Well, I haven’t done what I meant to do, which was marzipan the cake and clean and tidy upstairs, but I have finished shopping for presents, posted everything and been in to school THREE TIMES. I’ve written letters, signed cheques and wished various people well, including one who’s leaving us to move to Greece after Christmas.
Real news of the week is that, apparently, my pianola is ready. I can hardly believe it. I haven’t seen it for years. I have no idea how much all the repairs will have cost. As well as the pianola innards being renovated, it has been restrung and totally overhauled. I’ve left a message on the chap’s answerphone and hope he’ll get back to me – I’ll ring again in the morning, I’m hopeful of getting it home before Christmas now. Although I won’t get too anxious about it, I’ve waited long enough. Some furniture shifting will be required and it won’t be in the ideal place, but I can’t put it where I originally thought, in the annexe. I want it near me, I haven’t played the piano in years – it used to have a lovely sound and touch, I hope it’s as good – and I haven’t pedalled the pianola in decades. I can hardly wait now.
*sings*
Sing us a song, you’re the piano man
Sing us a song tonight.
Well, we’re all in the mood for a melody
And you’ve got us feelin’ alright.
*hands round pointy hat*
It’s a very long time since I’ve heard a pianola being played. Look forward immensely to hearing it.
“Ich bin die fesche Lola, der Liebling der Saison,
Ich hab’ ein Pianola zu Haus’ in mein’ Salon.
Ich bin die fesche Lola, mich liebt ein jeder Mann –
Doch an mein Pianola, da lass’ ich keinen ran !”
Marlene Dietrich, “Die fesche Lola, by Liebmann & Hollaender, 1930.
And when you come to Amsterdam the next time, visit the Pianola Museum.
Pianola Museum! Heaven!!
We have a player piano which my husband purchased about forty years ago. One of the casters on its feet needed replacing when we moved here. It has been sitting in our garage waiting for fourteen years. We loved having parties where everyone enjoyed singing to the huge selection of rolls we have and I miss that. My favorites are ” Mr. Sandman” and “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing”.
I don’t have either of those, a lot of them are very old musicals, such as ‘No no, Nanette,’ which you won’t have heard of. Get the repair done, darling, if it’s time for me it is for you – we’re practically sisters, aren’t we?!