This is what came in the mail.
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Beautiful! Love the wood combination and the dolphin sound holes! Happy playing!
Forum Activity for @maryann-lang
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Black is always a good choice unless you are like me and have several cats (I would getattackedby Peta for wearing fur!) :-) Also, you can never go wrong with a long flowing skirt and boots. Mary honestly, you play and sing so beautifully I doubt anyone is going to spend much time thinking about your clothing!
marymacgowan said:
John, it's true! So "Black is the new rhinestone!" Well, I can do that.
What does a man think about the Atwater look? Baffling? Not attractive? A stereotype?
Wayne, did you really wear blue earrings with a green shirt?? Heavens! (I have this strange feeling John is joking, hmmm...)
john p said:I guess the men do have it easy, and are not judged on their fashion sense in the same way that women are.
A couple of tips I can pass on :
Black is the new rhinestone - and don't make the same mistake that Wayne has by wearing blue ear rings with a green shirt
I am not a performer but I can give my opinion as an observer - anything but a t-shirt! Honestly (and no offense intended for those who chose to dress like this) when I see a woman playing a dulcimer in a t-shirt, especially one with a dulcimer logo, my first thought is "when is the bingo game gonna start?" You should wear what you will feel comfortable in and what will not compete for attention with your playing.
What do you use for a dulcimer strap?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I am curious about straps --they seem to keep the dulcimer from sliding but are they awkward? Also I would guess they make carrying around the dulcimer easier when it is not in a bag. I am not sure if I will like using a strap but I ordered my dulcimer with strap buttons so I will have the option.I have been searching online for straps and could not find any that met my specifications, which areit must be pretty and within my price range (i.e, cheap) -- so I decided to order a plain cotton strap on Ebay and perty it up myself.Since my new dulcimer will have hummingbird and vine sound holes, I plan to applique the strap to match. Will definitely post pics of the results. Would love to see some pics of homemade creations - pretty or just functional, or both! 
updated by @maryann-lang: 03/04/17 06:55:26PM
House fire
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Phil, I wish you were my neighbor, we would have definitely taken you all in and your dogs too. Praying that you will start encountering the kindness that I know is out there.
House fire
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Oh how horrible! So sorry for the devestating loss. Thankfully you all are ok and are able to take shelter with family. Praying for you all and hoping your instruments made it through as well.
Seeking the Imelda Marcos of dulcimers
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
And floor space too! I have cleaned out what was once the craft corner of my office and now I am visualizing a music corner with achair, music stand and plethra of dulcimers -- and I have only been playing for a month or so -- DAd hits fast and hard and seems to be incurrable!
Where to place the nickel and dime?
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
I apologize if I am walking a well-worn path with this question but I could not find a definitive answer in previous posts. Where exactly is the dime placed at the 1st fret and the nickel at the 7th fret to check string height? On the fingerboard next to the fret bar or on top of the bar?
Thanks and happy new year!
updated by @maryann-lang: 06/08/16 09:24:05PM
Wandering in and Figuring it All Out - Six months a player
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Funny and relatable - I equate learning the dulcimer to Alice's adventure in Wonderland - what's up is down and down is up, it may at times make you as mad as a hatter, but don' t give up. The people you meet along the way are very kind and give good advice; they will help you find your way eventually, and in the meantime enjoy the wild journey!
Hi Leighann:
I have made a few picks from coffee can lids -- very easy and there is no "pattern" really -- I made a few different sizes, my favorite is about the length of my thumb and1 1/2 inches at the wides end in a rounded triangle shape. I sanded the edges a bit with an emory board so it is not rough or sharp. I made a couple a bit smaller and pointier as well. I sometimes use a regular guitar pic too, it just depends on my mood, what I am playing, and if I am coordinated that day (when I am tired or stiff from the cold I have trouble holding a regular pick.)
Your thoughts on Ron Gibsons Kentucky MD
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Hi Helen:
Got the fever too, huh? :-) I am awaiting a custom Barbara Allen cherry and walnut from Ron Gibson -- should arrive late next week. Although not the Kentucky model I will let you know what I think of the overall quality and sound etc. of theBarbara Allenand will post pics. I ordered mine completely through emails after checking out the sound files and pictures on his website, and I found him to be very good with communicating and answering questions. I gave him a "laundry list" of things I wanted and he gladly accomodated all my requests.He just emailed to update me on the status of my order one week earlier than I expected.Can't wait to see how it turned out!
Maryann
wow...it's party time again... REVISITED :)
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Contratulations FOTMD on reaching 5,000 members! A heartfelt thank you Lisa (Strumelia) and everyone who keeps this great website up and running (and interesting!)I feel honored and humbled to be numbered among thisamazing groupof wonderfully talented and down-home friendly mountain dulcimer folk!There now as many members as there are people living in my hometown!
wow...it's party time again... REVISITED :)
OFF TOPIC discussions
My mom is Hungarian and when I was young she and my grandmom would make pigs feet (I think it was actually the knuckles), it was eaten cold and when chilled the liquid would become gelatin -- blech -- not one of my favorite ethnic cuisines! I could get the recipe if anyone is interested! 