Shut off valve wet upon opening...

[flyerphann]

I have a shut-off for the outside water spigot, and since the weather is
now warm, I opened it up today so I could use the hose. I noticed that
after I opened it the fixture was 'damp'. Don't recall it being like that
before, tho I only use the shut-off twice a year...Is this normal? problem?
big problem? My plan was to dry it and see if it gets wet again, but I
figured the safer thing was to turn it back off...

 

[johnjh2o]

Sounds like the packing nut. Try snugging up the nut that is around the stem. It doesn't have to be tight just snug.