taken down power lines and lay across a driveway. Traffic was backed up as far as I could see and I wondered why. I arrived at the shippers to discover that the entire shopping area was without power and realized that the traffic back up was probably due to the traffic lights not functioning a half mile ahead . ( I found out later that there had also been an accident involving an 18 wheeler at the lights five minutes prior to my travels) My aging hippy shipping clerk opened the door when he saw me pull up and I told him what I needed to do and was let in the store. Unfortunately the box had already been picked up the previous day. While I was there chatting, the owner of the shop showed up. With no power, he decided not to open and 'my' hippy asked me for a lift home.

The drive back was uneventful. I noticed that two overly large, skinny, and top heavy pines in a Main Street front yard had survived the wind storm. By a couple hours later, one of those trees had toppled, miraculously missing a house, and totally blocking the drive and entrance to the house!

I spent the majority of the day either picking up our little bits of tree debris or working on keys in the shop. We drove to Ace Hardware to pick up a few things and found out that power was out all along Railroad Avenue...and at Ace! They were running a little generator to power some emergency lights and one cash register. We were escorted by a flashlight toting clerk to find the items we needed. My mom went out to grocery shop and when she got home commented that a utility pole near Stop & Shop was leaning very precariously. When I drove 'A' to work for 3 p.m. I took a look. It has at least a 33° list and a few of the lines are resting against a sign post further down the street.

After finishing work, my mom and I had an early dinner and then went in to town to check on a friend's house that we are babysitting for 6 weeks. All was fine there including the cable TV so we stayed and watched the news. Things are a mess around here! About 8,000 on the island of about 30,000 are still without electricity. Some roads are still impassable because of downed wires and trees. Several trees along Thatcher Road fell and took out 3 utility poles. The road along Pebble Beach was washed out (always does in a storm!) and even the road at Back Beach was closed. Two motels along Gloucester's back shore lost their roofs. The roof from the motel section of the Ocean View Inn is totally gone...all of it, not just the shingles. During the worst of the storm last night, a huge fire raged at Hampton Beach, NH., destroying an entire block including hotels, apartments, and the arcade. It's hard to get a fire controlled during winds of over 70 mph. There has been much beach erosion all along the eastern coast of Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Tonight as I drove to Stop & Shop to pick up 'A', I noticed that the entire 4 mile route was in darkness. I had a hard time finding my turn at Barn Lane without the lights of the Shaw's shopping center to illuminate the corner. The leaning utility pole is still there, still with it's threatening angle. A half dozen power company trucks were congregated with floodlights shining around one intersection along my route. The pine tree top is still hanging, entangled in the power lines not far from our street. Our neighbor has cut the fallen tree off of his truck and car and just an enormous section of trunk along with it's unearthed root ball remains.

We still have no TV, which is an annoyance. I had wanted to watch Apolo Ohno's final speed skating race. But, we do have power and the light and warmth that it brings. We had no damage to our property and no major clean-up. We were fortunate.

An update: The TV is back on and I heard that Apolo was disqualified in his last individual race. Relay still to go. Also, the Sandy Bay Yacht Club (Rockport) recorded winds, last night, of between 70 and 80 mph with one gust at 87 mph. The photo at the top of this post is credited to the GDT staff photographer.

Blue In The Face

We had snow this past Tuesday. Not a lot, but enough for some heavy duty shoveling (wet snow) and a couple passes on the roads with plows and sand/salt trucks. I went out to my back PRIVATE drive to finish up cleaning the plow-in snow from behind my truck and silently screamed. Now, in reality, they are not supposed to be plowing that drive. Nor the neighbor's connecting drive. They are not public roads or public right-of-ways. We have kept moderately silent about it realizing that our neighbors are enjoying the benefit of not having to hand shovel a very long drive. We did, if you remember, post PRIVATE DRIVE signs at each end of the back drive.

So, why was I upset? Well, the plow dug up the granite pavers all along the edge of my parking area. Even though I had placed reflectors to keep them well away from the edge. The plow driver scooped a swath well inside of my markers. THEN he managed to break off the end of the paved drive and added insult to injury by plowing up hill TOWARDS the damaged edge and removing all the broken pavement. I found several hunks of it half a block away! Add to that the enormous amount of dirt that was then scooped out with the plow and now there's a 10 inch drop at the end of the drive.

