Hmmmm. Well, I've been stretching a good bit this whole last year. For whatever reason, although I have always loved singing, it has always agitated me no end when someone mentions my singing, whether good or bad. (Did growing up in a critical family and with four brothers and four sisters have anything to do with it? *G*) I need people to just kind of glide by the moment.

I host a weekly songcircle and the rules are simple: when it's your turn in the circle, either sing or play something OR request a song or tune from someone else OR say you'll do it the next time 'round.

For me it was much easier to just request a song from someone else- and with good reason. There are some very good musicians in the group.

But about a year ago I realized that if I didn't start singing in the group I would eventually find it too late. I'm 69 years old.

About that time I started singing with a neighbor (one who also comes to the songcircle) and we've been learning new songs and harmonies. Many of the songs are those I grew up with and many are new to both of us. I have always had a good memory for lyrics and tunes and luckily we, by and large (What does that mean??), like the same kinds of songs.

Most of the songs we do are gospel, songs like On a High, High Mountain, What Will I Leave Behind, Gone Home, Light at the River- you get the idea. We also do a lot of Ginny Hawker and Carter Family and Reno and Smiley and others. We now have close to 40 songs that we do and have worked out harmonies for. It is a lot of fun. I love it.

And we sing in EVERY songcircle.

There is still one problem remaining- when my song partner isn't there- I can't sing.