Nice metaphor, and it's given me some ideas of how to approach some characters I was beginning to fear were orphanned for good. Thanks.

And hello—surfed here from scribbling damselfly (http://www.deborahmcdonnell.com/damselfly/)added you to my reading list. My own policy (http://caligineux.livejournal.com/25110.html) towards the friends list is similar to yours; don't feel pressured to reciprocate or respond.