Supplied
Renowned musician Thomas C. is also an accomplished carpenter. He recently repurposed this piano into a classy book case.
Hurray, great news, we are now one Saturday closer to Spring!
That pretty much tells you how I feel about winter.
Here’s some more good news, this from the feedback department. My quest to make good use of all the wonderful old wood in the world is having some success.
Peruse this stellar report from Thomas C., who along with Lori Lulu makes up the world renowned and Juno nominated children’s musical group LuLu and the TomCat.
Dear Laurie,
As an out-of-work touring musician, (COVID sabbatical?) I have fallen back on my handyman skills — many musicians save for those gig-free times in their careers. Your article suggesting repurposing old pianos inspired me to tackle a project I had been pondering for a while.
We had an old baby grand piano that had a broken sound board and could no longer make music.
We used it for many years as a coffee table (without the innards of course), but I recently remade it into a one-of-a-kind bookcase. Thanks for pushing me into keeping the beautiful old wood alive.
Take care and stay well, Tom (the TomCat).
Tom, you are so welcome. Thanks for letting me know, and congrats on your excellent idea and superb work. It looks fabulous.
Funny this e-mail should arrive when it did because the very morning I opened and read it I also just happened to have brought home a tiny piano a couple just had to have picked up as it was moving day and no one wanted their baby.
They’d tried to sell it. Nothing. And of course I had to spot the ad. Thank the good Lord Harry it was only five minutes from me in Charleswood, and the best part, the movers were there, so they carried it out and put it on my trailer.
Too bad they didn’t follow me home and carry it in. Maybe I can get my border collie to fetch it.
I swear this will absolutely be the last piano or organ I rescue — ever — until the next one.
Who could pass up a cute little piano like this? Apparently lots of people, which is why I have it. Rescuing old stuff is my kryptonite, and you know what, I’m good with that.
Just have to figure out what to do with everything.
Fortunately not all the ancient treasures in my possession are big and heavy. I also love old books and have a fair number of them in my library. I pulled one from the shelf last night that was published in 1857. The Child’s Companion and Juvenile Instructor. It was published in London by The Religious Tract Society — Instituted 1799, and was sold at The Depositories, 56 Paternoster Row.
Curious, I Googled 56 Paternoster Row to see if it still exists. It does, it’s just around the corner from St. Paul’s Cathedral, and is now Wasabi, Sushi & Bento, which offers takeout and delivery.
How I would love to know who the first person to open this book was, and where he or she is buried now. I’d also love to have a GPS tracking graph for this book’s travels since 1857. That would be fascinating. What ship did it cross the ocean in, and when? Where did the trees grow that were cut down to provide paper to print and publish the book? So many questions.
There are a couple of names written inside the front cover, Bertha Lowe in ink (from 1909), and Miss Haight in pencil, no date. Obviously it doesn’t take much to get my mind galloping along. So if you’re going to throw out old books, go through them first. Some history buff like me may be desperate to save them.
And yes, you’re right. I probably do need serious help, but I’m happy.
Have a great weekend. Be safe!
lmustard1948@gmail.com
