I well remember when he sent that to you, Spaw. And you are right. Rick took his music very seriously, and for him to name a tune for you was about the highest praise he could give. He gave something I dearly love too. Anyone who was in his basement studio would have seen two leather pictures he did. He had tooled a portrait of a fiddler, and he did another that he called the piper. He gave me the piper on one of my trips there. He told me we would always be friends. I treasure that piece.

The other day, I had to leave a post half done as company had arrived from Michigan. I just want to finish the thought. I have always contended that among the myriad of Internet sites and communities, the Mudcat is a special place. There is a worldwide network of people that consider themselves a community. I have seen, and been the beneficiary, of the caring that happens when one among us is in need of support. I have made friends that I shall never be without. A person like Rick could come and pass through many sites, and no one would remember him when he was gone. But here, in the loving embrace of community, he lives on, he is remembered. He was a part of what made the place a unique and special corner of the world. He coined a term for it. He said it was the place he always wanted to live. It seems to me that a fitting way to honor our brother would be to try and return the Mudcat to some semblance of what it was. To try and restore the genteel spirit, the debate which was vigorous but without rancor.

I miss my buddy, as others do. Thanks for keeping him among us.

Mick