Dusty, we are in the same situation. We had our first 'in house' company' last night. All had their shots and we had a great time. It is good being able to re-establish person to person contact with little fear.
Congratulations to all those folks getting vaccinated. By early May everyone in my household will have gotten their second dose, and my folks are already making noise about some kind of family reunion since they haven't seen their children or grandchildren in about 18 months. I'm sure other families and friends are planning similar gatherings.
Strumelia, one day the complicated history of the fight against COVID will be told, and I'm sure we'll learn of an army of people all doing their small part to bring about vaccines and a better understanding of how the virus works. That will be an interesting story.
Good for you @Dan ! 
I'm currently working on a very large patent drawing job (that's what I do for a living) that consists of drawing a million biotech research graphs, chemical charts, and diagrams. I don't understand what it all actually means, but I have to draw it on my computer accurately and clearly so it can be submitted to the US Patent Office. For 22 years I've done lots of these kinds of medical research drawing jobs, lots of it involved with cancer cures, disease, and genetics. For the first time in a job I'm now seeing lots of references to Covid-19 RNA/DNA virus testing stuff. Feels strange to be working on it and to realize I have a tiny molecular role in battling the pandemic. 
I got my second shot of Moderna today, no side effects on this one or the first......looking forward to seeing the grand babies now!
@lisavb Yay! Our side effects were minimal after our first Moderna; after the second inoculation we felt badly, beginning about 12 hours after getting the shot. The effects lingered for 24-36 hours or so. We are so glad to be fully vaccinated for now! And plan to continue to exercise caution.
BF got Pfizer #1 on Tuesday, and I got Pfizer #1 yesterday afternoon. All he got was some local soreness at the vax site for a couple of days. My arm is sore today, but barely felt the shot. Our second shots are scheduled. A real relief to get this process underway!
You're welcome, Richard.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Great article KenL. Thanks for sharing with us.
You're welcome, Robin.I like finding these dulcimer related articles in my Google News Feed. I enjoyed it too.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
I enjoyed the piece, Ken-- thank you! The cardboard mountain dulcimers I've heard sound just fine for music-making.
Here is an new story some of you might find interesting: https://www.wvpublic.org/section/arts-culture/2021-04-14/recycling-never-sounded-so-good-appalachian-luthiers-turn-cardboard-and-tin-cans-into-musical-instruments
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
I have listened to several YouTube videos of people playing their Flatwaters. Has anyone here purchased one? What do you think of them? I am looking to upgrade from my cardboard dulcimer.
Complete details, including costs, housing, and the schedule of activities are now listed under Events at the top of the FOTMD page.
Looking forward to seeing interested folks in a wonderful setting once again!
I hope you have luck finding some, @leo-kretzner. Even just a few morels cut and sautéed in butter then eaten with whatever pasta you like is such a treat!
Gee, morels! Thanks for reminding me to go out and check a couple areas of past fires, especially as it rained a little last night! Haven't had any in years...
We found a few morels today. So, we'll sauté them and have them over pasta for lunch. :)
Total of 4 in the order I got them:
1 Simplicity by Backyard Instruments (cardboard)
1 June Apple dulcimer by Carl Gotzmer / Jessica Wills (black walnut body / western red cedar top)
1 FolkRoots D100S (mahogany & Sitka Spruce)
1 Blue Lion IW Chromatic (walnut & western red cedar)
It is cool to see the variety of dulcimers that people own. We, as players, have quite the selection of makers, models, shapes, sizes, woods, configurations, etc.
A few........
3 Warren May's in Walnut
Cherry Ray Epler
Gila Mountain by Kerry Coates
Cherry Folkcraft
Walnut and Spruce Folkcraft Baritone
Deluxe German Scheitholt by Carl Goetzmer
Cherry McSpaden Baritone
Pritchard Reproduction by Kevin Messenger
6 String by JR Beale
Homer Ledford
Large Irish by Carl Goetzmer in Mahogany
Bobby Ratliff Virginian
Yes, Susie, I've had more at one time. They come and go. It's the ebb and flow of dulcimer ownership.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Thanks to those who have shared so far. Ken, I like your comment "...I only have 15.". It sounds like you once owned many more. 
My favorite festival cancelled early in the year...the Evart Funfest. Going to miss another year. Hoping for a big celebratory year in 2022. Hope you'll be there again. This is from 2019.
I remember our meeting well! If FunFest is a go next year, I'm planning to be there, fingers crossed.
I'm glad to see so many getting their vaccinations and still worried about those who are not. I live part-time between KY and TN and there's lots of differences in opinions so I'll just let it go at that. I do get concerned that here in KY in the rural part people aren't taking the vaccine for many reasons. There's now more vaccine than arms to put them in. We've had snow and ice storms and then several floods which slowed things down but not now. There's now plenty of vaccine for anyone who is an adult and wants it. Our number are holding steady on those with Covid and at the lowest since last fall. They are just not showing up and some still wanting to know who's going to contact them to get their shots. It's beyond frustrating at times. I just miss the normal at times which can be overwhelming. I don't think even those of us who are vaccinated need to let our guard down completely. Stay safe and be blessed.
