Dear Mike, A bit of an introduction; my name is Tim Tarbutton and I am a retired welding-machine shop teacher. 51 years young and a couple years back I was told that I have leukemia and that I had to retire from teaching to do the treatment. Long story short in 06 my heart sort of ruptured and now I have a mechanical device that pumps things in the right direction. In September I finished with 7 months of chemo therapy and now all things are looking much better. The last couple years I have been picking a goal to achieve; with this cancer we are buying one year at a time so we try to make some dream come true, a goal. This year I said that I have always wanted to know how to play the guitar; not 'just' play it, but play it with what's left of my heart. I live in a very isolated area of the Upper Peninusula of Michigan on a small hobby farm. Lots of snow and lots of winter days so I have all kinds of time to practice. The point of this letter is to thank you very much for getting me started out. I truly enjoy the lessons and you seem to be a very 'real' sort. I am very much looking forward to the blog and the learning. And yes my fingers are sore. By the way my ring finger on my left hand isn't there so it makes some things a bit tricking; just been using my little finger in it's place, it seems to be ok. Once again thank you and take care.