To quote my Dad ... GEEZUS KEYRICED !!!

The things that go on around this place...

It probably will surprise many of you, but I do have a life outside of here and yesterday I was attending to it. I do training for adoptive/foster parents (yes, you are required ongoing training to be one; pity that doesn't apply to bio parents as well--the only requirement there is, well......). Strangely enough, the class I taught yesterday covers some of what went on here last evening. We lose great numbers of foster parents and have many disrupted adoptions in this country because the reality does not match the expectation. Of the three classes I teach, this one is the most important, a bare knuckles kind of thing that explodes myths and altruistic expectations. Anyway, a portion of it is relative here.

MAX

First I think you had a real eye opening experience. I think you knew Mudcat was important to us, but this was more than you imagined. You are the one that created this place and somehow it has attracted a diverse yet similar group of people that view it as a community or family...and indeed it is! Art commented in a different thread that it's his first functional one. If all you attracted were people like me, it would not be the same...God help us. Or if you only had Bruce and Bill D. it wouldn't be the same. Or if katlaughing and Barbara were the only types here......you get my point I'm sure. The diversity of personality and specific interests combined with that odd flavor of caring that folkies tend to have, has brought something unique to the web. But it did get to you that all these folks are kicking your ass for something you did on your own site. That's natural. It's like a foster parent who expects a bit of "gratitude" for what they do. Gratitude is a lot closer to happening here than with any foster parent. But it's like I preach to them, don't do anything that doesn't bring you satisfaction from within...forget altruism,read Ayn Rand,be selfish...and you will get more out of everything and make the tough times and kids easier to deal with. You hit the nail on the head when you said (hey,a rhyme) that you'd prefer to be a member!!! Hell Max, you are...and you need to start seeing yourself that way. Throw in a few more posts, pass on a few more personal notes...you should be proud of what you created, now take advantage of it for R & R, info, fun, whatever, as you go along with your other business and the pain in the ass of running the 'Cat. I know it creates pressure, let it relieve some too. Remember that if you're not enjoying it...don't do it. So try it as a member too!!! And thank you from me and the rest for doing what you do and for what you've created. NOW...JOIN UP!!!

MUDCATTERS

Life is fleeting and ephemeral. With or without the 'Cat, the friendships in many cases will go on. I can get in touch with the people here that I am closest to and would want to continue our relationships. But I do believe Max is committed (or possibly should be after dealing with this lot)to Mudcat and now we need to be sure we support him. SEND MONEY...BUY SHIRTS...PESTER HIS ASS WITH FUND RAISERS......but also, encourage him to join the family, village, whatever and reap some of what he's sown.

Yes, kat my dear, there is such a thing as a practical joke...this has been an example. Things have been pointed out here that needed to be...and now we grow past them. Keep bugging Max, you have great ideas...but he's got to be a "member" first. Well, maybe that's phrased wrong. I've been called a "member"......but they used a different word.

catspaw