How Old Are You?

I pride myself on being truthful, but I really lie a lot. When people ask me how I'm doing, I say "Fine." That's a lie. I can't remember appointments or deadlines. Maybe I'm not doing so well.

In 1983 I went back to school to finish my degree. At the time, I said I had to do it immediately because dementia and Alzheimer's were nipping at my heels. By the end of 1886 I finished my Bachelor's and Master's degrees. I comforted myself that I had outrun the evil demons of old age, but I wasn't nearly as old then as I am now, and I'm still running. They are gaining on me though. The stroke has slowed me down some, and I ache more and forget more.

Now I try to avoid the reminders of my age and disabilities. To help overcome the problems caused by the stroke, I do physical therapy. I don't know that it's doing much good. I had just about gotten back to walking like I'm supposed to when I started it, and I really hate it. It requires me to do things that hurt and things I can't do. Of course, theoretically, it strengthens the weak muscles. But they are the ones that hurt.

I console myself that I'm still doing what I want to, but that's a lie too, sometimes. If I could still do what I want to I wouldn't need the physical therapy. Age really is relative. I have a friend who is 92. She does as well in general activities as I do. My daughter Carol is 49 and she is far more limited in life-style and general activity than I am, but her problems stem from her arthritis. It's all relative. What do I need to do? What could I do if I tried harder?

Interest, enthusiasm, concern, and joy may be more important than age in determining what I can do. Or what I may accomplish. Remember, it ain't over til it's over.

 

More About Dulcimers

The Mountain Dulcimer seems to be a truly American instrument. I thought they came over on the boat with early pioneers, but it looks like the pioneers created them as a simpler instrument and easier to play than the classic violin of European origin. The Appalachian region is known for their Scotch-Irish melodies and dances; the dulcimers were someone's attempt to produce an instrument that took less formal training to play. Family and community groups adapted the traditional melodies, and a new musical tradition was born. The dulcimer was traditionally a parlor instrument because of it's softer sound and ease of transport, unlike the piano.

J. Edward Thomas of Knott County, Kentucky began building and selling them about 1880. Others took up the craft and a new American tradition was born. There are not many still in existence that were built before about 1880--at least it would be a rarity--and possibly very valuable. Jethro Amburgey made dulcimers that were distributed by his relative Jean Ritchie, a Kentucky musician,  and her partner George Pickow. Jean and George were performers who participated in the folk music revival of the 1950's and 60's. They eventually began producing and selling instruments, too. Jethro was a woodworking instructor in the Hindman Settlement School. The instrument became familiar to audiences during the Folk Music Revival. Other influential builders of mid-1960s included Homer Ledford, Lynn McSpadden, A. W. Jeffreys and Joellen Lapidus. Michael and Howard Rugg formed a company called Capritaurus, the first to mass produce dulcimers. They introduced a system of geared tuners making the instrument easier
for players  to tune. 

The Mountain or Appalachian Dulcimer is similar in tone and potential to some Middle Eastern instruments and even some ancient ones, such as the zither and lute, but it is a distinctly American creation. I hope for a return to softer sounds of music in which the melody is still distinct without the harsh and grinding sounds common in modern music.        

The dulcimer has acquired a following worldwide and now festivals are held in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Canada.   
More information about Dulcimers: 

McSpadden Duclimerss
Warren A. May, Wood Worker
 

Dulcimers Are Fun

                                                                            
My friend invited me to a rehearsal of her Dulcimer group today. I went even though I am neither talented nor knowledgeable concerning the instrument. The group was composed of 25 or so musicians. Three of us were just there to listen. I thought the others who did not play might be wives or drivers for some of the players. I tried not to get in the way. Most of the instruments looked similar to the picture, but some were of different kinds of wood and some were different sizes.

The music was melodious and soft--no rock or hip-hop here. I could imagine a guitar or violin in the mix. The players were seated  in a circle with a music stand in front of them and  the instrument resting on their knees. Old country favorites such as "Red River Valley" and "Buffalo Gals" spoke to my memories of Sunday afternoon in a shady yard. Nobody in my family played a dulcimer, but I remember visiting Ms. Gal Walker sitting on the porch or around the table in the kitchen. After a while Ms. Gal would go to the piano and start to play softly. The men on the porch might come in to hear better and the kids playing dominos would give up their game. She'd play a few choruses, then somebody would join in and sing. No, I'd never been to a dulcimer concert before, but this seemed to be something I remembered from an earlier time. This belonged to a southern house with a wide front porch and 8 or 10 pecan trees. Men in a huddle under one tree and the women in a clutch by the door with kids scattered around. The story-tellers had run out of breath and it was time to say so long with a little music. Sunday afternoon was winding down and the dulcimer music blessed me with good memories for the night. 

I don't know the official name, but this is a dulcimer, too.

Today was Wednesday. Funny how memories don't care what day it really is.

 If you want to know more, try this  http://gaylehaynesgettingoldergettingbetter.blogspot.com/2015/01/more-about-dulcimers.html