I know that’s not the classic definition of a “Renaissance Man,” because that’s way over my pedigree.  (Besides, my wife made the sourdough starter and the sponge so I’m doing the easy part… but in my head “I’m baking!”) But what am I? Let’s see.  Football, writing and baking.  Hmm, “Post Modern Man?”  No, not that.  “Cultured Dude?”  Too vague.  Ummm...OH!  I got it!  “Renaissance Dork.” That’s me.  So listen, I got a ton of e-mails from that last journal entry.  Some came from dear friends… some from total strangers.  It seems there are an awful lot of people out there who are hiking through the same sort of life experiences I am.  Some are ahead of me on the trail and some behind.  But it’s interesting how similar the trail is for so many. I’m not going to post any of those e-mails today because it’s ridiculous to even try and figure out which ones to publish and which ones to leave out.  But you folks are way too kind.  And I’m grateful for your thoughtful words. I plan on responding to each of you personally. For today, here are a few e-mails from the everyday good people all around us who took the time to say hi… and as usual, my imagined responses:

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Mike, You probably have heard this a million times... but I just want to tell you how much my family enjoys your show!  It is a breath of fresh air among the other "stuff”' that fills the airwaves! God bless you young man! Troy C. Albemarle, NC   Troy, I’m 45 bears old!  46 in a couple weeks.  What, are you 90?  Sheesh!  What’s a guy got to do? Wait.  I’m overreacting again.  See, I’m the youngest of 8 kids and being the baby gets old.  It was old when I was 10.  I mean being young is great and all but being old is better.  Old people have earned the right to be themselves and tell Madison Avenue or the latest Harris Poll findings to go stick it.  Old people know what they want and how they want it and the latest MTV fad enslaving the youth of today looks like a dried up booger to us.  Comrades in Curmudgery, UNITE!  Or Curmudgeons in Arms!  Something like that. Anywho, Troy, you old dog, thanks for the kind words about the show, Mike  

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HI MIKE, JUST WANTED TO SAY HOW MUCH I ENJOY WATCHING YOUR TRAVELS AND THE INTERESTING PEOPLE YOU MEET.  IT IS SO REFRESHING TO WATCH THIS TYPE OF NEWS, RATHER THAN ALL THE CRIME AND CAR ACCIDENTS EVERYDAY.  I HAVE NOT BEEN IN THE CAROLINAS VERY LONG, BUT THE AMOUNT OF CRIME THAT IS REPORTED ON THE NEWS WOULD KEEP ME FROM MOVING TO CHARLOTTE.  IT IS ALWAYS SO NICE TO SEE THE POSITIVE PEOPLE IN THE AREA.  HAVE YOU WRITTEN A BOOK ABOUT YOUR TRAVELS?   IT WOULD BE A GREAT WAY TO SEE THE AREA AND ALL THE GOOD PEOPLE AND PLACES NEARBY.  THANK YOU AGAIN, ALICE   Alice, Did you scream that whole e-mail?  Or did you just not realize your “all caps” key was triggered?  Or… maybe you’re hard of hearing.  HEY, ALICE!  THANK YOU FOR WRITING!  I AM CONSIDERING WRITING A BOOK ABOUT MY TRAVELS. MAYBE RIGHT AFTER WCNC FIRES ME.  I’LL HAVE MORE TIME AND I’LL NEED THE INCOME. YOU’LL GET AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY! BE WELL, WHAT’S THAT? OH. I SAID BEEEEEEE WELLLLLLLLLLLLLL, MIKE

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Dear Mike,  My son called and asked me to try to find "Carolina Traveler" on the internet.  He said about 6 months ago you had a show on "cocoa bean trees" grown somewhere in North Carolina.  He said the roots were shallow and the beans were on the roots.  If this sounds like a show you did, would you please direct me to where I might go to find the information.  Thank you! Jan K Boone, NC   JAN, YOU GOT ME ON THAT ONE.  WAIT!  I’M STILL SCREAMING.  Jan, we haven’t done that story.  That’s better.  Um, I have no idea where these bean trees are… and have never even heard of them.  So if you find info on them, let me know. Happy hunting, Mike

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Okay, I’ve got to get back to writing a new Carolina Traveler story about a man who builds caskets for pets.   Don’t forget to read Andy’s “Man Behind the Camera” journal on Friday and watch our show every Saturday night at 7:30 PM.  (We’re trying to develop a cult-like following so it would be great if you just do everything I say.)   Have a sane day,

Mike Redding