Mick, you beat me to it- I was going to agree that, while the internet can never let us really get to know each other and our ins and outs, the Mudcat has opened up a way, a "letter of introduction" so to speak, to lots of people who might never otherwise have met.
I am honored to call friends folks I had before only seen on record jackets, or on threads here. I've met some at festivals, others at peoples' homes, and some I've had stay in my own home- what a gift!
And it's true that folks aren't just they way they appear here. What is also true is that most of us present ourselves here pretty close to reality- and then meeting in 3-D gives greater depth to that reality.

I guess I'm trying to join with Jerry (whom I finally got to meet, too briefly!) in attempting a "United we stand" attitude, at least here on the 'Cat. I'm struggling with how to find ways to achieve that in the larger world.

Luckily, I'm a musician and a teacher. I get to make music with all kinds of folks, and to present assemblies with staff members who may not agree with me on a lot of things, but who had tears in their eyes the day after the election when we sang, "Somos el barco" and "Peace like a river".

Blessings,

Allison