mark wrote:
>
> I too am wrong then , But to be a beginner is to have wide eyed views,
> optimism and open to new ideas. I never want to lose the zeal and plan to
> stay open to opinion even how unorthodox. I was wrong about experts too, Dr.
> Harry Lee , R. Tucker Abbott and several others are definite experts and
> many others are great sources of information. It was Tuckers books that
> brought me to shelling and i wish i would have had the opportunity to meet
> him. As for common names, i remember that he used them when conducting
> interviews as i read many .
> Bobby, as for remembering  shells and where you found them i believe that
> these small packages of beauty we find imprint upon us the place , time ,
> weather, smells in the air and other sensory data at the time of discovery
> as i can still pick up many in my collection and by just holding them i can
> take myself back to that place where they were found. mark
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bobbi Cordy <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Wednesday, April 29, 1998 9:56 PM
> Subject: Re: Aren't we all beginners?
>
> >mark wrote:
> >>
> >> Bobby you wrote:
> >> "Common names are fine for children and beginners..."
> >>  I must reply that we are all beginners, who amongst us can consider
> >> themselves an expert. I do know many who claim this but it's a fool who
> >> would boast "I know it all"...
> >> The wisest man once replied "I don't know, teach me "
> >> Please don't take this as an insult , I 'm just stating that we all have
> >> much to learn and if using common names along with Latin names helps when
> >> communicating with others then this is beneficial to all concerned.My
> wife
> >> says that she considers herself a beginner as she learns something new
> >> everyday. mark
> >
> >
> >I am saying after several years of collecting (over 30) we do not
> >consider ourselves beginners...we are at least advanced collectors.  I
> >do realize we will never know it all...and neither will anyone else.
> >But our goal in our club and as mentors to many beginning collectors is
> >to teach them.
> >
> >I have to admit my husand is a wiz.  In our collection of over 7,000
> >species he can not only call them all by their latin names...but can
> >usually tell them where they came from and the author and date...we
> >could never have done that 25 years ago!
> >
> >No...sorry I don't think we are ALL beginners.   A beginner is just
> >starting to learn...like a beginner swimmer.  After a certain amount of
> >time he becomes an intermediate and then advanced. We consider ourselves
> >advanced...but again that doesn't mean we are not STILL learning because
> >that is something we expect all our lives is to continue to learn...or
> >become stagnant.
> >--
> >Jim & Bobbi Cordy
> >Specializing in Self-Collected
> >Caribbean & Florida Shells
> >
Nice reply Mark, I asked about possibly using common names on conch-l
with latin references, a few months ago and was lambasted!  I too
remember and cherish that great feeling of finding and observing a
beautiful shell.  I recall the wonderful feeling of trudging through mud
near St. Petersburg with my wife and dear friends, finding shells,
learning, and freezing my *##* off, but having the time of my life. At
Peanut Island recently I saw many beautiful baby Queen and Hawkwing
Conchs (I did not keep them!) while the wind was cool and sun was warm.
I remember the thrill of finding shells on a little island of coral and
rock surrounded by bluegreen water in what seemed like and was the
middle of nowhere, on a cool December morning while the sun was rising
in the most beautiful way.  This makes it all worthwhile and keeps me
and my wife young!  So go with the common names and the Latin references
and let's make sure all those interested in conchology feel welcome!  On
a final note, those who use the latin references in the company of
neophytes, without trying to help the newbie understand, come off as
pompus bores and do intimidate people. I'll get off my soap box and go
to bed. A big thanks to those with the scientific knowledge who
understand and help the newcomer learn to appreciate and enjoy the
shelling experience.  Ciao..Michael Huggins