Hi G4, So there I was last evening, t-shirt and jeans; the sun had set, yet the evening still had light from the sunset. I was at the Campbell perc ponds practicing pipes. The evening could not have been more perfect. I could have been a lot more perfect in my practicing, but the time was enjoyable! I played old familiar tunes, current comp sets and a couple new tunes. Some with sheet music, some without. The point is anything but bragging... just get out there and have some fun with your pipes and drums. You start playing and pretty soon politics, COVID, the economy, school, news and work all fade away. It's you and the music. So... get out there and play. Yes, if you've been off pipes for a while, those first practices may suck. But you may get inspired then to make sure your instruments are maintained, bag seasoned, hemp air tight but can be tuned with one hand, and that you pick up your chanter and practice most days. Maybe try some new music, or try and play Green Hills in a more musical manner. You get the idea? We play because we love the music. I hope you will embrace it in the new year! Regards, John John Boyden m:1-408-839-5025