random art

I was walking Smitty in the alley when I spotted this little painting. Random art! I love it. I hope I see more of these. If you're in the area and want to check it out, it's in the alley next to Halcyon.

My piano...my old

This is the piano I've had for a long time. Soon, it will be replaced with a new piano, so I want to "eulogize" it? I guess that's the word. This piano came to me because I had told Pearl Rose, one of our elderly neighbors, that I missed having a piano. She came to our apartment one day and said that her next door neighbor was moving to Arizona and wanted to sell his piano to someone who'd appreciate it. I rushed across street and met him. He sort of interviewed me. He played the piano, I played the piano, and he said, Okay, it can go to you. He charged me $150. It cost me $50 to move it across the street and up the stairs. The movers, sweated and cursed, trying to get it up the steep steps and around the newel post at the top, into the room I had for it. They said "lady, don't call us when you want to move this again." So, when we moved to our house, I DID call them. I figured that they knew how to get it out since they'd gotten it in. I loved having this piano. I loved finding out it was made in 1909 and that it was like having a 6' grand piano because it was so tall. The sound was beautifully rich. I felt that it was a responsibility, that I had to take care of it, because Caesar Kerstein (that was the man's name) had entrusted it to me. I had a humidity system put in it a few years ago, and I had it tuned regularly. But, time took it's toll. Too many parts broke and my tuner told me last year that it'd need rebuilding. And that it'd be very expensive to do that. I haven't played in awhile, due to breaking my arm. Now that my wrist and hand are a bit better, I'd been trying to play Hanon exercises, but with keys not working, it was pointless. I called the rebuilder, got the news, and after talking with people, looking things up on-line, I decided to replace my Mason-Hamlin. I'm sad, this has been a wonderful piano, it's been a "companion, provided so much pleasure, been solace, and escape, but I'm ecstatic to have a little baby grand coming into my house. More on this soon.

A sad sight.

This sad sight greeting me when I stepped outdoors the other day. This robin must have flown right into our upstairs window. I looked up and there is was, the sky and tree reflected in the window looking as if it went on forever.

#5

I'm studying Spanish! I've wanted to do this for some time. It's fun and my brain gets a work out, though sometimes I toss in French or Italian. My brain gets "tongue tied!"

#4

I wonder about this...the bicycles left chained to posts and trees. Left to be dismantled over time. Who forgets their bike? Why do they forget them? I had a really neat book of photos done by a guy in the village in New York City of all the abandoned bikes he saw. There were images of complete bikes and partial ones, down to just the basic frame. But why they're abandonned puzzles me. I spoke with a former student of mine about this once, but can't remember what we concluded. Obviously, the conclusion didn't satisfy me because I continue to ponder this.

#3

I'd had dreams about getting a tattoo. Noah said, "you know what that means?" I did. I knew it was inevitable. What, where and when, I had no idea. It all came together as we approached another 9/11 commemoration...a dove (my family name means pigeon in Russian & a pigeon is a rock dove) My tattoo reminds me to practice, practice, practice mindfulness and inner peace. If the image looks familiar, it's because it's the reverse of a Picasso. oooh, I hope I'm not in trouble with copyright laws.

#2

I had an incident with a very BIG turkey. It was dead, it was in my kitchen sink, and I was preparing it for Thanksgiving dinner. It was breast up. I looked down at my dog. He was lying at my feet on his back, breast side up....you get the picture. I felt ill. I finished what I was doing, cooked a fine turkey for a huge family and friends dinner, but couldn't eat it. That was 27 years ago. I gave up meat, except for fish.

Five things about moi! #1

I started studying to play the piano when I was 7 but I was told that I used to sit under our family piano when my older sister was taking lessons and draw pictures for the piano teacher. I wanted to be a piano teacher when I grew up. I took lessons until I was 18 and then took additional lessons when I was an adult.

I've been tagged!

I've been tagged and I'm supposed to post 5 things that you don't know about me. This has been really difficult. I think you all know everything about me! Chuck says, "you're an open book." I've gotten encouragement from Scott, when I mentioned that what I might post would be inconsequential, to just do it. Okay, so I'm thinking. Here are two images that may have something to do with what I'm thinking about. I'll get back with you really soon.

Bread wishes from Meg

bread wishes from Meg
Originally uploaded by mimmyg.

Chuck and I had a big anniversary party this past Saturday night. It was such fun. Eating and dancing the night away with family and friends. Wish you all could have been there. This is the custom bread from Meg. It was as good tasting as it was good looking.