In the air from new york to baton rouge via houston. Whatever happened to nonstop flights anyway? Cab came at 4 am and we made very good time arriving at 430. Checked in curbside and was under baggage weight limit so didn’t have to stand in line or pay extra. Got tea and yogurt and then went thru the security checkpoint. First time since 9-11 that I was NOT stopped and hand searched or had bags inspected. Kniiting needles and short scissors were not even acknowledged thank goodness. Have to do some serious knitting on the flight after a short nap.

Spent most of the last six days making major headway in unpacking and settling in. Actually put a few rugs down todsy and went thru the boxes of tchotckes and put some out and will pack the rest up and store when I return.

At this point only two rooms have unpacked boxes – bedroom and study. There is a box of rugs and one of pictures in the music room but those are waiting to be hung and laid out

Piano repair man came last thursday and found that the lyre is cracked. He couldn’t stay to take it apart as he has cat allergies. So another man came today and took it off to take to the shop to repair. Its obvious that this has happened before – there is old dried glue in the crack which is, of course, on the right pedal side.

This man says that the stuck E and F keys are because the action needs regulating. So this is the third opinion on these stuck keys. Sigh. To regulate the action will be several thousand dollars. Sigh again. I am not sure who to believe and can’t seem to get a straight answer. I am going to call the owner later today and see what he advises. I am beginning to think I have wasted my money but am hoping its not the case. How I wish I could afford a nice lovely steinway. Sigh sigh and sigh.

So I will not have any access to a piano where I will be and then when I get back it will be to a piano with no pedals. Well it will be a good opportunity to work on my finger legato. Not sure when I will get the lyre back.

The good news is that the rest of the apt is beginning to catch up with the kitchen and bath which were done months ago. And its starting to feel like my home not a space I am occuping. Some of the strangeness is wearing off and I’m becoming accustomed to the nuances of this space. The way the light moves thru the apt from the back which faces east to the front which faces west and towards the river.

Soon soon all the boxes will be gone and then it will be time to start on the garden. !!!!