Catching Up!

As many bloggers have faced, there comes a time when coming up with something of interest worth posting does not come easily, so this blog has been quiet for several months. In addition, my day-to-day work and related action shots have primarily migrated to my Instagram account, as they don’t often require a lot of verbal content to get the point across. I am looking into ways of having Instagram posts automagically become blog posts.

But life has not been quiet, so I’m taking a moment to catch up on some fun and frolic that has occurred during the last several months.

The biggest news was that my wife Cynthia and I traveled to England and France for three weeks during this past May and June.

The initial impetus for the trip was to visit The Halsway Manor National Centre for Folk Arts to be one of the instructors at an event they hosted jointly with The Nonsuch Dulcimer Club.

Going to the UK for a musical adventure is something I have wanted to do since I was a teenager, and this was a wonderful reason to finally cross the pond. I had gotten to know a few people in the UK dulcimer community via social media, but primarily a Mr. John Crocker, who is the man seated on the left in the front row of the photograph. John and I have been corresponding for around 15 years or so and has become someone I felt very close to, and it was wonderful to have the opportunity to have him harass me in person!

Some members of the Nonsuch Dulcimer Club quickly became friends from the moment my wife Cynthia and I were met at the airport. I refrain from mentioning them all, but it is difficult to imagine being more warmly embraced and cared for by any other group of people. I miss them.

The rest of our trip was centered around visiting friends in the UK and France, and through them, we had the opportunity to meet and play music with some other great folks I look forward to getting to know better.

On returning home about three weeks ago, I spent the first week recovering from the trip! The past two weeks have been primarily about getting my ducks in a row prior to a back surgery I will be having tomorrow. Congenital health issues keep life interesting! This will be back surgery number 4, and I plan on asking the hospital if they offer punch cards like coffee shops do, though I’d rather have a free coffee or pastry than another back surgery as my reward!

Here is my latest MRI. You know I must be feeling off because I’m playing hammered dulcimer but forgot to bring my hammers!

Though I don’t look forward to having surgery, I do look forward to being able to stand, walk, and work with greater ease following recovery. About a year ago, new symptoms appeared, and non-surgical treatments helped some, but not enough, and the limitations greatly impeded my ability to spend time making dulcimers, which is why I have not had many up for sale this past year. I am thankful for those who were patient and understanding while waiting for a dulcimer, as well as those who are still patient.

I have no complaints. Life unfolds, and I follow, and try my best to enjoy the ride!