While talking about a banner to represent us we decided that from the world of fantasy we would be the unicorns.  I had just finished reading a book about unicorns and the male unicorn was named Thistledown.  Quickly she said that was a good name .  When talking I started to call her Rosepetal and that seemed to fit exceptionally well for her too.  So we became companions in the Castle as the Unicorns, Thistledown and Rosepetal.

I am also known as Sir Valiant in the Little Dragon Castle site competition in my function as Competition Guardian. So how did I get that on-screen name? My regular home page uses a background called Lancelot. That name was already taken in Little Dragon Castle, so I had to pick another nickname. I recalled a comic strip from years ago in the Sunday newspaper that had a knight of the round table named Prince Valiant. That name popped in my head. Ask no more, that is where it came from. I could have picked Ally Opp or Dagwood, LOL.

There is a lot of information about me on my home page but I won't bore you with that here. Let's just say that I went to a Catholic school in Joliet, Illinois through my elementary school days. There was no such thing then called Intermediate School. The nuns were very strict and you had to learn. There were no excuses. We had a Christmas Show each year and Sister Edwards taught a group of us to tap dance. That was my first exposure to music. It stayed with me all these years.

High school was a snap for me. I transferred to a public school In Gary, Indiana, because my dad was transferred to Gary with the railroad he worked for. Because of the advanced classes I had in Catholic school the courses in public school were more or less only a review of what I had already studied. To fill my time I joined the band and played trombone. That was my continued experience with music. Eventually I ended up with a union card and played in a number of professional places. The best experience I had was with the Chicago Civic Symphony.

My father had worked hard all his life and there was no way I was going to stay home and have him support me after I graduated from high school. I did earn a music scholarship to Ball State Teachers College but the expenses were just to great so I went into the military service instead. One thing I realized really quickly is that high school sure doesn't prepare you to earn a living to support yourself.

The last thing my Dad told me as I was leaving home was to make something of myself and to retire as soon as I could. Heck, he was telling me to stay for 20 years or more. I didn't realize it at the time but that was great advise. I did stay for 20 years and retire. Then I went to work in the civilian nuclear power industry. Construction was my first ten years and I retired from that Company as soon as I was vested in the retirement plan. Next, I moved over to a nuclear power plant in operations. Again, I stayed long enough to be vested in the retirement plan and I retired again. Lastly, as soon as I was eligible for social security I applied for it. Now I draw four checks a month and am quite comfortable not working.

When I went to work in nuclear plant operations the Company I worked for furnished a computer and I had to learn to use it in my job. It wasn't long and I had one at home and started to learn there was a whole other world, with lots of very nice friends to find. There were also a lot of places to avoid. But like most people I visited my share of XXX rated sites. It was not long and I found it was not the place for me. I am a quick study. Oh don't get me wrong, I love a shapely turn of ankle and an ample shape, but there are limits and pornography is one of mine. To many naked bodies and they all start to look and sound the same. There sure is no beauty in that.

When I was asked to join the Little Dragon Castle I was a bit cautious to start. Then Jodiann and I began to work together with Barb and Peggy. The pages started to take shape and the stories came easily. Once I got into the children's section it was a home for me on the computer. I agree with the overall goal of making the site a safe haven for children and adults while spending their on line time. I have seen the darker side of the Web and it has no place in the Little Dragon Castle at all, even by reference or hidden link.

I see the Little Dragon Castle as a place for all the children to gather and learn computer and academic skills. On top of that, they would also be able to learn lifetime skills of how to get along with others, right from wrong, morale values and respect for their parents and others. And how do they learn all these things? By the adults participating and setting the example as their teachers and mentors.

The Little Dragon Castle will be a benchmark for many sites to emulate.

When you can stop by and visit my home page.
Just click on the graphic button below.