The police department has a facility nearby. With the air conditions the way they are today, I’m hearing the trains come in and drums. They’re practicing.
Hopefully it’s for a parade, not a funeral. They practice the bagpipes there also, which always makes me think of a celebration of some sort, but hopefully not a funeral march.
At our flat in Scotland last year, we often heard the pipes, on the street. Imagine that in Texas! I miss the sounds. Jim and I get one CD a year (normally downloaded but we were at Borders) and I got Loreena McKennitt’s “A Midwinter Night’s Dream” that I haven’t really listened to as yet.
I love the Celtic sounds, and this includes The Holly and the Ivy, and Un Flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle (bring the torch, Jeannette, Isabella…) and since we don’t get a tree, having music in the house will bring joy in the holiday season.
Enya also has a holiday CD out. I think I’ll put together a holiday iTunes selection for Jim to listen to en route to and from work. No Celtic, no drums. He prefers Marty Robbins.
Cooking with Dee 
I love Celtic music too – especially the pipes and the fiddle, which is why I just took up the fiddle recently – it was like my body and soul just needed to be given the oppurtunity to make that music!
You’re very brave, Jenn, to take up the fiddle as an adult. I took it for five years as a kid but quit as an act of rebellion (I was also in piano, ballet and tap lessons, and choir). I always wanted to try hammer dulcimer. Don’t think my neighbors would enjoy it.
p.s. I always had to tune everyone’s instrument. Everyone in the small elementary school orchestra. Tuning Geek Squad of one.