Stradivarius it was NOT

I remember the stories Grandma Pat told me about her old violin, how it was hand made with rosewood pegs, and that she would save it for me someday. When my 9 year old daughter decided to play the violin in orchestra, I even thought, someday, when she is in high school and about to audition for the Boise Philharmonic, maybe she can play Grandma's violin!! I was SO excited when I found the old, moldy smelling violin at the bottom of the closet upstairs in the Beach Cabin Loft! Terry told me I just stared at it, shaking a little. Kind of like that look on Holly's 1 year old face when Grandma Fuller gave her a Girl Scout Thin Mint cookie, perhaps. Anyway, not really holding my breath that it was a priceless, vintage instrument, I took it in to Telford's yesterday, for an informal appraisal. Bless their hearts, they still remember me everytime I walk in, and this time, bless them for their straight faces. "It's very old, it's domestic..." I told them them they didn't have to sugar-coat it. Without knowing who made it, it is very difficult to appraise. The good news is, that it is in very good condition, all things considered. The damp humidity is actually good for it. The bad news is, it would need about $100 worth of work to get it playable again, mostly strings, bridge, tailpiece. But, even then, it wouldn't even be worth $300.!!! So, we will just hang on to it for sentimental reasons for now. I would like to eventually get new strings on it, ask Holly to play it (hopefully the mold smell will eventually dissapate) and see how it sounds!