Somebody told me it was snowing in Chicago, but I rather think it was ICE.

The luthier says my bow can “probably” be repaired for $200-$300. He says it is worth repairing, although he has now changed his opinion that it was made by a son or nephew of the English bow maker, and now believes it was made in Germany on the Hill pattern.

Last week I picked up my WE Hill bow (England), not over- tightened, but on the first note the tip snapped off. I used this as my backup, but it’s still a shock. It may be possible to repair it, and it may be that it had been broken there in the past. I hope to hear (good) news this week.

My luthier suggested I try Dominant strings on my violin, which seemed a step back from Evah Pirazzi Green. He said he would credit me if I didn’t like them. The A string broke in the second week and the others do not seem to sound good on my violin. I am going to try Evah Pirazzi Gold.

After briefing our Freetown-based RSCSL staff on the updated Media Policy on the worst Zoom connection ever, I took part in a get-together of musicians — three violinists and three on guitar/vocals — at my luthier’s house. Participation has been down since COVID.

With the terrible heat and humidity this past weekend, I put my violins next to the dehumidifier retrieved from the basement.

A late update of the school sports day, but Andersen House finished second.

On May 10, Abundance Grace International School will hold their sports day. We will be supporting Andersen House, named for my wife Mariatu and me. The school is located near our house in Freetown. The sports day was rescheduled due to inability to secure the field, and the upcoming NPSE exams.

My violin is ready for Sunday’s concert. The luthier rehaired my French bow and cleaned up my English bow. The violin had an issue where the D-string wasn’t producing sound, especially in soft passages. It seems to have been a fingerboard and bridge problem, now solved.

The end of my driveway this morning under six inches of snow before bringing out the snowblower. Now comes a week of bitter cold nights.

After three days of bitter cold which bottomed out Tuesday morning at -21 F. plus windchill, my weather app suggests above-zero highs for the next few days. My app has proved to be a consistent liar.

Both of my violins have suffered to the extent that they were virtually unplayable, partly due to the lack of humidity and despite my running a humidifier nonstop. The Gagliano pattern on the right was mostly a bridge problem. Both are now working again, thanks to my luthier friend.

The temperature was -10° F. when I woke this morning, -23° C., and the house was cold. The furnace had broken down for the third time since October, and this time it couldn’t be revived. We are using electric heaters while waiting for a new furnace to be installed.

This photo is from the dress rehearsal immediately prior to the Buffalo Community Orchestra’s holiday concert on December 8.

I have played the violin as an amateur for 61 years, so far.