March 3, 2007
Thankyou to all of you who sent condolence emails to me. it was actually overwhelming. I had no idea that many people were reading these self-indulgent ramblings. I have forwarded all of them to our family and it really means a lot to all of us. Here are just a couple of the responses that especially touched me:

"Your tribute to your mother was beautiful and touching. She must have been quite a lady. Like her, my mother went off into Tzheimer-land some years before the end, so I shared your feelings and sympathize with your loss. Just keep her in mind; as long as you are around, she will be. Love to Kathy."
—Fred Nolan

“Ann and I extend our sympathy. Your Mom played a big part in my early life. Time is marching on for all of us, on the sad funny side of life, I miss those inappropriately timed, half annoying calls from my mother. I am sure you will also. Our Love to her and you.”
—Mike Richards, (my cousin on my father’s side)

“Your tribute to your Mom had the tear-ducts working overtime. Really sweet.”
—Paul Hutton, The Top Secret Writer

“What a great tribute to your mom. It was just right.”
—Kevin Mulkins

“Sorry to read your blog and find out about your Mom. I'm glad that she, like my Mom, passed away peacefully. That's all we can ask for.

“And of course, now you get the ranch. (sorry, humor always gets the best of me)

“She was a wonderful person who treated me great and was always ready with a smile and I will always remember her that way. My best to you.”
—Dan Harshberger

Jackie O Corrections From Larry Gonick
“A few bloggish inaccuracies in the Jackie stuff, but that's why we're cartoonists and not reporters. She wasn't my agent, she was my editor, and she was at Doubleday, not Harper. Ann Landers never printed the corrections, and the insane sales spike more or less stopped after the Christmas season.

“The final correction is that Marisa sure seemed impressed with your stuff to me.

“I wasn't entirely kidding about 14 point type, either. The, er, point is that it imposes a certain narrative economy on the writer, who would otherwise run on until the dogies wander back to the corral. Thanks for getting a happy face in the photo!”
—Larry Gonick

Buntline Special At Your Service!
Within 12 hours, I got these two responses to Frank in Oklahoma who couldn’t find a toy Buntline anywhere:

“I emailed this link on Ebay to Frank from Oklahoma. There are 2 of the Wyatt Earp Buntlines for sale. Thought you'd like to see them."

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-TOY-COWBOY-Wyatt-Earp-BUNTLINE-SPECIAL-Colts-Cap-Guns_W0QQitemZ110097488951QQihZ001QQcategoryZ720QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

—Lauren, Maniac #19

“Sorry about your mother. i’m glad you got to visit her recently. I know this may not be on your mind right now, but there were several Wyatt Earp cap guns produced by toy makers Actoy, G. Schmidt. B.C.M. of England, Crescent Toys, also England and Esquire Novelty. they were all metal guns. the Young Premium Co. of Calif made a plastic Buntline model with a plastic and metal clicker. it was not a capgun and was offered as a toothpaste promotional premium. the Louis Marx also made one with black plastic barrel and frame and orange grips. the Haig Manufacturing Co. in Calif. also made a plastic Buntline called, “The New Western Haig Pistol.” 13 inches long, it came with a target and lead pellets and gun safety instructions. hope some of this helps.?
—Gus Walker, The Mapinator

Onion Headline de Jour
Search For Self Called Off After 38 Years

”I would not attack the faith of a heathen without being sure I had a better one to put in its place.”
—Harriet Beecher Stowe