Dear moonchild and Lesley,

I've read this thread from beginning to end and I cannot find a single direct insulting reference to either of you, just a lot of generalizing on both sides of the BS question. If you feel that you have been targeted, I think that you are making an erroneous assumption. And if you feel that you've been insulted, you must be better at reading between the lines than I.

This reminds me of something my uncle said to me when I was small. He had four big raucous farmboy sons who loved to play with their little cousin (myself); but, being the big raucous farmboys they were, occassionaly I found myself the proud owner of a big bruise somewhere (physically and emotionally). When I would run crying to my uncle to tell him how hurt I was, he would always say, 'If you can't play with those boys, then don't play with 'em.' He meant, of course, that I was completely aware of what I was getting into when I joined their games, so I had no call to be complaining. And you know what, I kept going back for more, because my cousins and I always had a really great time together!

The point I'm trying to make here is that you are totally aware of who the folks are that are posting on this forum (and their proclivities toward bawdiness, rudeness, hot tempers, silliness, crudeness, etc.). Therefore, you should also be fully aware that you'll be taking it on the chin once and a while, as most of us have. I'm not saying 'if it's too hot in the kitchen, clear out' -- what I'm saying is, take a peek inside the kitchen and make an informed decision to go in or not. But, once you're in, don't complain too much about the heat. And if you do, don't lead with your chin, for goodness sakes.

A public forum like this is not the place to wear your heart on your sleeve (however lovely and mannered your heart may be). Roll up your sleeves and come play with us; the more the merrier! Like Ms. Frizzle says, 'Take chances, make mistakes, get messy!'

And for the record, dear moonchild, I never called you a whiney titty baby. I used that term as a complete generality, and, as a humourous poke in the ribs to no one in particular. As a matter of fact, the term now has come to be one of endearment on this forum, so perhaps I should include you in the growing group of my 'whiney titty babies', just so you'll feel like you're part of the crowd. We all want you and Lesley to stay and be part of the gang, even if we do come home with our knees torn and mud on our faces from time to time.

With every good thought for the both of you, Áine