On my last day on Columbus Street as I'd emptied out everything except the piano, one of my neighbors said he knew someone who would want it. He mentioned Doreen Ketchens. He plays drums for her. I told him I was a huge fan of hers, but the piano was a wreck. Many of the keys sounded like crashing plywood on concrete and the sound board was cracked. Of course, our "Violette" had quite a history and story all her own since she'd been my childhood piano. Some day, I'll share more of our story.
Even so, Bootsie got Doreen on the phone and handed it off to me.
I told her who I was and that I was a huge fan. I told her about the piano and was honest.
I added: "As much as I would love knowing that my childhood piano was living with you, I can't in good conscience recommend it...
...I know what kind of shape it has been in ever since it sat in water after Hurricane Karina!"
She appreciated my honesty, and basically said that her husband had admonished her about taking it since she already had one that was in the same shape. We giggled a bit and I knew this was going to be one of the highlights of this trip.
I have this favorite photo above that I scooped when Doreen and the band were on the corner of Royal and St. Peter playing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow!"
I'd stopped to listen.
I cried. I left my tip. And then, I wandered through Jackson Square over to the Napoleon House where I was meeting a friend from graduate school. When I got home later that day and saw that top shot of her...it was better than anything I could have hoped for.
What a story of "stuff!" There are so many from this trip that are laden with so much meaning that I may share them with you over time.
Happy Tuesday!
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