Thank you. It's nice to know that someone would like to see me here more. I'm wondering, though, if my statement is less "welcome" or meaningful because I am not a "regular" here? I certainly can understand why folks might feel that way. But frankly, it's this very issue that keeps me from fully participating here. I have been told before that things I've stated that do not go along with the "group think" are "not supportive". Clearly I have a different understanding of that word than the person who told me this.

I do not feel comfortable enough participating here when I see folks attacked, put down, sniped at, or otherwise treated badly for holding a minority view of something. I realize I'm talking out of both sides of my mouth, because I do speak up when I'm angered and I know that comes across as attacking others, so I'm no angel. However, that's not what I want to get out of participating here. It's my own issue, perhaps because I'm quite used to and sensitive to my own feelings being invalidated. But when I see another's feelings being invalidated, particulary by a group of folks, I just start to steam, and I do feel pulled to jump in and defend the person. I'm sure that comes from my own stuff, but that does not mean that there is not also something not good going on.

Pat, I don't know if I'm ever going to feel comfortable enough to jump in with both feet here. And even if I do, there is also a time element. We all have limited amounts of time we can spend here and there. I try to balance out how I spend my online time, but that's still a work in progress.

So there you go. That's what's in my heart at the moment. You've always been a friend to me, and I appreciate your words.

Pulling the shade back down for the moment...

gg