I had finally had my dulcimer experience.  I loved hearing the sounds of Bob Thomason's dulcimer cassette and wanted to experience more.  Where could I find a dulcimer in Columbia, SC?  I went to the local bluegrass store thinking I would find an instrument to play on again.  The owner told me there was a dulcimer group that met once a month in Columbia.  I got the phone number and called a sweet little lady named Fran Cargill.  The group was to meet the following Sunday in town.  I went to that meeting, even though I did not have an instrument at the time.  Someone noticed that I did not have an instrument and loaned me one.  There I was sitting in a group of dulcimer players, playing the dulcimer.  I went back into playing by ear mode and had a great time.  The little beginner instrument that I played that day was made in Alabama by a guy named Butch Sides.  It was called his woodpile dulcimer.  I envisioned him going out to his woodpile and cutting wood  into pieces.  When I got home from the club meeting, I called him and ordered my first dulcimer for $80.00.  About two weeks later a package came in the mail.  It was my dulcimer.  Then I had a thought, I had forgot to mail Butch his check.  I immediately called him to apologize.  I found out that dulcimer people are not only friendly but very trusting.  Now I had a dulcimer so I just started playing.