It took me a long time to figure out who I was.  It wasn’t until 2001 that I took my first writing course and started working toward my lifelong desire to be a writer. 

There seems to be a pattern here, for nearly a decade later I took the plunge and purchased a mountain lap dulcimer — something I have wanted since I was a freshman in college. I recently attended a week-long dulcimer school.  It was a struggle but a rewarding experience.  I came home wanting to play the dulcimer all the time. 

My love of folk music dates back to the 1960s. I was fortunate to be old enough then to gain an appreciation of the folk music revival — Peter, Paul & Mary, The Kingston Trio, and others.  It took that interest 45 years to resurface, but I’m now reaping the benefits of playing a dulcimer well enough for my own enjoyment.  Perhaps with practice I’ll play well enough to perform for others.

I wouldn’t want to relive my teen and young adult years, but if I could I would buy a dulcimer as early as I could afford one and I would take a writing course the first chance I got. 

So many hobbies and interests… so little time!