When I was young, I played guitar. (I recall a line from an old, old TV program titled "Dobie Gillis": "If you throw a rock into a crowd, you have at least a 50% chance of hitting a guitar player!" Actually, way back then, I was considered to be a pretty-good guitarist although, by today's standards, I would be just a beginner! (Things were simpler way back then.) Anyway... as I grew into my middle 20's I gradually just gave it up altogether.

A few years ago, I decided I'd like to try playing some music again. But I didn't want to return to the guitar. And I wanted something simple. So I decided I'd play the autoharp. I thought it would be easy. It wasn't... at least not the way I wanted to play it. Plus, I found that I couldn't remember any songs when I wanted to play. I could whistle a tune all day long. But if I sat down with my instrument to play it, my mind would simply go blank. The whole thing simply became more frustrating than it was worth. So, as a result, I now have two custom-made autoharps stored in my closet. I think about taking them out again occasionally. But I don't think I have the energy, or the ambition, to do it.