Wednesday I went to the DPW (Department of Public Works) with photos in hand. First they tried to claim that there was no pavement involved. Wrong. Then they claimed that if it was a private drive, they weren't the ones plowing it. Wrong. Then they tried to scare me by saying that if it WERE found to be private (it is) that they would no longer plow it. "Fine with me," I said. "But what about fixing the damage to private property?" The head guy made a quick phone call to his man in the field. I met him back at the house. He tried to tell me that there wasn't any pavement damaged. That it was ground asphalt filler. Wrong and I demonstrated that I could carry a large hunk of it in one piece...not ground filler. Then he said that the town really shouldn't be plowing the drive. Once again, "Fine with me!". I showed him where the drive used to end, a near four feet from it's present broken end.He assured me he'd have it fixed in the Spring. (That should be a fun experience). Meanwhile more snow is expected Tuesday, Wednesday, and maybe Thursday. By the time Winter ends, there'll be no drive left!

Maybe it won't get plowed this time!

My Third Career

Will be as a meteorologist. Tell me, at what other job can you routinely be wrong 75% of the time and keep your job along with a hefty salary? Over a foot of snow? Try less than a quarter of an inch!

Just before 2 p.m., when I was driving 'A' to work, it had flurried but not stuck to anything. By 4 p.m. it was still the same. As I sat in my truck in the parking lot prior to 6 p.m., I was being jostled by strong wind gusts from the east nearing 45 mph. In the distance, I could see the blue light flashing atop Gloucester City Hall warning everyone that it was a snow emergency and there would be no on-street parking. Hah! Temperatures were dropping and the parking lot was starting to get a slightly slippery glazing. There were still flurries but next to no accumulation.

A non-blizzard.

I'm not complaining.

Well, at least not about the weather.

Has It Really Been That Long?

Wow! I haven't written here in quite some time. I guess that's because while nothing of particular note is happening here, neither have I managed to find time to sit and write about all the nothing. I'm fed up with winter.We haven't had all the snow that some areas south of us have seen. It doesn't make sense that one needs to head south for snow, does it? Anyway, our lack of snow is partially due to the extremely cold temperatures that we have been having. Add to those a brisk breeze and it's cold. Very cold. Just so that we don't feel left out, temperatures are supposed to moderate mid-week and allow us 6-8 inches of white stuff.

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So, the nothing stuff...I've started working on all our income tax forms. I've actually made out quite well, tax-wise, this year! Refunds will be coming to me from both the Feds and the State. This is the first time in eight years. Yippeeeeeeee! Of course doing the taxes is not without the irritation factor. For the second year in a row the government has failed to send tax forms and instruction books for each of us. I got my federal booklet, with forms, over a month ago. My mom and 'A' haven't gotten any. We've all gotten our state stuff. I ended up printing a pile of forms from online so I could get things started. So, pencil drafts are finished for each of us. Just a double check of the math and then filling out the forms that will be sent in.

*******************
Key work has slowed down and I've been working on the Indian harmonium. I fixed all the contracted work and decided to put a bit more into it. The bellows seemed weak so I've delved deeper in to the workings to make sure that everything is as sealed up as possible. Tomorrow will be two tunings. Tuesday I'll be tuning and replacing some strings on that Helpinstiehl (sp?) electronic piano.

*******************
Finally, I've read a couple more books. The only one worth mentioning in the sidebar is The Lost City of Z, by David Grann. (If it's not in the sidebar yet, it will be soon. Don't forget that whenever possible a link to the book/author's website is accessible by clicking on the book cover.) Do you see a little trend in subject matter here? These abandoned, mysterious places are getting to me. Anyway, an outstanding narrative of Percy Fawcett's obsession with finding the lost city of El Dorado in the early 20th century Amazon, his disappearance, and the numerous, failed attempts to find him (or his remains) over the subsequent three quarters of a century.

And Then There Was...

One! Set of keys in the shop.

Finally!

Two more are due to arrive next week.

And the harmonium is here for it's repairs.

Tomorrow I'm off to a tuning in the morning.

If You Can't Find Me

This is where I am. For the next millennium it would seem. Two sets of keys went out today. One of which was picked up by the tech, the other was shipped out. That left three sets to finish. That is until three more box-fulls were found waiting at my door. Another two are due to arrive at any time. And, of course, the customer with a harmonium needing repair is arriving on Saturday morning.

I hear that sleep is overrated.

That Feeling That The Ax Will Fall

It's just a matter of when. But for now, I'm swamped with work...still. Yeah, there was a week or so just after the new year when things slowed a teeny bit. With the economic situation still VERY ill, I don't understand why business is good. Not complaining, just nervous.

