Lelland Fletcher wrote [MMDigest 110505], "This is one person's
experience with young people and music boxes and other collectibles,
but I do feel I may not be the only one that has had a negative
experience, unfortunately."

I assure you that you are not alone.  My family has no significant
interest in virtually all of my hobby interests.  The focus of my
Trust, when I stop procrastinating, will be on responsible disposal
of my valued hobby possessions so they can re-purpose those funds
into something they do enjoy.

Interestingly, my family attentively listens to me talk about
mechanical music, and looks and listens to instruments, and seemingly
enjoys them..., or maybe they simply are so polite that what they are
enjoying is _my_ enjoyment of them.

That said, I'm available for adoption, Mr. Fletcher!  I'll gladly
maintain your instruments and enjoy them for the rest of my mortal
life!

A related comment that I would like to add, especially since TJ Fisher
brings it up periodically, is that one should focus on encouraging
those who are interested rather than those we think should be
interested.  Interests are very personal and cannot be dictated and
rarely can be influenced.

A case in point is my teenage son.  Last year a local collector gave
him a very detailed tour of his large collection.  My son and I spent
a bit more than three hours looking at music machines, listening to
them, hearing about both the technology and history.  My son enjoyed
every minute of that experience and recalls it often, yet he has no
interest in pursuing mechanical music as his own hobby.  But who knows
what the future will bring; perhaps that experience will eventually get
him involved.

Similarly, we should also be aware that our enthusiasm may turn off
people.  I once "talked a friends ear off" about my mechanical music
interests only to find out second-hand that he was really bored to
tears.  He's a good friend apparently and never let me know ... or
I was so self-consumed that I was insensitive to his limited interest.

I wouldn't characterize either of these situations as unfortunate or
negative.  It is simply an indication that we have a niche interest
and the niche may be smaller than we know.

Brian Shaw