If I Had a Bell...

... I'd ring it in the morning. Bell choir season finale this morning! "When the Saints Go Marching In." This was really hard, and you might wish we were playing it faster, but hey... we didn't really mess it up, so we are happy!



And because Memorial Day is coming, one patriotic song at the end, "America."



I wasn't as tired as I thought I might be today, but it certainly wasn't a high-energy day. Church, then some grocery shopping. I vowed to try to start putting things away this afternoon. Managed 20 items.

That doesn't sound like much, but the house is totally trashed, and I have to find all the pieces of some group of things and then get them returned to their space. Worked on getting emails cleaned up and answered, you know... all the stuff I've been ignoring for at least a week.

Cathy came by and we talked about things to think about for another time. I possibly have a non-profit group that might sponsor a grant for Confidence Camp. And I'm already cooking up a modified plan for kids.

See Bell Choir- April 2026

Bell Choir - February 2026

Monthly Bell Choir Sunday! We have played both of these previously, but not for a while. The first is the familiar "Just As i Am."



This one is harder and quite interesting. It's an arrangement of "God of Grace and God of Glory." The tune is also often used with the words for "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing." I think we did a better job with it this time.



After church I took a walk while I was in town. You can call me wimpy, but I did the paved Cartier Park again for two reasons. 1. My knee is better but I don't want to twist it walking on weird surfaces. 2. I wanted to wear sneakers rather than my boots because the boots are hurting a toe.

Worked on page 11, and did another edge row on the prayer shawl.

Miles walked in 2026: 39.5

Cartier Park, twice around the loop and both spurs plus enough more to get to 3.0 miles.

See Bell Choir- January

Bell Choir- January 2026

Today was handbell Sunday. We hadn't practiced these songs much because we worked so hard on the Christmas songs. But we were granted the gift of everyone reaching deep and doing a pretty good job. Sorry that neither video is framed very well, but the music is the important part.

This is "Song of Joy" by Arnold Sherman



The second song we played was "In the Bleak Midwinter." I'd never heard this until I was an adult and was involved with Methodist groups. It's pretty much a Methodist hymn. The words are a poem by Christina Rosetti, a well-known poet of the mid 1800s.

I've put the words below the video.



1 In the bleak midwinter
frosty wind made moan,
earth stood hard as iron,
water like a stone:
snow had fallen,
snow on snow, snow on snow,
in the bleak midwinter,
long ago.

2 Our God, heaven cannot hold him,
nor earth sustain;
heaven and earth shall flee away
when he comes to reign:
in the bleak midwinter
a stable place sufficed
the Lord God Almighty,
Jesus Christ.

3 Enough for him whom cherubim
worship night and day,
a breastful of milk
and a mangerful of hay:
enough for him
whom angels fall down before,
the ox and ass and camel
which adore.

4 Angels and archangels
may have gathered there,
cherubim and seraphim
thronged the air,
but only his mother,
in her maiden bliss,
worshiped the Beloved
with a kiss.

5 What can I give him,
poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd,
I would bring a lamb,
if I were a wise man
I would do my part,
yet what I can I give him,
give my heart.

I took a walk after church, but the snow is deep and even Cartier Park wasn't plowed. Shopped because we are supposed to get a blizzard tonight and tomorrow, and filled the veggie bin.

Going to bed early. I didn't sleep much last night.

Miles hiked in 2026: 23.4

Cartier Park, Ludington, MI 1.4 miles

See Bell Choir Christmas Part 2

Bell Choir Christmas 2025- part 2

Here are the other two songs we played this Christmas season.

First is "Were You There on that Christmas Night?"



This is our most impressivie piece of the season. I made two recordings on different days, but I think this one is the best. It's a medley- you'll recognize the tunes- of a number of songs. Called "Christmas Bells Overture."



I'm posting this late, but at least I got it done!

