Welcome to Medium! I am so happy you found me, too. I think since you are the second person I have welcomed that must make me an old hat around here. [smile] I actually am just here since last September. I know I was nervous when I posted my first essay. A combination of excitement at having used that temptingly simple white screen to write, and concern that no one would like it or read it. If you’ve got the hang of italicizing, you’re a pro now. That edit bar has it all. I didn’t get all the symbols at first. There’s the ones that changes the text to headings, of course, but there’s one that makes the first letter of your paragraph larger and bold. I didn’t get that one at first.

Thank you for the encouragement to write! Some people must be bold, self-assured writers, but not me. I’m that timid, unworthy type. It helps a lot to hear people say, “Hey, I read your stuff and I like it.” What kinds of music do you like?