With Robert Burns Day coming up Saturday, attention turns to things Scottish, and that includes bagpipes, not that you need them when singing his songs.

Here are ten related notes.

1. Though best known as Great Highland bagpipes, related reservoir wind bag woodwind instruments have long traditions throughout Europe, Northern Africa, Western Asia, the Persian Gulf, and South Asia.
2. Pipers usually refer to the instrument as “the pipes,” “stand of pipes,” or “set of pipes.”
3. A bagpipe has one chanter pipe (played with both hands) and one or more drone pipes. The melody is played on the chanter while the drone holds a single – distinctive – lower tone as harmony.
4. Most blowpipes into the wind reservoir have a non-return valve that keeps the bags inflated. Otherwise, the tongue has to do the job.
5. Bellows applied to some bagpipes beginning in the 16^th or 17^th century supply air to the bag for a more even tone than would happen with the warmer and moister human breath. The modification allows for more delicate reeds and smaller instruments, such as those found in the Lowlands, Ireland, Northumbria, France, and Poland.
6. Airflow to the reeds is controlled by the player’s arm pressure.
7. The air bags are commonly made with the skins of goats, sheep, cows, or even dogs, though synthetic materials like Gore-Tex are advancing. The bags do need periodic cleaning to prevent fungal colonies from developing as a result of condensation.
8. There’s no easy way to stop the sound once it’s started in most instruments. That’s why bagpipe music is heard as one long legato until the air runs out.
9. The British Empire placed Highland pipers at the head of its military processions, spreading the sound worldwide. Leading the units into battle, however, resulted in a high mortality rate. The quip, “Shoot the player,” didn’t always refer to a pianist.
10. Bagpipes have become features of funerals and memorials for police, fire, and military personnel throughout the English-speaking world. They’re also the official instrument of the World Curling Federation, should you be feeling sporty.

I don’t do “resolutions,” which all too easily become self-defeating. Goals are more like compass readings when you’re trying to get somewhere and want to leave some flexibility for when problems arise. So here’s what I’d like to improve in my life in the upcoming year.

1. Be a better listener. That includes asking more questions rather than spewing so many facts.
2. Do a better job of putting names and faces together and then recalling them with ease. I’ve met a lot of new people since moving Way Downeast. Too often I’m baffled when greeted by name.
3. Cull my collections of vinyl albums and CDs, books, and private journals. There’s only so much shelf space, even with our home renovations, and no way I can play or read them all in my remaining years. Which leads to …
4. Indulge in a reading orgy, meaning print on paper: mags, books in general, Bible, and personal journals. Put another way, that means less time at the laptop.
5. When I am online, I intend to interact more actively with others. Yes, that includes you.
6. Distill my files of original poetry. There’s a lot to revisit in my 50-plus years of serious writing.
7. Get out in the wild more regularly. I’m not the hiker I was, but that shouldn’t keep me from pursuing more trails around here or even sitting quietly in the open air.
8. Explore neighboring Canada. We got a start on that late last year. So far, the border crossings have gone smoothly. I’m hoping Grand Manan, an island reached only by ferry, will be a highlight.
9. Do a better job of house cleaning. There have been complaints.
10. Give more attention to my Beloved.