It’s almost the end of August and it’s time to reflect.

I had in mind to be looking towards the concert (which I need to print the programs for) and the Fair (which I won’t have time to really attend this year) and Tat Days (which starts in a week), but I find I must take a moment to breath. I’ve allowed myself to be committed to several big projects at once. That’s usually what happens when you’re a musician. I know how to prepare for everything. I can set my schedule to accomplish all I need to do and even some things I want to do. All that said, it means my schedule never becomes mundane, just a bit crazy. I like crazy.

Tomorrow I’ll pause long enough to share some of my favorite organ pieces at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Salinas. Just a half hour or so of music. They’ll be the regulars. And a few eating their lunch. Maybe the PGE construction guys will listen for a few minutes. It’s great fun!

I miss helping out at the Fair. I’ve heard the atmosphere is quite different this year. I hope the gang is taking lots of pictures. I hope the judges liked the entries. I hope people discover new interests and celebrate hard work.

OK. Breathing done, time to dive in!!

Ready for Play

It is my custom to review what I do each day, each week, each month, each quarter……… You get the idea. I need to know I’m making progress, making the world a better place, meeting my goals…….

BWV 549 by Melanie Cervi

June, on that list, looks like one big celebration! When you glance at my blog posts, you see posts that seem to be wrapped up in just one project. I really was involved in more than that! Really!! (BWV 549)

Sonata by Melanie Cervi

(Sonata) July, on that list, looks like one big concert!Lots of listening and writing, not much tatting or playing. I did play organ several times. I set the date for my workshop in Sunnyvale.

August wasn’t so positive. The organ went on the blink. The snowflakes went missing. I played a lot, so the hands have been limping along. I’m determined to end with a more positive week!

Yesterday, I spent most of the day preparing for the concert at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Salinas on Friday. Today, I’ll wrap up that preparation and work on repairing the organ. Tomorrow, I’ll be finishing my in-progress samples for the classes at Tat Days. (My classes are listed about half way down the page.) And Saturday is the last day of August! Whew!!

I'll be ready for some Play Time in September............

Ready or Not Here I Come!

My Fair items are ready for the judge. We’ll see what they think. I didn’t find the snowflakes. Ah well. That means I won’t have anything entered in the “tatting” Division. There will be things entered. I hope the experience is positive for the judge, the tatters, and the folks who volunteer for the Fair. I’ll be missing the time to demonstrate. I have taken on other jobs this year. Next year I will return!

Getting ready for ????

Well, still no sign of the pieces that went missing. I’ve entered them in the Fair confident that I would find them. But, no such luck! Ah well. The exposure at the Fair is limited. I would probably gain more if I had a booth in a Street Fair or participated in an Open Studio Tour. The former is sooo muchhh workkkk and the latter is too personal. I’m not the only one using the studio location, and I use it for organ also. I’d be hard pressed to seem relaxed and congenial. I think that’s very important in the artist community.

I’ve begun pulling together my samples for TAT Days next month. Nothing too crazy, just snippets of the patterns so people can see what I talk about. Pictures will be shared when I return. Now, it’s off to look at all the fantastic cars that are on display this week. I’ll be the one with the tatting shuttles in hand.

Repair needed

schematic similar to the organ wiring

Remember this beauty? My organ is showing its age. Half of the stops are not working. It’s electrical, or electronic. We need a schematic so we can figure out what to test. Unfortunately for us, but understandably, the organ companies do not publish repair materials. So, my very handy, and knowledgeable, husband is not able to research the problem. 

So, we will be literally stabbing in the dark. We won’t know what part(s) need repair/replace. You suggest calling the company? Well, they’re in the business of building and selling organs. I doubt they will be eager to help repair an organ built some 25-30 years ago. 

I have 2 more commitments to play this weekend. I’m loathe to start the process of repair until I’m past those services. Then, I’ll have a couple of weeks.

Of course next week is Car Week. We’re already seeing the cars roll in. Some are in huge transport trucks. Others being towed. Still others are rolling in with grins on drivers’ faces and thumbs up from the passers-by. Petrol-heads unite!

Me? I’ll be pulling together my materials for Tat Days. All the arrangements are in place; at least those that I’ve thought of. I’m getting kinda excited.