Jeri, you are right. Everybody enjoys a good listener. And, Rick, I'd go skinny dipping anytime, here at the Mudcat:-) I love that image!

Matthew, I know what you mean. I am always exclaiming to Rog about this one or that one, saying "Oh, I just love her/him!" Some, whom I've gotten to know better, I will consider a friend for life and always be in touch with. Those I esp. love, kinda like a brother or sister, but beyond that in a way, to the same that I feel for my very best friends. I have found that as I get more "center-aged" (no geriatric until you're over 80, Rick!), I have distilled my friendships to those few which are really meaningful and, hopefully, mutually beneficial. Before the Mudcat came into my life, I could count those very close friends, whom I could call at anytime, for any reason and not fear rejection or whatever, on one hand. Now, I have gained 4-5 more and I feel very humble, blessed, and gratefull.

As for falling into romantic love with a Mudcatter? I've always told my kids, you don't really know a person until you live with them. Experience, theirs and mine, has borne this out. I'm not sure there are even a handful on here that would want to risk that with me and my menagerie***BIG CHESHIRE CAT GRIN***!

katlaughing&lovin'ya'll