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DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

By Jack Scott


The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He restores my soul;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.


Perhaps you can imagine the scene. In the far distance, the sun shines over the misty blue mountains. Below them lie the upland moors covered with deep rich purple heather and golden yellow gorse. Immediately in front of us, and just beyond the field gate on which you and I are leaning, is a beautiful verdant pasture.

The grass is lush and wild flowers grow in colorful array. If we stand quietly, we can hear above the soft rustle of the wind, the musical drone of the honey bees as they gather nectar from delicate blooms.

About five hundred yards away, the cool, clear waters of a river flow serenely and silently towards the distant sea.

A little flock of sheep, some with lambs, lie peacefully undisturbed near the river's edge. If we were to look at them through our binoculars, we would see them gently chewing their cud as they draw nourishment from the abundant provision of fresh food. They surely are the picture of contentment and tranquillity. This is something like the picture that Psalm 23 calls to my mind.

"He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters." (Psalm 23:2) Why are the sheep in our little scene so peaceful, so content, so unruffled as they enjoy the warmth of the afternoon sun?

I think my shepherd friend, Johnny Crawford, would tell us that a flock such as we have described are free from fear, have enough to eat and are not plagued with parasites. If we remove any one of these conditions the sheep will not be at peace.

Has not God given us a lovely picture in Psalm 23 of the condition of His believing people? In Psalm 95:7, we read "For He is our God; and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand." Every good shepherd will care for his flock, removing the sheep from danger, providing medical treatment to prevent parasites and ensure sufficient food to keep them strong and healthy.

Our "Good Shepherd" has done so much more for His flock than the best of earthly shepherds. To start with He says to us in John 10:11, "I am the Good Shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep". He paid the ultimate price to purchase His flock and to deliver them from the fear of eternal death. "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32).

In Christ our shepherd we have all we need for eternity. When we realize that "I am His and He is mine", fears quickly diminish and should fade away. When the Shepherd is present the wolf will seek some other prey. We need not fear man or devil, even if they kill us we shall live with Him.

If we are aware of His divine presence we will find food abundant for our souls and our spirits will rejoice in the Bread of Life, for He feeds us with food sufficient for our requirements. This He does as we seek to feed on His word and to find Him there. We can, with the Shulamite maiden experience the bounty of His hand. Listen to her words, "He brought me into the banqueting house, and His banner over me was love." (Song of Solomon 2:4) My friends let us feat on the good things of His word as we bask in the sunshine of His love.

"He leadeth me beside the still waters." Sheep like human beings need more than food to live; both need water if they are to survive. In Revelation 21:6, we read, "And He said to me, 'It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts'."

What is the water of life? The Lord Jesus when speaking to the woman of Samaria told her of "living water" which if a person drank he or she would never thirst again. "But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:14).

The Old Testament prophet Isaiah talks about that water in Isaiah 12:2,3 "Many people shall come and say, 'Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths." And the Lord Jesus Christ explains its meaning for us in John 7:37-39, "On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.' But this He spoke concerning the Spirit whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified."

We see then that the water is the Holy Spirit whom we receive by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ the Great Shepherd. The Holy Spirit is needed to give life to those who are dead in sin. He is God's agent in the new birth as we are told in John 3:8 "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit". And it is His presence that sustains eternal life in all those who come by faith to the Lord Jesus for Salvation. It is He who enables us to become true disciples of the one who loved us unto death; the good shepherd who gave His life for the sheep.

If you and I are truly united by faith to the great Shepherd we can enjoy peace greater and more beautiful than any earthly scene. No matter what our material blessings or lack of them we have a peace that passes all understanding, food that nourishes for eternity and water that quenches the thirst for satisfaction in a way the broken cisterns of earth cannot satisfy.

To know this Shepherd is to love Him, and to love Him is to know Him in a way that can only be experienced by His flock. We will close this part of our studies with His gracious invitation as it is found in Isaiah 55:1-3a "Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance. Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live."

