Better news

I just got a price estimate from Pro Piano Movers to move the piano from Maryland to here... about $1300. That's significantly better than the scenarios where I could go out to get it.

So I'll be mulling that over this week...

Brian

Youtube of my project

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxzZrfK7wyU

This features a Victorian soundtrack composed by my great-great-grandfather William in 1863. It gives you a taste of the family story. Particularly moving to me was the recent discovery that the reason my great-great-grandmother died of bronchitis was because of the killer fog of 1880... I'm not joking, read here:

http://www.neatorama.com/tag/london-fog/

Making Plans

... and weighing options.



It looks like it will cost just over 2 grand to move the piano from Maryland back to Washington, either by hiring a piano company or flying out there and renting a Budget truck for the way back.

so as I consider my choices, I am still determined to do it this summer. I welcome any help, whether that be words of encouragement, prayer, food/gas cards, or money. My address is:

Brian Huseland
5625 N. Monroe
Spokane, WA 99205

In exchange, I will share my cross-country experience with you, bringing back with me a piece of history!

Brinsmead

My great-grandfather William Brinsmead's life is an amazing story... born in a middle-class Victorian neighborhood on the north side of London, England. His father William's trade was "pianoforte maker". William's grandfather Henry had started his business back in 1835, manufacturing pianos with his famous younger brother John Brinsmead until they parted ways. Henry Brinsmead Pianos were made in London from 1835-1879, when Henry sold his business to John.

Henry's son William composed his own pieces, such as "Estelle Redowa" in 1861.

He then married William's mother, Mary Ann Williams, in 1866. At about this time Henry Brinsmead Pianofortes were constructed at 12 Rathbone Place, Oxford Street, London.

I have recently been offered a Henry Brinsmead piano, circa 1865, by a music school in Maryland which no longer has room for it. The piano is not in working condition yet, but as you can see in the pictures below, is in very good condition on the outside. What an amazing opportunity!!

The piano is mine if I can get to Maryland and bring it back. I am hoping to do this in June, once my school year is done. If anyone is interested in helping defray my costs, I would be very thankful for any help.

I will soon be posting a youtube video on my blog with more pictures of the Brinsmead family and my special goal. Also if you're on Facebook you can see my "Bring Back the Brinsmead" page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Bring-Back-the-Brinsmead/119257641487887

Till later,

Brian

Winter Solstice Eclipse

According to astronomers, the eclipse of the moon this week on December 21 (the shortest day of the year) hasn't happened since December 21, 1638... 372 years ago.

Being an astronomy nut, I went out late Monday night and stayed up to see the cloud-veiled moon as it passed through Earth's shadow.

Being a history nut, I mused about the lunar eclipse of December 1638 and how an observer standing on the seashore in Boston or Plymouth at about 8 o'clock at night possibly saw that eclipse of the moon. My forefathers who lived there at the time may have seen it.

The Real Black Friday

It's Report Card Time. (sound cue: electric organ plays dramatic music)

Ranks upon ranks of papers converge upon me, threatening me with choices--A or B? Take off half credit for an incomplete answer? Who didn't put their name on their paper? Where is the missing assignment? Did you really grade this fairly? Like a vast army they lay siege to my weekend... however, I just manage to push off the ladders of deadlines and destroy the catapults of teacher guilt with my secret weapon: repentance & finding my contentment in Christ--not my circumstances. The papers fall down, identified and sorted and sent home with the appropriate markings. The army has been defeated; although it will return twice more this year at the end of each trimester, I will be ready.

Being Hard Nosed

As a teacher, the first couple months you have to be kind of hard nosed. It's not easy, especially when little girls forget their assignments and plead with you not to count it late. But life's lessons need to be learned young, especially while young.

I find that as a teacher I struggle with balancing my interest in children & desire to befriend them vs. my role as academic guide. My students seem to like me well enough. So I have to adjust the ratio and make sure I'm still consistent & can't be pushed over by kids' feelings.

Ultimately I have to tell these children that I am doing what is best for them, and leave it in the Lord's hands. I am thankful that I teach in a school where I can pray for my students.

Brian