~ IN THE BEGINNING ~ On the first day in Paradise, he opened his eyes upon the Lord and said: "Lord, am I the first? Am I MAN?" The Lord then said unto him. "YEA! THOU ART THE FIRST BUT NOT MAN. THOU SHALL BE CALLED OTTER." The Lord was pleased and all was good. I am an Otter through and through and to know me is to understand from whence I came. Listed here are some notable moments in history of some of my fur, er, forebearers. Cousins all. EDITORS NOTE: Teachers, Professors and home schooling Mom's will want to pay close attention to this marvelous history lesson. Later in the time of the world, "Groink" Otter crossed over the newly formed land bridge in the North to enter the new lands to form the "Otterman Empire". A chain of hassock shops across the entire continent of Pangia. 1883 Georgia "The Greek" Otter was the first to scamper across the newly opened Brooklyn Bridge. 1905 "Honus" Otter batted '0' for 6 consecutive seasons for the Dodgers. Peddling popcorn in between times at bat. 1909 Eliza Otter invented the "Tuna Dog" at the World's Fair. 1925 Derrick "Dodge" Otter opened an Ottermobile dealership in Detroit specializing in Ottos with Ottermatic transmissions for lady Otters so they could finally get away from the farm. 1927 A natural Flapper, "Honey" Otter was a ten cents a dance Otter at the Atlantic Ballroom in New York City. 1932 Benny "Licorice Stick" Otter bent Dizzy Gelispie's horn in a tragic happenstance at a nightclub in East Hackensack. 1975 Andrea Otter invented the annoying catch phrase "Have a nice day!" and was later confined to the State Mental Hospital for her own safety. 1998 Fred "Fuzzy" Otter is blind but still a successful wardrobe consultant for Cher tours. ~ PROLOG ~ 2002 I left the big woods in Wisconsin with my paw, er, Pa Ingalls Otter in a covered [station] wagon. We settled in the Red River Valley of the North in a small log cabin near the town of Almond Grove. There, I began my life as a writer and scamp. I attended Loyola College on a Javelin scholarship graduating in one year. I then moved to a small town "Near Fargo" and moved in with my friend Bruce who I had met at a lefsa throwing contest the Summer before. I took on a paper route, 32 days plus Sundays to pay my own way in life. I also hold a Staff position in HPO where I have made many friends and by working hard have received many of it's awards and accolades. Nice, but not as good as the friendships I've made. ~ INSIDEALOG ~ In closing, the story going around about me and that Racoon is just a rumor I swear. Thank you all for being my friends and making me one happy and grateful Otter. Won't you all join me at the punch bowl???? Sincerely....... Norman.