I found the bag of my old piano and violin books. I took pictures for posterity (and may have kept a few as souvenirs.) There were such a huge part of my life from ages 4 to 11. They really wanted me to be a musician, but I just never did take to it. I’m not a prodigy like my dad was.
The Neil Diamond piano book is HILARIOUS because I never saw it in my life but my mom obviously had plans. 🤣
A few days in the Berkshires with my aunt and friends to escape from reality and let animals, nature, and lots of good food heal me a bit
I washed and ironed Dad’s SCA banner and also hung up his Book of Kells tapestry from one of my parents’ trips to Ireland. Banner’s a little discolored from age but I still like it. Dad loved turtles.
Dad used to go to the offices of Mad Magazine as a teenager and just hang out with Bill Gaines and the crew. They’d give him paper and pencil and let him draw away happily. Gaines told my grandmother he had talent and she should send him to art school and they’d hire him when he graduated. (She did not do this.) Dad was a prolific amateur illustrator of fanzines and letters throughout most of his life. (I also favor ballpoint pen for drawings, come to think of it.)
