One very special part of having stood at the corner of Hawthorne and Derby for many years, was the number of good friends who came to see us on a regular basis.  Michelle left carrots, Phil did his share of brushing.  No one adopted me and my horses with quite the tenacity of Joyce.  She is my biggest booster.  It is wonderful to know that what helps me so much also gives her life a lift and a purpose.  Joyce lives alone, and having someone who needed her made her shine.  If we needed more water, she would fetch it.  If I wanted to run to the bathroom, she was there.  She answered questions for visitors and even took reservations for me in the busiest days of the Halloween season.  My not keeping regular hours near the big brick church leaves a blank for both Joyce and me.  She hopes, as I do, that we will have many special reservations in Salem this summer, so I can afford to spend time before and after the reservation just standing around and visiting with our friends.