As a child, I always had a love for music and the outdoors. When I was 8 or 9 I was forced to take piano lessons from a woman that literally was in her 80's.  Needless to say after 5 years of lessons from this teacher, who kept a ruler in her hand and used it if you missed a chord or key, my love for music hung in the balance. I really didn't get to play the music I wanted. I was a big fan of James Taylor, Carole King, and Simon and Garfunkel.  I wanted to play and practice that genre of music.  My piano teacher only taught classical piano, so that is what I learned and practiced.  I couldn't convince my mom to let me switch piano teachers, but I did finally convince her to let me quit. But my love for music and musical instruments is still very alive in me today.

During this time in my life, my parents decided to buy a small pull behind camper. There were 4 of us kids and camping seemed like the perfect idea for a family of 6.  So pretty much every weekend in the spring and summer we would go camping. It actually turned out to be one of the best experiences of my childhood. We did a lot of weekends at the Land between the lakes near KY lake. There were no cell phones or computers, just the big outdoors and a chance to connect with nature. It was a chance to make new friends, get away from your parents and chores at home and just enjoy the beautiful green forests, campfires and starry nights. 

A month ago I decided I wanted to somewhat return to my musical roots.  But I wanted to learn a new instrument! My husband plays guitar, and I love to hear him play and practice. He has a great voice, so we do a lot of harmonizing together. He hadn't picked up his guitar in a while, and I really missed hearing him play. I kept telling him that he should just pick it up and practice a little every night, mainly to make me happy!! And then it dawned on me that I should take up the guitar!! Ding Ding!! I mean how hard could it be?? I know how to read music, I've had years of music lessons. I'll learn to play. I immediately picked up the phone and called my ex-husband, Bob. He has a collection of 70 guitars from all over the world. I ask him if I could borrow one for a month. I thought if my husband and I both had guitars he could help me and he would play for me too!! And I wanted to make sure that I really wanted to play guitar with my husband before I went out and purchased one. 

 Bob graciously agreed to let me borrow one of his guitars. He actually gave me a guitar chord songbook. My husband and I went to his house and picked up the guitar. As you can tell, we all get along very well. I couldn't wait to get home and try it out. Boy, was I shocked!! What my husband made look so easy, was not!! It has taken a month for my fingers to toughen up and callus over. But I just keep after it and try and practice every day. I just learned my first song, Bob Marley, three little birds. The guitar is something I see myself playing for the rest of my life. One of these days I'll play for you on a video! It's a total challenge for me, but one that I am enjoying so much.

Another thing that I have decided to rediscover is camping. I have never camped in a tent EVER!! So this is an experience that I have talked my husband into it over the last month too. At first, he thought I was a little crazy to want to do this. Honestly, I don't think he thought I was cut out for tent camping, and roughing it. But I decided to prove him wrong. I can't think of anything that I would rather do at this point in my life than to spend weekends out in nature, disconnected from the digital world that I experience Monday through Friday. I booked our first campsite yesterday.  OH YES, I DID!!  We are going to get a tent and camping equipment this weekend!! I am thankful that he knows a lot about tent camping. LOL

So, what is the moral of this blog post?? You are never too old to start something new or revisit things that brought you so much pleasure from your past. Learning is part of our life and it goes on for our lifetime. Don't be afraid to try something new and experience the challenges and joy that it brings you. If some of you have been considering doing something new, hopefully, this post will inspire you to jump in there and give it a try.

Until next time, xoxo