Gee, Shambles, I didn't know the weather was required. It has been beautiful the last couple of days. Bright sunshine with just a few clouds in the skies. Daytime highs in the mid 70's and nightime lows in the mid 40's. It doesn't get any better than this in October in Maryland.

Maryland likes to call itself America in miniature, that fits for landscape and weather. We have four distinct seasons and they can be severe at both ends. Temperatures in the high 90's in Summer and Low's in the single digits in Winter. Those are extremes and it is usually milder than either of those. It is often quite humid in the Baltimore area however. The ocean is about a three hour drive and the mountains (the tiny Alleghenies, Joe) are about the same distance.

A right nice place, all in all, though chosen more by birth than by choice. Of course, Washington, D.C., is only an hour and a half away, so I'm familiar with big cities and big government.

I would like to hear from those of you who don't often post on a thread, but who are regular readers. This is a subject about which you should be well-informed, YOU!

Helen, just for fun, I may see if I can come up with 12 Steps for the Mudcat.

Roger in Baltimore