Hide the Ball

Emme has a tiny tennis ball that she uses to play "Fetch" in the yard. Although it is an outside toy and is stored on the porch, Emme loves to sneak it into the house. As soon as she gets it in the house, she usually runs to the living room and carefully pushes it under the couch. This is a game she likes to play with Ken so she pushes her nose under the couch and makes little "Help me" noises to entice Ken to come play. He will get down on the rug and look under the couch with Emme. He talks to her about the ball and then slides his arm under the couch to get the ball. He pulls the ball out to the edge of the couch and then Emme pushes it back under again. She could play this game over and over again. This goes on for a while, Emme pushing the ball under the couch, Ken pulling it out again. If Ken didn't end the game, they could play for hours. Who knew "Hide the Ball" could be such a fascinating game.

They Just Listen

The question of the day has been "What will the dogs do when you are playing your dulcimer?" Opinions included howling and hiding among others. Actually what they do is listen. As soon as I go into the family room to play the hammered dulcimer, both Emme and Rudy come in with me. It is almost like they have assigned seats. Emme goes to the end of the couch to lie down. Rudy gets as close to me as he can. When he lies down, he usually bumps either the music stand or the dulcimer stand. It is almost like he wants to get near enough to feel the vibrations from the instrument. Then they settle down to listen. It doesn't seem to matter if I stay for 10 minutes or 45 minutes. They stay in their places while I practice. I have no idea what they think of the music but at least they don't howl along.

With a Song in my Heart

I haven't written a blog entry for a long time. Ken and I have just returned from a week's vacation at John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, North Carolina. Emme and Rudy have been to Puppy Sleep Away Camp. We all got home yesterday, unpacked, sorted mail, and did laundry. Today we went grocery shopping and continued to get back to real life. Soon things will be back to normal.

We had a wonderful learning vacation. Ken took a woodworking class and made a musical instrument called a Campbellin. This looks something like a banjo but has three strings and is made with a dulcimer fret board. Not only did he make the instrument in a week, he can play Ode to Joy on it.

I took a class in hammered dulcimer. I didn't make my instrument, but purchased it so I had more time to learn tunes. I can play Home Sweet Home, When You and I Were Young Maggie, Oh Them Golden Slippers, Mississippi Sawyer, Amazing Grace and a couple rounds. I love the sound of this instrument and am eager to learn more.

As life settles back to normal, I will write more about Emme and Rudy for the blog. For now, all is well and I have a song in my heart. I fall asleep humming tunes and wake up humming others. Life is good.