Shakespeare wrote, “If music be the food of love, play on.” I don’t know which play that line comes from, but music is one of my love languages. My mother taught me my first piano lessons. When I outgrew her, I took lessons from Mrs. Wessinger, the “preacher Wessinger’s wife.” I went on and studied piano at Newberry College while pursuing a degree in English. A dear friend from my church gifted me with a beautiful Betsy Ross Lester piano, circa late 1930s, which is in fabulous condition. Quite a few years ago, I bought a handmade mountain dulcimer at Mount Mitchell, NC. It was destroyed in a house fire in 2008, and I did not replace it–until this week. Christmas came early! I think playing the dulcimer is sort of like riding a bicycle; I may be rusty, but I didn’t forget. In addition to my two instruments, I love having my Echo Dot and Amazon music for music “fixes.”

Today, I’m sharing a mish-mash of things.

1. Mountain dulcimers–a stringed instrument that is most commonly associated with the Appalachian Mountains and traditional music. The old people sang traditional songs, often those carried her from England and Scotland, including many of the ballads collected in Child’s ballad collection from the 1700s. Jean Ritchie may be one of the most recognized figures in popularizing the dulcimer in folk music. This is a rare live performance and interview with Pete Seeger.

2. Writing is difficult, and writing without a support group is a lonely business. This is National Novel Writing Month. I’m working on my second novel this month. The goal is to write 50,000 words this month. Check out NaNoWriMO!

3. I’m a band parent. I know, my sons are no longer students, but my older son is a middle school and assistant high school marching band director. So, whenever I see reels and stories featuring marching bands, I have to watch them. I love watching the bands participating in Drum Corps International competitions and shows. We have a DCI corps here in South Carolina: The Carolina Crown based in Fort Mill, SC. Their 2023 show is based on the legends of Camelot.

4. Fall color is peaking here in the South.

5. I enjoy knitting and crocheting while the TV is on. I have subscribed to Annie’s Kit Club for a while. I love the project I’m working on now, a knitting project called the Dublin Afghan. I make one block a month. I’m working on the fourth block this week. It will be a beauty when I finish it.