Can you afford to reject this lovely overture of love and mercy? If you are one of His sheep, does not the knowledge of His love thrill your heart and cheer your spirit?

Hi Everyone.  We have an overcast morning, not really very chilly and a good possibility of some rain this morning.  I do plan on attending my Saturday meeting and also making a stop a Aldi's for a couple of grocery items we need.  In mid-afternoon and this evening I look forward to two conference Championship football games.  The first involves the University of Georgia and the second Clemson University.  Hopefully they will both be competitive games. 

Our new Thoughts for December were prepared by Judy but she asked me to post them to get us started as she was going to be occupied with other things today.  It is always nice to read one of Jack Scott's writings. 

Marilyn, sure good to read your posting and see that half of the eye surgeries are behind you.  It is also good to see you feeling less stressed and rested and to know that things are working out with the caregiver and that Keith is continuing to progress in his healing.  How much longer will he have to have the daily infusions at the hospital? 

Janet, I will just say I will be thinking about and praying for you and Darrel this week and hope you both tolerate the mission trip well.  The book has not arrived and it apparently will not be in today's mail as the advance notice of what is coming today didn't indicate I had a package to be delivered.  Hopefully by the first of the week it will be here. 

Judy, the Hymn "Birthday of a King" has always been one I have enjoyed.

Larry he is scheduled for the infusions  for 3 months.

We are now home. Due to weather we decided
to change plans somewhat. I am enclosing 2 url's where you can check what is coming.  I am really concerned as our trees are still loaded with snow.  Freezing rain will cause power outages. 

https://instantweather.ca/2018/12/01/NtEqVS-snowfall-warning-issued/?fbclid=IwAR2doSZno3K0voe3YLpbAmTMVWRbCMJKCgUXFCzt8ZS3wEORuR1zHsNbifg

https://www.nugget.ca/news/local-news/travel-advisory-snow-freezing-rain-to-start-tonight?fbclid=IwAR1jj9_2kcZwORIfBRgAXL4CGFENDJodcN9UIprXVsWQ5TUkoPF053PHyPA

In my concern this hymn has been playing through my spirit.

Hi Everyone.  It is a warm 65 degrees here this morning and raining on and off.  It is suppose to get up to 77 degrees this afternoon and we are to have scattered thundershowers throughout the day.  Last night on the weather they indicated we could be in for some severe storms but I don't see that in the forecast this morning.  I am not attending Church today as I just don't have the energy to get out.  I just plan on a very quiet and peaceful day.  Yesterday I did go to my meeting and then stopped at Aldi's.  I told Pat last night I think that may be my last visit to Aldi's as it was tough for me yesterday even though I didn't have much to get.  We will probably do most of our shopping for groceries online at Walmart in the future.  I was sorry to see Georgia lost to Alabama last evening in the SEC Championship game although they played a very fine game.  However, Clemson, did win the ACC Championship for the 4th year in a row, which sets a new record of consecutive winds.  I see our nation will be flying its flags at half mast for 30 days, starting yesterday, in honor of George H. W. Bush.  He sure lived a long and full life. 

Marilyn, that is a long time for those infusions.  Thanks for the information.

Judy, I had to look at a conversion chart to see how much snow you are expecting and that is quite a bit on top of snow you already have.  I am happy to see you are home safely and sure hope you don't lose your power.  It does seem that the "Tempest is Raging" in many areas.  Thanks for posting the hymn

Good Sunday all. 

Judy:  It sure seems like a big storm is in your direction.  I am sure you two know how to "hunker down" in your home.  Hopefully, you were able to get all the wood set aside. 

Larry:  Sometimes it is best to be resting and recuperating at home - especially if it is flu/cold season. 

Last night, Don was able to stream a hockey game from Minnesota and we saw our grandson fly across the ice - he is fast.  Don had that over the television (don't ask me how) and we watched and listened to a beautiful Christmas musical over the laptop.  (Don't ask me how). 