Jae and I both got the J&J jab Monday and have only had a wee bit of fatigue plus the sore arm. Will be interesting to see when a booster will be advised, though many in-person festivals have already scrapped spring/summer scheduling.
My favorite festival cancelled early in the year...the Evart Funfest. Going to miss another year. Hoping for a big celebratory year in 2022. Hope you'll be there again. This is from 2019.
My husband gets his second Moderna shot in just two hours... I'm so happy! (got both of mine already)
Hi !
the destribution in Florida has been excellent . Bob & I got our vaccines in February from the health department & the vaccine seems readily available to anyone who will go get it .
Even though the media claims disparity in the distribution—a look at the income level & rates of distribution county by county are eye opening . For instance —st.John’s County—richest in the state has a 72% vaccine rate & Leon County —only 28 in income levels also has 72% And Gadsden —one of the poorest counties —around 60 % and that’s probably because there is a younger population there .
A lot of folks want to make a political argument out of vaccine distribution & there has definitely been favoritism —especially in the early stages—but from a pragmatic POV—the lower age requirements & fast distribution to all has actually worked well for everyone except folks in isolated rural areas who may have no one to bring them in . But by getting everyone who can arrive first —it will get to the harder to reach areas sooner too .
Actually Leon county has gone right in to all sides of town to offer all Covid services —especially the poorer sections .
Yes—I’m pretty sure some of the richer retirement communities got theirs first —but they got in fast —got it done & moved on to the rest of us very quick :)
Jae and I both got the J&J jab Monday and have only had a wee bit of fatigue plus the sore arm. Will be interesting to see when a booster will be advised, though many in-person festivals have already scrapped spring/summer scheduling.
Cases numbers here in OHio are heading in the wrong direction. 
It is heartbreaking and disheartening.
We are #1 in Michigan, but not for the right reason. 
On the one hand, my family and I have been vaccinated, which is so comforting. On the other hand, the case numbers are going crazy in the State. We haven't changed our behavior, still taking the necessary precautions. We are just hoping things turn around for everyone's sake.
Cases numbers here in OHio are heading in the wrong direction. It is heartbreaking and disheartening.
Two weeks after my second vaccine (Pfizer) and I'm happy to report that after getting sick for about 5 days with the first shot, I only had a sore arm after the second one. I've planned a music retreat for July and plan to go to a writing workshop in August and the Black Mountain Music Festival in October. My book group may actually meet in person this month, outside, of course. It's so nice to have activities on the calendar after a year of nothing but doctor appointments!
At the moment I only have 15: the first one I made which is based on a plan by Joseph Wallo, rosewood and spruce; a teardrop from Scott Antes plans, rosewood and spruce; the same model but made of marine grade mahogany plywood and spruce; the same model made of chestnut and spruce; a Blue Lion hourglass, rosewood, red cedar, and mahogany; a Folkcraft all walnut hourglass (the last two have have built in pickups), a David Lynch travel dulcimer; Musical Traditions hourglass of walnut; an walnut hourglass made by Warren May; an original James Edward Thomas all walnut hourglass; a cardboard Backyard dulcimer painted navy blue; a Sunhearth teardrop made by Walt Martin made of walnut and spruce; a C.N. Prichard hourglass reproduction made of all poplar painted black; a teardrop dulcimer based on Scott Antes plan made of paduk and spruce; and one based on the C.N. Prichard dulcimer made of walnut and butternut. In addition I have four Pennsylvania German zitters, two of which I made. One is based on an instrument in the Mercer Museum and the other is based on an instrument in the Landis Valley Museum. I also have a 16/15 hammered dulcimer and an open back banjo which I made. I made a Fender "S" style electric guitar and am currently working on an acoustic guitar.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Eleven: Folkcraft Resonator, 5 string Blue Lion Jam strung as a 3 string bass, Bonnie Caroll, Black Rose, McSpadden Kit [my first MD], six I made, including one made from Koa, and a travel MD only 4" wide, a Banjimer, and a TMB that I later modified into a double bass using bass guitar tuners and strings.
The Folkcraft, Blue Lion, travel, and the Koa are the ones I use the most.
I'm enjoying your posts...keep them coming. It's interesting to see what you all have.
Six traditional pieces. 26 inch Betty, 26 inch Homer repro, 26 inch Dulcimore, 28 inch Thomas repro, 28 inch Ultra-lite and a 36 inch Grand. I play them all regularly!
I have 5 mountain dulcimers but always looking at new ones :
Also:
I own 6. 1Capritaures, 1 Mcspadden& 4 Cedar Creek.
I now have 12 including 2 zitters both with staple frets. Most of mine are traditional style with staple frets, several with wooden tuners. Only one with a 6 1/2 fret.
