Desperate times call for desperate measures. Hence our current self isolating and distancing protocols.
They are extremely important for mitigating the spread of this oh-so-dangerous virus.
However, thank the good lord Harry that following them also leads to the odd bit of humour, another of our important weapons in the fight against this putrid pandemic.
I personally experienced one of those earlier this week while doing a sunrise run to Sobeys. I was following the arrows, and was half way down an empty aisle when suddenly a masked senior swerved into my aisle going hell bent for toilet paper perhaps, then stopped cold when he spotted the arrow that told him he was going against the flow.
I stopped well back and watched. To his credit, he immediately turned around and faced the proper direction, his good work immediately erased by continuing to head my way — walking backwards.
Absolutely priceless. My friend Graham Shaw asked if he was making a beep beep sound while doing so. With the aisle clear behind me, I just turned around and scooted a couple of aisles over.
They did have toilet paper by the way. Not much. I bought some. But no hand sanitizer. Ran out about two people before me. Darn.
As we deal with the current surreal environment, nothing beats a worthwhile distraction, and I think I may have a good one for you. Something to give our coping stamina a bit of a boost.
Allow me to suggest, an organ transplant.
You may remember that for some time now in this column I have been urging people to do whatever it takes to preserve the old pianos, pumps organs, vintage old growth wood furniture and so on, the ultimate goal being to keep them from winding up at the dump.
Because of my prattling, I’ve been given numerous opportunities to rescue and re-home same, at which I’m happy to say I’ve had some success. Today, I’m asking you to help me find the absolute perfect home for one of those rescues, a larger than average old oak pump organ that originally came from the Winnipeg Beach Anglican Church.
The family that had protected and preserved it over the past few decades decided it was time to let someone else appreciate and enjoy it. I agreed to help, so, long story short, now it’s at my place.
This extraordinary piece of history deserves an excellent home.
I sat down and played it a bit before writing this, beautiful tone, and at some point over its lifetime, I doubt that it’s original, someone has added an electrical component to this beauty, as evidenced by the light switch on the front, but I don’t know what it does. The cord is inside, can’t see what it’s attached to, but I’m guessing it’s maybe a motor to run the bellows without the player having to pump. That’s a mystery for the new owner to explore.
The organ, gorgeous quarter sawn oak it appears, was manufactured by the Estey Organ Company, June, 1906, in Battlebro, Vermont, U.S.A. and sold out of Toronto.
I would so love this to go to a home where it is played and treasured, to a museum perhaps, perhaps to some business where it is a feature used to enhance the ambience, so many possibilities. It is free, yes FREE to the successful "applicant" and I may even be able to help with delivery. We shall see.
Even the bench is gorgeous, and built with a slant for added comfort while playing the organ.
If you think you may have the ideal fit for it, or can suggest someone who may, simply make your case via the email below. I’ll decide if there’s a worthy applicant in what’s received, and go from there. Cutoff is midnight Wed. April 15.
Get on it! Good luck. Be well.
Comments or feedback welcome!
lmustard1948@gmail.com
