sprite writes
broodings from the burrow

December 12, 2023


virtual advent 2023: day 12
posted by soe 8:00 am

Today marks the end of the first half of our Virtual Advent Tour, so I’m offering you a glimpse into another of our favorite annual traditions — the Merry TubaChristmas.

2023 Merry TubaChristmas

This year marks the 50th TubaChristmas, which was created by Harvey Phillips in memory of his tuba instructor, William Bell, born at Christmas in 1902. The very first “caroling” tuba concert was held in New York City in 1974, and they have been held annually ever since, in a growing number of cities around the country. This year there were 212 concerts.

2023 Merry TubaChristmas

In D.C., it’s held at the Kennedy Center, and 250 tuba and euphonium players from around the region were in attendance. The two youngest performers were 10 and the oldest was 82. The newest player had started playing within the last year. This fellow with the green book had the oldest tuba, which was more than 100 years old:

2023 Merry TubaChristmas

Many people come in festive outfits and bedeck their instruments.

2023 Merry TubaChristmas

My favorite of their songs is always “Joy to the World,” which sounds very impressive when played by that many deep brass instruments:

2023 TubaChristmas

If you can find a TubaChristmas near you, I highly recommend checking it out!

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December 11, 2023


virtual advent tour 2023: day 11
posted by soe 5:00 am

Happy Monday! I hope today finds you well, rested, and jolly. No? One of the three? Maybe?

Wherever you are in the holiday process this Monday morning, know you are not alone. There are plenty of people who finished everything up weeks ago and there are a bunch of folks who haven’t started yet. And there are a whole slew of us slogging through the middle somewhere, trying to find balance and time and a few deals on gifts.

Today is the 11th day of Advent, and I’m sending you off to An Adventure in Reading. Raidergirl3, who is the only one of us to have taken part in every single Virtual Advent Tour, has a post that I think will likely bring you tears and smiles in equal measure. At least it did for me.

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December 10, 2023


virtual advent 2023: day 10
posted by soe 6:00 am

Friday afternoon, Rudi, my friend Sarah, and I went to Yards Park here in D.C. to eat seasonal ice cream flavors at Ice Cream Jubilee and to check out Light Yards, the annual light installation they erect. This year’s is “Swinging Bells,” five 13′ kinetic sculptures you can “ring”:

Light Yards 2023

You sit (or stand) on the bell clapper, but take a friend because it’s really hard to get swinging on your own.

Sarah on Swinging Bells

Rudi had to give both Sarah and me pushes.

You can see the Yards’ official Instagram video here, which better demonstrates what a cute concept it is.

See you back tomorrow.

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December 9, 2023


virtual advent tour 2023: day 9
posted by soe 5:00 am

Welcome to the ninth door of the Virtual Advent Tour, behind which we find tour cofounder, Marg, who popped into my comments last night to generously offer a post for today. Please head over to The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader for her contribution on holiday food books and tasty seasonal treats.

It’s not about lebkuchen, but I can offer you a holiday sweets song of sorts, “Marshmallow World,” performed here by Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra:

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December 8, 2023


virtual advent tour 2023: day 8
posted by soe 5:00 am

For the eighth day of Advent, we actually head out on the tour portion of our event! Rudi is hosting today, with a post about John Lennon, the Statue of Liberty, and Christmas. Head over and check it out.

But before you go, here is Miley Cyrus, Mark Ronson, and featured performer Sean Ono Lennon performing “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)”:

Thanks to Rudi to taking on a few of the dates for me. Should you want to do so, too, just leave me a note in the comments.

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December 7, 2023


virtual advent 2023: day 7
posted by soe 7:00 am

We’ve made it a week into Advent, which seems surprising. How is a whole week gone from December already?

If you celebrate Hanukkah, may your Festival of Lights have a joyful start this evening! To kick off the eight days, here is Peter, Paul, and Mary singing, “Light One Candle,” at a concert I was in attendance at as a 14-year old:

See you tomorrow!

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