At 09:00 AM 2003-05-15 -0500, Diane wrote {at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LessIsMore/message/9429 after signing-in} :-
> -----Original Message-----
> From: David MacClement
> Sent: 03:39 PM 2003-05-15 +1200 (Weds, May 14, 2003 9:39 PM -0600)
> Subject: Re: [LessIsMore] Early Retirement
> 
> * Ann, "there is just so much to do and see that costs nothing" is so true; but you don't mention visits with friends. I now believe it's a mistake to not keep up (and make new) friends.
> 

And, despite its bad press, the Internet is a good way to make friends, even if it's only penpal-type friends such as on LIM.

I have talked with David and Jill for more than four years, and Sharon F. and Molly for almost as long.  The nature of my life has me stuck at a computer all day in an office where I am alone.  Being able to drop in and out of conversation with them has been enjoyable but also enlightening.

Of course, we probably can never really know one another through only e-mail.  I'm not sure if I would be thrilled or scared to meet them in person.  

But I do feel I have built a relationship with them.  So, when David talks about the last decade or so of his life, I can add that I have seen him evolve through the years -- and I can assume he can say something of the same about me, or at least my political beliefs.

And during the last couple of years I have enjoyed talking with Gary, as well, whose gentle conversational style has really provoked me to understand and (I believe) embrace pacifism.

There are many other examples of this, where we have cut through the conversational niceties to talk about really important topics (as well as get good information about things as mundane as homemade cleaners).  These interactions have helped me in a special way that my real community could not.

Diane Fitzsimmons
Norman, Okla.
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At 07:48 AM 2003-05-15 -0500, Jill wrote {at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LessIsMore/message/9425 } :-
David,
    I was skimming through the mail this morning, and noted the below that you wrote to Ann:

> · Ann, "there is just so much to do and see that costs nothing" is so
true; but you don't mention visits with friends. I now believe it's a mistake to not keep up (and make new) friends. Will you?
>

This seems an interesting statement from you.  I have noticed that you have become very good at keeping up with PF and LIM folks who go away for a while.

What do you think led you to think that it is important to keep up with (and make new) friends?

One thing I enjoy deeply about my relationship with all of you is that it inspires me to growth (I hope), and it is a joy to watch others have revelations, and to try to benfit vicariously from the wisdom that they gain.

                                        Jill