danAllen, I like the routine except for the findfile part. -i.e. you should know where the file is located before checking if the file can be opened so that part I think can be removed. ...And I just noticed that the procedure uses the "APPEND" not "READ" to check if the file can be opened; I would use "READ" (per the docs).
EDIT: I just noticed your function name "is file write enabled" so my last statement does not really apply to yours I guess, but it should apply to the OP's request.