We were all 18 once upon a time, though for me it seems like ancient history; sometimes it seemed like yesterday, but it wasn't because it was BC "before computer."

I'm am reminded of a story. When I was 18, I went out to the store for milk and bread. There was a man in the line ahead of me. A man of about 55, he was buying milk and bread too. He kept eyeing a package of cigars. He wanted to get the cigars for himself, but he needed the milk and bread for his family. Ninety seven cents stood between the man and his pack of cigars. He put the package up, deciding that he couldn't afford it. I interrupted. "Mister, you look tired, and I'm tired too. I worked hard today, and hell, I can see you did too. (I did hard, physical labor at the time.) I said, "I got 97 cents, and you deserve those cigars."

He looked at me and said these words. "Thank you. Today, you just got here youngster, and I been doin' this for 55 years. Thank you."

And THANK YOU for what you will have to offer the mudcat.

Hardiman the Fiddler