Mark Twain's death has been greatly exaggerated. He is definitely more alive & well than most other authors of any age. Yes, this day should be a national holiday! Eventually time will help bring this to fruition. Perhaps all you Twain enthusiasts at colleges & universities can get this particular snowball rolling? Perhaps even all the anti-Bush energy can be directed towards a more positive endeavor? Perhaps all the desire to do something right within one's self without having to spend a penny can be dedicated towards this same endeavor? Let us all raise a toast to this great genuis! Kathy, I read your column, & enjoyed it. But I didn't find any reference to making his birthday a national celebration. We would all benefit from such a movement as you state in your Forum posting. If your true thoughts & feelings actually want to instigate a Mark Twain day of recognition/holiday then please let's get our act together!! I'll help you if this is a true cause. Everyone on this Forum should help you if it is/(were ever) a true cause. Can we get started now? Can we work on making this one of the major functions of the future 2005 Elmira Conference? "Can we all get along?" Swimmin in Mississippi Mud (pie, that is, Mississippi Gold Mark Twain birthday pie, to be exact), 11/30pm on 11/30/2004. Twainiac Bob