Thank you, Rustic Rebel. I am driven to start threads like these, because I need them. Like everyone else, I am bombarded with cynical, angry outbursts, depressing and frightening news and challenges in my own life. I need a constant reminder of the beauty and hope in our lives, in order to keep my balance. There IS a heart to Mudcat, and many inspiring stories to tell. I start these threads because they lift me up.

The first verse of a song I wrote years ago says it all:

"I take cold comfort in thw ways of man
I see no justice in this land
I feel the anger of the un-stayed hand
May my heart find rest in Thee

There is a basic human, goodness, dignity and strength that is too often overlooked in the yammer of bad news. I see it in all those who have contibuted to this and other similar threads and I am thankful for it.

Jerry