"I was a vegetarian until I started leaning toward the sunlight." - Rita Rudner

Clean up on aisle six.

You're going to think I've lost it here, but we're both used to that. So I'll go ahead and tell you about a mental journey I took that was the kind of fun that only those slightly off the rails get to enjoy.

On the way home from town yesterday I had the local classical music station playing. The DJ, if that's what you call them on a classical music station, had put together a string of recordings that were all Variations on The Carnival of Venice. That's an old folk song of unknown German origins that you'd perhaps recognize as "My Hat, It Has Three Corners." Turns out it lends itself to what in the classical music arena are called show pieces - opportunities for a soloist to show off.

The first variation he played was performed by Winton Marsalis. If you don't know who that is you're missing out. He's the world's foremost jazz trumpet player, but also arguably the same in the field of classical music, and this piece showed why. Goodness! I grinned as I drove listening to what that guy can get a trumpet to do. (Go to You Tube and enter "Variations Carnival of Venice Marsalis" and prepare to be amazed.)

Next he played a totally different variation written by a different composer, this time for the clarinet. I'm more of a trumpet guy than a clarinet aficionado, maybe because I've heard too many 4th graders squeak and squawk trying to make music with a reed instrument. But I gotta say, this was pretty good. Here is the You Tube recording; let him get past his introductory runs for a few measures and you'll recognize the song as he begins to play it.

As you can tell, I didn't just listen to these variations on the way home. This musical set stuck in my head, so this morning I Googled the song to learn more. I knew the classical number but not anything about the folk song. Wikipedia to the rescue! I learned that this kids' song has been popular for generations because it has motions and a musical trick associated with it.

So yes, at 4 a.m. I was watching Barney and friends sing My Hat It Has Three Corners.

But wait, there's more!
The deeper reason (deeper than Barney???) I went through all that internet work is because we have a very dear friend going through very difficult times. The clarinet variation caused me to think of that person because the clarinet is associated with their life in a way that doesn't need any details here. I was reminded (though in this case I hardly need it) to pray for this person as I drove - for wisdom and grace. I did so again this morning, which caused me to think about the music on the radio, which caused me to do the internet search on the folk song and its use as a classical piece.

So, you see, all that to do with a classical music set wasn't just a crazy mental rabbit trail. It was the gentle nudge of God directing my thoughts, and thereby my prayers.
Isn't it fun to see him at work in the twists and turns of daily life?

I sent my friend a FB message today with the link to the clarinet version and a brief explanation that it reminded me to pray for them. I thought it might be even a tiny encouragement on their rough road.

That's the other thing I'm continually learning - the privilege and responsibility it is to share those divine variations on a theme in life when they could also benefit someone else.

OK, it's now 5:45 a.m., I've recorded my mental journey through classical music, prayer, and (hopefully) encouragement. Now it's time for another cup of coffee and some breakfast.