As I am sure I will be out of town this next week and won't be able to contribute to the 5000th issue in a timely manner, I will take this opportunity to contribute my comments and thoughts. I have been a member here for a few days (sic) In those few days, I have learned more about ferrets than I thought I ever could. I have learned the history about ferrets and became good friends (I think! GRIN!!) with a driving fool! (He likes red cars too..can't be all bad! Linda wants to know when you next come to town, what do you want for dinner!) I have picked up a signature. (The Rude One) I have met folks from around the world, and become good friends with some. (Hi Sammy!) I have met folks from all over North America and made friends with many. (Hi All!) I have not been a subscriber long enough to remember the original moderator, but, I have watched Bill manage this list for a long, long time, and it never ceases to amaze me how he does it so well. His job can be thankless and rewarding, but..it is never ending. I can well imagine the time he devotes to keeping the FML running smoothly. Because of that, I can read almost every night, a comprehesive list, that is categorized and numbered. That may not seem like much, but in my business, I have to wade through 200-400 emails a day so when I come to an efficiently assembled and presented list or newsletter, I sigh a sigh of relief and mutter a thousand thank-you's to the editor/moderator! Bill..publically, I THANK YOU, for a fantastic job done! Some day I will finally meet you and get to shake your hand! There are many other people I would thank as well, for their tireless contributions of all kinds to the FML, but the list would be too long and I am sure I would overlook a few, which I wouldn't want to do. So consider this a big thank you, to all of youl....reach around with a good arm and pat yourselves on the back...you deserve it! Congratulations to the Ferret Mailing List and Bill Gruber, on their 5000th issue! MC, The Rude One (With Artemus, Rudy, Abraham, and Tumbles. In spirit: Bubba, Billy-Bob, Garret, Snorkle, Tuzigoot, Squeeks, and Bancho) [Posted in FML issue 4996]