Hello There! This is about Walt.

Vhat do vee haf here?

I suppose it had to happen sooner or later and today is as good a day as any.  I'm going to admit in public, to the entire world, that over the past two years I've become a HUGE fan of Walt Disney. Please note that I didn't say the Walt Disney Corporation, or Disneyland, even Walt Disney Imagineering, although I do admire each of them for particular reasons.  I mean Walter Elias Disney the man. 

Of course, there is a story behind this, which I hope at least some of you will find enlightening and entertaining.  I'm going to try and tell it in as rational a way as I can, but I have to warn you in advance that this admiration did not come easily or lightly. It's the sort of appreciation you normally reserve for your family and pets.  The "don't mess with my dog or my kids unless you've got a darn good reason and have done your homework" kind of admiration that comes after a lot of refection and study.

So, welcome! Please remember to keep your arms, hands and legs inside the vehicle at all times, remain seated and don't un-fasten your safety harness.  As much as possible, I'm going to stick to using images that are in the public domain, my own work or property, beginning with Ludwig, of course, who I love because, as well all know, he knows everything about everything! The image is derived from a 1960's vintage animation cell, numbered 29 of 221. I haven't been able to figure out which episode it's from yet, but it is an original, hand painted, xerographic outline cell. I've added the image of Walt on the slide from a Walt Disney Productions specimen stock certificate, series ZQ, dated 1967.

O.K., let's get started...