Well . . .

. . . I did it!

I just hung up the phone with my old friend Wilson who is a superb piper (!!!!!) and a member of the Pipe Band I mentioned that is just 20 minutes away. What I did not know is that he is the instructor for the band.

So, he's ordered me my book and a practice chanter (at the reduced band price!) and expects that I'll start lessons next Monday evening. He thinks it will take a couple of years, but says of course that's up to me, as so many of you have pointed out. He says his oldest student ever, and now an excellent bandsman was seventy-nine when he started teaching him.

Now, bonus: no charge for lessons, BUT an expectation that when he thinks I'm good enough, I march with the band, and they even have loaner pipes when the time comes.

Pray for me, gang . . . I think I've lost my nut!