Thursday, June 3, 2010

The Heart of a Piano

As you read this post, you're probably going to think, "Bless her heart! She has waaaaay too much time on her hands." And there are times that may be true.

Yesterday was one of those rare days that I stayed home and had some time to just enjoy being home. I did some ironing (my least favorite chore), and while I ironed, I watched the movie, "Billy: The Early Years of Billy Graham," which I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

After I finished my ironing, I was trying to think of something I could post about for today, preferably, without having to go out in the Mississippi heat and humidity to do. And then, I remembered an idea I had a while back and never followed up on -- my piano.

I love pianos, and think any room looks warmer and more welcoming with a piano in it, no matter what its style, shape, size, or condition. I even wrote a post about decorating with them not long ago (Decorating with Pianos).

If you are a regular visitor to Southern Lagniappe, you know I always love to photograph things up close and personal, so yesterday, I decided to get a look at my piano from a different perspective -- through my camera lens. Have you ever really looked at the inside of a piano, especially a grand piano? It is truly a masterpiece ... and a work of art. Just take a peek inside mine ...


I have a confession to make: I had to take two sets of pictures for this post. Set 1 was before I cleaned the inside of my piano, and Set 2 was taken after I cleaned it. I had no idea it was so dusty until I was editing the first set of photos and saw all that dust up close and personal -- Yuck! It's still not perfect, but is so much better than it was. So, not only did I find a post for today, I also received some lagniappe in the process -- a cleaner piano!

7 comments:

RachelD said...

What a magnificent piece of art! You can see every instrument there is in these pictures---the graceful curves of the string section, the smooth tips of the reeds, even the long, sweeping lines of a majestic pipe organ. The crisp black-and-white is the tuxes and ties and starched shirts of the musicians.

And looking down the long vista of the taut strings---well, we Mississippi girls know that's just like riding a country road beside a vast field, the rows stretching straight and true to the horizon, like comb-marks in a little boy's Sunday hair.

You are amazingly talented, and I always look forward to what you have to show and tell next.

If you could see your way clear to sit down to Clair de Lune or even Leaning on the Everlasting Arms, that would be the perfect frame.

Marjorie (Molly) Smith said...

lol, that's usually what I have to do. I never realized until I got my camera, that I could use to get up close and personal, just how much dust would show up in pictures.
I love your pictures, I was too busy looking at all the fascinating views to notice any dust.
As usual you captured not only great photos, but my attention.
Hope you have a great week end.
Molly

Sue said...

What a beautiful piano, Janie, and they do make a room look so warm. Seeing the piano through your lens was very beautiful too and enjoyable. Thank you for sharing.
Sue

Sue said...

Forgive me Janie, I got so interested in your piano that I forgot to comment on the movie, I haven't seen it but our daughter has the DVD and will bring it this summer , she enjoyed it as well.
Sue

Cottage Rose said...

Wow I never thought how beautifully a Piano was from the inside,,but it truly is.... thank you for sharing it with us I really enjoyed your post...

hugs;
Alaura

Anonymous said...

Morning Janie! Your pics look like works of art from an expensive gallery! It always fascinates me how anyone came up with the invention of the piano! I really wish I had taken more than 2 lessons when I was younger!!lol My mother loves piano and I wish I kept taking the lessons for her! Your home is perfect setting for this beauty!!! Anyway - isn't it funny how a picture lets us know when we have forgotten to do something!lol It's just the camera magnifying the dust right? it really isn't that bad - tell me that's true!lol Might be the reason I haven't taken many pictures lately!!!lol Well I hope you enjoy your weekend and your ironing is finished!!! Take care dear - Sincerely, Jeannette

The Quintessential Magpie said...

I loved seeing this because I love pianos, Janie, and I adore Billy Graham. He's the one famous person (aside from Sean Connery) that I would really like to meet, and given the choice between those two, I would still pick the Rev. Graham. He is my hero!

XO,

Sheila