I want to thank Marti for inviting me to join this group and not a moment too soon. I had actually been contemplating leaving Eons lately because I had grown increasingly tired of the political bickering and pettiness I've seen (and been a part of) in other groups. I initially came to Eons as relaxing escape from the same kind of turmoil in my real life.

I took a little while to look over the posts in this group and was pleasantly suprised by what I found. Learning has always been a major part of my life. My mother and father encouraged reading and independent thought, each in their own way. My two brothers and I all started school knowing how to read because each of us had been schooled at our father's knee well before first grade.

I'm looking forward to learning from each of you and hopefully contributing something meaningful from time to time. It sealed the deal for me when I found so many of my favorite folks were already members here.