Welcome to the world of Dulcimer People, Kat! You couldn't be in better company than with dulcimer players (says I who sees a lot of 'em); for example, the Great American Dulcimer Convention (annually in the Pine Mountain State Park, Pineville, KY) got it's name because back in the sixties, when it started, the park people thought if they called it a Folk Festival they'd draw too raucus a crowd- you know, motorcycles and all that!

I cut a very large triangle out of a plastic lid (ones with writing are a little stronger, and they're not too stiff, as I find commercial picks. My favorite says, "El Pico," in the middle of it, and others, "Diet Mazola." I tell my audiences that, if we must have plastic, this is a good way to recycle it.

Just this morning had a phone call with the news that as of next week, the State Senate of Kentucky is (they're all but sure it'll go through) designating the dulcimer The State Instrument of Kentucky...they wanted me to fly down and be introduced in the Senate, but I'm not able to go, so I told them I'd send an email.

You'll love it for a lifetime,Kat- have a great and long lifetime to enjoy it. All the best, Jean