Today was Ipswich afternoon. I went to look at a piano that the owner had seemed very nervous about over the phone. She was afraid that she had made a big mistake in accepting a free piano. Well, it's no great shakes but certainly a serviceable Story & Clark console. We've scheduled a tuning in about a week. Then I went to tune a VERY LARGE Henry F. Miller upright dating from 1902. It had been redone, sort of, mostly weirdly with wrong sized hammers, inappropriate and too thick felts. It played and that was the client's main concern. Played well? No. But every note worked. The piano had been restrung with oversized tuning pins. Before this new owner acquired the instrument, it had been stored on a porch. Most rusty tuning pins I have ever seen. Orange crud was growing like lichen on the bass pins, yet the strings looked shiny and new! Most of the bass tuning pins did not want to turn. That concerned me as with all that rust, I was sure that a pin would snap off. I certainly didn't want that mess. The client stayed in the room watching and listening through the entire tuning. I had expressed my concerns about the rusty pins and she commented that she wasn't nervous at all. "That's one person in this room that's not worried," I said. Finished in just over an hour, and - it sounds better but still plays like...

Came home to a set of keys on the porch. Big job of German tops and fronts and key bushing. Another set due to arrive on Monday, just for bushings. Monday's job may lead to doing production key work for an electric keyboard company. Next week there should be another two sets of keys beyond those I just mentioned. Monday afternoon I tune for a regular customer, Wednesday morning another regular (the Steinway monster). Then the music director at the school called and they need three pianos tuned this coming week. Sometime in there I've got to return the action (back to a customer's piano) that I had in the shop for repairs last week.

Yep, I'm getting nervous.

********************************

Oh, and before I forget to mention it. There's a new book in the sidebar. Ford County is a collection of stories written by John Grisham. A good read and according to Mr. Grisham, the stories are taken from ideas that he's had over the years that never developed in to full novels.

Reason Number One

Why furniture refinishers should not try to do piano key work...

And therefore why sane piano technicians should not be willing to finish up said work.

I've never claimed to be sane, only saner than many.

So the email stated that the keys had been professionally prepped, sanded with 100 grit, to be ready to just glue on new key tops. "Could you discount the price?"

I think not! (Between you and me, I should have charged extra.)

So while they did save me the time of slicing off the old tops and fronts, I was left with this to deal with.Can't just glue those new key tops and fronts on to this jagged edge! Just imagine how messed up that supposed nice, straight, edge of piano keys would be with these two sticking out further toward the front! Yes, there were others of similar ilk. I trimmed them to match their neighbors. That was the most I could do to straighten what still will most likely be a rather irregular line of keys. Then I went on with the rest of the job. During the trimming of the top key wood using my rotary planer set-up, a large area of Bondo filler chipped off two blade tips on the planer. I wasn't happy. Thankfully I had a set of new blades on hand. Everything else went fine.

What do you think? I think that the refinisher got a piano in for a strip and new finish. I think they didn't take the keys out and managed to ruin the existing key tops. Then they decided to not tell the customer and take care of it before their customer could find out. How hard could it be to glue new plastic on? They pulled off the old, leaving several large rip-outs of wood which they then filled with Bondo. Then they sanded. Then they took a circular saw of some sort and wacked off the fronts. Most were sort of in a line. A few were way off. Then they found out that the new plastic key tops (they sent a set they had purchased) are made oversized and need to be machined to fit each key and they realized they were in trouble. I could be wrong, but...

The finished keys were sent back today with the photo enclosed and a BIG disclaimer and warning about future work.

Magic and Mystery

I can't believe it has been so long since I wrote here! I have been keeping busy and by the time free time comes around, well, I fall asleep. So, today is the first chance that I've had during daylight hours to take some time to update.

