July 12, 2009

Bits & Pieces

I had lunch with my mother today and she told me about a story that she’d read in the NY Times yesterday. There are 30 pianos scattered about London and they’re available for people to play at any time. The project is called Play Me, I’m Yours. Some are in very touristy spots like Portobello Road (Hi HOBAC !) and others are in places not familiar to tourists, like St. Mary-le-Bow church. I think that this is a brilliant idea, and I love this picture of a group of businessmen singing around a piano in Liverpool Station. Here’s a video of a man playing at Portobello.

piano

I was at Book Thing today, twice actually. The first time, I couldn’t even get into the parking lot, so I went back later and was able to find a spot. I thought the shelves would be empty after all of the morning’s activity, but I got about a dozen books, including a copy of “The House in My Head”, which I will give to one of you. Over the past two years, I have found a few copies of both this book and the other book Dorothy Rogers wrote, “My Favorite Things”. If you’d like this copy, which is in excellent condition, just leave a comment, and I’ll put Connor to work reading the comments and picking one on Friday.

house in my head

Even though this book is nearly 50 years old, it offers amazing insight to building a house from scratch. Leave a comment if you’re interested in it!

24 comments:

  1. No! Dorothy Rodgers! She's the wife of Richard Rodgers who wrote all of the musicals!

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  2. Connor, listen to me. I need this book. We don't have book thing in Kansas. I think it special, unique and wonderful. Just like you. (If I don't win the book, could you at least write me back and tell me what that Pig thing in your mouth means? I know it's a clue, but help me out here, I am clueless.

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  3. I love that, can you imagine going & playing into the night? What fun! Be sure & stop by the blog tomorrow for my giveaway!
    Leslie

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  4. HBD... Connor says "what pig?". He and his buddies in the 'hood all have squeeky pigs, but I don't think I've got a photo of them.

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  5. What a happy idea?& What a great way to spread it- a great post. Connor-pass me over- I have this gem of a book. la

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  6. Like you, every book is precious to me. I can flip the pages while playing Wine and Roses!

    Be well!!

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  7. I live here in Baltimore and you are my favorite blog , by far. I think you may have some books I gave to The Book Thing, but I have never seen this book. Thanks!!

    Maison, Inc.

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  8. I picked this book up last winter, it really is a great find - love the new header!!

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  9. I haven't heard of "The House in My Head" but regularly am adding details to the one I am have been building (in my head) "Chesapeake Hall" for some time...

    White Greek Revival, double balcony, standing seam roof, center hall open from front to back with staircase, dining room to the left with a scenic wallpaper above the chair rail, with the butlers pantry/mudroom behind it and leading into the kitchen.

    On the right of the center hall will be an cypress paneled study and private bath (for the nights I'm in the dog house) and the back right corner will be the Great Room - large enough for two English roll arm sofa's to face each other perpendicular to the fireplace...

    And that's only the first floor!

    DAM

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  10. Love the piano concept-how wonderful!

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  11. Michele from BostonJuly 13, 2009 at 10:59 AM

    Count me in! Haven't been able to find a copy up here in Boston. It certainly would make great weekend reading.

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  12. I have "My Favorite Things" with the fantastic drawing by Jeremiah Goodman and would love to have a copy of this book.

    I really enjoy your posts about Book Thing. I think I would go every chance I could if I had it in Indiana. Half Price Books is my answer to Book Thing!

    -David

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  13. Thanks, David! We are so lucky to have something like Book Thing in Baltimore!

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  14. Ah,'the house of my dreams' is much on my mind! We have been house-hunting for months and months and it remains in my dreams. This book looks like nice inspiration!

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  15. Oh, I've always wanted this book -you have the best luck there (but I suppose you go often enough to deserve it!). Pick me, Connor, hehe!

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  16. Pigtown: I must have remembered the item wrong, but I remembered your mentioning that Connor liked to a carry a certain item in his mouth when he goes on his "business" trips after completing said transaction, he requires you to carry that item home. This image still makes me smile, and I still wonder what it means. If it wasn't a toy pig, perhaps a new header is being created! Too cute: connor and a pig(town). It must be the humidity that has affected me this pm.

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  17. HBD... you are so right. he does have a stuffed pig that he carries. sometimes it's a water bottle, sometimes it's a stuffed monkey. i think that it's the retriever in him that necessitates carrying something in his mouth!

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  18. Oooh, Connor! Be a good dog and pick me! Not only am I a devoted Book Thing goer, but love love love this era of building, decorating and design. What a great find - you have the best Book Thing mojo, PD!!

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  19. Saw the piano story on the news. We were having a quick dinner in the kitchen with both teenagers...rare...and the story aired..It kept the dinner conversation going for a whole hour..remarkable...wish there were more stories like that around. Lisa

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  20. Can you scan a page or two ? Library for instance ?

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  21. I'll have to keep my eyes (and ears) open for any public piano playing when I'm in London next month. We got dinner reservations at Bluebird so maybe I'll drag Jay around Notting Hill and see if we can't find the one on Portobello Road.

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  22. If I am not too late, I'd love to enter the drawing for this fun book! Love your blog!!!

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  23. First, I love your blog

    Second, I am old enough to remember when Dorothy Rogers had a column, in McCalls Magazine (I think) with her daughter. I read it avidly, not the least because they would sometimes disagree with each other.

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