Judy;  i'll listen to the Tempest song now. Thank you! 

Everyone:  Stay cozy.  Drive carefully. 

Thanks for the re-posting of Jack Scotts message.  Always beautifully written and precise in wording. 

Hi everyone,

Please be praying for us (my brother and I) as we are currently travelling from where I was living up to where Doug lives, a 6 hour trip.  The weather has started to turn and we will soon be dealing with freezing rain, pulling a trailer with a pile of my belongings.  I'm moving north for work.

Also, my mom (JudyB) asked that I update you, she currently has no hydro at home.  She will be back on as soon as she can be.

Thanks
Heather

Heather, I am definitely praying for safe travels, as I know you are already well on your way north, in the treacherous weather.  I have only just now come here to read your post.  Be safe.

Also, thank you for the update on your mother.

Well for now we have power.  Heat is back on and the house is warming up.  I was praying that the wade weather would hold off....It did.  Doug and Heather have made it home with clear roads.  Thanking God for answered prayer.

I will be back tomorrow, trusting the power stays on.

Till later
Judy

Hi Everyone.  It is a beautiful morning here and we are to have mild temperature today.  I met with my friend at 8 am this morning and I think that will be it for today as am not feeling well.  I did write to my cardiologist last evening and he almost immediately replied and told me to contact his office and make an appointment for this week, which I will do in a few minutes.

I have read all of the posting and am glad to see you have power and heat again and that Heather and Doug made it safely home. 

Maybe I will feel more like posting tomorrow but just not up to making many individual comments so am taking a bye for today.

Larry:  Take a good rest today and I pray for your recuperation and rest.

Heather:  How nice to see your post.  Thankful that you two made the drive north safely - especially in the slippery road weather.  Please stop by and let us know how you are faring with your new place to live and your new job. 

Judy:  I am so glad to read your house has hydro once again.  This is early in the winter season, praying for safety for all your family.

Larry:  Sorry to read you are not feeling well.  Prayers for your next doctor's appointment and relief for you. 

Don will be back at the house soon and I need help reinstalling a shelf - it collapsed and the only thing broken is one of the little things that hold it in place.  I hear the garage door - yea, this will be fixed soon.   

Reginald Heber was born in 1783 into a wealthy, educated family. He was a bright youth, translating a Latin classic into English verse by the time he was seven, entering Oxford at 17, and winning two awards for his poetry during his time there. After his graduation he became rector of his father's church in the village of Hodnet near Shrewsbury in the west of England where he remained for 16 years. He was appointed Bishop of Calcutta in 1823 and worked tirelessly for three years until the weather and travel took its toll on his health and he died of a stroke. Most of his 57 hymns, which include "Holy, Holy, Holy," are still in use today.
-- Greg Scheer, 1995

====================

Heber, Reginald, D.D. Born at Malpas, April 21, 1783, educated at Brasenose College, Oxford; Vicar of Hodnet, 1807; Bishop of Calcutta, 1823; died at Trichinopoly, India, April 3, 1826. The gift of versification shewed itself in Heber's childhood; and his Newdigate prize poem Palestine, which was read to Scott at breakfast in his rooms at Brazenose, Oxford, and owed one of its most striking passages to Scott's suggestion, is almost the only prize poem that has won a permanent place in poetical literature. His sixteen years at Hodnet, where he held a halfway position between a parson and a squire, were marked not only by his devoted care of his people, as a parish priest, but by literary work. He was the friend of Milman, Gifford, Southey, and others, in the world of letters, endeared to them by his candour, gentleness, "salient playfulness," as well as learning and culture. He was on the original staff of The Quarterly Review; Bampton Lecturer (1815); and Preacher at Lincoln's Inn (1822). His edition of Jeremy Taylor is still the classic edition. During this portion of his life he had often had a lurking fondness for India, had traced on the map Indian journeys, and had been tempted to wish himself Bishop of Calcutta. When he was forty years old the literary life was closed by his call to the Episcopate. No memory of Indian annals is holier than that of the three years of ceaseless travel, splendid administration, and saintly enthusiasm, of his tenure of the see of Calcutta. He ordained the first Christian native—Christian David. His first visitation ranged through Bengal, Bombay, and Ceylon; and at Delhi and Lucknow he was prostrated with fever. His second visitation took him through the scenes of Schwartz's labours in Madras Presidency to Trichinopoly, where on April 3,1826, he confirmed forty-two persons, and he was deeply moved by the impression of the struggling mission, so much so that "he showed no appearance of bodily exhaus¬tion." On his return from the service

