Kids up here get to start playing a musical instrument through their school in third grade, and as she’s finishing up second grade now, it’s time for Petra to choose an instrument. Last week I took her to an open house at the music school, where she got to try out a good twenty or so instruments before deciding on a first and second choice. I was angling hard for the baritone — mostly, I admit, because I’ve been longing to get my hands on a baritone for a good many years now, but she wasn’t much a fan.

She was quite taken, much to my delight, with the upright bass, but unfortunately that’s not an option at her school here. Boo, hiss.

She decided, after only minimal agonizing, to put down trumpet as her first choice and piano as her second. I approve heartily of both, so here’s hoping she gets chosen for one or the other (it’s a lottery system, as there are only a limited number of spots for each instrument).

As for me, I couldn’t shake the idea of a baritone, so I stated looking around online when we got home. I found one that I thought was reasonably priced, and I made a post on Facebook linking to it and saying how much I wanted it. A friend of mine from the history department quickly posted a link to one that was even cheaper, from a supplier he knows and trusts in Germany, and I was powerless to resist. I ordered it that same evening, and it should be arriving tomorrow. I am seriously on pins and needles.