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August 29, 2009

Weighing in on wind chimes

By GORDIE LITTLE, Small Talk

It's time to weigh in and, with my girth, it won't be a small undertaking.

Actually, I'd just like to register my opinion about wind chimes. Thanks to at least two recent comments in the Press-Republican's "Speakout," I am inspired to respond. One person was con and the other was pro, so please consider this the tiebreaker.

Kaye and I love our enclosed back deck, located within feet of the Saranac River. Many of our most relaxing moments have been spent sitting there, listening to the sound of the water flowing by, added to myriad birdsongs.

I should mention that we also have six sets of wind chimes hanging from the deck rafters. They range in size from tiny to quite large. One was handmade using antique silver spoons and forks. Another utilizes a charming ceramic bell. A third is constructed from pewter with hanging birds of the same material. The fourth is scarcely three inches tall, and its tinkle is almost subliminal. The two largest chimes are more traditional. One of them has eight sounding pipes ranging in length from 16 to 42 inches. They sound like church bells when the wind blows. The other is about three-quarters that size.

Rather than competing, the tones of each complement the others for heavenly melodies that blend beautifully with the natural sounds filtering in from the outside. All who visit our deck are enriched by what they see and hear. Almost no one consciously notices the wind chimes until we point them out. They seem to be hypnotized by the total ambiance.

We've always contended that our proximity to the river is good for the soul. I hope we're living proof.

BENEVOLENT SPIRITS
Then, there's our front porch. Some time ago, we received a pair of gifts that we cherish. I had never seen anything quite like them before. They are solar wind chimes. In the middle are beautiful glass globes. When the wind blows, five metal pipes of varying length strike the glass and produce a haunting melody. During the day, the solar energy is stored inside, and after dark the glass globes glow with changing colors for a soft and pleasant nighttime display.

Our neighbors aren't close, and if they were, there would be no complaints. All of our friends love wind chimes. The sound of the river combined with the chimes is restful, rather than the opposite.

Historically, wind-bells and chimes have adorned religious and secular buildings since the dawn of mankind. They have a powerful religious significance in many cultures and are generally believed to attract benevolent spirits, leading to good luck. I'm all for that.

My friend Ken Way, who spent almost 20 years working at the Clinton County Historical Museum, joined me on the back deck awhile back. He closed his eyes and murmured something that sounded like, "This is what it's all about."

After his brief reverie, he told a story about working for a rich family in the Lake Placid area many years ago. Before each meal, it was his job to pull a string in the kitchen. The string was threaded through the wall and stretched far out into the yard where it was attached to bells. When they sounded, outside workers knew it was time to come in to eat. The memory of the bells made him smile, as did the sound of the wind chimes on our deck.

I extend my sympathies to those who are kept awake by wind chimes at night and suggest that they stuff cotton in their ears. The rest of you are welcome to visit us at our "Little" house in Morrisonville to hear our wind chimes any time you like.

Have a great day and please, drive carefully.

Gordie Little was for many years a well-known radio personality in the North Country and now hosts the "Our Little Corner" television program for Home Town Cable. Anyone with comments for him may send them to the newspaper or e-mail him at gordandk@aol.com.

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