A couple of messages here to loved ones: Harpgirl, in one of the funniest scenes in Young Frankenstein, Igor (Marty Feldman) goes to the brain depository (!) to get a brain for the being he is helping the good doctor to create (it's supposed to be Hans Delbrook, something and humanitarian--but he drops it) and ends up with one clearly identified as "Abnormal--do not use this one." Later, when the the creature is brought to life and proves to be violent, Dr. F asks Igor if the brain was that of Hans Delbrook. Igor shakes his head in shame and admits it was Abby somebody's. "Abby" who's?" the doctor insists. "Uh, Abby Normal's," Igor says. "You mean I put an abnormal brain in a nine foot four hundred pound...[I can't come up with the noun]?" Remember it?

Annap, I, too, have a tape of it. Watching it together has become a ritual at family reunions--there's one very funny family story related to it...made rather poignant because of the November death of my brother who played a key role in the tale.

And Mick, what are Alaska picks? I have been trying to create finger and thumb picks that allow me to feel the strings of my banjo. I can't stand regular picks, so I play without picks even in three-finger style, vastly limiting my speed and volume control.

And after a year in the community I finally started meeting a few of the people here in the flesh--Fadac, Dave Swan and PJ (Dave's wife), Winter's Wages, RiGGy, and next month the beautiful Blessings Barbara. I'd love to be able to make Mudstock this summer, but can't--I'm looking forward to Mudstock II (Mick, ya still keeping that time open?)

--seed