Where is everyone? [Archive] - NeuroTalk Communities

Nancy T

09-10-2006, 01:23 AM

Hi doydie, I asked the same question at the end of Gary's thread... you do realize this is not the original Braintalk forum?

This is a "copy" of the forum that someone put up temporarily until the old one gets back online, but who knows whether that will ever happen. I'm not holding my breath.

Nancy

SallyC

09-10-2006, 02:00 AM

Raising my hand and waving frantically...I'M HERE.:D

I had made another forum my home for the last couple of years, but I came to my senses (Not really:p ), and I'm back home.

Does anyone remember me? I was Salpalsally at the old BT. Hey this new place could work, maybe with Mods who actually have a neme.:)

It's late so I suppose nobody's here and I'm talking to myself again. :rolleyes:

See y'all in the morning...Oh wait, it is morning. Well later in the morning. Doesn't anybody stay up late anymore?

Love, Sally

doydie

09-10-2006, 10:58 PM

Yes, I realize this isn't the old BT. I guess I just figured that once a 'replacement' became available until John could fix the mess, that everyone would come back. I have tried going to some other places through the years and have always liked BT the best. I guess a lot of the others have either decided not to try this one or have not found it yet.

bntgal

09-11-2006, 01:21 PM

Hi Folks,

I've been lurking, figuring the original BT would be up by now. Since I'm not sure if it is ever coming back, I decided to start posting here. I've been enjoying agate's site as well.

I guess other folks will eventually start posting here too, if they have been lurking, just waiting for BT to come back on line. I've also checked out a few other sites, but none compare to braintalk. I do hope it eventually comes back.

Linda

09-11-2006, 04:32 PM

Yipee! I just found this temporary site. Salsapalsy, I remember you. I used to be "Trying to go w/ the flow" then switched to "Linda." I started posting on the MS board back in the fall of 2001, right before I was diagnosed with MS.

Linda

SallyC

09-11-2006, 07:27 PM

Hi Ya, Dar, Linda, Doydi and NancyT:) . I remember all you great people. It's so nice of DocJohn to start this place and I hope it takes off.

I wonder if all our other MS friends know about this Home away from home. I'd e-mail some people, if I had their addys.

How is everybody, MS wise and just general Life wise? I'm OK, getting older (66:eek: ), but not necessarily wiser..LOL. Not on any of the injectables anymore. Been on LDN for 3.5 yeares now, and still doing pretty well. Sitting on butt, getting chubbier as we speak, and still enjoying smoking, but other than that, I can't complain.

I'd love to hear how you all are doing and what you're up to.:D

Hugs,

Nancy T

09-11-2006, 11:00 PM

Hi Sally, I remember you now that you told us your "old" name! :) Glad to see you here, and bntgal too! :)

Agate's site? I'm really ignorant, could someone clue me in to where/what it is?

thanks,

Nancy T. (doing great and enjoying life)

bntgal

09-12-2006, 01:30 PM

Hey there Sally and Nancy! Yes I remember everyone who has posted here as well. Nice to see some familiar names, isn't it? :)

Nancy I enjoy agate's MS site very much. She's always been known to post helpful info and interesting research articles. I really missed that when BT1 went down. But with her site, there's an entire section dedicated to research, so it feels like braintalk is still around. :D Here's the URL for her site, http://msspeaks.easyphpbb.com. There are some other familiar names who post regularly there as well.

Once you join, don't forget to check go to the "announcement board" that is where she welcomes you as do the others who post their regularly.

marfla

09-13-2006, 10:07 AM

howdy, someone sent me email this morning with link to BT2. I have been checking BT1 every day and have thought it probably isn't coming back.

nice to see DocJohn opening this up for many can reconnect.

several forums from BT1 aren't on these boards but that's ok too. we all can find somewhere to jump in i'm sure.

hope everyone is doing well.

karilann

09-14-2006, 10:15 AM

I'm here. I kept waiting for the old forum and checking everyday to see if it was up and running.:)

SallyC

09-14-2006, 03:24 PM

Hi Karilann, Glad you made it. How are you feeling?

Cherie

09-14-2006, 04:17 PM

I see, from another post, that ZucchiniFlower has made it. Welcome!

karilann

09-14-2006, 04:23 PM

Hot summer and I survived it better than I thought I would. Doc put me on Wellbutrin and it seems to pep me up. Before I was on Paxil and now I have cut way back on the Paxil.

