December 13, 2007  

     The Souhegan Valley Chorus concert was Sunday evening.  Some of Lynn's contributions as Stage Director included dance steps for the front row, pen lights shining in the dark at the end of The Chanukah Song, and falling balloons at the end of the show (We Wish You a Merry Christmas).  Here are pictures from the show: the chorus singing Aeyaya Balano Sakkad—an Indian song with Sitar accompaniment, and the Souhegan Valleyaires singing Let There Be Peace on Earth.
     I looked up some statistics about polar ice coverage to get a feel for the global-warming trend.  For the 25 years leading up to 2006, the minimum Arctic ice coverage (each summer) has gradually declined by 1% a year on average.  Then in one year, from 2006 to 2007, it declined by 30%.  This may indicate the onset of a vicious cycle in which more exposed (dark) water absorbs more heat, leading to more ice melting and more exposed water.  Stay tuned for a report next summer to see whether the sharp decline continues.  Those still in denial of global warming are fond of pointing out that the Antarctic ice coverage has remained about unchanged.  But this reflects the separation of the air masses in the northern and southern hemispheres; hardly any air is exchanged between them.  Apparently not much greenhouse gas is being generated in the southern hemisphere.
     Our "window wall" in the family room has a new scene compared with the fall scene.  A downy woodpecker shared the suet feeder with a titmouse.
     This Wednesday and last I rang the bell for the Salvation Army at the Peterborough grocery store.  My fingers started to get cold near the end of  the two-hour stint, but I was pretty comfortable, the sky was beautiful, and I met nice people.  They often thanked me for my effort, and they said the Salvation Army is the best charity organization (living up to its motto "Doing the most good").
     I arranged the Negro spiritual Sweet Little Jesus Boy for a cappella voice.

Feature - Simulated flight over Venus

Quote for the Day - "Higher beings from outer space may not want to tell us the secrets of life, because we're not ready. But maybe they'll change their tune after a little torture."   from Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey.

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