1 APRIL

. . . .is, indeed, April Fool's Day. And I already have an offer in my In Box this morning for the "latest innovation in bellows piping, The Turbo Pipe." As the fellow who sent it actually does make Northumbrian pipes, the thought "could he be serious?" did cross my mind.

What do you think: The TurboPipe bellows / chanter enhancer makes playing Uilleann and Northumbrian/Scottish smallpipes a "breeze". Inspired by recent television info-mercials for automotive air intake devices, the TurboPipe looks like a small propeller stuck fast in a short cylinder and provides two dramatic increases to the function of smallpipes.

Installed in the top of the chanter stock (and we recommend professional installation only!) the propeller spins the air around the chanter reed, virtually eliminating high and low pressure spots that can produce false notes. There's more but that's the gist of it.

It's from an e-mail so I can't link you to its source. But if you're in the market for a stand of Northumbrian pipes, as I'm sure all of you are, here's his website anyway. If his pipes are half as good as his whimsy. . . .

In the Carmelite calendar this is the feast of Blessed Nuno Alvares Pereira, O. Carm.

The Carmelite Breviary says of today's saint that he was born in 1360, and for many years pursued a military career, becoming the champion of Portuguese independence. After the death of his wife he joined the Order in 1423 at the monastery of Lisbon which he had founded, and took the name of Nuno of St. Mary. There he lived until his death in 1431. He was noted for his prayer, his practise of penance and his filial devotion to the Mother of God.

His collect in the current office is this:
Lord God you called Blessed Nuno Alvarez Pereira
to put aside his sword and follow Christ
under the Patronage of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
Through his prayers may we too deny ourselves,
and devote ourselves to you with all our hearts.
We ask this through Christ, Our Lord.

And finally, this would have been my father's 87th birthday; a prayer for his soul would be appreciated.