Gun Butcher, that's great news about your family. We pray for all those who serve our country in the states or overseas all the time.
Morning Feathers, I play the banjo, though not much as of late. There was a time when it was my main instrument, and I lost a lot of guitar skills. Now it's the other way around; I play guitar all the time, it's part of my job. My Taylor is in the stand right next to the computer, because I was using it last night to work out some music for tonight's service.
In the 70's I used to play banjo in a Gospel bluegrass band, but then I transitioned into leading worship in church and slowly moved away from the banjo. I get it out once in a while, but it's an issue of time for me, and if you don't play regularly, you lose your chops. I used to own a Stelling, which I bought new in 1975. It would be worth about 5 grand now. I sold it to buy my wife a keyboard when we started pastoring this church, because we didn't have a piano of any sort, or much money.
On the positive side, the banjo is the easiest instrument I knowof to learn. Banjo music is in tablature form, and anyone can read it. You don't have to learn to read music, or even cords to begin with. Lot's of banjo tab is available on the 'net for free.
I play some mandolin. I know a few cords, just enough to fake it. I also play some harmonica, but GunClick Rick can really play one well. He's posted a few videos of him playing, and I know from my efforts that he's worked at it to develop some skills.
That's my story, and I'm stickin to it!