Merry Christmas, Darling

Tuesday, December 20, 2022

We went back to Hudson (no scary roads tonight) to hear the Twin Cities Trumpet Ensemble, led by Keith’s friend, Jim, play a brass and organ concert. They had a fabulous announcer, Michael Barrone from MPR. The organist came out to play a solo piece and Michael was talking about those who had been in Bethlehem that night long ago. He said Mary was front and center, the shepherds played a good part, the kings kinda were walk on parts, but one person who really didn’t figure in all that much was Joseph. Joseph was a carpenter, but he didn’t even make the new baby’s first cradle. Not that it mattered much, because the manger worked out. And the fact that he was a carpenter probably impacted Jesus as he grew up, and carpenters would also impact us this night, because the next song was Merry Christmas, Darling, by the Carpenters.

I laughed.

Our friend, Ron, was playing in the group tonight. Last night, when we were at intermission at Orchestra Hall, we wandered over to the side of the lobby we never go to (it is by neither the parking ramp or the bathroom, so…) and found a little store. Who knew that was there? In the store was Ron’s book! We already have a copy, because Ron gave us one. When Ron went on the Mississippi River Brass Band tour in 2017, he told lots of very entertaining stories about playing in the MN orchestra for 30+ years (connected to them for 42 years, I think) and Keith kept telling him he had to write a book about his experiences. And he did! I don’t know if Keith influenced him, but I like to think he did.

So, a picture of Keith and Ron from tonight for the potd and a picture of Keith and Ron last night as well.