Beyond matters of who different common (and being in the plural-abundant) mothers and other stuff about being old and washed-up by an envy-green Jello-sea, we have the matter of two guys I've never met personally but whose friendship and support through some extremely difficult times places and qualifies them as Mud-Comrades way above the call of (old) dude-dah. They both sent CDs that prove both brothers to be excellent songwriters whose music merits an honored spot in The Library Of Digress (of which I am The Librarian Incongruous). And they're both World Class Human Beings.

Strangely enough, due to another commitment, (and people constantly insist that I should be committed) that you can read about on the Portsmouth NH shanty sing thread) my stay in Vermont offered a chance to see Bruce live up in Burlington VT. Alas (and alack of same) I was bound (and gagged...and Shainghaied...and.... Eastward, for that matter) by promise, promising lad that I am, to take a chance at chants instead.When it rains, it pours, snd how the hell TWO opportunities to mix with favorite Mudcatters while temporarily in a strange state (Vermont itself, or due to the perscription pain pills for my burns. Whichever comes first)

So, I didn't even know when I recieved the e-mail that it was the night before Bruce's birthday, which might have tipped the scales a bit between the two long drives from E. Dorset. Sorry I couldn't make it and that there isn't enough of me to go around. I had a great time among friends who've been selling me on the NH sing for years, but this will haunt me a bit. Damn! So close........

Nothing digrees like digress, so I send best wishes for your joined-at-the-hipness twin birthdays and for the year itself that it marks. As a gift, I've sent you a supply of parentheses in this post that should (hopefully) last you all year

I cherish the friendship of you both and shall hope meet and visit someday.

'til then is now,
Severn