They say that Internet communication is impersonal, that dispatching rapid-fire messages on a computer lacks the intimacy and contemplation of, say, writing a letter. The smallmouth bass anglers had come to know Walters through his friendly, helpful, direct and humorous posts. Walters was infamous for his poor spelling and aversion to periods and capitalization. When things got heated, River Rat tried to make peace, sometimes posting under a different name in an attempt to be a mediator. By the end of the day we were talking about things that two men do not speak of unless they are longtime and trusted friends.
Grandchildren are special.
I do not know what it is. When a board member suffered the less of a young loved one to cancer, Walters was quick to assure him he was not hurting alone as he had watched two relatives die slowly and painfully. Another time, when someone wrote of catching and throwing bass on the bank to control a perceived overpopulation problem, River Rat bristled with as much displeasure as he ever showed. I have taken one bass home to eat because it died. I cannot write what I think of someone who kills any animal and does not eat it.