Spring sounds...not yet.

Spring is trying hard to assert itself here. We had an April Fools Day snowstorm, but the higher sun and warming temperatures are making short work of the snow that’s fallen. However, the garden still has about 60-70 cm of snow on it, as does, well, everything else but the roads, diligently cleared by the incomparable Keweenaw County Road Commission.

Though I saw a robin in Hancock the other day, I haven’t yet seen one up here on the hill (or, quite properly, the tor). I hear more crows than ravens now, of course, and I see and hear more gulls. Gulls have been around all winter, which is not usual; they normally come and go with the opening or closing of the water. This morning I heard a chickadee, but no spring birds yet. That’s okay. A chickadee is good enough music for anyone.

Personally, I am on my way to getting an alto flute, something I’ve wanted for, well, more years than I can seem to remember. I’m getting my wish at last, and speaking of last, the alto flute in question is one of the last four Gemeinhardt 10AS flutes to be made at their facility at Elkhart, Indiana. Hereafter, they’ll be manufactured at a new facility in China. I have nothing per se against making flutes in China. After all, people there have been making flutes and working metal for a very long time. I don’t know that it’s right to no longer make flutes in Elkhart. And, I think flute making workers in China deserve a living as good as the one they might have in Elkhart, or Oshawa, or Bergen, or Osaka, or Karlsrühe (not that flutes are made in those other places, but you should get what I mean). Anyway, I’m looking forward to the sounds I’ll be making on this flute, and already have some ideas for a cd with much alto flute on it.

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