I was first introduced to the Mudcat by CarolC, who was neighbor of mine, and first came on as a Guest in 98 as Carols Friend Don. She had some differences with the way I expressed my views, and later for several years I was GUEST: Claymore, due to the policies at one Federal agency where I worked. Later, I became a member although I have not posted for the past couple of months due to several reasons:

1. I realized that for all the flame I was sending or receiving, it was changing no-ones minds, and was creating bad feelings amongst folks I would later meet at the Getaways and turn out to really like. An example was when I had a heart attack and one of my first visitors was Bobbert, with whom I had carried a spirited reposte.

2. Life is what happens when you're making plans, and I have a daughter back in my life who I had last seen when she was 4. She found me by Google and some posts on the Mudcat where I had mentioned the Cultural Hub of the Known Universe, Shepherdstown WV. From there it was to a phone book where I have always left my name and number public, just knowing she would try to find me as soon as she become 18. She did great in her first year of college, but decided that now is the time to ride for USET (United States Equestrian Team) and is sponsored by a big farm in Middleburg, VA, the center of English style riding in the US.

3. At the same time I am now playing with Sam Rizzetta (founder of Trapazoid) and Maddie McNeil ( both whom I consider to be the God and Goddess of the Hammered Dulcimer and Lap Dulcimer) and in company I never thought I would end up in. This was after a journey that started in 58 playing to KT , PPM, the Weavers and Bud and Travis, and ended up as the only Marine Lt. in Vietnam with an autoharp.

4. I'll be sixty in two weeks, and never planned to live that long.

All in all the Mudcat has been good to me, although I never did get the answer to the first question I asked on the Mudcat; did anybody know where I could find the words and music to the song, " One Quick Martini". I finally ran across it a couple of months ago; it was the same as I remembered it, and that's another story.

Grateful Thanks to a group of people who set about with good intentions and well-executed plans, and provided their community with an invaluble and dedicated service. Were it to fall apart tomorrow, you would be remembered for many years...