Thanks for the kind words. If it weren't for these message boards, I'd be digging up more of the same old stuff and boring friends to tears. Message board posts prompt us to look in different directions and think about familiar topics in new ways. Little-used brain cells are recharged. Plus, by the time all is said here, I'm ready to discuss something other than Civil War topics with friends.

David Upton and others who post regularly are great resources. I may not always agree with him, but he's always onto something new, and that has to be good. If you're not reading and learning from these posts, you're just not paying attention.