July 17 my mother in law comitted suicide. I felt like I had just lost my own Mom. She was one of my best friends. It was such an emotional event that I thought my MS would go hay wire for sure. But things have remained okay.

FYI: She was in a lot of pain for over 30 years. Back then she was hit by a drunk driver and it caused severe Migraines and stenosis in the neck. Nothing helped and believe me she sought out EVERYTHING. So now she is at peace but I will miss her terribly.:(

Cherie

09-14-2006, 04:43 PM

Karilann,
You seem to have an understanding and perspective on her decision that most survivors of a suicide never get. It's a gift that you can see what led her to this and know she is no longer in pain. I'm so sorry for your loss.

wannabe

09-14-2006, 06:32 PM

Karilann,

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I admire her for enduring the pain for 30 years... I just can't imagine what it must have been like to live in such extreme pain.

Did she "close things off" with you (or her son I'm assuming is the relation?) before she did this (or leave a note)? I think one of the worst things for those left behind is a lack of closure and the unanswered questions. Sounds like you do have some answers of at least what precipitated it.

I'm really sorry. So hard to lose anyone we care about, even if they are at peace because of it.

mexigrl

09-14-2006, 11:29 PM

Hi Everyone -

I finally found this "copy" of our beloved Brain Talk - I do miss it. I don't know where everyone went but I'm glad I finally found this one!

Mexigrl aka Laurianne

Jmak

09-14-2006, 11:41 PM

Hi all!

I'm back too. I sure could have used BT this summer. My husband deployed back to Iraq for 7 months in July. I have a 3 year old and a baby who just turned 1. Whew!

My MS has been pretty active probably because it's so hard to get enough sleep and not be stressed out. I've had Optic Neuritis and some more leg weakness. Not fun at all. Luckily my family lives close by and has been helping out.

I'm so glad I found my way here. It was a relief to ask about the disability placard and to see how everyone else is doing. Hopefully more will join us soon.
Take care,
Jean

agate

09-15-2006, 01:55 AM

karilann, how terribly sad about your mother-in-law! Please accept my condolences.

Jmak, how nice that you found your way here. I read the thread about your disabled parking permit problem and was about to say that I've had one of those for over 20 years and never had a problem getting it. I haven't ever had a car but I use it if a helper takes me some place. But it looks as if you've solved the problem--great!

mexigrl aka Laurianne, welcome back! Good to see some familiar names here--it's been a long time without BrainTalk, hasn't it?

lady_express_44

09-15-2006, 02:09 AM

Hi all!!

Nice to see so many familiar people find their way here. :)

Cherie

SallyC

09-15-2006, 02:44 AM

Hi Mexigirl, nice to see you. :)

Karilann, so sorry to hear about your MIL. That's just awful for you. Please accept my congdolences.

Hi Agate, glad your are here, too.

I think I've said Hi to the rest of you. If not, please excuse the holes in my brain.:p

bafriend

09-15-2006, 11:46 PM

Hi, Just found out about Brain Talk 2. I've missed keeping up with everyone over the summer. Glad this new site was started. I've never been a big poster however, I'll try to do better this year. Betty

SallyC

09-16-2006, 12:25 AM

Hi Betty, nice to see you.:)

Nancy T

09-16-2006, 10:08 AM

Hi to everyone! Nice to see this forum picking up steam. Hopefully more will find us.

Karilann, so very sorry to hear about your mother-in-law, and her years of pain. It must be very difficult for you and the rest of your family. Glad you are here.

Jmak, welcome; I hope your fall will be better than your summer! (your bummer summer, that is).

Nancy

bafriend

09-16-2006, 02:48 PM

Sally, Thanx for the welcome. I see your from the Ohio Valley. My husband and I are from Martins Ferry. Great place to grow up, we have so many fond memories of those high school football games etc!!!!

