Hello Brian!  Mechanical music may be a mostly male pursuit, as are
power tools, but that doesn't mean there aren't a few of the fairer
sex interested in both.

My birthday is December 5th and I turn double nickel, 55, so alas
I am too old for you!  Also, I've been married for 32 years to someone
who has no interest whatsoever in the 1919 upright Duo-Art Weber I got
three years ago, or in my recently acquired 1918 Ampico Chickering
5' 8" baby grand.

My hubby, Bill, also doesn't share in my love of ragtime music and
collecting not only the rolls but the sheet music, with the end result
being able to play them myself.  At least he doesn't complain too
loudly or often about how much space it is all consuming!

In my 5-year quest I've talked to several wonderful, extremely helpful
experts (all male) that I thanked in a previous MMDigest.  Several of
them said, "But you're a woman!"  Fortunately, after talking for awhile,
all said they felt I'd have no problems restoring my babies.

Actually, I'm cheating -- I've been custom building 1-inch scale
dollhouses in my sole-owned shop, Molehill Miniatures, for 14 years.
They are complete with shingled roofs, clapboard siding, hardwood
floors, working windows, and electrified lights.

Yes, I am a feminine woman but I have always been fascinated by anything
mechanical and have usually been successful fixing them.  I've restored
and demonstrated the use of weaving looms and spinning wheels.  Owning
a player piano is something I have dreamed of since I was 10.

As to the idea of starting a match-making site for those interested
in mechanical music, Tim Trager beat you to it.  He and I had that
conversation last February during my Ampico search.  Tim had a friend
who was looking for wife number 3 or 4 and wanted to meet me.  He told
Tim it was a dream of his that he would be working on the stacks while
I was replacing the pneumatic cloth by a warm, glowing fire.

Great dream!  I know there have to be couples out there that do share
in restorations.  I envy them; it would make it just that much more
wonderful to listen to them together afterward.

So good luck to you in your pursuit of a mate that shares in your love;
may I suggest a music teacher, history teacher, or librarian?

A final note: From a woman's (or man's) view point, I think mechanical
music collectors/restorers would make ideal mates; all the ones I've
talked to were very patient, understanding and kind.  Guess that goes
with the attention to detail needed in the hobby.  And you wouldn't have
to worry about them being out late nights -- they'd be playing with or
working on their latest toys!

Linda Howson
Lebanon, Ohio