maeve, again, I say, you are amazing and I really admire what you and DH are doing!

I do remember a linguistic study which said people in warmer climes are more expressive, expansive with their language and speaking whereas northern climes tend to have folks who speak more quickly and tersely and that all had to do with weather.

MickeyMan, my Rog is a Yankee of French Canadians, too. I think he's been influenced by some time in Venezuela and such, though, as he's not as taciturn as he used to be.:-) And, get his family together and hang onto your hat because they ALL have something to say!:-)