They do not fly in tight Vs, as we have been led to believe, but there is no doubt an organization, with trade-offs, almost like relays, so the tired ones in front can slip to the back for a breather--less wind makes an easier flight--and with scouts on the outer edges of their formation.
They honk as they fly, calling out messages and instructions, I'm guessing.
* * *
In elementary school we sang Christmas Carols, had Christmas programs and plays every year, which I played the leading part in always. Can't help it; it's true.
All directed by Mrs. Schultz, our Jewish music teacher. Many Jewish children made up the list of my friends: Marilyn Kreitzman, Robert Fine, Martin Goldman, Alan Epstein, Ruthie Ashberg, and so on. We lived in the Ocean Park part of Santa Monica, a very Jewish place, but all of us sang the Christmas songs together in school.
One song that Mrs. Schultz taught us, in 1st grade, was
Christmas is a'comin' and the geese are gettin' fat.
Time to put a penny in an old man's hat.
If you haven't got a penny, then a ha'penny will do.
If you haven't got a ha'penny, then God bless you.
I gave no thought to what my Jewish friends were thinking. Most had Christmas in their homes, with trees and stockings hanging on the hearth. At least that is what I believed, pretty sure it's true. Hanukkah was mentioned, probably, but I do not recall.
I do not say that was right, just that it was.
Not so today. The high school program last week included Hanukkah songs, and Charlie's 1st grade program in Pennsylvania was about half and half, said his mom. I have no objection to that. I'm just glad we can still hear the Christmas songs in the school. I do think it is a bit much, however, to ask that my grandchildren "celebrate" Kwanza. That happens here at the elementary schools.
All directed by Mrs. Schultz, our Jewish music teacher. Many Jewish children made up the list of my friends: Marilyn Kreitzman, Robert Fine, Martin Goldman, Alan Epstein, Ruthie Ashberg, and so on. We lived in the Ocean Park part of Santa Monica, a very Jewish place, but all of us sang the Christmas songs together in school.
One song that Mrs. Schultz taught us, in 1st grade, was
Christmas is a'comin' and the geese are gettin' fat.
Time to put a penny in an old man's hat.
If you haven't got a penny, then a ha'penny will do.
If you haven't got a ha'penny, then God bless you.
I gave no thought to what my Jewish friends were thinking. Most had Christmas in their homes, with trees and stockings hanging on the hearth. At least that is what I believed, pretty sure it's true. Hanukkah was mentioned, probably, but I do not recall.
I do not say that was right, just that it was.
Not so today. The high school program last week included Hanukkah songs, and Charlie's 1st grade program in Pennsylvania was about half and half, said his mom. I have no objection to that. I'm just glad we can still hear the Christmas songs in the school. I do think it is a bit much, however, to ask that my grandchildren "celebrate" Kwanza. That happens here at the elementary schools.
* * *
My friend Joan sent a cartoon today. Three boys sitting in the Principal's office, explaining the reason for their punishment.
Boy 1: I said the S H word.
Boy 2: I said the F word.
Boy 3: I said Christmas.
Funny, huh.
Last Saturday night I heard the Boise Philharmonic and the BP Master Chorale in performance of Handel's Messiah. I heard it last year, too, but this was a much better performance. Lola says thanks to Robert Franz, BP's conductor, who made them work hard in rehearsal.
I gave thanks for the performance and for that timeless oratorio (written, by the way, in 1741), that we can attend such programs publicly performed for our pleasure and inspiration. I gave thanks for Handel, for the inspiration he received as he worked on the music, which turned out to be glorious music, for Charles Jennens, who gathered the scriptures together to provide the perfect libretto, for the performers who, it seemed to me, sang from their hearts, and for Jesus Christ, the center of it all.
Boy 1: I said the S H word.
Boy 2: I said the F word.
Boy 3: I said Christmas.
Funny, huh.
* * *
Last Saturday night I heard the Boise Philharmonic and the BP Master Chorale in performance of Handel's Messiah. I heard it last year, too, but this was a much better performance. Lola says thanks to Robert Franz, BP's conductor, who made them work hard in rehearsal.
I gave thanks for the performance and for that timeless oratorio (written, by the way, in 1741), that we can attend such programs publicly performed for our pleasure and inspiration. I gave thanks for Handel, for the inspiration he received as he worked on the music, which turned out to be glorious music, for Charles Jennens, who gathered the scriptures together to provide the perfect libretto, for the performers who, it seemed to me, sang from their hearts, and for Jesus Christ, the center of it all.
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