"He retired into his own room, and according to his invariable custom, wrote on the back of the address on Confirmation 'Trichinopoly, April 3, 1826.' This was his last act, for immediately on taking off his clothes, he went into a large cold bath, where he had bathed the two preceding mornings, but which was now the destined agent of his removal to Paradise. Half an hour after, his servant, alarmed at his long absence, entered the room and found him a lifeless corpse." Life, &c, 1830, vol. ii. p. 437.

Heber's hymns were all written during the Hodnet period. Even the great missionary hymn, "From Greenland's icy mountains," notwithstanding the Indian allusions ("India's coral strand," "Ceylon's isle"), was written before he received the offer of Calcutta. The touching funeral hymn, "Thou art gone to the grave," was written on the loss of his first babe, which was a deep grief to him. Some of the hymns were published (1811-16) in the Christian Observer, the rest were not published till after his death. They formed part of a ms. collection made for Hodnet (but not published), which contained, besides a few hymns from older and special sources, contributions by Milman. The first idea of the collection appears in a letter in 1809 asking for a copy of the Olney Hymns, which he "admired very much." The plan was to compose hymns connected with the Epistles and Gospels, to be sung after the Nicene Creed. He was the first to publish sermons on the Sunday services (1822), and a writer in The Guardian has pointed out that these efforts of Heber were the germs of the now familiar practice, developed through the Christian Year (perhaps following Ken's Hymns on the Festivals), and by Augustus Hare, of welding together sermon, hymnal, and liturgy. Heber tried to obtain from Archbishop Manners Sutton and the Bishop of London (1820) authorization of his ms. collection of hymns by the Church, enlarging on the "powerful engine" which hymns were among Dissenters, and the irregular use of them in the church, which it was impossible to suppress, and better to regulate. The authorization was not granted. The lyric spirit of Scott and Byron passed into our hymns in Heber's verse; imparting a fuller rhythm to the older measures, as illustrated by "Oh, Saviour, is Thy promise fled," or the martial hymn, "The Son of God goes forth to war;" pressing into sacred service the freer rhythms of contemporary poetry (e.g. "Brightest and best of the sons of the morning"; "God that madest earth and heaven"); and aiming at consistent grace of literary expression.. Their beauties and faults spring from this modern spirit. They have not the scriptural strength of our best early hymns, nor the dogmatic force of the best Latin ones. They are too flowing and florid, and the conditions of hymn composition are not sufficiently understood. But as pure and graceful devotional poetry, always true and reverent, they are an unfailing pleasure. The finest of them is that majestic anthem, founded on the rhythm of the English Bible, "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty." The greatest evidence of Heber's popularity as a hymnwriter, and his refined taste as a compiler, is found in the fact that the total contents of his ms. collection which were given in his posthumous Hymns written and adapted to the Weekly Church Service of the Year. London, J. Murray, 1827; which included 57 hymns by Heber, 12 by Milman, and 29 by other writers, are in common in Great Britain and America at the present time. [Rev. H. Leigh Bennett, M.A.]

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We have had continuous power outages for the past week. There doesn't seem to be any end to this.  We never know when the lights will go out. so if I seem to be away a lot, you will know why!

Have a great day folks!

