Funny you should start this Alice. Your reasons are sound and the feeling a natural one, albeit not pleasant. Many of us have followed along closely with the adventures of Bill and Allan and even if we were not as fortunate as yourself, we have enjoyed each and every visit in some sense or another.

Last night at the end of the Radio show, I commented in chat that "this is going to be a long night." With that huge crew in the studio and so many in chat, others listening and calling in, it was a tremendous show as some of us sat here and harmonized along. As the adventure comes to its close, a certain sadness exists and at the end of the show, the sense of community could not have been greater. Sadly, it is a virtual community and when kat and Night Owl commented that they wished we "could all be together," Bert replied, "We are." And while that's true and a beautiful sentiment, it is still a virtual community, probably the best to be found on the net, but virtual nonetheless.

The many gatherings that are taking place and festivals and so on make it more than virtual at times and the "Great Mudcat Adventure" made it very real for a lot of 'Catters. The letdown is natural, but unpleasant. I dunno'.......Maybe if we all DID live in the same little village there would be mass slaughter, but I kinda' doubt it. Its a great place, the Mudcat. After the letdown passes a bit, it may be even greater.

Somehow, a verse of a little known Jim Croce song passes through my mind occasionally:

I'm a dreamer by nature and I've always been
Tryin' to dream myself out of this world that I'm in.
In my dreams I escape all the troubles around
And it ain't cost a penny for the pleasures I've found.

Spaw....feelin' a little low too