Chimes on the Quarterdeck!

The open air called for an overture! Slipping past the front door mat, I scampered up the cedar balusters of the porch railing to inspect an aluminum wind chime swaying in the morning breeze. Silence would simply not do for a Saturday fanfare. Planting my feet securely along the weathered rail, I reached up and tapped the longest silver tube with the curved tip of my hook. *Ting!* A clear, ringing chime echoed across the lawn. With a brisk flick of my wrist, I swept across all five pipes in rapid succession—*ding, clang, chimmm*—delivering an impromptu percussion solo to inaugurate the weekend.