I deliberately chose NOT to limit this thread to whistles. The other thread on country life made me think that it might not be a bad idea to start a thread where members could post true stories about music and Christmas - if I’m wrong the scroll rate guarantees that my mistake won’t be visible for more than a day or two.
The Setting: An old 1825 stagecoach inn, now a historic site. The related craft guild was celebrating Christmas in the usual way; an open house to say thanks for another year and give people a chance to relax for an hour or two - something in short supply in December. Cookies, cider, musicians in the cabins - a very “normal” event - and our last of the year.
Later, in the evening, the visitors had gone. Unwilling to let the mood die, some of us hung on in the inn’s main room and kitchen, talking, popping corn in the fireplace - just relaxing. The electric lights were mostly off, enough light came from the fireplaces and candles on the windowsills.
Now, everyone who knows me here is probably aware that I make no claims to musicianship -strictly amateur and nowhere near as good as I’d like to be. I never play publicly if I can help it. But somehow, that night and among friends…
Anyway, I pulled out my whistle and started softly playing “What Child is This?” (isn’t it amazing how much mileage you can get out of “Greensleeves”?). After a while, Mike Anderson got out his mandolin and started playing along. Then other instruments came out.
A few moments more, totally outclassed, I faded away and spent the next hour enjoying a lovely, acoustic, and totally unplanned session. Fifteen years later, I can still close my eyes and see it all again - and wonder just a little at my tiny part in it.
May you all enjoy a happy holiday season, whatever holiday you celebrate.