Hi Everyone.  It is a bright and sunny morning and we are to get into the mid-50's today.  I was able to get an appointment with my cardiologist for tomorrow morning at 10 am for which I am thankful.  I am hoping he will have something that can begin to give me a little more energy and stop the occasional gurgling and coughing. I spent a good part of the day yesterday laying down and  today will probably be about the same as I am very weary this morning.  I plan on staying home all day. 

Carol, it is frustrating when one of those shelf clips break.  I hope Don was able to fix it easily.  We have had that happen two or three times. 

Judy, that man had a very interesting background.  I am familiar with Holy, Holy, Holy but knew nothing of its background.  Sorry you continue to have the frequent power outages and it sounds like it may be a long winter up your way.

Judy:  There is a city in Utah named Heber and I wonder if the name is from your source.  Sorry for the power outages - they can be so irritating when you are trying to finish your work.  Thank you for all your research - it is always interesting to learn the background.  I just love it when the choir booms out Holy Holy Holy....Somehow, I still cannot get the songs on this computer - it has a warning stopping me.  I will find another way to listen to this song today.

Larry:  Good to read that you have an appointment with your cardiologist this week.  And, best that you do stay home and rest today.  Take care - both of you.  Yes, those little plastic clips are so annoying - cheap and not dependable. 

There is a photo going around here - a picture of a mother Bobcat with her two young ones. They are reclining on a little patio table.  I have seen Bobcats on walks, they normally walk right past us - of course, we don't have a dog.  Yesterday, I baked two loaves of pumpkin cranberry bread and froze them - for gifts or drop-in company.  I need to push myself to accomplish more baking this year.  No fruit cake - mom's recipe - they all want Hot Fudge Sauce instead. 

Carol try you tube music.

We had an outage again last night.  It is so frustrating, the not knowing when it will happen. I have been in the middle of work and loose my connection. Yes this has been an unusual winter for us. January weather in November.

Please be praying for Pat. I just heard from her and she is not doing well.

Have a great day and evening I will be back tomorrow.

Prayers for Pat!  We send our love and prayers for Pat and all her family. 

Hi Everyone. It is a clear and chilly morning here in South Carolina and when I got up a little while ago it was 31 degrees and may stay in the higher 40's this afternoon.  I am feeling a lot better this morning and started feeling better yesterday afternoon after spending some of the morning and early afternoon laying down with my eyes closed.  I will be seeing my cardiologist this morning and it is quite a walk from the parking garage to his office.  I have one errand to make a return for Pat and that will be my day until this evening when we plan to go out to eat and are hoping are son will join us and then spend some time with us this evening.  Yesterday Pat did drive herself to her doctor's appointment as I wasn't really feeling like driving when it was time for her to go.  She got along OK but came home pretty tired.  Fortunately we had left overs in the refrigerator for our evening meal. 

Carol,  in a couple of the houses we have lived I had wooden shelves installed in the pantry and in our last house I converted a closet in my office to wooden shelves to use for my storage.  Then I didn't have to worry about them breaking. 

Judy, so sorry to read your note that Pat isn't doing well.  I pray for her recovery each day.  Sorry to see you are continuing to have those power outages and it must keep you uneasy all of the time wondering when the next one will hit.

We were able to watch a lot of the funeral from Washington, DC. I remember the Tenor from New York singing after 911 and he still has a formidable voice - just awesome as the kids say.   

I peeled and cut a small basket of apples and set them in a crock pot with cinnamon and some Agave syrup.  Smells great and it will make several desserts. 

