Art, I wondered also about a tendency to hesitate and stumble for just the right word. But ya know, I only have ONE friend with a big enough vocabulary for this to ever be an issue! I did notice about seven years ago when I was quoted in a national science journal that I tend to talk in short, choppy sentences. I always assumed that this was because of the physical difficulty I have in speaking. I do twice as much thinking trying to figure out how to say things in short sentences. I've noticed stroke victims use the same trick. Also, everytime I have a new little pain, or feel nauseous, or blue, or tired, or just lazy, in the back of my mind I wonder if it's MS. (You've probably heard all the jokes about...no, it's just getting older.)

Ron, I know what you mean about, "Don't sweat the small stuff." Several years ago Katie Couric interviewed Christopher Reeve (the superman actor who was paralyzed from the neck down) and asked if he were scared when he went before a large audience. With that twinkle in his eye he replied (paraphrasing), "When you've been to the brink, nothing upsets you." That had so much meaning for me, but none of my friends seemed to get it.

Berit, I remember reading that Viking information last year. I laughed out loud when I thought of all those Vikings "spreading their seed" amongst the Northern Climes. PM me if you don't understand that expression.

RE: research The immune system has been one of the hottest fields in research for the last 30 years. With the new genetic knowledge and all the money pouring into AIDS research, new discoveries are being made everyday. Aside from all personal interests, it's a fascinating news story to follow.