For those who may be wondering what might have prompted this lovely outburst, take a look here.

Mom and I just read through these posts together. She is quite nearly as amazed to see all of this on the computer as she was to receive Christmas and/or birthday cards from so many caring strangers.

She has met SINSULL (who for those of you who have not yet had the pleasure is not really ALL CAPS in person as you might think). Contrary to what SINSULL might have led you to believe, Mom was not outside in the garden today. She watched her birds from the warmth of her place on the sofa. (We have feeding stations, birdhouses and squirrel feeders scattered all over the place. Mom supplements these with a steady supply of breadcrumbs.) At the moment she is seeing a rather intense bunch of snow flurries. The clouds have a pinkish tinge and I am starting to believe the forecast for some more white stuff.

Mom has heard many of your voices by way of the Mudcat radio, recordings I have made at some of the gatherings, recordings I made during the Adventure, Ron Olesko's Christmas show, and a few recordings some of you have given to me or posted to me.

Mom doesn't know your faces or personalities the way that I do; but she most certainly recognizes the wonderful caring of which she has been a recipient. For all of this, she has asked me to convey her thanks to you. Bless you, everyone.

I will have to admit to being a bit embarrassed to have so many complimentary things written about me among the comments here. I am grateful that you carefully avoided mentioning to Mom the many other less than wonderful things you probably know about me.