Emily Lorenzo

Please allow yourself the pleasure of learning to play the ukulele! I bought my first one in 2012, just got a cheap one because it's what I could afford, and I wanted to be sure that I would follow through and prove to myself that a more expensive one wouldn't be a waste of money for me.

I now own three ukuleles, not including the first one, which I gave to my sister.  It's been a lot of fun, not only for myself, but for those who get to enjoy the music I play when I play for others -- including my cats!

It's a lovely and fun instrument, which happens to be easily portable.  I'm a tiny adult (4'9") with small hands, and my fingers were already rickety when I started playing (at over 40 years old), but I have enough skills for it to be a really fun hobby.  AND I get to play music with others at Song Farmers jams.  Look them up -- songfarmers(dot)org.  They may have a chapter in your area, or you can start one.  I've seen retired folks go from being "audience" members at Song Farmers gatherings to becoming active members of the group, collecting and playing multiple instruments, including ukuleles, which have become VERY popular.

Kind Regards,
Emily L. in Lee, Florida

I'm Emily, in rural north central Florida, USA.  I am a 52-yr-old woman, have always been single, no kids.  I am striving to be independent, but have to be stuck in the rat race just to afford the bare minimum.  I rent a tiny apartment in a 3BR/2BA mobile home that's been divided into two apartments.  While I am happily single after many "failed" relationships (upside: they were all important lessons for my personal growth), I often wish I had a partner.  It's just so impractical to try to do it all alone.  Yet I don't want to settle for less than what I need and deserve, as far as a partner is concerned.  After all, I'm not getting any younger.  A roommate arrangement would be great at this point, but only with a compatible person.  For now, I need to stay close to my job, so relocating isn't feasible.  Plus, I have family here, so I wouldn't want to move too far away.  This is a very rural area, though, great for practicing permaculture on a larger scale (than, say, the suburbs or urban areas).  There is a lot of monoculture here.  I could definitely use more permie-minded friends, local ones.  I'm connected with a few people, but meetups have been difficult for me to pursue and plan, because of the busy-ness and demands of work and life.

Sonja Draven wrote:Emily, I just stick mine in a clean sock. Works great, breathes, etc

I like that idea.  But I would still be likely to store it (in the sock) in a wet bag (which I don't currently have) or a plastic bag.

~ Emily

I have a pStyle.  It's been very practical at times.  It didn't come with a handy case, though, like the Shewee does.  I'll have to buy or make a custom pouch for it, rather than the less-than-desirable clear plastic baggie that I currently use for it.

That was beautiful to read.  Blessings to you, sister!