and back home again to Ohio!

Have you ever wanted to do something that made no sense at all?   Well, I am at that point, and having a great time while I try to figure out why I want so badly to do this.  Drumming………it is speaking so strongly to my soul, that I have to just roll with it.  (I couldn’t resist….)  🙂

Back story.  This desire to be a drummer has been brewing for quite a while, becoming real for me on that amazing journey back to Maine last fall. My dear friend introduced me to her piano teacher, who just happened to be a drummer as well!  No surprise that  the woman who would inspire me to keep learning was just down the street from my friend…….there are no coincidences, right?  Taking that lesson was enough for me to know I loved this!

I received a beautiful djembe drum for Christmas from my sweet husband, who claims to have absolutely no rhythm.  He is happy for me though.  That is just who he is.  This drum has such a deep, authentic sound.  I continue drumming despite experiencing a bit of good natured ridicule from my kids (actually they are the same ones that told me I can’t sing………do we sense a pattern here?).  I think one said that there weren’t enough old hippies in Ohio to find drummers to learn from.  Too funny.   I think he hasn’t been looking for drummers like I have.  As my drum collection has grown, I have been asked by another son if they are reproducing.  I just smile.  My daughter tries not to roll her eyes but hasn’t succeeded.   And my grandkids?  My grandkids just bang on them with me, not worrying in the least what anyone thinks!!!  I am learning a lot from my grandkids.

So, I think I mentioned that we had a very blessed trip to Pagosa Springs, CO recently.  Our Colorado family stayed with us for a week, then friends from Ohio joined us for the next week, and we flew solo for our last week there, stopping by to see our Colorado family one more time before journeying back to Ohio.  We are convinced that Kansas was geographically stretched before we started home – it seemed to take longer than forever this time to get across it!

While in Pagosa we played in the beautiful mountains, enjoying downhill and cross country skiing, snow shoeing and narrow gauge railroad riding.  It was spectacular, and the plans to retire and spend our winters there is solidifying after going there for 5 winters in a row.  I attended a drum circle all three Tuesdays that I was there this year.  Participants were all local residents, but that didn’t stop them from making me feel very welcome!  It varied a lot from week to week, which in itself was a valuable learning experience.  The leader was most gracious and talented.  He is also a talented writer, as well as a lifelong musician. He asked me it I was willing to do what it takes to become a musician.  Rather a deep question for me right now as I am just starting to think about how cool it is to even contemplate myself as a musician, let alone call myself one!

I have started my collection!  It is amazing how many drums I think I need.  So many drums, so little time.

I have met a spectacular teacher locally, and hope to learn more from her soon.  Still have no idea where it is going to take me, but I am joyfully accepting that it is my next step. Honestly, I  am beginning to recognize that it is so spiritually satisfying, that it does not need to make any sense on a rational level.  It is very meditative, and I feel so peaceful and energized at the same time after a drum session.  It is quite sweet.

I ponder giving it up occasionally, because I am still pitifully susceptible to being made fun of………..and then I discover that I can’t stay away from my drums.  Back at it, I learn a new technique that surprises me, and I am hooked even more.  What fun I am having learning so much about myself in such a positive way.

Therefore, I vow to honor this special year where I have turned “60-two good to be true” like this:

• Practice, and enjoy more practice after that.
• Laugh at drummer jokes.
• Smile peacefully when I meet with good-natured objections.
• Master giving “the look” to anyone who tells me this is silly – conveying the message that they clearly have no idea how good it is.
• Keep inviting folks to drum with me.  Who knows, someone might say yes soon, and I need to be ready.
• Ride the waves of joy, breathing in life with each drum session.
• Bang on and let it take me wherever it does.

Sound kinda fun?  It should. If you are wondering about the djembe, this is a nice short lesson.  Enjoy!