Autoharp and Katydid

I have an autoharp. When I was in university doing my B. A. in ECE, they said we had to learn to play an instrument. I played the recorder, the piano (which is in bad shape), and I've played guitar. I decided to pick up an autoharp.

This is a photo a reporter took for a Manotick local newspaper, where I used to live and work. She did an article about me teaching music. I was playing Waltzing Matilda! 

1993

I played the autoharp at church, and sang with it. 

Originally, it was sad playing it in the modern era, remembering the good times. Caitlin tried to sell it online for me. There were no bites. I brought it home, but Caitlin forgot to take the advert offline. Suddenly, a bite. 

There were questions about the instrument. The older ones have a better sound the potential buyer told me. She'd been researching it. I've replaced some felts. Re-felting professionally would cost $500 she told me. I'd reglued some.

Since I took it to university, student teaching and supply teaching, and going in and out of my portable in winter, I bought myself a hard shell case.  The heat of the school, and cold of winter, didn't do it any good. 

I have the tuner, spare pegs, and pics. Also, an autotuner. I always used to tune it sharp, and my mother had perfect pitch. She'd just shudder when I played!

I've been playing it. I told my disappointed buyer that she gave me a gift of getting back to playing it. I am going to keep it for now. 

Tuning takes time. I'm doing my best. My voice isn't what it used to be, either. I used to sing in professional choirs, Ottawa Choral Society in the 80s. I began singing with the church choir when I was 13. 

   

 I was out back playing it, and a katydid came to check it out!

 

The katydids, or bush crickets, are in full breeding stage. It's Katydid season. They are munching and mating.

 If you want to know what they sound like, you can hear them on my video. I thought he'd make a good percussion section for my songs!

 Katydid 

In the meantime, Saturday was Caitlin's birthday. I chose some flowers to send. We're meeting up next weekend, but I gave her her gift before they went to Newfoundland. I wanted to mark the occasion. This is what I ordered:

This is what she got! Sigh. It's the thought that counts. I shouldn't have agonized so much over which flower arrangement to send! They create a bouquet, and deliver what ever they have.