Was this comment for me Vance? Not giving up at all, just looking at them as a long term investment. Trust me, they're getting intensively fed and trained over the next 20-25 years as I grow them out. Imagine a 2-3 inch trunk with less than 1 inch needles... Might just rival some imported JWP pre-bonsai material, and add the fact they'll bud back easier than a JWP and I'm going to have a hell of a tree by the time I retire. Luckily I'm the kind of laid-back personality that doesn't mind waiting a few years for something really good - heck, I'm starting a butt load of different pines this year from seed with the intent of showing them sometime in my 60's or 70's. Figure I'll learn from the bonsai community for the next 20-30 years then give back to it in my golden years.
As far as finding mugo in nurseries, I can confirm what you said above - Either all the places around me didn't bring them in this year or they sold out super quick, hardly saw any at the big box stores and nurseries.
And BTW - 141 pages not posts, you humble man you
Post count is up over 2800, quite the legacy you've started. Glad I can say I was there to witness it as it happened.