Right on Jude! Thank goodness I never got hooked on canned chili! Being a Texan, I've learned to make an honest bowl of red from scratch -- and I know EXACTLY what's in it. Never been one to add Staphylococcus, Salmonella or even Vibrio parahaemolyticus into my recipes. I don't have room in the spice cabinet for 'em.

Now, about that thumb thing... You know, a lot of people just need to workout their thumbs to get 'em buffed-up and ripped. Thumb wrassling with a gorilla is a good place to start. If no primate is available, get an Arriette (so I've been told).

I know... silly stuff. Geez it's Friday... and it's 5 O'Clock somewhere... and it's already 2 hours past Beer30. I'm ready for the whistle to blow...

R!CK

As a PA player I find this fixed leather a real pain. Being hard to satisfy I am always fooling around with the straps. A good source of leather is the Salvation Army leather glove department. Leather is funny and has a grain which I can't see. I'll cut patches out of the gloves and if you pull it you can feel which way it gives more. I'll cut thumb straps and orient the leather the way it seems to be less elastic. Try to find men's gloves they are a little thicker. Deer skin is the best. It stretches, you can see it , and within reason and seems to have a good elasticity. I have had one of those on for quite a while. I will search out some more and cut them out and pass them out. Don't let me forget. Best to all, Jerry

I use Kangaroo tail leather on my cheap box. Just another oddity of mine that made some use.

www.1accordion.net/thmbstrap.htm