I wish I had taken lessons way back when I was a boy (when I was a boy the guitars were made from wooden pallets and we used sea shells as picks) but guitar teachers were few and far between and so I taught myself on an old acoustic my brother gave me. I guess I had a relationship with this instrument and practiced every day. Over the years I have owned a multitude of instruments (whoops I still do) and my favourite has been my 12 string Larivee although my new Taylor baritone all mahogany 8 string is quickly becoming my favourite. I like the full low end sound with the mix of 6 and 12 string and it records beautifully. I have been writing songs with it now and it has opened up new doors I feel. I have always flat picked and never really learned how to finger pick. That is changing now as well and I find the baritone really suits finger picking. Sue is learning the guitar and recently purchased a Larivee Parlor guitar which she loves. She has been mostly teaching herself from books and I have been a listener and adding comments here and there. Sue can now pick up a song book and play something out of it and she is taking her guitar to house filks. We are hoping to incorporate her guitar on some of our songs freeing me up to play other things. Life is good and we are looking forward so much to seeing you all soon. I am going to try and spend more time playing music with you Bill and hearing your songs. Dave will be coming to stay with us this month and wedge Tim and Annie as well after the Con. Hugs from us!