Thanks everyone for your input. I actually found this forum because of Lee - Lee, I've downloaded some of your Lisp routines from your website. I added your suggestions on this one.
I do feel like I'm in a bit over my head on this forum, and wonder if I can have any role here other than asking for help. Maybe the only thing I can really offer is a few good ideas for Lisp routines. My own code is always very simplistic, without error control, etc. But I think I've created some nice little functions and if I ask for help to make them better and get some help maybe everyone wins?