I haven't added anything since March 1 because all my questions were answered once NEFFA put its schedule up on its website. But I have been lurking for the past two weeks and paying especially close attention to the discussion of the past 24 hours. Without taking sides let me say that there certainly appears to be an inner circle. I believe I know who some of them are, including Animaterra and Midchuck, as well as the people who sign their real names. I have no idea who the others are, including SINSULL, bbc, MMario, kendall, and jacqui c. Anyone from the outside who reads this thread can see that right away. It's not a figment of the imagination.

Having said that, let me add a word of special praise for Kathy Westra. She is clearly one of the insiders, and yet she takes special care to make sure her own postings are understandable and welcoming. Take a look at them again and you will see what I mean. Kathy teaches by example, and her postings are free of in-crowd codespeak on one hand and snide sarcasm on the other. In doing so, she has made all of Mudcat a more open and friendly forum. Thank you, Ms. W.!