We don't make it back to the valley often enough now that are parent's have passed and we only have one sibling left in the valley. Luckily our daughter lives in the Pgh area, so sometimes we just visit her and take a day to go see what's changed in the valley. Betty

wayleaf

09-17-2006, 04:07 AM

Hello Bntgal,
long time....I decided to drop in and see how everyone was doing and everyone was gone. That was an eerie feeling, ha. Hope you are doing okay over yonda. ;)
wayleaf

vlys

09-17-2006, 11:07 AM

So glad to "see" you Wayleaf!!

vlys :)

bntgal

09-17-2006, 03:23 PM

Well, DOG MY CAT!!! (Wow haven't used that expression since the mid eight-teen hundreds.) :D How are you ole pal? So nice to see your username lighting up the board once more. Yep, can you imagine all the shocked people who decide to just drop in and find braintalk is no more. Glad you found your way here though. Hope everyone else looking for the original site is able to do the same.

I'm doing quite lousy, thanks for asking. :( This goofy disease has decided to progress, so am going to probably be switching to Rebif in October. Was hoping to just go back to monthly solu for a bit, but my GP doesn't want me to because my sugar is too high. Have to see him this Wednesday and I imagine he is going to want me to start taking meds for Diabetes. I just started taking yet another BP med, a beta blocker. Who in the world invented those things??? I'm finally down to just being sick for about a hour a day now. A big improvement from the 8 hours a day I spent sick when I originally started taking the pill last Friday.

Other then that though, I'm doing great! LOL

How goes it with you? How's your health treating you? So good to see you once again. Don't you be a stranger now.

VIRGINIA

09-17-2006, 04:41 PM

Well, I am another one from the old Braintalk. Boy have I missed it! I posted there since early 2001 under VMJ. Just started using my first name here because I had to have more characters anyway.

I recognize so many of the names here. Hopefully, more people will find this spot. I just happened to do a search for Braintalk Communities, and that is how I found this place.

Have done some reading on other forums this summer while waiting for BT to come back up, however I have not been posting. I just always have felt BT had more good information than anyplace else that I found.

I think if we keep this one going more of our people will eventually find it. My thanks to everyone who is trying, and of course to the person who came up with this idea.

Virginia

wayleaf

09-17-2006, 06:20 PM

DAR. the problem is you probably have not being doing enough fishing!!! Seriously, I am sorry you are having it so rough right now. Have you ever used kyolic garlic in addition to bp meds? It is known for lowering bp. I don't imagine it would be enough by itself but it might help hold the line or make it so less meds are needed. (just a thought).

Anyhoo, I am okay. I'm still on the Swank diet and Copaxone. We sold our house in the country and bought a 1930 house across from a beautiful park in town. Dennis loves it since we have acres of green grass now but someone else does the mowing, :D.

The house had not been fixed up for about 40 yrs so it was a 'wee' bit of work to get the outside looking like a yard. We have the living room, dining, entry, sunroom and downstairs bath done. I'm currently working in the stairwell and have the upstairs to redo.

Right now I'm making reproduction antique clocks for Christmas presents and am planning a grandfather clock to make for the dining room. Dennis is on vacation for 2 weeks and has been going salmon fishing so you know he's happy.

I do hope others arrive since I'd really like to read how everyone is doing and say hi. Take real good care BnT. margie

SallyC

09-17-2006, 10:17 PM

Welcome home, Wayleaf and Virginia.:)

wayleaf

09-18-2006, 09:15 PM

Hello! Hello! Good to see a name I recognize, Salpalsally. Love the picture of the cutie love puppy. I know, the dog is no puppy, but when they are cute they are all love puppies. My love puppy is nearly fourteen. ha.
margie

Nancy T

09-18-2006, 10:22 PM

Hiya Margie! And everyone else--some of whom I kind of remember, maybe I remember their forum name but not their real name, but in any case it's very nice to see people finding this place.

Nancy

wayleaf

09-20-2006, 04:41 AM

Hello Nancy,
how are you? And what have you been up to? m

vlys

09-20-2006, 08:55 AM

Wayleaf,
I sent you a PM.

ssusan

09-23-2006, 12:13 PM

Wow, so many familar 'faces'. Feels like coming home.
Karliann, so sorry to hear of your loss.

Bnt Gal, thank you so much for letting me know of this site. I've been stumbling around in the dark all summer.

I lost my job of 24 years on July 14. They eliminated my position. Funding wasn't the problem; I had obtained much of it. My guess is my worsening MS and heart attack didn't fit the bill, so to speak. This after struggling to miss as little as possible, not missing a single day the last quarter of the year and having had an excellent performance review.

