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It's been awhile folks and it's great being home again after my rather unpleasant journey between health issues and gawd awful stress that I can't believe didn't kill me as well, pretty much gone, I'm back to lessons again and enjoying every minute of it. I'm studying with someone overseas via Zoom, which is weird but quite enjoyable. We're working on stuff slowly, and I mean slowly, but it's fun nonetheless. I'll do more on this in the piano music forums.

That mini-stroke, plus everything else had set me on a downward spiral in February 2012 onward. It took about two years for my left hand to come back to life, and after having "some words" with the family, I was allowed to play the piano again. The thing is they got used to no piano being played and pretty much took over with the TV. The complaints rained in and strong words were said. I caved at first because I didn't want to make waves due to the stress that they cause, but I tried again and again, and finally I got my way.

In May 2017 I moved my piano from its first floor room that was its home for its first 7 years to a second floor room, which is brighter and bigger. In that room lives my digital piano and my large clavichord, and all get played mostly equally, though the two pianos more than the clavichord have quite a bit more activity. The new room has the advantage too of being even more out of the way and less disturbing to others below.

Anyway, the Vogel has held up well, more scratched than I thought thanks to my sister putting stuff on it while I wasn't around, but all in all it still sounds good, and the scratches can be cleaned up.

So now let's talk pianos and music, which is a lot more fun than talking about me!

John

It’s good to see you here again, John.

Welcome back, John!

Glad you're feeling better and your hand is cooperating again. I'm a proponent that the piano is good therapy, physically, mentally and spiritually! I know it has helped me, though I still can't play all that well.

Rick

John, thanks for sharing your positive news with us. maintaining harmony in the household is of course paramount, but the boob tube is responsible for mental and spiritual degeneration through large parts of industrial/technologically advanced societies. may you enjoy many rewarding musical journeys.

I agree wholeheartedly as well. I never realized the true power of music in its healing abilities. There are some interesting studies being done on this regarding Parkinson Disease and other neurodegenterive conditions.

The biggest part was pushing myself through the stiffness little by little. The more I did it, the less I had it, though I still get it in my left hand but not as bad. The stamina too, geeze, I'd need a super-nap after an hour's worth of practice. The pushing helped though, and the lessons are the best I've had in decades.

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Thank you, huaidongxi. I agree that boob tube is the detriment to a lot of things we used to enjoy. I do intend on continuing my musical journeys. There's so little time and so much to discover.

John

Very pleased to have you back John.

Hello Carey, I'm happy to be back too.

Except for the odd sports event, I haven’t watched TV for years. Since I got serious about piano, neither my wife nor I ever watch. Time is just too precious and we have too many ways we’d prefer to use ours.

Welcome back, John! Sorry to hear of your struggles, but glad to hear things are better for you.

I have missed you, great to see you back!

Hi, John! Good to have you back!

Welcome home to your piano, John.

And welcome back to PW. Great to "see you here again.

Must have been a might big cat ...

Good to hear from you again. I imagine some "words" may have been spoken to your sister about what not to do to the lid of a grand piano!