Dan the Piano Man

People, I have met the Dog Whisperer’s long lost American cousin. I have no real proof that they are indeed related, but since I’ve never seen anyone tame my ornery pup so quickly and easily, I figure it has to be something in the blood.

Meet Dan. Otherwise known as Riley’s new BFF.

Dan was my birthday present from those faith sharing girls I introduced you to yesterday. Ok, well DAN wasn’t my present, but his handy piano-fixing skills certainly were. Dan the Piano Man, as I have just now decided to call him, had virtually no experience with player pianos… but we quickly discovered we are like-minded in our approach to fixing things: if we take enough things apart we’ll figure it out eventually.

Did I mention Riley fell in love with Dan the Piano man? Yes, he did, and he was more than willing to be Dan’s happy helper through the entire process. Just so you know, I wanted to put Riley on a leash, but Dan was getting a kick out of him. He even brought his wife back to meet the pooch after the piano was fixed.

I know where to look if Riley runs away from home.

I was totally enthralled with this whole process. And I think Dan was pleased to have someone he could explain his work to and show the details that impressed him. The fact that this piano is over 100 years old and working so well kind of blew both of our minds. Apparently the old adage, “They don’t make ‘em like the used to,” is absolutely true.

In the end, other than a desperate need for a good tuning, fixing the player wasn’t all that difficult. He found a hose that had an old piece of dried up tape falling off of it, so we replaced that tape with good old black electrical tape. Hey, if someone else thought tape was a good idea, we were happy to go with it, too.

Then Dan the Piano Man realized the bolts and screws [or whatever those things were] that held the roll of music in place had 100 years of gunk built up on them. So, he took them to the sink, washed them up with Dawn soap, and VOILA:

The player piano started playing like a charm. Gives new meaning to the term elbow grease. And it’s proof that Dawn dish soap really does cut through the toughest grease… truth in advertising, people.

Yep. I don’t think it’s the music Riley was adoring. Dan the Piano Man/Dog Whisperer can apparently fix pianos and tough dogs.

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I loved reading about your friendships and the ways people have loved on you through the little details… there is no doubt that time, love and attention are the main gifts we all appreciate so much.

Now, for the winner of yesterday’s canvas:

Mandy: I LOOOOVE details!! I say "the love is in the details" all the time when I'm making something stupidly detailed for someone.
The first thing that came to mind for me was my bridal shower - my incredible neighbors put together a gorgeous bridal shower, and one of them made this crazy banner that said "Jack and Mandy" in script, another made a bustier cake, and another wrapped plastic-ware in napkins and tied ribbons around each one!! It totally made me feel loved.

Congratulations!!! Email me at gitzengirl@gmail.com with your mailing address and I’ll get it shipped out to you!