Hi Everyone. It is another beautiful and chilly morning here in South Carolina.  I have a busy morning today as need to stop at Walmart to pick up prescriptions for Pat and for myself.  Then I will pick up my friend and we will go to coffee, stopping at the Post Office to mail Jennifer's broken laptop back to the manufacturer for a replacement.  On the way back I to take my friend home I may stop by NTW to have the air checked in my tires again as the low level of air light is on again on the dash.  I have several small projects I want to complete before the day is over.  I had a good doctor's visit yesterday and he doubled my Entrestro again and added Digoxin, which I have never taken before but remember it was the heart medicine my grandmother took for many years.  He also told me to double the Lasix for 4 days and then double again if I have feel the need.  I did have a good day yesterday and we did meet Scott for dinner at a restaurant and then he came out to spend some time with us.  It seemed like we had him doing tasks for us all the time he was here.  He put up the curtain rods in our guest bedroom and did some other things we asked him to do.  I hope we are about to get things fixed up the way Pat wants them so that he can come out without needing to do chores for us and we can just visit. 

Carol, I got to see only a little bit of the funeral services yesterday as they were going on while I was in the exam room at the doctor's.  I guess today will be the end of the ceremonies at the Bush library.  Those apples sure sound good.  I don't think Pat has ever used the Agave syrup.

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History of Carol of the Bells

CAROL OF THE BELLS' WASN'T ORIGINALLY A CHRISTMAS SONG
  Rice University anthropology student is studying the song's genealogy


Although "Carol of the Bells" has become a popular tune during the holidays, the original lyrics had nothing to do with Christmas.


The song with a haunting four-note melody was originally a Ukranian folk song written as a "winter well-wishing song," said Anthony Potoczniak, a Rice University anthropology graduate student who is studying the song's history.


Written in 1916 by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovich and titled "Shchedryk," the song tells the tale of a swallow flying into a household to proclaim the plentiful year that the family will have. The song's title is derived from the Ukrainian word "shchedryj," which means "bountiful."


"The swallow is a herald of spring coming," Potoczniak said, referring to its possible pre-Christian origins. The original lyrics describe the swallow calling out to the master of the home and telling him about all the wealth that he will possess — healthy livestock, money and a beautiful wife.


For a Christmas concert, a choir director by the name of Oleksander Koshyts commissioned Leontovich to write a song based on Ukrainian folk melodies.   Using the four notes and original folk lyrics of a well-wishing song he found in an anthology of Ukrainian folk melodies, Leontovich created a completely new work for choir – "Shchedryk."


"Very few people realize that the composition 'Shchedryk' was composed and performed during a time when there was intense political struggle and social upheaval in Ukraine," Potoczniak said.   The same choir director who commissioned the song formed the Ukrainian National Chorus, mandated by a fledgling Ukrainian government, in 1919 to promote Ukranian music in major cultural centers in the West.   Touring across Europe and North and South America, the chorus performed over 1,000 concerts. 


Meanwhile, back in Ukraine, the original folk melody that Leontovich used to compose his work was one of many well-wishing tunes sung in many Ukrainian villages on Jan. 13 — New Year's Eve on the Julian calendar — usually by adolescent girls going house to house in celebration of the new year.   As the girls sang the tune predicting good fortune, they were rewarded with baked goods or other treats.


The Ukrainian National Chorus did not limit its performances of "Shchedryk" to the Julian New Year, and the song became popular in other parts of the world as the choir introduced it to other nationalities, including the United States, where they first performed the song to a sold-out audience in Carnegie Hall Oct. 5, 1921.


When American choir director and arranger Peter Wilhousky heard Leontovich's choral work, it reminded him of bells; so he wrote new lyrics to convey that imagery for his choir.   He copyrighted the new lyrics in 1936 and also published the song, despite the fact that the work was published almost two decades earlier in Soviet Ukraine. In the late 1930s, several choirs that Wilhousky directed began performing his Anglicized arrangement during the Christmas holiday season.


Now called "Carol of the Bells," the song has become associated with Christmas because of its new lyrics, which include references to silver bells, caroling and the line "merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas."


American recordings of the song in English began to surface in the 1940s by such notable groups as Fred Warring and his Pennsylvanians, the Roger Wagner Chorale and Phil Spitalny's "Hour of Charm All-Girl Orchestra."


