Beta wangled me into playing in the music school orchestra this year, rehearsals start sometime this month. They are after work this time so I have no excuse. Among the things we are set to play is part of Mozart’s um Mitridate. Hey, I said, I know someone who played that, I’ll ask her for some pointers. Of course, I said, her version might have been a bit more complicated. Maybe, said my teacher.

Meanwhile, this Romberg sonata in E-minor or something I’m learning is starting to sound like music, rather than a painful string of notes. The music, that is, is beginning to stick its head out and look around, nervously, checking if it’s safe.

Is it safe, says the music.
You bet, I say.

Alpha said last night, Hey, you’re sounding a lot better lately. A person can almost stand to listen to you.

And the cats no longer run away and we have to go sticking those xeroxed “have you seen my stripey red cat” announcements to trees when I practice.