Essential Routine

I don't know about you, but I've been practicing social-distancing for more than two weeks now to help flatten the curve of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. But today is the first full day of NC Governor Roy Cooper's "stay at home for 30 days" order.  (It went into effect at 5pm yesterday.) Of course there is allowance for the provision of essential services and moving about for essential purposes, such as acquiring food and meds, exercise and outdoor time. You know, if this had to happen, I'm grateful it's happening in the spring.

In these days of lock-down and sheltering-at-home it's more important than ever to maintain a semblance of routine. Granted, there's nothing "normal" about not working, or working from home, or home-schooling kids, or that empty social calendar. Yet, you can still put structure into your day.

Give some thought to the flow of your day, such as: when you get up, when you go to bed, when you eat, when you feed the kids, when you take a walk, when you turn on tv, when you don't turn on tv ... and how about when you practice your music?

Music practice is a solitary endeavor and can serve to root us in our day. If you don't already have a regular practice time, maybe today's the day to start. Set aside a chunk of time every day. Don't be surprised if you find it difficult to focus, simply because of the anxieties associated with the current uncertain circumstances. Take it easy. Be kind to yourself. Maybe you don't want to tackle that insanely difficult piece right now. Play something you know, just for fun. Or get back to basics by playing scales, arpeggios, etc. Just play something! And when you feel like it, dig into something more challenging.

In a world where so much is out of our control, it is important to commit to practicing the things we can control. Don't use this time to forget about your own good habits and routines. Make your own daily schedule and stick to it during this time of sequestering.

Be well, and don't forget to wash your hands!

Monday's Muse

Well-being is realized in small steps, but it is no small thing.  ~ Zeno

In case you haven't heard ... WSDF 2020 Cancelled

From Kirk House:

Public Service Announcement:

The Winston-Salem Dulcimer Festival for 2020 has been cancelled. We are disappointed, of course, but in our current environment it seems we have no choice.

All registrants who have already paid will receive a full refund - either by check, if you paid by check; or via PayPal, if you registered and paid online. These will be processed as quickly as we can, while observing 'social distancing' from each other.

Our festival committee considered the option of simply postponing, to some later date (in the fall, perhaps); but the logistics of doing that were simply too much to overcome.

The good news? All of our scheduled instructors are available, and willing, to participate in next year's WSDF! So as of now, we are "on" for the first Saturday in May, 2021! Hope to see you then!

Monday's Muse

This is the time to be slow,

Lie low to the wall

Until the bitter weather passes.

Try, as best you can, not to let

The wire brush of doubt

Scrape from your heart

All sense of yourself

And your hesitant light.

If you remain generous,

Time will come good;

And you will find your feet

Again on fresh pastures of promise,

Where the air will be kind

And blushed with beginning.

  ~ John O'Donohue

Monday's Muse

I've found that luck is quite predictable. If you want more luck, take more chances.  ~ Brian Tracy

Monday's Muse

To be creative means to be in love with life. You can be creative only if you love life enough that you want to enhance its beauty, you want to bring a little more music to it, a little more poetry to it, a little more dance to it.  ~ Osho

CTO ... Winston Salem Dulcimer Festival

Check This Out ... Looking for a fun musical outing in our own backyard? NOW is the time to make plans to attend the Winston Salem Dulcimer Festival. Save $15 if you register before April 6!

The Winston Salem Dulcimer Festival is a one-day event for mountain dulcimers and (once again) hammered dulcimers. Marya Katz will be teaching the all-day hammered dulcimer sessions. There will be a short concert by the instructors at the end of the day. Check it out!

Winston Salem Dulcimer Festival
Saturday, May 2
Hope Presbyterian Church, 2050 N Peace Haven Rd, W-S

• doors open at 7:30am
• classes begin at 8:30
• lunch and open mic noon - 1:30
• more classes 1:30 - 5:00
• concert w/instructors 5:30 - 6:45

All the important information can be found on their website:  https://winstonsalemdulcimerfestival.com/

Monday's Muse

Politicians and diapers must be changed often and for the same reason.  ~ Mark Twain

If you haven't already, don't forget to VOTE tomorrow!