Well, I'm gearing up for New Year's. Yup, I've gotten my pucker back and plan to whistle up a storm, or at least a small drizzle.

Funny thing. Back in 1993 or 4 I picked up my trumpet again after being off it for probably 25 years, at least. My embouchre was shot, of course. I worked at it and finally got to where I felt comfortable taking my old place as 3rd Trumpet 2nd Chair in my High School Band's 50th anniversary concert in 1995.

The really odd thing was that I didn't need to remember the fingerings. In fact, I could play notes like Db or A#, stuff I KNOW I never played before.

I suspect that when you start using those old dusty paths in the brain again, sweeping out the cobwebs and dust, you find that they're still just as workable as they ever were and maybe moreso -- you knew more than you think you did.

Same thing recently: I heard for the first time in a very, very long time the Kingston Trio's singing of "They Told Me Doncha Go Down To That City", which used to be one of my favorite songs. With the first line I could sing it like I'd been singing it all along.

The brain is a wonderful gadget. I'd see about getting a good one, but I'm kinda used to the old clunker I've got.