It snowed a bit New Year's Eve Day but had stopped in time to get most of the roads and walkways cleaned up for Rockport's New Year celebration. I did my usual volunteering at our church, which was listed as venue number 8 of 15. Each location was host to 3 double performances. The first two sets at the church were the Bullock Brothers, a super gospel group. I was secretly hoping that they would perform His Eye Is On The Sparrow. The first 45 minute set finished up with no Sparrow. Oh well, I supposed that I could have requested it. Then after a half hour of the second set... they sang it! Magic. As the Bullock Brothers finished up, I noticed some rather strangely dressed folks waiting near the door behind me. Oh, they must be the next act, The Jolly Rogues. Yep, as the Bullock Brothers packed up The Jolly Rogues set up. I stayed for most of the first set. Quite good, but not my thing. Three pre-teen girls sitting with their grandmother (possibly) looked thoroughly bored. I headed for another location in town to hear the Maple Sugar Jazz Band. 45 minutes of Dixieland and Big Band jazz. That's when he appeared. Taking a seat nearly in front of me was a tall, very white-haired gentleman. He wore a long dark woolen overcoat and had a knit, piano keyboard scarf around his neck. He sat quietly appreciating the music of the band, paying particular attention to solo parts of the piano player. After the set was finished, he walked up front to chat with the band members. I know this man from somewhere but I can't figure it out. Who is that mystery man? As best as I can think of, it could be a customer. I'm not sure.

I finished my evening back at our church with two wonderful sets performed by Stambandet, a Scandanavian vocal ensemble, who's twelve members sang traditional holiday music in Swedish, Finnish, and Latin.

That's how I finished off 2009. And now it's on to 2010. A dangerous year at least in number. 1809 was the last year and we won't have another like it until 2211.

A Super New Book

I got new reading material for a Christmas present. I've put a book cover picture in the sidebar. The book is titled, Death and Enchantment in a New England Ghost Town, Dogtown. It's extremely well researched and written by Elyssa East.

I finished reading it tonight. Yep, that good. A real can't put it down book that wraps the history of Dogtown around the 1984 murder of Anne Natti in it's woods. While I admit to being fascinated with the unusual, and Dogtown certainly qualifies, I think most anyone with the slightest inclination towards history and the unique atmosphere of an island community will be as enthralled with this book as I am.

Have Yourself a Very Merry Christmas

Any of you know how to read Finnish?We found this card in the Lanesville house. It is addressed to the long deceased V. E. Haapa Natti (subsequently Storns). A fitting card to post here. We've been feeding the large clan (flock) of Bubbas and Squirt has reappeared to steal what he feels he's due. He hasn't been very pushy about it as there are an abundance of acorns this year. Today, he was having fits just trying to get one peanut as the bluejays kept landing around him and dive-bombing him. Poor little Squirt was frozen in place and ducking!

Even more wildlife have been coming around. Some not so welcome...

On Sunday there was a lot of shoveling to do. Near the end of the day I shoveled the back garden walk near the birdfeeder and deck. As I scooped up a shovelful at the base of deck steps, I nearly sliced up a small, dark grey mouse under all the snow. He scurried out of the way and burrowed neatly under a nearby drift of snow. Eeeeeew. That makes me real enthusiastic about snow removal back there for the rest of the winter.

On a more interesting note, today after Squirt and the Bubbas were finished with their feasting on peanuts, a hawk landed on out deck railing. Wish I had had the camera handy.

I wish you all the best of the holiday season and I'm so thankful to have you all visiting here.

It May Look Pretty, But...

it's no fun to shovel or drive in. Here are the requisite photos of what I woke up to this morning.The initial shoveling was backbreaking. With drifting the snow depths were from 0 to 18 inches or more.As noted by the snow plastered against our sliding doors that go out to the deck, it's blowing a gale outside. I spent about an hour and fifteen minutes with my first shovel out. I'll be back at it again shortly. My face is so red it looks like I spent an afternoon in the sun. Only in my dreams. 'A' has to be at work at 2 p.m. I was sort of hoping she'd call in sick since she has a sore throat. No such luck.

Sigh...

I'm dreaming of a sun-drenched Christmas,
Where temps are eighty and above.
Turquoise waters and orange blossoms,
And palm trees swaying are what I love.

Sigh again.

Can't Say I've Been Bored

Just so you all get to see what I've been keeping busy with...my job board in my workshop is pictured above. It's from the beginning of November up until the present. The two left hand columns show key work. Each job is a three to four day turnaround time. Some of the individual jobs are multi-part, therefore requiring up to one weeks shop time. Divide all that in to less than 60 days! The upper right hand column is devoted to tunings, estimates, and small in-home repairs. The lower right hand corner lists upcoming repairs, minor and major and some known January jobs. Although getting all the key work out on schedule can be, and has been for the past couple weeks, stressful, I really like seeing so much work coming in.

