Forum Activity for @maryann-lang

Well, what I plan to do and what I am actually doing are not matching up at the moment. I would like to lose about 7-10 lbs, not so much a weight issue as a firming up issue for me. Gravity is winning the battle but I am not giving up the fight!

I have a family membership at our local Rec Center which was recently taken over by the Y. Rarely go due to crazy schedule - my 12 year old keeps me busy durinng the school year, hopefully will start a regular work out routine when school is out soon. I sit at a computer all day for work so I really need to start walking more - another goal this spring/summer.

One thing I started a few years ago is a change in my diet. I guess you can say I follow somewhat of a paleo diet - unrefined and raw, whole foods whenever possible. I try to not eat foods with flour andsugar too often.Moderation is the key. I have eliminatedfoods containing MSG, preservatives, corn syrup, food coloring, soy-based additives, and refined oils which means I rarely use boxed or pre-made foods.I cook with olive or coconut oil,and real butter. I have been eating more salads and vegetables, nuts, and alittle fruits (I avoid consuming too much fruit sugars) I eat grass fed meats (when I can get them) and whole milk dairy (I drink raw cow and goat milk), free range eggs. I got a Ninja food system over the winter (burned out my Nutrabullet) and I make a green smoothieevery other dayas a meal replacement. It contains kale, spinach, collard greens, arugula(I rotate the greens), fresh basil, fresh rosemary, powdered Matcha green tea (great antioxidant), vitamin D and oregano oil drops (occassionally magnesium drops), raw honey, raw milk, organic whole milk yogurt, real vanilla, mango and banana chunks. I freeze the greens and fruits and add 4 ice cubes so it is very thick and filling (and delicious!) I have seen a big improvement in my health andnot one cold this winter, first time ever!

Right now my favorite is Planxty Fanny Po'er (the Bing Futch version) but my favorite changes frequently!

Wow, amazing price - would love to see a pic! Enjoy your great find!

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Hi Kristi: No it is still stuck inside - I can get it to rattle around once in a while but it seems to get trapped and then doesn't move. I have tried almost every form of pick available from basic cheap guitar to home made from a coffee can lid to turkey feather and the V-pick just seems to produce the best sound for me plus I like the feel. The variety in size, shape and thickness seems endless and everyday I have a different favorite, changes with my mood and tune. They are hand made in USA (Tennessee) and the service is fantastic - I always order at least 3 and I get a free "try me" pick that I did not even ask for! Don't know i

f you have to order more than 1 for the free one. They start at about $3, but I think they are so worth it - here's a pic of my latest shipment - the pink one was my freebee, the red one is my current favorite!

it!

Kristi Keller said:

There is such a tool - a long handled hemostat. Use tiny flashlight to locate the blasted pick and shake pick until it is under a sound hole. Use hemostat. Viola, the errant has returned.

Hi Tim: Thanks for the kind offer - I have to admit that I have at least a half dozen V-Picks, but this was my only Bing V-pick so I just had to order a new one! (and one other that I could not resist!) I'm registered for Maidencreek, looking forward to it!

Tim Shortt said:

Wait, people use picks?!! I've been tearing apart the feathers of dead Thanksgiving animals.

(I just read that sentence and it's a weird thing to say on the Internet)

I actually have string clippings inside my dulcimer. A pick I can understand (and sympathize with)...but string clippings? How did they end up in there?

Hemostat idea reminds me of the game Operation.

Maryann, if you don't get it out by Maidencreek I'll give you the two V-Picks I own.

Hate when that happens! It was my Bing Futch model V-Pick. Heard it rattling around for a while but it stopped - don't think it fell out. Someone should invent a pick extractor. I'd definitely buy one!

• Hi Mandy: What a great experience for you! I have read great things about the Campbell folk school. I am no where near ready to play for public but I have pulled out my dulcimer to show family and friends. I think most have never heard of it or at least have never seen one in person or up close. I don't get a big reaction but them again most of my friends and family are not really into music - other than listening to pop/rock music (definitely not folk music!) - that is why I am so thrilled to find fellow dulcimer enthusiasts on FOTMD! Kindered spirits!

You mean the home of the JERSEY Giants? :-)

Steven Berger said:

Fortunately, my Folkcraft dulcimer came with strap buttons installed...I've installed them on a guitar once, and I might on an old Hughes dulcimer. I'm a former Jersey boy and Dusty, just so's you know, I lived close to the Meadowlands, and as everybody around there knows, it's just a peaceful bird sanctuary...you know what I mean?

