I grew up in a family that was in many ways governed by our family business. My maternal grandfather and my father ran the only Baldwin piano and organ dealership in Texas. Living as a part of such a business meant my seasons were different from those of my peers. Like most retail businesses, the end of the calendar year was always a critical period, letting us know how the year might end compared to previous years. At the same time, summers were often important, for it was then that families thought of purchasing a new piano for their home, anticipating perhaps a child taking lessons in the fall. Houses of worship often shopped for pianos and organs during the summer before they began their budgeting process for the new year. Or a school might have funds remaining that could go towards a new piano or organ.