Merlot , curry,berries,mustard. I wrote these words down so that I wouldn't forget them. I spent a fascinating 90 minutes with a luthier. My violin needs loving, professional repair. The luthier gave us a brief lesson in how he does it. I could tell
how much he cares for each instrument by how he held my violin. He tucked it under his arm and supported the neck. I felt that he was it's parent and he was going to keep it safe. When he examined it,it was almost as if he was a physician checking for your
spleen or to feel if your internal organs were in the right position. Then he photographs all directions . And writes notes, so that if they come back again, he remembers them. He also names them . I felt as if I was leaving my instrument at her first day
of school. Now for the Merlot, curry, mustard, berries. He uses natural,organic stains that he makes himself, using herbs and spices. People who hand dye yarn, do the same things. He puts them in a almond oil base. Can you imagine that all of this for my violin
. 20 coats of shellac, hand applied ! Special glue whose formula has been around for centuries will hold the wood together. All this for my little violin. Then he used a word that I had to ask about. Some violins have provouance .I am not spelling it correctly
(no surprise) but it means that some antique or special instruments have a history that can be documented .. who designed it, made it, played it. Mine doesn't, but it will spend three months with some that do. I wonder what my violin will learn at school.