Days 12, 13 &14: Yeah, I'm Here Still!

But I've been really taking my summer break seriously because tomorrow starts the last two weeks or so of break, and I leave for some fun happenings. I finished the rabbi's dulcimer, and have had some great players play it. All of the feedback has been positive!

In fact, there was a secret someone who appreciates my instruments enough to make a request for me to build one for him! I love the way he plays and is a great teacher and inspiration, so of course I said yes!

But he had an odd request. Now everyone who knows me knows that I'm always up for a challenge. So he wants a TN Music Box style instrument. So I'll do staples, which I've never done before. But I'm plenty capable, and I've got some help--thank you Dulcimore Dan for the guidance.

Of course mine will be a teardrop and decorate, and it'll be built like one of my concert dulcimers. So I cannot really call it a TN Music Box (The TN Music Box shown here is decorated!). It is going to be called a TN Blues Box! Yes, Jan, if you read these, I'm doing a 1+ and an 8+.

So once I get back from my travels I have one top to decorate, an dulcimer to build, a gourd banjo to make, a ukulele to finish designing and build, and a TN Blues Box to make. Tomorrow I'm off to VA and DC to learn about stuff. But what have I been doing for these last three days? There has been a lot of music and fun!

And some barn work. There was some mucking.

And there was a lot of music, did I mention that?

Jodi was playing her banjo and mandolin. And that is Mike in the background. They are both amazing players. Matt is here on the right. He is, too.

I was playing my dulcimer. It is not hard for me to keep up with the others because when I don't know the song I just work on my strumming and rhythm.

I try not to be obnoxious and have so much fun. Nobody's complained yet!

Tim played the guitar. He is amazing too. I always have fun when playing with him because he can carry a room--he sure carried me!

Val was there and she played the guitar and the mandolin. Patti was there and playing, it was her house, after all. But for some weird reason I didn't get any pics. She was hiding!

One of my favorite moments was when little Wren was sitting on the floor without an instrument and looking forlorn. I had two dulcimers because I wanted to show around the rabbi's. But I couldn't let little Wren play it. So I let her play the one I had been playing.

I gave her a couple of seconds of lessons, and everyone in the room gave her encouragement. And away she played!

Since I'll be gone a while I wanted to get one last run up in the mountains, which I did. And with that, of course, comes a swim in the little river!

I love my life!

Are these videos creepy? They do seem it!