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Arkansas
We gather around the living room filling the chairs. Lou sets down several leather cases. Opening the first case, she lifts a small wooden, stringed instrument into her lap and waits for everyone to quiet down. “You know, Mountain View is the folk music capital of the world. This particular instrument is called a dulcimer. It isn’t played that much any more but a few of us keep this music alive. Around these parts, I’m known as the Dulcimer Lady.”
Every day brings some kind of new learning experience, sometimes simply through the interaction with people within their environment. Often the unexpected small town—which may not even be on the map—bears a surprise, as might its residents. Many times I wonder who would even know that such places exist, but now I can say, I’ve been there. I know what it’s like and I’ve met the people.