Ah well. After some time freaking out, I applied for short term disability from old agency's insurance. This was during my two weeks severance pay. I was approved. I also decided I need to work some for my own mental health and health insurance. I got a job 21 hrs a week, teaching ESL to adults in a family literacy program, and will continue to receive the disability part time.

In terms of pay, I am working to pay insurance. This first pay, I will owe them. But it truly is worth it. I'm doing what I love. Funding is only set for this school year, and we'll see if we are renewed. Meanwhile, life goes on.

MS has decided to whip my tail however. Walking is more than difficult and this new school is tough. Girl's room is about a mile away. I'll figure it out I guess.

Anyway, wonderful to have found this place. Thank you, Dar.
-Susan

prettypearlgirl

09-23-2006, 05:17 PM

I'm here, but had to re-register to get on. I'm not even sure if I registered with my old name, but it's close enough that some of you might remember me, LOL!!!

Carolyn:)

bntgal

09-23-2006, 05:32 PM

Ssusan, seeing you here makes it feel more like home. I love all the names that are showing up. I saw Laz on another thread as well. I just hope everyone waiting for BT1 to come back on line, does a new search and finds this place so they can join us.

Lazarus

09-23-2006, 05:45 PM

Nice to see everyone.
Special hello and thanks to Dar for giving SSusan the address. She passed it on to me. When I click on the old link I just get a message that Braintalk is unavailable....SSusan just gets a blank page. How did everyone find this?

I posted the link on MSWorld. Many people use both boards so I thought it might reach a few more of us.

Nice to have you all again.
Linda

BBS1951

09-23-2006, 06:16 PM

As they say in The Matrix:

"I'm in":D

SallyC

09-23-2006, 06:40 PM

Remember the old Susan Club? Even though my name isn't Susan, you made me an honorary member.:D

Welcome home everybody.

euphonia

09-24-2006, 05:55 AM

Remember the old Susan Club? Even though my name isn't Susan, you made me an honorary member.:D

Welcome home everybody.

Hiya, Sally! It's euphonia, the original founder of the Susan Club. It's great to see you and all the BTers again!

I'd like to point out here that, even after all this time and with all the brilliant researchers working on the cause of MS, they've been unable to disprove my theory.

Therefore, we can deduce that the most likely cause of MS is being named Susan, almost being named Susan, being called Susan by mistake, living in close proximity to a Susan, or talking to a Susan at some time in your life. :D

Keep laughing, everyone. :)

ssusan

09-24-2006, 09:11 AM

Hear, hear :D

-Susan

susalynn

09-24-2006, 10:02 AM

Hi euphonia,

A new member of the Susan club :) here! I was a member of the old BT with a different username. Because there were so many Susan's, I chose something else to be different (so different that when this board came back I sat here thnking what the heck was my username?) Anyway, I am a Susan Lynn.

And so glad to have found this board!!

bntgal

09-24-2006, 12:18 PM

Hiya Laz, You are very welcome, so good to see you here.

I believe I first learned about this site while hanging out at agate's site. Someone gave us the link to it although I can't remember who, now. When I found this site it was pretty empty for a long time, but now it is coming alive as more and more trickle in.

I'm hoping if folks google braintalk they will find the link to this site and we will begin seeing even more folks.

euphonia

09-24-2006, 07:37 PM

See, I told you! On this page alone we have 3 Certifiable Susans and at least 1 Honorary Susan. I rest my case.

I haven't pulled out the old roster yet to see whose membership dues are up to date, but it seems to me if you have MS, you've PAID your dues.

I hereby declare that all previous, current and future Susans are in good standing in the Susan Club, because I know that none of us would be very good at standing otherwise. :)

VIRGINIA

09-24-2006, 08:13 PM

May I be an honorary member of the Susan club? My beloved (now deceased) dog was named Susie. I didn't know I had MS at the time. Think that might be the reason I have it?:) I am convinced that it is.

Virginia

deb46

09-24-2006, 09:14 PM

Thank you so much for posting the link on MSWorld. although I didn't post a lot I really enjoyed reading all the posts. I've reeeeeally missed Brain Talk a lot. And a BIG HELLO to everyone.

SallyC

09-24-2006, 11:40 PM

Hi Deb, happy to see you.:)

Nancy T

09-25-2006, 12:54 AM

Dar, a belated thanks for giving me agate's site! She let me know about it too. Been too busy with work to even read very much here, but I will check it out sometime soon.

