The First Note Back

This week has lasted four fiscal quarters, and it’s only Wednesday.Sarah Beth returns to the porch with world headlines, West Virginia fall fever, country music news, 86 rescued dogs, ungovernable tennis-court birds and a journey through the history of September 2.Porch School explores 20 fascinating facts about guitars and pianos, including Willie Nelson’s Trigger, B.B. King’s Lucille, the mathematics hiding between guitar frets and the immense tension inside a concert grand.Sarah Beth also shares updates from her weight-loss journey, the great closet purge, a frightening accident involving a still-missing Mittens and a new battle plan for the growing world of Cigarette Mom, Feral Christian, music, writing and porch life.Finally, a thought for anyone enduring a quiet season: an instrument doesn’t stop being an instrument because no one is playing it. The music hasn’t left you. Sometimes the first note back is the bravest one you’ll ever play.