Finally: It's been about six years since the onset of my rheumatoid arthritis. The first three to four years was all down hill: I suffered a great deal of joint damage: shoulders, hands, feet and fingers mostly. For the last two years, I was having alot of trouble with my right hand; I could flat pick pretty well, but forget about finger picking.
 I finally got on Enbrel ( an immunosuppresant ) and it's done wonders. I've been shedding on my Emmons S-10 and getting my chops back. In the next couple of months, I'll be playing the steel again and using it on gigs.
 I just wanted to post this for those who have been asking me when I'd be steelin' again: Soon, real soon. I also wanted to let anyone who's having similar problems with arthritis that they can fell free to contact me. I have a number of resources to help pay for medication: My shots cost $2000.00 every month. This disease can get really expensive and the Doctors don't always know what is available in the way of help for those who aren't as rich as my ex-wives have become!
 I'll post some tunes on my websites as soon as I feel they're ready.
                                                                                             Thanks:
                                                                                           Guitar Dan