You have a great outlook about what might be called the "Post-spill Re-learning Curve", and which as you stated Laurie, almost every rider out there will go through at least once.
(...and I thought your post was nicely written, too!)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)