QotD: I wish I could...

Play any instrument or speak any language, which do you choose?
Question submitted by cruftbox.vox.com.

I guess it's too late for me to be another Eric Clapton, Pat Metheny or Jan Garbarek, but I would really like to learn to play something - and I'm thinking of mandolin.

I'd rather do that than learn Japanese, though I'd like to be able to do that, too. I have some French, Spanish, a smattering of German and even less Italian - and less than would be useful Greek - considering we go there every summer for holiday - and we could have done with words other than food and drink when Peter had his accident there a few weeks ago.

But the mandolin is probably more likely to happen than the Japanese. Not the useful choice but could be more fun. Last week I went to look at some in a Newcastle music shop and I've found instruments, books and DVDs at another local shop - and also lessons that start at The Sage in September. I may well be twice or three times as old as anyone else there. Shall I take the plunge? My sister Kathy is learning guitar - we could be a girl group - what should our middle sister Janet learn to play?

As far as music goes, I've always been audience. My first husband was bass player with Fleetwood Mac in their early days, and still plays. Maybe it's time for me to learn to perform - to the cats, as long as they don't yowl.