To paraphrase dear Ebbie -- Huzzah! Glad to see you 'Catters "burying the bones", as it were.

I'd just like to tell you all about how this whole brouhaha has turned into something very positive. I've just arrived home from a meeting of my local Conradh na Gaeilge (Gaelic League), and I told them about the HearMe software and how it was being used by us Mudcatters.

I placed a suggestion before the membership that the Conradh could use HearMe for Irish language lessons, private officer meetings, and general Irish language or cultural get-togethers for our organization.

Well, I have to tell you that this idea just catapulted off into the stratosphere! We now have plans on the table to connect Irish language teaching organizations from Dallas, Austin, and Houston here in Texas, New York City, Chicago, and Minnesota in the U.S. and Counties Limerick, Cork, and Donegal in Ireland in world-wide Irish lessons on HearMe!

Some of you may realize how wonderful this is, and for others let me just tell you this could be a substantial development in the spreading of the Irish language. And the apple never would have fallen on my head if it hadn't been for this thread.

Thank you so much, Jon and harpgirl, for stirring whatever wee "grey cells" I have in my brain. Even though much of this thread was acrimonious, I see now how much of a "family" we really are. And also, how one pebble tossed into the pond can create uncountable ripples.

I don't know how things will work for the Conradh and our HearMe lessons; but, I do know that the ball started rolling here on the Mudcat, whether it was with a whimper or a bang, and I cannot thank you all enough for that.

I think I have to go have a good cry now. Here's a virtual toast with my virtual Guinness to all of you, especially Jon and harpgirl. Long may the Mudcat live and inspire others to go forth and CREATE!

-- Áine