The Poppycock Tree -- still searching

[Delwin D Fandrich]

John, Susan, et.al.,

Being the diligent researcher that I am, I'm still searching for the elusive
poppycock tree.

Most recently, my search has taken me to the spectacularly beautiful forests
in the
Val di Fiemme -- the Fiemme Valley located in the Italian Alps.  This entire
valley has been operated as a managed forest since the year 1111.  Proof --
to me, at least -- that forests can be managed both for the good of both the
forest and the people living in them.  We found lots of nice clear fir, but
no poppycock trees.  It is possible that all of the poppycock trees have
already been harvested and are either already installed in pianos, or are
being saved for just those special instruments that require the special
characteristics of this elusive wood.

Seriously, we just got back from Italy yesterday.  In all it was a wonderful
trip.  More later, if anybody is interested.  Right now, I'm still adjusting
to yet another time change and still have to get some work done today.

Regards,

Del

(By the way, Susan.  We didn't notice any change in John after the tree
landed on his head.  The medicinal treatment -- mostly liquid -- was purely
a preventative measure.  We didn't want things to get worse.  ddf)



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----- Original Message -----
From: John Hartman <pianocraft@sprintmail.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Saturday, September 11, 1999 6:08 PM
Subject: Thank you Susan


> Hello Susan,
>
> Some day I will have to show you the photos documenting the trip Del and
> I  went in search of the rare Poppycock Spruce. Apparently the poppycock
> spruce's acoustical properties are so good it makes the kind of
> re-engineering Del has been doing obsolete. Naturally, Del wanted to
> destroy it and I pretended to go along with his plan but my secret
> motive was to return to civilization with a few seeds. We did find a
> small sample high in the mountains near the Banff center. Unfortunately
> we had to cut our expedition short due to a small mishap. Wile posing
> majestically for the camera at a one of the many vistas of the mountains
> a ordinary larch suddenly decided to invade my personal space (it fell
> on me). I am still unsure as to why this happened, the larch looked
> perfectly stable to me. In all fairness Dell and I had been drinking
> steadily from his wonderful hip flask all afternoon and the air is a bit
> thin at those elevations. We returned to base camp (the Banff hotel)
> (treble camp was full) immediately where I received prompt medical
> attention.
>
> John
>
>
> Susan Kline wrote:
>
>
> > August and September are both good, meaty issues, which doesn't seem
> > all that unusual these days. John Hartman is illustrating now, and I
> > like his style. Look at the treble bridge and plate on page 10 (August).
> > Not all that trivial a task, speaking as one who has tried to draw a
> > separating Hamilton bass bridge. (Uffda!)
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > Susan
>