Well, folks, I'm off from tomorrow until October 26th, gone to Montana to hunt on ranch up near the Alberta border just into the Great Plains from the Rocky Mountain Front, in the Sweetgrass Hills (don't you love that name?) country. No, it's not a Ted Turner set-up; my friends are of Norwegian stock, who settled this piece of land, which is half the size of Rhode Island, many generations ago.
Steggy, our Hillbilly Princess, is going to keep TennisWorld up and running in my absence, and she's planned a few surprise that i know you'll appreciate. Beyond that, though, the Tribe is such a dedicated and passionate bunch that I just know you'll have a great time without me. It's funny, I won't miss the daily blogging (it's been a long stretch from the French Open until now) for a bit, but I'll miss you all the minute I post this item and close up shop.
I especially want to thank all of our lady posters, who demonstrate on a daily basis how astute, witty and insightful women sports fans can be (I'm tempted to use other adjectives, but I'll leave that to our resident, debonair ladies' man, Ray Stonada). Also, I don't want to start naming names because I would invariably leave someone out (the list would be too long anyway, even with omissions!), so I'll just leave you with the words to one of my favorite old cowboy songs:
My foot's in the stirrup,
The reins in my hand
Good morning, young ladies,
My pony won't stand.
Good-bye Old Paint, I'm leaving Cheyenne
Good-bye Old Paint, I'm leaving Cheyenne. . .
And Steggy - I don't know what I'd do without you, girl!