In a message dated 8/28/98 1:46:24 PM, you wrote:

<<in this line of your code,
>   totStr% = ([strHndl&])
you've used parentheses.

instead, you need to use the squiggley brackets.

>   totStr% = {[strHndl&]}

my eyes have made that mistake on me, too...

-bowerbird>>

Yep, that was it. Thanks Bowerbird. Time to get those bifocals rechecked.
Post question at 4 p.m., go to dinner. Return at 8 and question is answered.
What a great resource this list is. Thanks everybody!

Roger