How much pumpkin pie can one person eat? I think I tried to set a record this year. Now my son would tell you that it's not the pumpkin pie I overdosed on. That would actually be the whipped cream. Do you like a little whipped cream with your pumpkin pie? I confess I like a little pumpkin pie with my whipped cream. Is there really any other way?
Much of this over indulgence of all things pumpkin happened while visiting my mom. But in between the feasting I also spent time with a childhood friend. My old piano. It needed tuning decades ago so C sharp still sounds a half step off. But something about that familiar out of tune key was as comforting as everything else in this house.
I remember how my little terrier would curl up on the pedals by my feet. Certain notes bothered his ears which meant it was time for a sing-a-long. Skipper's low sad howl became a regular part of Ignace Leybach's Fifth Nocturne just like the tick tock of the metronome that kept the beat while I played. It's been years since I tried to play this piece.
This sweet simple brown upright my parents acquired when I was 5 prompted the beginning of 14 years of piano lessons and recitals in poofy dresses and big bows for yours truly. The story is that my mom wanted the piano for me but my dad knew that secretly she wanted it for herself too. Over the years we spent thousands of hours playing it.
My mom saves everything. Some of my sheet music still lives in the piano bench with the noisy hinge, too old and worn to hold up the heavy wooden lid. A little fact I often forgot until it crashes down on my hand.
My mom still likes to listen to me play. She smiles through all my missed notes and sad attempts at sight reading just like she did all those years I sat in this same corner protesting. Even my son was listening too. Surprised and amused that his mom actually knows how to read music. I think it's like forgetting someone you've know all your life speaks another language.
I wish I had room at my house for a piano. I always thought someday I might but my old piano belongs here at my mom's house. With all my memories, out of tune keys and all.
It wouldn't sound right in any other place.
I hope you had a lovely weekend.
10 comments:
It's been so long since I've played music or sight read; over 15 years! I'd love to pick it back up with a different instrument, I learned on the clarinet but I'd love to take piano lessons.
Totally over-dosing on pumpkin over here too! Actually, tonight I made a luxurious macaroni cheese, with half a pumpkin and a bell pepper :) We've had pumpkin muffins, soup and many other things. I just love recycling!
I'm with you on the whipped cream! I always put a huge dollop on my pie :)
It's like when you go to Carl's Jr and get a shake and they ask if you want whipped cream on it ~ does anyone ever say no? Come on!
What a lovely slice of your holiday. We had a very similar piano when I was a youngster. I too couldn't imagine the piano of my youth not occupying the same space forever. Just the way it feels. Lovely thoughts and rememberances shared....thanks, Oma Linda
I had my whipped cream with chocolate pudding pie....yum!! It sounds like you had a lovely holiday....and I love love love the new look on your blog!!
The way you spoke about parent's home touched me.. I miss my parents a lot, I miss all the imperfections of our house, but they are also a part of my childhood...
even I didn't know you play piano, this is great.Hope you can afford keeping a small piano in your house too... who knows:)
Take care! Anna
Lots of great memories are tied up in that old piano of your...
Nice post Anna.
I think that I over did on everything at the table...Oh well, it's off to the gym this morning.
I, too, like I little pumpkin pie with my whipped topping. I miss my piano too. I had it for a little while, but it was so out of tune that it couldn't be played. Now it is back with my mom and I miss it terribly. If I started playing again, I'd have to start with lessons from scratch. I've completely forgotten how to read music. :-(
blessings
~*~
When I was little we also had an old piano that was a out of tune. It sat in the living room and though my mother played (rather badly) I never learned. But when time came to get rid of the piano, maybe ten years ago, I seriously thought of having it brought over to my tiny studio flat - purely for the sentimental value. Of course that never happened and nowadays no-one misses the old thing. But your story brought back some sweet memories :)
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