A visit from Paul Lester

I THINK THE best part about owning a music store is the various characters who wander in and say hello.

It's all about Fast Eddie at 5th and Maine. 

Sheryl is subbing again so it's just me and Fast Eddie holding down the fort. Our good friend and mandolin madman Paul Lester just stopped by, and I've spent an hour trying to not fall out of my chair from laughing so hard.

Paul is a big old teddy bear who makes the mandolin sing like nobody's business. He used to be a canine police officer in California. Ah, the tall tales he tells!

Paul is excited about our five-year anniversary party Feb. 20. He's bringing his beautiful Weber mandolin and we'll make a holy racket and laugh again at all his jokes and banter. I can't wait!

Let's see - a guy came in asking about drum kits. Another came in and bought strings. The mail man and the Fed Ex guy have zipped in and out. Eddie keeps jumping in my lap and demanding love.

It's just another morning at Fifth and Maine. I'm a lucky man to get to soak it all in.