Over-doing

'Tis the season. Last December my work was down by 75% from the previous year. The piano business was really taking a hit from the down economy. This December, well, I think folks have finally gotten fed up with doing without. I'm presently swamped with work. So much so that I have postponed two new customers to having more involved work done after the new year. I tuned a somewhat decrepit, yet tunable, Welte - Mignon studio 'mirror' piano on Friday morning. It needs three hammer flanges (doubling as damper flanges) repinned. Things are playable and he agreed to schedule the repair for after the holidays. Friday afternoon I went to take a look at a Starck console. Just needs tuning (pretty routine). It does need new key tops. I'm scheduled to go back on the 30th to pick up the keys.

So what's the deal? I've got 12 hours days worth of key jobs in the workshop for the next week - at least! A rush job of key bushing, ivory repair, and backcheck releathering for a regular customer. Key tops and bushing for a new customer. Two sets at once of key tops for another newbie.

So far.

In shipment, due to arrive next week, three more key top jobs and one key bushing job. Next week I also have a tuning and repair on Tuesday morning.

I am sooooo tired. It'll all get done. On time. Somehow.

At Least It Didn't Snow

But it was sure a yucky day.

We had our first snow of the season early last Sunday morning. That didn't amount to more than a dusting, but it was annoying to have to scrape the windshield. For the past couple of days the meteorologists have been predicting a doozey. "Watch out, we're going to get a major snow storm," was all I heard on the weather. It started with heavy rain in southern California (thanks Scribbs) and spread itself halfway across the country with snow in New Mexico, Texas, Nevada, then Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and the upper midwest. Today was our turn.

But not here.

It's very rainy and very, very windy. Very grey and gloomy. Squirt and Squeaky had their breakfast in the lee of our big oak tree.

NO SNOW!

Drive a few miles to the west or north and they had snow. Up to 10 inches in some places, but NOT HERE! Of course, we have huge puddles and the wind was blasting so violently that a cement weighted sign in Stop & Shop's parking lot blew over doing some significant paint damage to the hood of a shiny, black Mustang parked in front of it. It was a small enough sign, on a metal post, with a circular mass of cement about a foot thick and 2 feet in diameter. The metal post did the damage. Yes, I braved the wild and wet storm to go in to the store to tell the manager.

So, now we're all home, nice and cozy. Thankfully, I've got key work in to keep me busy with more arriving tomorrow and Friday. Dinner is cooking, the Christmas decorations are all out. I'm heading for the living room to stare at the tree.

Free For All

Last week, on a weird fluke, 'A' decided she wanted to pick up the daily newspaper. Upon turning to the Rockport page a headline caught my attention. Over a week later, I don't remember the exact wording of that headline, but it indicated an interesting article to be read below it. The article was about the planned upgrade and 'restoration' of the Rockport Community House AND it clearly stated that the building would be open on the following Saturday for residents to TAKE anything available that they could use. WOW!! A free sale!

The Saturday rolled around and I really didn't feel like rolling out of bed early. The words FREE STUFF kept rolling around my brain, so I did roll out. I thought it would be best to beat the scheduled opening time of 9 a.m. by about a half hour. Folks in this town are known to line up well ahead of time for bargains. I was first to arrive so I waited in my truck and watched the door. When one other 'shopper' arrived, I headed for the door. There were two rooms set up with an assortment of items. Tables, folding chairs, glassware, desks, file cabinets, an electric keyboard, stove, refrigerator, and assorted miscellany. Some neat stuff that I really didn't need.

What I ended up with was a large, and very heavy, folding screen covered with old and cracking Naugahyde, a very nice, newish, tall folding chair, an iron candlestick, a roll of white plastic tablecovering, and a Mission-style oak plant stand that needs refinishing.The picture is rather blurry, but it beats the other one I have which is way too dark! (No, I'm not taking another.)

Then I went on with my morning.

After dropping 'A' off at work at 11 a.m. I thought, oh well, might as well stop by and see what's left. The two ladies in charge of the give-away were getting ready to leave as I entered the main room. They hung around while I loaded up two metal shelving units and a collapsible, rolling clothes rack.

So...I haven't a clue what I will do with the folding screen. Right now it's a bit of a divider in the workshop. The tall chair is down there as well. It will be good for the craft shows next year. The candlestick is awaiting a good spot. It may wait for years! The roll of plastic table covering is sure to be handy, even as a dropcloth. The plant stand has been taken apart (it needed a reglue anyway) and will be refinished this winter. The shelves are in use in the workshop as is the rolling clothing rack which has been equipped with window screening which all the ivory jewelry is hanging on, covered in clear plastic, for the winter. For craft shows it will be the new stand for the ivory process photographs that I have as a backdrop.

Free stuff is great.