Since then the song has become a popular Christmas tune, particularly among choirs for whom the soprano-alto-tenor-bass arrangement of the song seems custom-made.   The song's opening lines, "Hark! How the bells, sweet silver bells," coupled with the "ding, dong, ding, dong" countermelody, have been recorded in a variety of formats and styles – from standard choir arrangements to improvisational jazz to sultry soul.   Last year at least 35 recordings of the song were available, Potoczniak said.


Despite the song's ubiquitous presence during the holidays in the West, "Shchedryk" remains less popular in its country of origin, where songs like it are still performed on the eve of the Julian New Year.


In fact, when Potoczniak was directing a small group of amateur carolers in Ukraine, he was told that it was "out of place" for them to sing melodies like "Shchedryk" at Christmastime.    He had moved there in 1992 to study ethnomusicology at the Lviv State Conservatory after earning a bachelor's degree in music composition at Rice's Shepherd School of Music in 1991. Potoczniak remembers that the first piece he had to learn for his choral conducting course at the conservatory was Leontovich's original "Shchedryk." At the time, he was unfamiliar with the song's origin; however, he immediately recognized the melody as "Carol of the Bells."


Potoczniak recalls how he and singers were caroling door-to-door with a "Shchedryk"-like melody he collected in a Western Ukrainian village.   "One family told us it was too early to sing that song," he said.


Because of his Ukrainian heritage, Potoczniak was motivated to investigate how a simple folk song performed in a remote Ukrainian village became a "super holiday hit" in the United States, and he incorporated tracing the song's genealogy into his current graduate studies at Rice University.

Hi Everyone. My day is starting out at 34 degrees and will only get into the mid-50's with it remaining mostly cloudy all day.  The only thing on our agenda for today is a morning trip to Costco to stock up and Scott is coming to go with us and help us.  It shouldn't take us very long as our list isn't too long.  Pat and Scott will go to the meat department so Pat can pick out the meat she wants and I will get the frozen items and the item on the grocery shelves.  Over time I have noted what isle to find the various things we repeatedly buy. This avoids me having to go up the same isle repeatedly looking for another item.  Google has a neat little memo program called "Keep" that lets you make lists and when you get the item while shopping you put a little checkmark in the little box and it moves the item out of the active list but is available to use in the future by removing the check mark and so I can annotate the location of the item in the store. 

Yesterday. after I got home from coffee, I did get our large Christmas wreath hung between the two windows in my office facing the street.  I got it last year and we hung it on the door but Pat thought it was too big for the door and it is just right for where it is place now. It is on our front porch so is well protected from the weather.  That is all the outside decorating I will do.  Pat fixed a really delicious baked chicken dish last evening using the boneless chicken breast.  She marked the recipe as a keeper.  I got quite a bit done yesterday and was ready to retire at bedtime and had a good night's sleep. 

Judy, thanks for that very interesting story of the background of the "Carol of the Bells".  It is certainly a well recognized Christmas hymn in America.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day.

This computer had to be re-set yesterday.  There was a screaming wild noise coming from it --shouting Warning over and over.  Apparently hacked and it looked like a Microsoft message they wanted me to click.  I am super cautious so Don took over and he set the laptop back several days.  It took a long time but finally the computer is safe.  This was so alarming because I had to buy this newer one as the other had croaked when liquid was accidentally dropped on it. My message is to not trust that Microsoft is really sending out the message. 

We had rain yesterday and how nice and clear it is outdoors.  Last nights meal was a butternut squash soup in the crock pot. 

There is one grocery store here that has a 10% off plus other super deals on the first Wednesday of the month - plus an extra 10% for being old.  We did get there in the afternoon and found the bargains on exactly what we needed.  That was a nice surprise and it wasn't as crowded as the morning hours. 

Larry:  Scott is a good son.  Are you using Google Keep on your phone when you shop?  I have a lined yellow pad - 3 for $1 at the dollar store. 