Yeah, I was fighting back tears - my husband said " now you know how I feel" he doesn't play an instrument - I think he was referring to the recent modifications he had to make to the stock of his beloved trapshooting rifle - guns and dulcimers - yup I think this former Jersey family is thoroughly redneck now! (and lovin it!)
Dusty Turtle said:

Well you can imagine me installing strap buttons on my own on my very first dulcimer. I was drilling holes and covering my face in tears at the same time!

But that strap made all the difference in the world. The instrument "became mine" immediately. I can position it exactly the way I want regardless of how high my chair is or how far my legs are apart. And I can play more vigorously, not worrying about moving my precious instrument. I would have given up on the dulcimer had I not found the courage to install strap buttons.

Oh no, could not be around for that one - like watching major surgery on a loved one!

I would never judge but I would highly encourage! It is very frightening to watch. Almost as bad as watching my daughter get her ears pierced! (Except my dulcimer did not cry - althought I almost did for both events!)

My daughter plays the uke and she definitely would never add a strap.

Tim Shortt said:

Nice! So now the question is do you ever think you'll get to the point where you look at another player and go: "why don't they just install strap buttons?!!?!! It makes life so much easier." Without being judgmental of course :-)

Reminds me of many uke players. They too experience anguish over installing strap buttons. Puzzles me because guitar players complain when they DON'T have strap buttons (even on something high-end like a Martin).

• My husband reluctantly installed my strap buttons last evening as I stood there face in hands praying! (and I wonder why he doesn' t like to do things for me!) Tried it out and what a difference! I can sit more comfortable and move around more so my back doesn't get so stiff and achy. Also I am strumming better because I am not afraid of knocking my dulcimer off my lap -it was worth the anguish of watching my sweet dulcimer go under the drill!

Hi Folkfan: I may try a possum board at some point - I have a small lap so keeping my dulcimer from tipping when I play near the "ends" has been an issue in addition to the slipping, (I had tipping problems even with the shelf liner), so a strap is probably my best solution.

folkfan said:

My possum board has shelf liner glued to the back of it. The lifts that hold the dulcimer up off the board are shaped like shallow L's and the part that touches the dulcimer back are felt lined. No scratches, no slides, no sticking to the board. And I can angle my legs comfortably. Plus in case of extreme need, one of my possum boards has strap buttons. How's that for covering all bases.

Hi Strumela, I never left the shelf liner on my dulcimer after playing - I don't know why it would stick to the dulcimer back, maybe the heat from my lap or the type of finish? I decided to start using a strap so I made one last evening (now I just have to install strap buttons when they arrive.)

Strumelia said:

The shelf liner stuff only damages the finish of instruments if you leave it attached or stuck on the instrument or store it in your case with the instrument or lean the instrument on the shelf liner on a stand. It's never a problem if you only lay it on your lap while playing. Always store the shelf liner separately from the instrument.

Thanks for the advice Joe. I was wondering if there was something I could use to seal the finish. I may end up adding a strap button since I will not use any rubber/plastic material again.

I have been using 2 squares of rubber shelf liner (the textured kind you can get in a roll and cut to fit) one on each thigh to keep my dulcimer from sliding on my lap. It had a tendency to stick to the back of my dulcimer but I never thought much about it. My dulcimer has a very light satin finish with a slight sheen. This evening after playing I took a close look and noticed that the rubber liner left a pattern of little square dull spots all across the back. I am fanatical about my dulcimer so I immediately panicked. My first thought was lemon oil -- I rubbed the area with a soft cloth dipped in the oil but it did not have an effect on the dull spots. As a last resort I rubbed the areas with a magic erase sponge dipped in oil. After quite a bit of careful, gentle rubbing the spots seem to be gone. I am hoping the liner did not remove some of the finish and will take a close look again in the daylight.

I really liked the way the shelf liner kept the dulcimer from moving but I definitely do not want ro ruin the finish so I will no longer use it. I previously tried a peice lf leather chamois but it did not work. I know many use a strap - I may give it a try if I cannot find a suitable material but I would have to get buttons added.

Looks like

I will be searching around for some kind of safe non-slip material to use in place of shelf liner --any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Congratulations Ruth! Would love to hear about it when it arrives!

Thanks for the info - everyone has their favorites and that does not mean the other makes/models are inferior - I am sure there is no rock or bottle throwing here :-)

Hi Susie, very pretty wood grain, I will have to decide between the regular and churxh model - money is a factor but I also want a nice sound.

I think for my next dulcimer, I want travel size - I really like the Clemmer Tennessee Sweetie. Anyone have/played this dulcimer? Wondering if Sasafrass is a good top wood? There wasn't mention of wood type for body.

