Yes, it's been quite a year, beloved friends died, as did people we admired but did not know. Relationships ended, accidents of all kinds happened. But considering the worldwide scope of Mudcat, I suspect that statistically we've been pretty lucky. In spite of fire, flood, and earthquake, none of us died from these. Besides musical and folkloric questions, some of us have asked for advice on computers, help with projects ranging from wallpaper removal to giving up tobacco, or even just a kind word when we were feeling overwhelmed. And by and large we've gotten both what we wanted and what we needed. This place has kept me sane this past year, and I suspect I'm not alone. So here's a toast to the new year. Heaven knows we'll never die of boredom, and with luck we'll each think of a few more folk-and-blues related questions.