madgardener wrote:

(snip)

I'm very hard on myself, but over the years, after being sizzled by
internet strangers, I still feel the sting of criticisms. I just don't let
them sting me as badly, is all.

The story of many on usenet I think. Rhino skin I call it ;o) And if
you don't mind, I took you to lunch today, in a steamed up tiny curry
cafe in central Manchester, and your text ended up with a bit of my
parsee dish and some drops from the sag prawn juice on it. Tonight,
you're being shared with Kath, my horticulture teacher. She's from
Buffalo Minesota, left home for England around 30 years ago and like
you she says dawgs, and I just love it when she says bugs. I think
she'll appreaciate a bit of compatriot's warmth.