Tuesday 13/12/2016 – Today is Violin Day! Hear! Hear!

I played violin when I was at school. Not very well! But the best story about my violining comes from the first time I brought it home.

My Dad was one of those people who could pick up any instrument at all, and after a few minutes of introducing himself to it, he could play a tune on the thing. So when he saw my violin case, naturally his eyes gleamed. He opened the case, took out the violin and the bow, tucked the instrument under his chin – and began to play.

He began with a scale or two, just to find his way around, and was soon gaining confidence. Unfortunately our tortoiseshell cat, Pixie, didn’t like his style . . . She ran up to him and bit him on the ankle!

Oddly enough, Pixie never bit me anywhere while I was struggling through my practice sessions. And I’m sure I never did manage to sound as good as Dad had done during his very short career as a violinist.

Ah, Pixie was lovely! She came back with Dad after he’d been to a family wedding in Yorkshire. He presented Mum with an enormous cardboard box – and when she opened it, the smallest kitten I’d ever seen was inside!

She was very beautiful, and several local tom cats must have agreed . . . because she had somewhere around 39 kittens during her lifetime. Every time she had a litter, my parents would declare that they’d “get her done” when this litter had been rehomed. But she always managed to be in kitten again by that time.

Thing was, she loved every one of her babies. When she did finally get to meet the vet, at the age of about twelve, she missed having her family around her – although her boyfriend of the time, a battle-scarred old street cat we called Fred, still called to see her regularly. Even without the naughty stuff, they were still good friends, and used to spend a lot of time sitting close together in silent communion. Even after Pixie died, Fred would come to the garden and sit in the places where they used to sit together. It was rather touching to see how much he missed her.

Anyway, when Mum adopted another cat – another tortie, but this time not a constant mother! – she was named Pixie II.

Lovin’ the Priceless kittah!

I’ve mentioned that my great niece plays the violin. I’ll have to record her when she’s at practice. That’s cool you played violin CWS and your dad was very talented.

Here’s a pic that makes me feel all warm and fluffy inside.

It’s late and kits, sans Miss Gaea, are sleeping in my lap. This is what I need to do –

Nighty night
PG

Crossover pic –

Violins – My late Father in Law was a life long violin player, he won many competitions and awards as a youngster growing up in Sydney Australia. He was lead violin in our local city orchestra and for the show/musical orchestra. In later years he repaired and made violins. Mr MS learned violin and moved on to double bass and Airy learned violin and has a 100+ year old violin. KK my sister also learned violin and I remember the cat not appreciating her practice sessions.

CWS, oh how I wish I could do what your Dad could do, pick up an instrument and play it. I can scratch out a tune on a violin and hiss a tune on a flute but the piano is they one I can play a tune on without music. I actually had to learn to read music when I joined the orchestra playing clarinet.
Awwww Pixie was some girl wasn’t she! 39 kittens and still hot as far as the boys were concerned. 🙂 She and Fred had a lovely relationship.

I had so much fun reading the last of yesterday’s cafe and this mornings’! I can’t play a violin, but took piano lessons for many years. I can read music too, in fact I think every child should learn in school or out of school to at least try to play an instrument, sing in a choir and especially learn to read music! The world opens up to a whole new level when you do, or get to go to a concert with full orchestra. So glad my school gave us that wonderful opportunity. I don’t know how the other kids felt, but I was transported!

JJ, I’m so sorry for the loss of your co worker. That is just the saddest story. How can life be so cruel?

KJ, I hope you got some rest after not being able to sleep. Your vacuuming story brought a smile to me too! Get yourself a really good set of ear buds so you can turn your music up, and the he$$ with the neighbors!!

PG, I hope you are feeling better today. Last week Avery ran a temp for a couple of days, but she really never ended up with anything we could see. This is just the time of year when peeps pass the ‘funk’ around and I try and wash my hands whenever I’ve been out and about and especially before I eat or touch my eyes or mouth. I also love the pic about how cats love us no matter how we look or how old we are…that’s what makes them so endearing.

CWS, I am envious of your musical family, especially anyone who can play any instrument. *sigh* Somehow, that’s just not right! 😀 Love the story of Pixie and her large family. I had a Pixie once too, she was a beautiful short haired tuxedo and was the sweetest little cat. She would come in around breakfast time and lick up my youngest daughters’ plate after she had an egg.

MS, you have such a musical family too, how wonderful! I actually still have my piano, but need to get it tuned badly. It’s not fun to play when it’s so out of tune.

JK, when you stop in today, I have to tell you you made me LOL at your coffee things you are here to do, and not to do!! LOVED it, and especially the part about bad coffee (decaf)–why oh why does it taste like dirt? 😆

Hi all – busy day today, I finally got to TDK land!
Apparently my mom was quite the violinist in her day. She gave her violin to my sister several years ago, but in recent years had asked to see it. So when sister’s niece drove to Jersey from the Midwest, she brought it. Mom picked it up and had the happiest expression I’ve seen in a very long time. She didn’t play it, of course, because it’s an antique and needs work to restore it to playing order, but she held it up like a professional.
I believe ECB’s son plays the violin too.
Enjoyed reading the stories of the musicians among us, as well as Pixie and Fred’s love story!