See Bell Choir Christmas 2025- part 1

Bell Choir- Christmas 2025- Part 1

The handbell choir prepared four songs for the holiday this year. Here are two of them. We performed all four at the two previous concerts, and did three this morning. We'll do all four again on Christmas Eve. I'll share the other two that day.

Here is "We Three Kings," always a favorite. No title screen. I truly hate the "new" free video software that came with my computer. Apparently you can get the old version, but you need a piece of translation software that I'm not up to dealing with today since I'm also trying to get another new piece of software to work. And trying to get my calendar to sync across devices. So annoying.



Next up is "One Star."



I'm saving my favorite to post on Wednesday.

I must have hit stop on my alarm instead of snooze this morning. So when I did wake up the second time, I had to leap out of bed and dash out the door. Of course, I couldn't wake up and felt like crap all day. Mostly ate junk which is often my response to the days that start out like this.

I did go for a walk after church. The trail was bumpy ice with crusty snow over the top, but I walked 2.7 miles.

Finished my column for the paper, did other computer tasks, and tried to stay awake in the afternoon.

Miles hiked in 2025: 475.5

Ludington School Forest, various trails, 2.7 miles

See Bell Choir- November 2025

Concert at St. Joseph's- 2025

Tonight was the annual concert of the West Shore Choir and our bell choir at St. Joseph's Church in Hart. I've showed you a lot of pictures of the building in the past. It's beautiful! But I try not to share the same stuff over and over.

Om got a pretty good picture of us playing the bells.

Most of what the choir does is from the loft at the back. I'll just remind you that this church is a favorite of the directors because it has amazing acoustics. You can't really see anyone in this picture, but it gives you the sense of how it's staged.

The decorations are always beautiful.

Part of the choir (the portion that are students at West Shore Community College) did come down in front to sing Carol of the Bells a capella. They were spot on!

We played all four of our songs. (Between the church service on the 21st and Christmas Eve, I'll get them recorded.) The choir pieces ranged from popular Christmas songs to a portion from "The Messiah" with the Hallelujah Chorus.

Everyone got to sing three carols.

And, as usual, the church fed all the musicians afterwards. We stayed briefly.

I got some work done in the morning.

See Concert at St. Joseph's- 2024

Christmas Concert - Our Savior Lutheran

The other big activity yesterday was the bell choir's participation in the Our Savior Lutheran Church Christmas concert.

We were only a part of the musical program. Their choir sang several songs- Breath of Heaven, Mary Did You Know, and a medly with the Sunday School kids, shown here. And there were other soloists, and we all sang some carols.

The church was beautifully decorated. The large tree is covered with symbolic ornaments.

And they have a large nativity set in the hallway.

Of course, it takes a lot of work to set up for bell choir. We had to move all that stuff to the church, unload, set up, and then take it down afterwards too! This isn't during the performance, but near the end of the set-up time. We were first, so that the tables could then be moved out of the way for the rest of the program.

I want to say that the kids did a great job. They sang "Away in a Manger" in counterpoint to a different melody the choir was singing behind them. They were loud enough and on key. The younger girls were dressed in St. Lucia costumes, although that celebratrion doesn't come for another week, I think. The microphone kept me from getting a really good picture, but it's still cute.

Afterwards, they served cake and ice cream, egg nog, and wassail punch in the fellowship hall.

It was as full a day as I'm interested in any more! But great. I really enjoyed the Christmas celebration.

Today, I've mostly taken it easy. My goal has been to work at cleaning up the house a bit.

See SPW Hike- December

Bell Choir Shenanigans

Our assignment this week was to show up at bell choir practice in an "ugly sweater" for Christmas. Some people had the goods. I borrowed a sweatshirt of Omer's that I don't think is ugly, but it's festive.

Then we settled in for a long practice. Our first concert is Saturday, and I wouldn't say we are ready, but... o well.

Penny made us all ornaments from old sheet music and some bling. Every one is different. I really like ours.

