The intro letter to this list suggested I introduce myself and tell of my
interest in shelling.
 
I was raised on a cattle ranch in the west and didn't know a cowrie from a
cone until we moved to Saipan, Mariana Is. in 1970.  I collected shells there
for 5 years and have a rather nice collection which I have never fully
unpacked in the last 20 years.
 
My main interest in joining this group, truthfully, was to find out if the
Strombus taurus is still considered rare.
 
But already I am reviving my interest in shells, by just reading your posts.
Hope to stay a while.