 

Hi Everyone.  The rain has set in for a couple of days with a 100% guarantee for this afternoon and evening.  As of now I plan on just staying home today and take care of somethings here in my office, listening to Christmas music, and then this afternoon take it easy.  Scott did take us over to Costco yesterday morning and we set a new record for spending the most money on groceries at one time ever but we are now well stocked.  Unfortunately I forgot to put the curtains we have to return in the car so will have to make another quick trip over there to return them next week.  There are plenty of college basketball games on TV to watch this afternoon. 

Carol, Sure glad you didn't get caught by the scam alert on your computer.  Microsoft just doesn't do anything like you as I am sure you all know.  Glad Don was able to go back to an earlier date and restore the computer.  Kroger grocery in our area has a 10% discount for seniors on Wednesday and you see a lot of seniors there.  We are no longer shopping at Kroger's as it isn't convenient.  Yes I do use the Google "Keep" app on my phone while I am shopping as I can checkoff what I have in the cart with just a touch which sends it to the past shopping list right below the active list and that item can easily be put back into the active list for future shopping by touching the little arrow.  It works great for me. 

I got started on Janet's new book last evening and it is very good.  She is a wonderful and thoughtful writer.  I plan on reading more of it today.  Thanks Janet for writing it.  I expect she and Darrel will be making their way back home today and perhaps tomorrow.

Today is Don's birthday and we have phone calls from 1/4 of the children.  We will get a lot more later - I am taking him out for one of his favorite (and rare) meals.  He wanted to go to Kneader's bakery today so he had a cinnamon roll.  I am in the beginning of writing special notes on the Christmas cards (Don made the cards on a computer program).  He does this every year. Also, he has a VA appointment this afternoon - on a Saturday is different.   

We had heavy rain yesterday and snow on the little mountains.  Some cards have already arrived with lots of news and at our ages, the news isn't the best. 

Larry:  my phone is older and I don't use it like you do but I will check out Google Keep. I am glad you are keeping COSTCO in business.

 

Hi Everyone.  It has been a very cold, windy and rainy night and the morning continues this way.  It is suppose to rain all morning and then the chances go down substantially around noon. While I stayed home all day yesterday I am ready and plan on attending Sunday School and Church this morning.  If it isn't too rainy when Church is over I will pick up something to bring home for our dinner.  Last evening we enjoyed stuffed peppers from Costco,  a big lettuce and carrot salad and a delicious cookie. I noticed my heat pump was making a terrible noise this morning and found it was freezing up.  So I have switched it to the emergency heat setting and hope that soon resolves the issues and keeps us warm in the interim.  I do have an electric space heater that I may have to call into service.  It is going to stay in the  40 degrees today.   

Carol, a belated Happy Birthday to Don.  I am sure the calls mean a lot more to him than things.  It seems it is hard to find a good sticky cinnamon roll anymore.  It sounds like you all know of a good bakery. I used to make Christmas cards on the computer to send but haven't done so for quite a few years.  If you haven't found it just type https://keep.google.com .  It works on your computer as well as your phone and updating it one place automatically updates it anywhere else you view it.  I keep a lot of different information in it for ready reference like my car maintenance records and things about the house like when I change furnace filters.  You can set up individual folders to better organize the notes you write.  While you spend a lot of money each time you go to Costco you do get a lot for your money and it is good quality.

Don did like his birthday dinner yesterday.  Everyone called and fortunately the calls were spaced nicely.  Saturday was very quiet at the VA - we have some wonderful people working for the VA.

One son had to check his mountain cabin which is at almost 9,000 ft. altitude.  The heat had gone off - so he drove up the hill and had to call a service to fix it.  They keep the temperature indoors very low but it has to be on.  He ended up having to shovel a huge berm of snow and that was really hard.  (I can remember shoveling at altitude and it is not easy.  )  We are grateful that he is safely down the hill.