Well, Marty D, the Mudcateers have answered in their (our) inimitable fashion. Life is hardly ever linear here, but sometimes very satisfying, if not pretty, circles do get drawn. And more often the include than keep out.

And ... if you start a thread and find it wandering too far astray, just go back in like ol' Shep and nudge all these little billy goats and nannies back toward the gate you opened.

Welcome to the 'Cat. It's a nut house, but it's our house and the door's open as long as you play nice and don't clobber anyone personally. As far as taboos, there aren't many -- and yet the self-regulating part of the Mudcat (the coolest part, as far as I'm concerned) tends to turn down tempers when they get too hot, and steer away from topics that get too raw or insulting. It's sort of like the definition of pornography -- we can't define it, but we pretty much know it when we see it.

(I also would keep a pretty careful watch on what personal information I give out. Join the 'cat and then you can go to a personal message if you want to get on less-virtual terms with someone.)

Good to have you here.

WyoWoman