I can't recall quite what the upper number of subscribers of FML was at its peak, but I think it was approaching 3,500. If so, that is about 1,000 more than now, but the membership tally here seems like it has been stable for a number of years now. New folks don't know, but it didn't usually have anywhere near as many sympathy oriented posts (though it certainly had them) and it had nowhere near as many ads, even with more people. Most of the FML was sharing funny ferret stories, sharing a LOT of behavioral observations complete with stories illustrating them, sharing health info, throwing people into smiles, tears, giggles, groans, and replies with ferret songs, ferret limericks, ferret haiku, other ferret poems, tips, tips, and more tips, etc. There seemed to be fewer people who lurked, too, though I could be wrong. Of course, it is up to each of us what the FML is and becomes. When we send in our funny and heart-tugging happy contributions those give the list a lift. I know that there are a lot of people hear who could share laughter with us all. If more such people begin to write in with fun stuff to share then the balance will change by having a greater portion of the pleasurable posts. It's not something that a few people can do. It will take the quiet people speaking up and sending in their own notes. Posts don't have to be long but I know that a large number of those who say little have fine additions to contribute. Like any place the size of a village we have our range of people and experiences, but recently a large number of members have gone mum while a few have been repeating the same things enough times to teach people to skip their posts, and that combo doesn't help anyone, I think. Now, that is just my take on it, and I know that opinions here are going to vary a lot. I personally would like to hear a range of opinions and I very, very much would like those who might be inclined to jump too fast into anger or bad assumptions to listen and express their own opinions WITHOUT mentioning anyone else's so that it doesn't become an argument between individuals, and so that different observations, needs, and ideas can be expressed freely. I think a very good start has been made in that regard and that the next step for at least some of us (like me) who have spoken our pieces will be to listen to the usually quiet people if we're through on this topic. (Of course, I am just speaking as an old fart who has been here for the life of the FML so has seen many iterations, even when it was small enough that it came out rarely and when we all jumped in to help when a member's sister was in a tragic accident.) This list is a WONDERFUL place; that doesn't mean that it can't get better. Hmmmm, I wonder how old the FML is now? 17 years? 18? I keep forgetting -- senility! LOL! Oh, I know! I'll call up the first one using the SEND FERRET 0001 trick! Here you go! Our first date was Date: Dec 21, 19:14 1987, so almost 17 and 1/2 years! The list sometimes seems like it has changed almost as much as a person in that many many years. Okay, not a kid person... ;-) In just 150 issues (149 when this appears in the FML) the FML will reach its 5,000th digest. [Posted in FML issue 4851]