Susan, so sorry to hear about your job loss and that you're not doing so well. You must be a really determined person to have gone out and got another job. I hope things improve for you.

Margie! Wow, you have been keeping busy! We haven't done anything on our house in the 11 years we've lived here... the wallpaper is peeling, stumps in the yard, plumbing falling apart... but I find life is less stressful when I don't worry about those things! :) Hope you enjoy your projects.

My dizziness is *much* better, between taking Strattera and getting allergy shots. Still have Lhermitte's and misc. little stuff but nothing bad, no real problems.

Best wishes to everyone; so glad so many people have found this place!

Nancy

Moonwolf

09-25-2006, 01:51 AM

Didn't post much lately, but I really, really missed reading about how everyone was doing. Not having braintalk was a real, real bummer.

Judy

09-25-2006, 06:25 AM

It's so good 'hearing' from so many friends! I've been posting here, but just actually read this thread and thought I should join the crowd. By the way, may I join the Susan Club? My 14 year old Bichon Frise is a Susan plus years ago when married, we had a Suzie.

Isn't it great to be 'home'!?!

euphonia

09-25-2006, 06:30 PM

Aha! I see we have another causative factor to introduce into the Susan Theory of MS - animals named Susan. So, to anyone who has ever been licked by a Pet Susan, welcome to the Susan Club. :)

The evidence just keeps mounting, doesn't it?

susalynn

09-25-2006, 08:07 PM

Moonwolf

09-26-2006, 12:53 AM

My first pet was a canary named Suzy. We let her out of the cage all the time and she happily flew around, depositing whatever wherever. I did love her, though.

SallyC

09-26-2006, 02:05 AM

My first pet was a canary named Suzy. We let her out of the cage all the time and she happily flew around, depositing whatever wherever. I did love her, though.

Ewwwwwww!! Bad bad Suzi..:p

Hi Moonwolf, Nice to see you. Welcome home.

Judy

09-26-2006, 08:01 AM

Hey there Moonwolf -- at least your Suzi was a parakeet. My former in-laws had a parrot that sat on the ceiling fan over the dining room table. Yuck!!!!!!!!! I always found some excuse not to eat there!! lol

Nancy T

09-26-2006, 11:03 AM

I'm in! A close relative's name is a variation of Susan! And she has a friend named Susan! And I worked with a woman named Susan! :)

Nancy

Moonwolf

09-27-2006, 01:13 AM

Ewwwwwww!! Bad bad Suzi..:p

Hi Moonwolf, Nice to see you. Welcome home.

Thanks--glad you're hear, too.

Awww--Suzy wasn't bad, she was a darling.

Moonwolf

09-27-2006, 01:14 AM

lady_express_44

09-27-2006, 11:22 AM

Hi everyone!

I've been on vacation in the US for the last couple of weeks, and was able to get to Illinois, Minnesota, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin in that period.

What an amazing country you have, and the people are so friendly and kind.

Just wanted to say hi and welcome everyone. I'm so glad so many of you have found your way here.

(Hi prettypearlgirl . . . how are you doing?)

Cherie

BBS1951

09-27-2006, 06:07 PM

Hi Lady. I didnt know you were not American!

PattiLee

09-27-2006, 06:32 PM

I went to google last night and typed in, "what happened to Braintalk"

A link to here came up! Yeah!!

It's good to us us gathering. It's been really weird not knowing how everyone ws doing all summer. It's been very sad to have Braintalk down. I've missed all of you!

I wonder how long it will take for everyone to find us? I'm going to go through my old emails and see who I have and cue them up.

Hugs to all!
PattiLee :)

Chris66

09-27-2006, 10:35 PM

I finally found this place through doing a search. I was with BT before it was BT, when it was Mass General -- you know, the bad old days of flame wars! I stopped posting much because it's gotten so hard to type. My right hand just doesn't work too well, and my left one gets really tired. I always enjoyed reading though, and really missed BT. Good to see you Dar and Margie!

Hey WC dwellers -- I've discovered blue jeans for WC users. REAL JEANS! They're cut higher in back and lower in front, with an extended zipper and a fake button that has a big hook and slide under it that even I can do. They have a really long inseam, too, which is great for me since I'm so tall. They're actually pretty easy to get up and down, as easy or easier than pull ons. And man, I almost cried to be wearing real jeans again!

