Code ‘Moo’ on a Double-Bell Euphonium?

Happy Saturday morning. Let me begin by asking you to do yourself a favor. Stop reading! Pour yourself a coffee, put your feet up, and sit back to listen to a sound from 90 years ago – which I recorded live two evenings ago. Enjoy!

“You’re the Cream in My Coffee”

My flight home went smoothly and without interruption. Thanks Adrianne for picking me up at the airport.

Returning from Austin it was off to Spring Grove Cemetery’s Norman Chapel for their October Holiday Concert – The New Liberty Dance Orchestra.

Two glorious hours of period music from between the years 1900 and 1935 – ragtime, hot jazz, and swing music.

Double Bell Euphonium – Between the years of 1880 and 1940 the double-bell euphonium was a ‘hot’ band instrument. After 1940 its use diminished and although made till 1960 the actual use of the smaller bell was done away with. At one point, euphonium soloist Arthur W. Lehman was quoted during a Marine Band concert talking about the second, small, bell, “We use it to hold our white gloves when we are not wearing them”.

Thursday evening, we were treated to the actual sound of much of the music as it was played during the ‘20s and ‘30s including that produced by a 1940 vintage double bell euphonium. And it sounded great!

Austin FC – Last week I mentioned that I’d secured tickets to see Austin’s Major League soccer team. It was a major hit. They loved the whole event – including an Armadillo closeup. Behind the whole game after scoring first, we tied near the end of regulation time. Then won shortly into the added stoppage time: 3 – 2. Here are a few pics. Let me know how, just by the walkers, you can tell the game was in Texas.

Circuit of the Americas – Minutes after my flight climbed out from Austin on my homeward journey I peeked out of the plane’s window. Luck had me look up from my book and right into the Circuit of the Americas – where a day before the U.S Grand Prix Formula One race had been held. Directly below me is where a few hours earlier F1 superstars such as Dutchman Verstappen, Norris and Leclerc raced. Where teams from Ferrari and McLaren powered around that track.

Of course, my camera was stuck in my pocket and held down by the seatbelt. I did get it organized and here is the result – stunning don’t you think?

Code ‘Moo’ – Chick-fil-A is getting into the entertainment business. Mid-month this November it’ll release a family friendly entertainment app. It’s also begun to explore the video world. Before you laugh too much, remember how Netflix started or even Walt Disney for that matter. With all the junk, DEI, and Woke foisted on our kids, I think it a great idea. It appears that each will have a ‘punch-line’ with positive purpose and outcome. Remember, I will stop talking to watch a Shaun the Sheep segment which also uses claymation; and for me that’s something – the ‘talking’ thing that is!

Moody Theater – Austin is a city on the move. Based on the number of construction cranes, the growth is impressive.

Kirstin had booked a tour of the Moody Theater where Austin City Limit’s PBS program is taped. This is what brought us to the city center. We were able to explore every nook and cranny in the place. Lyle Lovett was performing that evening and so we were able to see the complete taping set up including how the special camera effects work. It was a fine and fun time! Thanks Kirstin.

Swan Songs – Musical Last Wishes – is where Kirstin works and where I visited her ‘digs’. Their work is amazing. What I had no idea of was the amount of work each ‘event’ requires to make it happen – timing, approvals, finding the proper artist, and the overall coordination. It’s an amazing organization.

Best quote: from Feeding Curiosity this Fast Fact; “You can hear cauliflower growing.”

The List – of odd-jobs Kirstin had waiting were all addressed and completed. My best was the bathroom sink repair (you’d be hard pressed to find the fix).

The one item that was ‘parked’ (pun) was helping Derek get situated with parralel parking for his driver’s exam.

We placed two cones in an empty parking lot. I proceeded showing him how it was done (Kirstin and Kellen were part of the cheering gallery standing on the side). Anyway, what I assumed was cheering was them yelling. Seems that me demonstrating this fine art had me drive over the rear cone. By then Derek had seen enough and we went to dinner. Don’t think I should try and teach him “how to” park between these cones either. I did see self-driving cars operating in downtown Austin – I think that in a short while this parallel parking thing won’t be an issue.

Life is AMAZING!

May Peace prevail! Shalom.

Dirk

BONUS POINTS:

A huge television comedy hit late last century was The Golden Girls. Four mature ladies were the cast stars. So here is the question, which of the four was a U.S. Marine in her younger years?

1) Bernice Frankel (Bea Arthur) – playing: Dorothy Zbornak
2) Betty White – playing: Rose Nylund
3) Rue McClanahan –playing: Blanche Devereaux
4) Estelle Getty – playing: Sophia Petrillo”