A Winter Dulcimer

[Brenda Joyce Rivers]

I have my dulcimer set up where I can watch the birds at my feeder.  i play music for them and they turn their little heads as if they're listening (actually they're probably listening for a cat).  They especially like "Little Birdie".

I am to the point that I have either got to learn to sing better or find someone who wants to sing with me.  I have learned to play too many songs with cute lyrics.  My daughter-in-law and my daughter sing well, but they both are so busy that we can't seem to find the time to practice. 

I did get to play for the people who came to a benefit dinner for a friend who has cancer.  It was good for me to get over being afraid to play by myself.  The next time i won't be so scared.

Every time I visit here I find so much to read and I've found more sites to download tab.  You all are a gold mine of information and encouragement.  God bless you all.

I am counting the days until the dulcimer gathering at Cumberland Gap.  Lord willing, I want to travel a lot this spring and summer and fall, camping as I go.  I am actually going to try to write a travel book about a 65-year old grandmother and cancer survivor, hitting the road and camping with a pug and a dulcimer.  Why not?  Having cancer made me a little bit fearless.

I want to walk the Greenbrier Trail this summer.  Some of the people I take dulcimer lessons with want to go, too, so hopefully, we can get a group together and walk it in sections.  It is 75 miles long.  I am taking physical therapy now, and had an MRI of my back done, and there is nothing terribly wrong there.  My right knee is pretty much shot, and a knee replacement may be in the near future, but not until I do the walk.  I went to the foot doctor because of neuropathy caused by the chemo, and he is helping me with my feet.

All I need now is a soft case for my dulcimer and a good pair of hiking shoes and I'll be ready to walk.  If we camp overnight, I want to take my dulcimer and hope i have enough strength left to play it beside the river.  We'll see.

[John E. Wood]

Hi Brenda. Good to see your post. You have a great attitude and I think that is an excellent quaility for living a longer and happier life. Being a survivor does make you look at things differently, doesn't it? The doctor said I'd have another ten years when I had my treatment back in 2000. I told him I'd make it more than ten. That neuropathy is a bummer! Best wishes. Hope my wife and I get to go to the Cumberland Gap festival this year. Haven't gone for several years. Maybe we'll get to meet.

[Robin Thompson]

Brenda, I hope you get to ramble as much as you want and that this year holds many pleasant music adventures! More material for your travel book. :)