To say the response to my e-mail request was overwhelming is understatement. Wayne stopped to pick up the boys and as of this point, they have received over forty (40), yes FORTY e-mails. When I called them last night, they were about to check the e-mail, so I said I'd call back. About 15 minutes later they called laughing and just dying to read me what you folks had said. They were enjoying them tremendously and could not believe so many people would take the time. True and vintage Mudcat...what a great community we have here. Wayne wants to respond to all of you, but I said the week coming up is so loaded for them that it could wait and I'd be happy to say a few words here for him. SO They wrote...

FROM WAYNE & CONNIE:
We don't know what to say except THANK YOU. What a surprise and what a wonderful thing to do for a stranger. We hear about Mudcat all the time, but now we are beginning to understand that it must really be a special place. How did so many obviously caring people get together in one little place on the web? You are "real folks" and not just "real folkies" though we guess you're really both. Both are in short supply. You remind us of the people in the small towns where we grew up many years ago, people who cared and listened. People you could talk to and with and people that you could trust. We laughed and we cried and we were touched by your kindness. We'll keep an eye on catspaw for you, and yes, he is a TRUE friend. Again, our most heartfelt thanks. Wayne & Connie Leading

FROM CATSPAW:
Again, I cannot believe the response. I read your messages and like Wayne and Connie, I too was touched. I feel I owe all of you for taking the time to do something special. Connie is preparing a "Graduation Book" for Wayne and all of your e-mails will be included. Now I must say that a few of you made comments about me for which I will get even. Some of you even suggested that I was a nice guy and were trying to trash my rep as a smart-ass...well, bugger off. And then of course there's Fielding...That message sounded like I wrote the damn thing!!! When Karen read it she said, "Oh yeah, you guys were made for each other." What would your poor, sainted mother say Rick??? I'd feel responsible except I think you always probably were over the edge and I was simply a catalyst. Tragic, but inevitable.

But... A SINCERE "Thank You" once again to one and all!!!

catspaw