A New Music Book

“Patriotic Music and Familiar Folk Songs,” volume 15, is the latest in The Church Piper series of music books.  Subtle improvements such as illustrations on most pages bring it to life.  The music will appeal to expert pipers needing a ready source of music to play for many different occasions, as well to less experienced pipers who would enjoy the music that’s more familiar to them.  Whether for a military ceremonial, church, or a social gathering, there is suitable music.

Many having the entire collection have been anxious to add this compendium of favorites to their music library and have found it convenient to request their acquisition from the compiler and arranger, Dr. Keith MacDonald or from their favorite Scottish shop.

These are songs that originated in wartime or that resulted from the love of home, fond memories, romance, and the worship of God.  Arranged for the Scottish bapipes, they will stir a person’s heart and soul to feel pride in one’s country, causing a person to appreciate God’s gift of life and love, and to be thankful to God for all His kindness, all of which is so undeserving.”

It is good to meet other pipers by Email as they order their copy.  Most interesting was a conversation with George Balderose in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, the principal of The Balmoral College of Piping and Drumming.  He has an invitation to play at the entrance to his Presbyterian Church every Sunday morning for a period of time while the people arrive. That requires a large repertoire, and the good fortunate to have weather conducive to playing the pipes.  He has a considerable collection of hymns and we agreed to exchange his volume for my latest one.  His is called, “The Balmoral Collection of Hymns.”  I complimented him for suggesting the transaction, and we both knew we had made a good deal.  We have the same ambition; to make familiar music available to pipers so they won’t have to be concerned about transposing and arranging when their time is limited.  We hope to assist pipers to feel comfortable playing solo, whether for church, military ceremonials or social occasions.  All require preparedness and the availability of suitable music.

A Part of the Family

It's obvious that a family pet grows into the lives of the family like it was a person, and it's a sad experience when their dog, cat, bird, or whatever animal they've adopted into their family dies.  I was told of a family that was expecting the death of their dog, which had been suffering from cancer.  I can imagine this mother and dad along with their six-year old son, gathered together at home with their dying dog and the veterinarian, who was there to make the parting easier.

One must admire the lad for his wisdom, that parting with their dog was part of living and dying.  For him to have the answer to God's plan helped the situation immeasurably.  He volunteered that dogs don't live as long as people live, because it doesn’t take them as long to learn how to love and be nice.

We recently observed that characteristic in the personality of Bristol, a Golden Retriever, which is the pet of our daughter, Janine and her family.  From the day she brought her home as a puppy, Bristol was loving and nice.  Now, she's full-grown and just as nice as she was then.  When Janine drives to our place, and is about a block or so away, Bristol is already whining because she recognizes where she is going.  She knows she will soon be petted and loved by Ruby and by me. When she enters the door, she goes down on the floor wiggling and crying with happiness.  She wants to be petted and have her belly rubbed.  No one in our family is so affectionate as Bristol.  We hide our feelings, but she doesn't.  It must be wonderful to be loved and to give that much love.

We naturally love our pet when it exhibits so much love.  We can all learn a lesson from our pets and from Bristol, and be able to reveal our love to those we truly love.  Pets display their affection in different ways.  Some are like Bristol, while others will jump all over you, but that's because they lack training.  They must be taught early in their lives because they don't live as long as we do.  Love your pet and overlook the work it causes.  Your dog loves you so much and in turn you will make life comfortable for your pet.

We used to have a pet.  Her name was Peach, and our kids loved her.  That little collie missed them too, when they were away from home attending university.  When Earl returned at Christmas and was sitting on the floor in front of the fireplace, Peach crawled a short distance, then a little farther, until she had her nose in his lap.  He was overcome with emotion.  Peach didn't make a sound.  Coming over to him and putting her muzzle in his lap assured him that she loved him and was happy that he was home.

The story of the young lad knowing why pets don’t live as long as people, reminded me of our pet, Peach, and how much she loved our kids.  She must have missed them considerably when they were away to college, because she surely loved having them return.