Greetings!  Dusty, Desolation Sound is beautiful as is all the Vancouver Island area.  It is a ways up the inside passage, and Cowichan Bay (where we are) is on the southern part of the Island.  Exploring by kayak is big out here, but with my old legs, if I ever got in one it would take four people to get me out!  Robin, I have often wondered what my old Thomas dulcimer was doing these days.  Yes, I am strumming again.  Now I have to re-explore this site and see what's going on.

Ken, I remember your long while back posting about finding an old mountain dulcimer in a shop of used things. . . :) Glad to hear you're playing music-- happy strumming! 

Ken, it's great to hear from you and to learn of your recent adventure.  I spent a wonderful vacation many years ago kayaking in the Desolation Sound. I take it that's your new neighborhood.  Best wishes!

Ken, great to hear back from you and get caught up. Thank you so much for responding, nice to think of you sailing and crabbing by the sea. 

Greetings Lisa and Folks at FTMD!   I was pleased to get your message, Lisa, and glad to make contact again.   I miss everyone there.   In a nutshell, we moved to place called Cowichan Bay, a historic seaside village on Vancouver Island off the coast of British Columbia.   We had visited friends who live here, saw how beautiful it was, then went back to Ontario and sold most everything we owned and made the move.   We have a couple of boats and enjoy cruising around the Gulf Islands, crabbing, fishing, hiking, etc.   I also volunteer a great deal at the Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre    www.classicboats.org .   I had not done anything with music for quite a while.   This is a long way from Appalachia and although there is a lively folk music scene out here it is different (blank stares when you talk about the influence of Carter Family).   The dulcimer is known out here but I haven’t met any players.   Recently I have started playing the dulcimer again (Homer was calling me).   Not singing, but just working up instrumental medleys of old songs and fiddle tunes like “Last Days of Georgia” and “Soldier’s Joy”.   I still play only in 1-5-5 turning but with my own variations I have developed.   I intend to do some busking this summer in the area, something I always really enjoyed.   I am on Facebook but I don’t use my site much anymore.   I hope to become involved again with FTMD and catch up with what’s happening there, so you will see me around soon again.   Until then.. Cheers    Ken

Thanks Ben!  Whatever he's doing then, I hope Ken B is having a great time at it. 

I messaged Ken a while back and he had responded (Facebook, I think) that we was quite involved with the reenactment group and life in general and really didn't have much time for the music these days...although, I think he may pick the instrument up on occasion.  But that communication has been quite some time, too.

Hey Ken, we miss you!  Are you still playing music?

Patty, from the Confederate point of view you are absolutely correct.  Yes, I roused the troops as they went off to do battle.  Also played hymns at the church service they held on Sunday morning.

Ken, you were in the Confederate camp. They didn't see themselves as rebels. They saw themselves as preventing a Federal usurping of state's rights. No joke. That's the frame of mind the re-enactors put themselves in when they do their re-enactments. This weekend coming up is the anniversary of Second Manassas. It was another decisive victory for the South. First engagment was at Brawner Farm west of Mathew's and Henry's hills. Ken, you're looking good! Did you play your banjo to boost moral for the cause?

Hopefully you gave 'em a rousing "Dixie's Land" and "Bonnie Blue Flag."

HaHaa, They must know a rebel when they see one!

Sounds like too much fun!

Played a Civil War re-enactment this weekend.  I was in the rebel camp again.  They are guarding me.... thought I was a Union spy.