6/28 - 7/4

JMW starts the week with a lesson on how brad can make a real 'Burke' of himself. Sai elaborates on Indian address titles. Akio further pursues an understanding of the US legal system. Bayla points out that the Japanese is to the American system as 'hammering nails' is to 'squeaky wheels'. Bill leads the discussion on free trade.

Words-L does its bit for the prosperity of the postal services as postcards and packages are exchanged feely during the week. The extent of Natalie's knowledge of Thai is revealed. Charles Cochran returns, revealing his aspirations. The correct answers to Torkel's quiz on quotes are finally posted.

The bombing of Baghdad takes second place to discussions of the Salmonbake. Mka is mortified at missing a gleaning and loses his K. Neal visits K & K and meets Emily in L.A. Abh gets tutored and Fluffy Sam forgets he's been neutered. Adam, Don and Chris surprise us by posting more than once during the week. Brad leads us on a mystery tour. Judith reveals the origin of Academia nuts. Dan posts from New Orleans. Elwood provides a trackside ice-cream delivery service to itinerant wordslers. Torkel laments the American Education system. Carol C. creates chaos when she reveals no computer access for visiting wordslers.

Giggles surprises Natalie in the shower and leaves with fond memories of Bernard among other things, but misses a FTF with a hungry Gerald. Tony meets Emily. Natalie is disappointed by Dr. Scholls. Brad develops pre-flight nerves.

The thought of compiling this digest pushes me to the edge of lunacy and I drag Richh and Phyllis along with me. Dario enlightens us of the correct way to address Italian women and gives lessons to Graham on Italian expletives. Ken bids us au revoir. JAG celebrates being cancer-free.

Emily, Tony and JMW travel by rail to Portland together, stopping in Santa Barbara just long enough to meet the ice-cream man. EPD and wife; Karen and Karsten; and Dan and Gail, who returned home just long enough to collect their snail mail, all set off for Portland by road. Steph's posts take on an international flavour. Graham acts dumb.

Brad is the first out-of-towner to post from Portland, while Natalie still enroute takes a rest stop in Alabama to check up on us. Doris celebrates a quiet birthday. JMW checks in from Portland. Abh admits to being fingered and Frank, unable to attend the Salmonbake, consoles himself with Vegemite. Natalie checks in from Portland; falls in love with a Crunch and discovers that Carol C. pulls legs. A.J. returns from nomail land. JMW sees the sites and discovers Vegemite.

While awaiting news of the Salmonbake, list talk turns to Eskimo pies and chocolate chip cookie dough. Emily introduces her friend, Robin. Always the considerate list-owner, Natalie leaves the party before the fireworks begin to report on the success of the bake to finish off the week.

New Posters this week: D. Anton Sherwood; Patrick Chou; Validimir C. and Andrew B. McTeen (Chile); Caterina Ciscato (Italy).

Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn