Mornin', Ron:

Actually, I see it very differently. This thread is approaching 1,000 posts in about 6 months. I have no idea how many threads ever hit 1,000 (unless they're about Bush, or the Mother Of All BS.) 500 posts is a lot. And some of the threads that are longer have been running for years. I don't see it as a competition, either. If it is, then we're the tortoise, not the hare. But a souped up, four on the floor tortoise. When I started this thread, I figured it would amble along for awhile, stopping to enjoy the scenery and dissappear when it lost it's appeal. I had no thought as to how long that would be. But I wouldn't have expected it to last this long. If it reaches the point where I have to artificially keep it alive by doing 90% of the posts, then I'll just let it fade away.

One thing that I like about this thread is that people participate regularly for awhile when there's something they want to talk about, and then wander away. Often, they'll drop by later when there's something they want to talk about, or respond to. Good friendships are like that. They carry through the quiet times.

This is a verse from a song that I wrote way back in the 60's about my friend Luke Faust, who lived in Hoboken:

"If we had money, we'd stop for a beer
Or walk by the water and sit on the pier
Sit and we'd talk 'till there's no more to say
But we never needed words, anyway"

Listeners are half of a conversation. I know there are people who drop by regularly, have a cuppa and just listen to the conversation. They don't show up in the number of posts, but if someone just wants to drop by to get a load off their feet for a few minutes and not say a word, that's fine too.

That's what kitchen table conversation is all about..

Jerry