Instruments as Friends

We've all heard a dog is a man's best friend. Personally, I'm more of a cat lover. I even have a dulcimer with cat-shaped sound holes. I'm a big fan of people making music themselves. Yes, we can listen to music on the radio, live at concerts, or as part of just about every ad and tv program. By picking up a music instrument we are connecting with it and making sounds. Ideally, the instrument is in tune and with more practice the tunes sound better and better and there is more than Twinkle Twinkle Little Star or Boil them Cabbages Down. I'd like the mention that an instrument can be a friend. We can spend time with it, we can travel with some, we can have creative and grow with it, we can learn from it, we can have a good time with it. A nice feature is the instrument doesn't complain or ask too much from you. You also get a little exercise from playing instruments - and for the very portable ones you can go for a walk with it.
Often as people walk with their dog other people stop to say hello. Well, that's what happens with an instrument, too. There are no ongoing food bills or medical bills as you maintain your instrument over the year. You will probably gain many good feelings, meet other people, and have good memories with your instrument. Be kind to it and take it out to play as often as you can.