I wish I knew, I have been wondering the same. I do hope he returns.

Well, darn, I was really hoping that someone knew! I hope that he's ok!

It is a shame he is not set up to receive a message. I am sure we are not the only ones concerned.

He's well and doing what he loves to do. If he wanted us to know, he would have told us.

Jay, thanks for letting us know he's ok. But it was really unnecessary to make the snide comment. Those posts above were not being nosy or intrusive, merely voicing concern and care, which the world could use a lot more of.

I just told the truth. No snideness intended. No need for you to make that comment either fig. A lot of people leave here because the people aren't friendly. There was a new guy Jude, and someone here harshly criticized his photo he used to get an ID. He's now my friend at facebook along with quite a few other ex gardenweb people. All of them are much happier now. People leave and usually noone even mentions them, like embo. I'm done here too.

Annnnnd I see that someone totally missed the "concern and care" part of my post. So be it. Those of us still here just need to spread a little more of it, along with the invaluable expertise. It doesn't hurt me one whit that just about all of you are more knowledgeable than I. That's why I'm here!

John

Embothrium is still very much a participant here, although not posting as frequently as in the past.

And there are all kinds of reasons why longtime posters may disappear from the forums that have nothing at all to do with how "friendly" or not the forums are, especially after the last 2 years! And this is still a much better behaved venue than many FB groups!!

Jay, just checking: you said "He's well and doing what he loves to do..." Do you know this as a fact because you speak with him, or are you guessing based on evidence? I just want to clarify.

He is out doing observations today, so I assume he is well. I haven't talked to him in a long time. We share some mutual botanist friends. Before he left he said he discovored a new population of something, and it might get named after him. I extended an invitation to join us at facebook, to be friends with all the botanists involved with the making of Weakley 's flora, since he always used it and quoted from it, but he prefers to be at I nat. He still calls himself an amateur, but he's up to the level of a field grade botanist, by now. Going on 8000 observations since leaving here. I really like Jim, and respect hi, and look up to him. He was my mentor here, and pointed me in the right direction. If it's important for you to talk with him, you'll have to message me for contact info.