I managed to get in 1.2 miles on snowshoes, but don't get too excited. I was going to try for a half mile, but when I got to the School Forest trail system, I learned that they had already taken the fat-bike groomer through. So what's the ettiquette on that? I know you shouldn't walk in it- that can create post holes. But I had on the wooden shoes which do not even have cleats. I tooks some steps on the groomed trail and looked back. It sure didn't seem like I was impacting the grooming. The deer, however, had done a number in a lot of places.

I stayed on the groomed trail and that's why I was able to go so far.

When I got home, I looked up what the "rules" are. Unclear. Some sites say snowshoes are OK, some say no. It seems to me that the shoes with cleats that leave divots would be more of a problem than my flat wooden ones.

Of course, you should never walk or snowshoe on groomed ski trails, or let pets walk in any of them either.

Then I went and spent a little over an hour with Betty. We are having such fun getting caught up!

Miles hiked in 2025: 462.1

Ludington School Forest, various trails. 1.2 miles

See 2023 Bell Choir Fun

Bell Choir- September 2025

First performance of the season for bell choir!

This is just titled "Celebration #2." It's a rousing fanfare-type piece and we used it for the Call to Worship.



The anthem was "Shall We Gather at the River." I think the chimes parts in this one sound really nice.



The day has been a little bit of a ratrace. My alarm didn't go off, and I sure don't know how that happened because I double checked that it was set correctly before I went to sleep. I must have somehow turned it off by fumbling with the phone. So instead of having time to wake up at a speed that suits me and do my morning routine, I had to leap into the shower, collect needed items and dash for the church. Om went too since his church is still doing the "At the Movies" event.

At the Movies today was taken from The Lion King which is not one of my favorite movies. I wanted to see what lessons Pastor Jerry would draw from it. He pointed out that Simba, after he ran from Scar and the Pride, was living in a beautiful valley, and yet it was a prison of lies that was controlling him. It wasn't until he faced the truth and went home that he was able to become the king he was meant to be. (Very simplified version)

The setting for At the Movies! Free popcorn, pop, and candy. Lots of atmosphere. I took my sound-deadening earmuffs that I bought while I was working at the newspaper so that I could tolerate the volume of the live music. It worked.

And we did go to that together in the afternoon. We did a little errand on the way home from the morning service, ate, did a couple of things, and it was time to go back to the movie event. Got home from that, ate again, did a couple more things, and now the day is about over. Whew.

And of course, since I have a new computer, I had to re-purchase the movie editing software. It doesn't cost a lot, but they've changed it again. So I had to figure out how it works, etc, etc. Always something. I did not figure out how to add the title to the front in the first video, and did a poor job on the second one. I'll need to work on this!

See Bell Choir- May 2025

Bell Choir- May 2025

Today, we wrapped up this season's bell choir performances. But we went out with a bang with three pieces.

The first is "His Name Is Wonderful." I have to tell you that this has always been one of my favorite songs of faith, and this arrangement seemed especially poignant. Then I realize that the chords were reminding me of when it was played on the big Wurlitzer organ at Winona Lake Bible Conference in Indiana. Winona Lake was one of the last surviving wooden tabernacles where so many revivals and retreats were held. Hope you enjoy this one.



The main piece we played is "Quarters on Foundation." The quarters are the traditional clock chimes played every quarter hour. Foundation is the counter melody of "How Firm a Foundation."

The four people in front on chimes are guest players. I want you to know that the two boys are brothers and the youngest one is in 2nd grade! We practiced for weeks without the chimes part, but when they all joined us, the piece just became so rich and awesome!



Finally, we played "I Am Thine, O Lord."



In other news, I mostly rested from 3.5 very busy days. I read a bit and gardened a bit. All good.

See Easter Music 2025

Easter Music 2025

 The music this morning was terrific! I've included our handbell piece (the hardest we've done this year), the choir, and a soloist.

We played "Hallelujah" by Beethoven from The Mount of Olives. Becky is on piano.



