I also played Suzuki violin method from age 5. I gave up violin when I was 13 because I didn’t want to dedicate so many hours to it. But I love that it tuned my ear.
I love houses with pianos - almost as much as houses filled with books. I’ve not lived somewhere with a place for a piano, but I aspire to live in a house with a piano one day!
Oh did you! That's brilliant, I think I knew Suzuki was a special way to learn an instrument when I was learning if only because the way I learned violin seemed so different to the way friends learned to play instruments but I really appreciate it now! I remember when Andy and I moved into our first home and being so pleased because it meant we could have the family piano - mum and dad wanted it to go to a new home because they were moving so it all worked out. It eventually went to another family and we have an electric piano which I resisted initially but it's great.
Brilliant as ever! Every now and again I lazily swish a duster over the piano but I’m now inspired to play it today. Thank you and please do keep writing.
Harriet I absolutely LOVE this! And so many synchronicities - I also played piano from the ages of 3 to 16, and have always had a piano in my house. I cannot remember the last time I touched it but I might just go and have a play. My 'go to' is I Giorni by Einaudi - I used to play it by heart, and now I can't but the muscle memory gets me through the first page or so. It is such a beautiful and mindful feeling. Also The Only Living Boy in New York is one of my all time faves, and we also often switch off Spotify and put on vinyl including Radiohead!!! My two teenage daughters both have turntables and vinyl in their rooms and I have a large collection - I inherited my brother's vinyl collection when he died, and my sister gave me hers so I have the whole family collection. It's an absolute joy.
I do miss working outside the home - I had a job in Waterstones for a while and I loved it but my precarious health couldn't even sustain that so now I don't have anything that requires that kind of 'attendance' commitment - although maybe one day. You write so beautifully, I can't wait to read more. In the meantime I may put on some vinyl, or even open the piano lid...once I've finished my cup of tea. (I'm interviewing Bec soon for my Book Deal Diaries series - honestly so many common links here it's quite spooky).
Thank you! Thank you! I regret getting rid of so much of our vinyl collection in the early 2000s, we're definitely in 'rebuild the collection' phase which is frustrating and sad but also good fun when the kids get involved. I understand what you mean about working outside the home. I've been freelance for so long because of children, chronic fatigue and cancer so taking this part time role with OB has been quite a big step. It's two four-hour afternoon shifts a week. I've been totally transparent, they've been super supportive and so far it's going well. I think the mental challenge has been harder to navigate than standing on my feet for four hours. Enjoy your interview with Bec, she and Chris are fab. Take care, Hx
Am a fellow CFS sufferer. Glad that OB are accommodating - the bookshop were sadly a bit more ‘the computer says no’. I do miss it. I look forward to us sharing more common ground on here 💕💕💕
I also played Suzuki violin method from age 5. I gave up violin when I was 13 because I didn’t want to dedicate so many hours to it. But I love that it tuned my ear.
I love houses with pianos - almost as much as houses filled with books. I’ve not lived somewhere with a place for a piano, but I aspire to live in a house with a piano one day!
Oh did you! That's brilliant, I think I knew Suzuki was a special way to learn an instrument when I was learning if only because the way I learned violin seemed so different to the way friends learned to play instruments but I really appreciate it now! I remember when Andy and I moved into our first home and being so pleased because it meant we could have the family piano - mum and dad wanted it to go to a new home because they were moving so it all worked out. It eventually went to another family and we have an electric piano which I resisted initially but it's great.
Brilliant as ever! Every now and again I lazily swish a duster over the piano but I’m now inspired to play it today. Thank you and please do keep writing.
Ah lovely Helen, I haven't seen you for ages and I'm so pleased you read this and are thinking of playing the piano again!
Your writing is lovely! 💛
That’s so kind, thank you so much 😊
I'm so moved by this post - and that photo of little you! Please keep hitting 'send.' 💜
That means a lot, thank you so much, and for subscribing too. I'm feel a little teary, in a good way!
Harriet I absolutely LOVE this! And so many synchronicities - I also played piano from the ages of 3 to 16, and have always had a piano in my house. I cannot remember the last time I touched it but I might just go and have a play. My 'go to' is I Giorni by Einaudi - I used to play it by heart, and now I can't but the muscle memory gets me through the first page or so. It is such a beautiful and mindful feeling. Also The Only Living Boy in New York is one of my all time faves, and we also often switch off Spotify and put on vinyl including Radiohead!!! My two teenage daughters both have turntables and vinyl in their rooms and I have a large collection - I inherited my brother's vinyl collection when he died, and my sister gave me hers so I have the whole family collection. It's an absolute joy.
I do miss working outside the home - I had a job in Waterstones for a while and I loved it but my precarious health couldn't even sustain that so now I don't have anything that requires that kind of 'attendance' commitment - although maybe one day. You write so beautifully, I can't wait to read more. In the meantime I may put on some vinyl, or even open the piano lid...once I've finished my cup of tea. (I'm interviewing Bec soon for my Book Deal Diaries series - honestly so many common links here it's quite spooky).
Much love x
Thank you! Thank you! I regret getting rid of so much of our vinyl collection in the early 2000s, we're definitely in 'rebuild the collection' phase which is frustrating and sad but also good fun when the kids get involved. I understand what you mean about working outside the home. I've been freelance for so long because of children, chronic fatigue and cancer so taking this part time role with OB has been quite a big step. It's two four-hour afternoon shifts a week. I've been totally transparent, they've been super supportive and so far it's going well. I think the mental challenge has been harder to navigate than standing on my feet for four hours. Enjoy your interview with Bec, she and Chris are fab. Take care, Hx
Am a fellow CFS sufferer. Glad that OB are accommodating - the bookshop were sadly a bit more ‘the computer says no’. I do miss it. I look forward to us sharing more common ground on here 💕💕💕
So happy to have found you and your writing here too, so much common ground to explore!