Jingle, Jingle!

  Sleigh bells seem to be a big thing now in the decorating world.  The antique bells are in high demand and can be quite costly.  I am not talking about the cheap things that are in every department store as soon as the Christmas decorations hit the aisles.  Those are not sleigh bells.  Those are ripoffs.  Those bells have a "tinny" sound.  The real sleigh bells have a deep rich tone that is synonymous with the season itself. Not that we ever had much need for them in the Deep South but there still is that wistful sound that makes everyone think of sleigh rides, snowbanks, holidays and, of course, Christmas!  Why, Old St. Nick, himself, uses sleigh bells!  

  I was putting final touches on decorations today while I waited for cookies to bake.  The ten minute span gave me time to stick red plaid bows on anything that was not moving and toss pine cones in any empty container.  Red plaid, pine cones and sleigh bells...all Christmas! Anyway, as I poked another snowman into the china cabinet, I spied the antique sleigh bell.  Mom always loved this bell.  I have no recollection as to where the thing came from in the first place but I do recall it being around the old farm house since my memories began.  Mom would usually tie a ribbon to the bell and hang it on the front door during the holidays.  Occasionally, she would walk by just to ring the bell.  The jangling of the heavy brass filled the house with such a joyous sound. Thoughts of a sleigh ride fascinated me and made me long for at least one wintry day so my dream would come true.  Here, I am aging with still that dream being brought to the surface by a single bell.  A dream that most likely will never be realized but, at least, I can hope....and dream.

  Most folks, nowadays, do not realize the importance of the bells.  Back in the day, the horse-drawn sleigh was a common means for folks to travel during snowy winters.  Since it was nigh on impossible to make a quick stop with the sleigh, a means of alert was a critical need.  Winding paths and roads would have been the sight of many collisions had it not been for a simple bell.  Most towns required the horses pulling a sleigh to be adorned with bells.  These would give ample warning to other riders that a sleigh was in the vicinity.  Sleigh safety was important!  

  Picking up Mom's bell, I gave it a shake.  It was loud just like I remember but still very melodic.  This bell had a good tone.  It made me smile but then a thought...how would I like to be the horse that had a dozen or so of these attached to me?  Wow!  The jingle, jangle might sound right pleasant from a distance but up close, they would probably be quite the annoyance.  I ran my hand over the antique bell and then placed it back into the china cabinet.  Mom loved this bell.  I love this bell.  Merry Christmas bells to you!