The choir sang "Easter Song" by Anne Herring. Directed by Becky, of course.



And Hunter Brown singing "The Trumpet Shall Sound," by Handel. John Taranko on trumpet and Becky on Piano. A little bad camera work, but I discovered I had to hold the camera to get them in the frame, and I wasn't fast enough to get set up in time. Also, these are just recorded through my camera microphone, so he actually sounded even better than this.



I slept 1.5 hours last night. I was fine in the morning, but felt punch drunk all afternoon. I don't seem to be good at taking naps in the daytime. I managed to putter around in the gardens a bit.

I should sleep tonight!

See Handbells- Here I Am, Lord

Handbells- Here I Am, Lord

 Today was handbell Sunday. We played "Here I Am, Lord," a song I really like.



I walked 2.5 miles in the School Forest after that. When I got home I did a little work and a little reading.

I'm a bit tied today, but nothing terrible. Two inches of new snow, but it will probably be gone tomorrow.

Miles hiked in 2025: 62.9

Ludington School Forest, various trails, 2.5 miles

See Handbells February

Handbell Sunday

 Today was possibly a little intense for my stamina level, but it's all OK.

Handbell choir this morning. The prelude was "Amazing Grace." (Sorry, you can't see the pianist off to the left.)



And the anthem was "You Raise Me Up."



I'll tell you what else I did tomorrow.

See Silent Night

Silent Night

 The day began with waffles. We really like them, but neither one of us needs all the carbs, right? So they are a big treat when we do make them.

Om took the nicest picture. I like the angle looking through to the tree. And see the two jars? Om likes regular syrup, but those are two I really like. One is dandelion syrup, and the other is elderberry. Yum. yum!

Then we made cranberry relish for tomorrow. Om likes to help with that.

In the afternoon, I made another pie. Stay tuned.

Then the bell choir played in the Christmas Eve service. Lots of music, which I really like. Got recordings of the other two songs we played this year. I'll share one of them tonight. Silent Night, with congregational singing.



My back is tired, but it held up pretty well to increased activity.

Merry Christmas!

See Christmas Eve 2023

Concert at St Joseph's 2024

 Tonight was the annual concert at St. Joseph's church in Hart. I left home at 3:45... what with helping to pack the equipment in vehicles, getting there, practice, performance, and after-event. Got home about 10 p.m.

It was a really awesome concert. There was a lot of energy in the room, and the beauty of the church always heightens the experience. Not to mention it has wonderful acoustics.

I had a spare minute after we unloaded and before practice, I and went up in the balcony. I'd never gone up there before. This way, you can see more of the church in one picture.

This is the front window in the balcony.

We played all four of our songs. The choir had 10 numbers! They sing from the balcony. This year, they were accompanied on some of the pieces by live percussion and brass. Wowser!

I think my favorite was a Polish carol called "Glad Tidings Bringing." There was also a piece simply called "Gloria" that had a lot of tympani and fanfares in it that was awesome too. There was also a Phillipine solo in Tagalog.

Of course, I like the more familiar ones too. We all sang four carols together. And people really sang.

The church was totally packed. They put two extra rows of chairs on either side for the whole depth of the building. (you can see them in the pic of the empty church)

For as long as I've been involved in this, the church puts on a supper for the choir and bell choir afterwards. I really can't eat that late, but there was a ton of food-- lots of good stuff. I'll just show you the "all-important" cookie table. I ate a few samples of salads, a couple of meatballs, and brought some cookies home for tomorrow.

I'm telling you, this concert is always very good, but this year seemed extra-special. Drums? Energy? Something different about me? Not sure, but it was great.

In other news: I moved the snowblower to a more serious hospital (the dealer), I did errands, I edited. Well, I've made it to tired!

See St. Joseph 2023

Two More Handbell Videos

 Here are the other two videos. The first one is the adult choir. This is a difficult song, and we did a pretty good job. I really wish people would quiet down. There is background talking all through the song. Sorry about that. This is "Angel's Jubilee."



