A horrifying fact is that pianos aren’t worth much anymore.

Used pianos, that is.

If you look on any “Buy/Sell/Trade” pages these days, there’s nearly always a lovely piano or two: Free. Pick-up only.

Electronic keyboards are excellent. I remember my brother Dave getting one when we were in high school. Apparently they were invented primarily for apartment-dwellers, so that pianists could play (using headphones) without disturbing the neighbors. They’re also less expensive and easier to move around. Still, it’s a shame they often replace the traditional upright model.

So when it came time to find a new home for Dad & Mom‘s beautiful piano last year, it was great news that their grandson John asked if it might come to Indiana.

Gary and I brought the Yamaha home to our house, where it’s remained in our “great room” waiting for John, Aubrie, and Cameron to settle into their new home. A new house with plenty of room for a piano and several keyboards.

I’ll miss it when it’s gone, as when Cameron is here, he simply can’t walk past it without tinkling the ivories. He plays while standing. He sits on the bench cross-legged. Sometimes he even assumes a proper piano-playing pose.

No matter what, it’s delightful to hear. Unlike his grandma (who is a terrible memorizer), Cam seems to know all these tunes by heart. Scott Joplin’s The Maple Leaf Rag, the theme song from The Simpsons, even a classic from One of The Masters:

Me: Cameron! Is that Beethoven you’re playing?

Cameron: Yes, Goose. This is called Fur Elsie. Do you like it?

Of course, I’ve always loved Fur Elise. Given that Farmer Gary milked cows for decades, “Fur Elsie” fits in well around here.

Recently, Cam played a tune that was reminiscent of his great-grandfather. It brought tears to my eyes.

So we made a video:

Dad loved the Pink Panther.

He loved the Peter Sellers movies. He loved Inspector Clouseau’s très horrible French accent. And he loved the idiotic jokes and antics, with Chief Inspector Dreyfus’ twitching eye, as he descended into madness.

Although Dad once had a London Fog coat and a “stalker” hat just like the one the bumbling Clouseau wore, I have yet to locate a photo of this ensemble.

But here’s a shot from that era, showing Dad’s groovy attire. Perhaps the pink in the slacks is a sly wink to his hero?

My brothers and I remember Dad’s imitation of Clouseau’s dreadful French accent. And how he quoted this ridiculously hilarious (to us, anyway) moment:

Inspector Clouseau: “Does your dog bite?”

The innkeeper says no, so Clouseau stoops to pet the small dog, who immediately chomps down on his glove.

Clouseau: “I thought you said your dog did not bite.”

Innkeeper: “That is not my dog.”

~ from one of the Pink Panther movies

During my teen years, I found this bendable fellow in a store and gave it to Dad:

When we were clearing out Mom & Dad’s house last year, I found the Pink Panther on top of Dad’s dresser. He’d kept it all this time (gulp – dare I say, 50 years?). Middle brother Dave remembers Mom used it as a paperweight when she left Dad a love note one morning – and there they remained.

These past few years, though crowded with parents’ passing and pandemic worries, have had moments of great joy, too. One of them is 10-year-old Cameron happily playing his great-grandpa’s piano, unknowingly honoring that wonderful man with one of the theme songs of his life.

Okay, you talked me into it. One more bit of Clouseau nonsense:

Housekeeper: You’ve ruined that piano!

Inspector Clouseau: What is the price of one piano compared to the terrible crime that’s been committed here?

Housekeeper: But that’s a priceless Steinway!

Inspector Clouseau: Not anymore. 

~ from one of the Pink Panther movies

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