Glad to see so many familiar people. :D

Chris, aka Chris119

ewizabeth

09-27-2006, 11:43 PM

Hi Everybody,

Good to see all the familiar faces. :) This place is getting pretty busy!

bntgal

09-28-2006, 08:09 AM

GREAT TO SEE YOU CHRIS!!!

So sorry to read about your typing problems though. Having to type using only your left hand is challenging but I'm glad you took the time and trouble to do so, since it enabled me to know you have arrived. :)

ladylurk444

09-28-2006, 10:17 AM

I'm glad I finally found some Brain Talk members. I have missed you. I don't post much but read faithfully.

I found you the same way as Pattie Lee. Let's hope others also find their way here.

SallyC

09-28-2006, 04:17 PM

Welcome Home Chris, Ladylurk, and PattiLee.:) Nice to see you again.

Hey, if anyone has e-maIl addys for people missing, give them a shout and the URL to BT2. I miss Catdancer, Grassman, Jeanie Zies, Paj, Peg and so many others, I can't remember, with the holes in my head.:rolleyes:

doydie

09-29-2006, 01:47 AM

I know Tammy reads but hasn't psoted anything yet

SallyC

09-29-2006, 02:14 AM

I know Tammy reads but hasn't psoted anything yet

Come on Tinker Belle, forgiveness is devine.:)

conundrum

09-29-2006, 03:08 AM

I am here too FINALLY. :)

keltie4

09-29-2006, 10:53 AM

I also just found this site -- wahoo!!

Hello everyone -- great to see so many familuar faces......

barbaraB

09-29-2006, 02:58 PM

hi gang!

I gave up on my computer for almost a year......actually got some other things done! Since BT1 crashed I've been visiting a few other forums: the MSF forum and MS sucks.

I have been doing ok---other than crashing to my knees on the hardwood floor last week. Ouch! Guess I took too much Zanaflex?

Just brought my >100 hoyas indoors for the winter, and spent an entire day setting up all the lights on timers again. I'm never disassembling THAT contraption again! I only smashed two fluorescent bulbs in the process, but since they are daylight bulbs, that's $10 down the tubes.

Other than that, I'm just starting spring cleaning.....a 6 month delay doesn't count, right?

Glad to be "back"!

barbara

pals1107

09-29-2006, 08:10 PM

Hi all, I saw Cherie's post (lady express) Yep she came to Michigan, and we got a chance to meet, that was GREAT! There were about 6 people who got together.
Now to meet more!
Pat

lady_express_44

09-30-2006, 03:38 AM

Hi Lady. I didnt know you were not American!

From Vancouver, Canada . . . "Grassman" country. Speaking of which, has anyone heard from Mike since BT has been down?

Cherie

reenee

09-30-2006, 04:55 AM

Cherie et al- hello, hello!
I found this board only a few days ago.
What a weird freakin summer it was.
Got the new power assist chair 2 weeks ago. Just back from San Francisco. Wow. It even smells different. Eucalyptus, fir, oak and cactus.
West coast panhandlers are a lot more polite then what i'm used too.

The big dig crashed and so did braintalk MGH. OH well.

We are going to have to find that Grassman.
I wanted my travel companion to pull over in front of a haight ashbury pot club so baaaaad to salute the Gman.
Settled for gelato and cappucino. Everyday. VACATION FOOD.

Anybody else ready to retire?
I've had a near epiphany. Life is so short. I should be working on a masters one course at a time (completed before I was 60:>) or working on a low key cottage industry.
Dam money.

Hope you have all had some good experiences over the last ~2 months.
Be good, be bad but most importantly BE....
-rwoman

endure

09-30-2006, 12:28 PM

Glad to be here, doesn't look like Braintalk 1? is coming back but this place looks like a better replacement!:cool: Not a frequent poster or lurker but always check in and love the familiar friendly faces :D Just another susan

Nancy T

09-30-2006, 12:54 PM

Hi renee and Cherie and conundrum and Pat and everyone else! Glad to see all the troops arriving.

renee, sounds like you had a way cool summer; congrats on the new chair. Sounds like you enjoyed your vacation. Try to take a little one every day. :)

Nancy T. on the West Coast, where I agree, the panhandlers are polite, but still tricky.