I'm so glad to hear that you're well, peterm. I too miss Joint Effort!
Thanks to all of you for your very kind words, and to Ms. Jazz for the moving rendition of "My Parakeet's Pa". I did try to log on a couple of times after I posted this thread, but had the same problem. In response to a personal email from one of you I'm trying again. I truly would miss this forum- such a collection of bright and funny and lovely people. I've even gotten to meet the celestial syzygy so I feel quite certain that the rest of you are real. :) I see that Norah has posted and will add comments on her thread.