When the daily prompt hit my inbox this morning at 8:04, I knew there would be nothing savage about this day.
My mom, the hub and I had plans to go to a nearby church for a carillon recital.
Every summer Sunday the community is invited to stroll the gardens and listen as guest carillonneurs from around the world give a thirty minute recital at 10:15 am and then another at 12 noon.
Today’s carillonneur is from Ottawa.
We were born and raised in a summer haze…
The carillon is in the tower behind the haze.
Here’s a haze-free view.
And here are some interesting facts from the Summer Carillon Series brochure:
High in the tower is the 77-bell Kirk carillon—tied for the world’s largest in number of bells. The carillon was cast by the 360-year-old royal bell foundry of Petit & Fritsen, The Netherlands. The largest bell, the Bourdon, is 6’10” in diameter and weighs over six tons. The smallest bell is only 6” in diameter and weighs fourteen pounds.
Thirty six of the bells may be played from the organ console or the computer system interface—without dynamic control. However, the full 77 bells are played by striking wooden batons and pedals on the mechanical keyboard, or clavier, located in a cabin at the top of the belfry. Five of the large bells form a peal, swinging freely. The clock features are controlled by a state of the art computer system. Midway up the tower is the Marriott Memorial Library, a practice clavier, and the computer interfaces.
I’ve been in that belfry. There’s quite a view from up there.
So we went and strolled the gardens and listened. This is the church’s backyard.
Savages.
See the lake back there?
See my mom and the hub?
See how pretty my mom is?
She’s going to be 87 in exactly one week and I think she looks pretty. darn. good.
Just one of several sculptures in the garden.
Here’s another.
To top it off, right next to the parking lot is a small vegetable garden.
Just in case you want to listen too.
Now if I could just figure out how to impart the aroma of this happy jar with its peach slices, strawberries, blueberries and a splash of limoncello.
The basil is for tonight’s linguine.