And we also have the second song that the kids played. "Angels We Have Heard on High."



I concentrated really hard on editing today. Made good progress. Maybe two more days, and I'll have this project finished. Already have two more in the wings. Tried to be really "good" today, and I mostly succeeded. Also had to do a few errands.

See Christmas Church Service

Christmas Church Service

 Yes, we played handbells today at church, but it was also a service with a lot of Christmas content. We played 2 songs, and the kids bell choir also did two. I also have some still shots. I'll do two videos today and two tomorrow.

The adult bell choir played "What Child is This?"



John and Bruce sang "Jesus, What a Wonderful Child." My camera audio isn't good enough to record voice.

The bigger kids narrated the Christmas story. The one is dressed as the "mouse." Yes, the one that wasn't stirring. Except it was... and providing some snarky commentary about Christmas being the season of "gimme, gimme, gimme." Which the others convinced him was not true.

This is the kid's bell choir. This is like basic training in a church that promotes bell choirs. The director holds up a card with colors on it, and the kids ring when their bell matches the color on the card. I missed the very beginning of the song, but I didn't want to cut any out. It's "Away in a Manger." You'll catch the tune in a few seconds.



But this is the very best. No disrespect meant, but I think it's adorable.

Yes, that is Mary and Joseph. Please note that Baby Jesus is Pikachu!

I've managed to do some editing today, but this was enough.

See November Handbells

Sausage Time for Sunny

 Snow is pretty much gone for now, and the temperature was quite moderate today. Sunny is turned into the winter sausage.

Last year, tinfoil crammed in the door crack kept mice from getting inside. Hopefully that will work again. I brought in the mats and anything that shouldn't freeze. I took a few things out there that can freeze. This year, I remembered to bring the small shop vac in the house for the winter.

I tie the extra ropes around it because it can get so windy up here, and I don't want the cover to shred.

I also put away the rest of the garden stuff and a few other little outside jobs.

This evening, the bell choir gave an extra concert at Cornerstone Church. We played all four of our Christmas songs. I'll get them recorded for you, but not tonight. Because this was an odd time for us, we had to have several substitute players, and even a sub director. But, we did all right.

Just in case this wasn't enough, I edited a lot in the morning, and got groceries on the way home from the concert. I think that's enough for one day!

See My Little Sausage

November Handbells

 We played two songs this morning, "What a Friend," and "Raise the Songs of Harvest." Both are composites of two hymns. Sorry the camera isn't aligned very well.



"Raise the Songs" combines "We Gather Together" and "Raise the Song of Harvest Home."



We were especially pleased to get that long run correct (three measures, 19 notes) without messing up. It was hard.

In other news: I puttered at small things, not working on any of my big projects. Back at it tomorrow.

See Paddling and Playing Bells

Nordhouse and Bells

 Cathy and I took a hike today at Nordhouse Dunes. I should be spending more time working, but the colors are peak, and the weather is phenomenal. I really can't stay inside. This is the road into the Dunes.

The trails have names now, so we took the Nipissing, Middle, and Algoma Trails for a loop of about 4.4 miles.

This passes Nordhouse Lake which is often completely dry at this time of year. Three years ago in October, it still had water. Not this year!

Loved this line of ferns

And a gnarly oak tree. Looks spooky enough for October, right?

The witch hazel is in full bloom, and the sun made it look great.

There was even one branch with a fruit from last year still attached.

Managed to do some work, hike, do bell practice, get groceries, and go to the hardware store. Starting to get in gear to get back to writing the next mystery.

Here is the second bell choir piece from Sunday, "This is My Father's World." I think it's one of the prettiest pieces we've ever done.



I've made it to tired. Didn't sleep well last night.

Miles hiked in 2024: 503.1

Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness, Nippising, Middle, and Algoma Trails. 4.4 miles

See Nordhouse Dunes Hike