Rue

...good grief...

...looked up some figures... In Iran for example, a C-section is seen as a status symbol. Natural childbirth is considered low-class. Some private hospitals have up to 80-90% C-sections. Apparently many young doctors are not adequately trained in assisting difficult vaginal births and prefer a scheduled surgery.

Well, my daughter has her Grade 10 RCM piano, fwiw. But, there are also cultural differences in the practice of providing C-sections. A woman can opt for one if she wishes. Frankly, I don't quite understand it, because I would have preferred not to have had one, never mind three, but there you have it.

*phew*

*gasp* Hate goats???

It's endlessly fascinating... just like wandlore in Harry Potter... Yes... there's a definite parallel...

...it should have read "not in the mood"...

I did see a chart, comparing specs, but it was a little Greek to me...

...a little more sleuthing; probably not used for musical instruments! It is a "cheap" tourist version. AI tells me "should you ever want to "rescue" a piece like this, collectors sometimes carefully strip the varnish and hand-sand the wood with ultra-fine grit paper (up to 2000 grit) followed by a buffing with beeswax. This reveals the wood's true beauty, though it’s a lot of work for a $15 item!" The better half just told me he spent $5! Hmm... not that I'm currently the mood to sand a tortoise, but it might be worth it to get rid of the ugly varnish?

Well yes, but I gather these souvenir items were carved from deadwood, in Mexico, from Olneya tesota. But there could be other uses for it? I'm still amazed at how heavy it is!

Now there's a thought!

I have been decluttering, but look who arrived in the mail! (Auction purchase). I got it because it was a tortoise. What can I say? But! It's an incredibly heavy tortoise, like, wow! It's an ironwood carving, vintage, not signed, sloppy varnish. Am assuming a tourist piece. .. but still so cool! Is there any history of using ironwood in violins or other musical instruments? Probably not?

Have fun with the new job!!!

But... there's varnish, and then there's varnish...

...so's our well water, for what it's worth... Was too cheap to buy a tannin filter, since the water is potable... but sheesh... tannin certainly stains!