Thanks all, this thread is a gold mine of ideas and inspiration. Haven't felt so optimistic in a long time.

There have been two themes in this thread that really ring a bell for me. The first is performing for nursing homes and/or retirement communities, which has always seemed like a natural thing for me to pursue because I have a big repertoire of pre-1960 pop and parlor songs. And I have played (for free) for geriatric patients with some dementia, and was able to get them involved with the music. But I didn't think that kind of institution ever paid for entertainment.

The second, is working in the schools. I used to play (zither and zither-harp) for my son's elementary school classes. They adored it! I'll never forget the beaming smiles on their faces. The first time I played a song on the zither, they wanted me to play the same song again immediately!

And I have learned, that the zither-harp (Macarthur harp, actually) is great for French folk songs. I have had a secret desire (my fantasies are pretty innocent, I guess....) to teach some of the best-known French folk songs to middle and high school French classes. When I was that age, teachers tended to teach us songs. Nowadays I think they're too busy getting kids ready for their standardized tests.... Maybe not. Still I would love to do this.

I'm not expecting to get into either field instantly, but at least I see that there are a lot of concrete things I can do, both to investigate whether either of these ideas is feasible, and to make necessary preparations.

I don't have the energy/stamina to do a full day's music, I don't think. But boy, would I love to see what I can do.

Many thanks to Genie BTW for sending me more specifics when I contacted her. This thread and its offshoot about nursing homes are just incredibly useful to me right now.

Rita