Matthew, Mark, Luke and John

Like some of the other blogs I've written so far this one is, at least on the surface, about my violin.

In one respect the violin I built this past winter/ spring will most likely be my best. My second one, the one I'm working on now, will almost assuredly be a little closer to the standards of other finely hand crafted violins made today. And the one after that probably closer still. Yet...

Marching toward fine standards, an inch at a time. Replicating standards.

The violin I built this past winter/ spring could likely be my best.

I thinks it's helpful being a novice fifty six year old violin builder who is actually a landscaper who doesn't have the luxury to not work.

I'm free to look for miracles.

I don't have enough time left to learn how to make fine violins "just" like the great masters. And better yet no one expects me to either.

I'm free to accept miracles.

If I were twenty and just graduated from one of those fine luthier schools I'd be looking to build extravagant stringed instruments, great replicas of the best makers, and slowly learn to market them for a living.

Today, as I work on my second violin, if I try real hard... the violin I built this past winter/ spring will be my best.

Or maybe I'll just let this next one find its own way.

Today, I'm free to rely on miracles.