I actually meant to post this yesterday but forgot to email it to the list.
My deepest apologies.
 
After 6239 miles, visiting 104 ferret people proudly displaying more than
300+ (I lost count) ferrets and one hell of a good sunburn, I have returned
to Missouri a little bit sooner than expected due to general fatigue and
because I simply ran out of time.  I spent much more time than anticipated
visiting ferret people, sometimes spending the entire day moving from group
to group to group to group.  I had the additional problem (completely
unanticipated) of my "out of roam area" cell phone being seen as a "blocked
number," so I couldn't easily contact some people who initially requested I
visit because they had blocked anonymous calls.  Even with the problems, I
only missed visiting a handful of people, and for that I offer an apology
with the promise they will be first to visit when I return to California
later this summer to visit my mom.
 
I want to thank ALL the people who had me stop by for a visit (and those
I missed).  Each time I start to wonder if the FML is filled with sad
pathetic people who only wish to harass others, I meet large groups of
people who are exactly the opposite.  The warmth and friendliness generated
by these lovers of ferrets can only be described as unexpected and
wonderful.  I have beside my desk a box filled with ferret t-shirts, mugs,
ferret jewelry and even the occasional southwest food item; all bestowed by
FML people who obviously hoped the gifts would hurry me on my way.  IT
DIDN'T WORK!  Bah ha ha ha ha ha!  Seriously, even though the large number
of visits prevented me from actually trekking to the bottom of the Grand
Canyon and spending the day in the Painted Desert (and some other neat
stuff), it was more than worth it in the meeting and getting to know such
demented, er, ah, I mean wonderful people.
 
I have a couple of medical treatments to get through in the next month or
so but then I will drive to Nashville, angle southeast to Florida, north to
Georgia, then to DC, NY, then home.  In July, I will drive through the
Yellowstone, across the north to Calgary, north to Alaska, then back south
to California, and east to Missouri, stopping and seeing those I missed on
this last trip.  Sometime or another I will attend the Ferret 2000 thingie
but I forget (only at this moment; i have it on my calendar) when that is.
I will see as many people as possible on these trips.  Just remember; if
you supply beer and tacos, I'll just get a bad case of the ferts.
 
Bob C and 16 Mo' Stinkin' Badgers
[Posted in FML issue 3006]