Not an expert by any means but I am very happy with my Jenny Lind model cherry and walnut 4-string made by Ron Gibson and purchased directly from him, not Ebay. Ron Gibson was great - very friendly, good communication and very accomodating. Received my dulcimer within the time frame promised and I absolutely love everything about it! I had very disappointing experience buying a used (what I thought and was lead to believe was a working vintage) dulcimer on EBay so my advice on that would be know exactly what you are buying and investigate the person you are buying from. U

nfortunately, you cannot believe what is presented, even if the person seems forthright and sincere.

Ha -- my dulcimer is my girl --the other one in the flesh is named Sarah Jane which actually sounds like a great dulcimer name!

Decision made: My girl's name is Lorelei.

I have been thinking of renaming mine (she is a Barbara Allen from Ron Gibson) but have not picked out a name yet - it was easier to pick out my daughter's name!

Great news piece, congratulations!

Hi Cindy:

Me too, her artwork is beautiful -- I wanted something morethan justa photo of adulcimer, and I did not want anything cartoonish; herpictures are whimsical without being silly. I ordered the print titled "Sleeping Calico."

Cindy Stammich said:

I just looked at her website - I love what I see!

After many weeks of searching, I finally came upon an artist with beautiful, unique dulcimer and blue-grass themed artwork. Found one print that features 2 of my favorite things: cats and dulcimers!Very friendly too! Now I just have to get to painting my office before my print arrives!

http://www.karencannon.net/Music_Art_of_Karen_Cannon.html

Hi Ronald, a V-pick is a brand name pick. They are made out of a thick acrylic-type material. They are more expensive than regular picks but my experience with the one I purchased has been great, I definitely think they are worth the extra $$. There are dozens of styles to choose from, the hardest thing is deciding which one!

Ronald R Eaches said:

What is a V-pick?

I kn

ow, clear is mot a good "color" for a pick!

Rob N Lackey said:

Good for you, Maryann. I have the V-Pick Bing Lite and make sure it's in my pick bag. Be careful, though, it's hard to find when you drop it. LOL

I know we have had numerous never-ending discussions regarding picks so don't hate me for bringing it up again. After hearing so much about V-picks I had to give them a try so Iordered the freakishly large V-pick lite. I was really skeptical that I would see any difference but I was wrong -- this pick is great! Itcreatesacrisp sound withno pick clack. Very comfortable, I can hold it lightly and still have complete control. Love the thickness as well. I am sure I will eventually try a couple different V-pick styles, but my quest for the ultimate pick has finally ended! (at least for now... )

I play the notes as they are written but it is God who makes the music - JS Bach

Very funny!

Easy to make -- I used a picture hanging loop screwed into the end of my noter. The first thing I thought when I finished making mine was "cat toy!" (as long as they give it back...)

Rob N Lackey said:

I had a noter with a leather lanyard. I liked it because I could drop it and play with my fingers then swing it back up again. Unfortunately my dog thought it was a chew toy one night. I'm ordering another one this week LOL.

Thanks, Ken - my 18thcentury reenacting knowledge came in handy -- women used to put their sewing supplies on chords or chains and hang them from their apron waistbands on a chatelaine. I thought, this would work for my dulcimer tools as well (no apron needed ). I am using another old-style sewing device to hold my picks -- it was used for holding thimbles and other small sewing tools, not sure of the original name but I call it a thimble mouse (now a pick mouse). I made the one below out of plastic tops covered in cotton material -- the plastic give it a "spring action"

Kenneth W. Longfield said:

Very creative Maryann.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Seems like I spend half my time looking for my noter and pick so I came up with a solution. Now when I jump up to get the phone or the door, I will find my noter and pick dangling from my wrists! Yeah maybe a little silly but it does work! So far it does not seem to interfere with playing or restrict movemment. I can also hang them from my music stand. Patent pending

Great looking stand! Wooden stands of this quality were way out of my price range, wish I had wood working skills!

The one I purcased has a holder at the top witha strap so the dulcimer cannot fall out of it.

Spent most of my morning on this quest -- found a some beautiful wooden stands but I really do not want to pay $40-$60 or more for one and my husband will not let me hang it on the wall (100 year old house with plaster walls) so I decided to just get a black metal tubular guitar stand and I will modify the bottom with material to hold the tail of the dulcimer. I tested this with my daughter's guitar stand and it will work nicely (I used a couple of her cloth head bands.)

Anyone else modify a guitar stand for their dulcimer?