Forum Activity for @paul-killian

What are you reading right now?

OFF TOPIC discussions

I am reading Pagans: The End of Traditional Religion and the Rise of Christianity. by James J. O'Donnell.

What are you reading right now?

OFF TOPIC discussions

I am reading The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History by Elizabeth Kolbert.

What do you aspire to with your music?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I have never been very musically inclined. In elementary and junior high school I played a trumpet and then a Sousaphone/tuba in the school band. I learned to read music (badly) in that context. When I finished the eighth grade my musical involvement was over except for congregational singing in church, which I have always enjoyed. I also listen to music and enjoyed attending concerts. My wife died in 1998 and in 2001 I remarried. When I remarried I joined my wife's church and the choir. That was the first time I had been in a choir since childhood. About three years ago I decided to try to learn to play the dulcimer. Folk and country music have been a genres that I have listened to most of my life, so I guess that it was a natural choice. I play the dulcimer for myself. Right now, my only goal is to please myself. I play pretty much everyday when I am at home. I am slowly improving and look forward to improving more. 

5,000! What I'm most grateful for. . .

OFF TOPIC discussions

FOTMD has been great. I am not a very social person, yet I feel very much at home here. I am slowly learning to play, due in large part to the information and inspiration I get from the site. I recently bought a new dulcimer from Kevin Messenger, whose dulcimers I firsy saw here. I plan to post a recording with it here one day. Thank you FOTMD and everyone on it. You are all the best new thing to come into my universe in the last couple of years.

I have both a teardrop and an hourglass. I like both and have no trouble keeping either on my lap. I do not think that either type is prettier. I think some teardrops are prettier and some hour glass examples that are prettier. I tend to prefer slender dulcimers sort of shaped like narrow triangle.

Brief trip to NC mountains

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Steve- Thanks for the informative response. I am sure that I will enjoy visits to as many of the places that you have described as I can fit in.

Brief trip to NC mountains

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Later this fall, my wife and I are heading on a short trip to the NC mountains. We will start in Bryson City and drive north through Asheville and end up at near Boone where we have rented a house. We will stay there a few days with two of my sons and two of our granddaughters. Any suggestions on dulcimer related places to visit in these areas? I have visited a Song of the Wood dulcimer shop in Black Mountain, NC. The day we were there a hammered dulcimer player was visiting and playing and selling his CDs. He, and the stores staff were very friendly and helpful and I ended up buying a McSpadden dulcimer. I have heard that there are good dulcimer stores in Blowing Rock and Foscoe. Does anyone know anything about these or others in the area?
updated by @paul-killian: 06/11/15 07:41:57AM

RECIPES~Bile dem cabbage down, fry dat chicken up, ho-cakes, sow belly, squirrel heads n gravy ... got a recipe share it, need one, look for it here!

OFF TOPIC discussions

I do not cook very much anymore, but here is my cole slaw recipe. This was my Mother's recipe. She was not much of a stickler for measurements, so adjust as desired. I guess that it is really not a recipe. It is more of a method. Just keep tasting as you add stuff.

Cole Slaw

1 head of cabbage - cut into quarters and then thinly slice each quarter

4 or so slices of bacon fried crisp in a large skillet (pour out most of drippings, but keep skillet coated)

mayonnaise

apple cider vinegar

As soon as you pour the bacon drippings out of the skillet (still on heat), toss the thinly sliced cabbage in the pan and stir until coated and very slightly wilted. I prefer stop too soon rather than too late. You do not want cooked cabbage. Dump the cabbage into a large mixing bowl. Crunch up and add the bacon to the cabbage. Add about 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise. Stir. Continue adding mayonnaise to taste. I like less rather than more. Add about 1 tablespoon of vinegar. Continue adding vinegar to taste. I like more rather than less. The cole slaw should not be wet when completed.

My oldest son includes a little sugar when he makesthis cole slaw. I do not complain when he does, but I really do not believe sugar, or any sweetener, should be included in cole slaw, barbecue sauce, or cornbread.

I am from North Carolina, as was my mother. Her parents were from NC and SC. I do not know where this type of cole slaw came from.