Ah, Peter ... you're RIGHT; some of us CAN be "closet *hoarders" and, even though I'm said to look more like my mum (aside from my bald pate and whiskers, of course! ) I must take after my dad in *that respect. Away back in 1977 when he was sixty-five - younger than I am now - he suffered a massive heart attack ... which he survived, but was hospitalised for 3 weeks ... and someone at my work kindly gave me a collection of the 'Scots Magazine' for him to read during his recuperation. Oh ... how he enjoyed reading this publication, since it provided an otherwise extremely active man with "something to occupy his mind" at least, and helped ease his frustration at having to give up work (despite having already surpassed the normal retiral age).

Anyway ... from that time onwards, an order was placed with the local Post Office to ensure he regulary received his monthly copy - a trend that continued up until his death in January 1989.

Then ... when my mum died at the end of the year 2000, my dad's prized collection - by this point numbering more than 100 copies of the treasured magazine - came into MY possession, was promptly stored in another large carton and, for the ensuing 12 and a bit years, lay LARGELY forgotten. Until yesterday ... when ... by an odd quirk of fate - caused by a moment of carelessness on my part - I came across them again while searching for my old computer keyboard ... !

Ironic, eh?