Patrick, am sorry, also, to hear about your mother. Please remember that your Fodor friends have you close in thought. Reminds me a bit of the last minutes of my dad's life. Sometimes I feel like it's a relay -- Dad did what he could and has passed the baton to me. Even though I don't have children, I feel like I have responsibilities to pass on to others.

Ronkala, a new kitty. What joy! Our little Max is now about 10 months and brightens the darkest day.

Rant: have missed about two weeks of Fodors ---> gone a few days then playing catch-up with other things. Feels good to be here now.

Quite alright, Patrick, your news is important. I've had a difficult time in recent months, but nothing compared with what you are going through. Thanks for helping me to put things into perspective.

don't think I've done this before...

LOVEITALY, I sure hope you see this because my RAVE is that DD's wedding was last Saturday and it was an amazing success. Amazing, especially considering all the grief that darling Bridezilla put us all through for so many months. It was gorgeous, perfect, fun, beautiful and more. I am so happy that it is over, and that it was so very nice. Oh, and the weather was gorgeous so the "Fall Fantasy" theme worked well.

Rave: DD and SIL are on their honeymoon. It is so quiet and peaceful here that I hardly know what to do with myself.

Rant: it was supposed to be "tear down the garden weekend" here in Pittsburgh, but the weather is cold and rainy.

Patrick, I am sorry for your loss and wish you peace.

Patrick,

I am so sorry about your mother. I offer my prayers and thoughts to help sustain you during this difficult time.

Susan

ronkala, get another kitty to go with! Two are so much easier than one and keep each other occupied and are twice as much fun!

Plus, and a big one, you save another kitty's life!

Patrick, sorry for your loss!

Rant: recovering from migraine, and should meet Fodorites tomorrow, hope I can make it

Rave: the High Holy days are on now, our 2 sons visited us on 2 different days, and 2 more families of relatives on 2 more days, so it was like an extended holiday My life must be a walk in a park (no, don't really wish so!)

Rant: the news!

Rave: they've finished painting our apartment building taking the scaffold off, we can see the sun again!

Gotravel
I agree with you, we've had as many as three at one time, but this one is so timid we didn't want to push things. There is a very nice grey cat there that DW wanted me to see, but the one we took needed a home more.

patrick...my mom lost her mom last year (who suffered a long time) and now is dealing with the health of her father, suddenly. i tell you, she really isn't the same lately. i know it's very tough. kind, warm thoughts to you and your family at this time.

jorr: Only once, I ignored it and it went away! (Thank Goodness!)

Belle

Patrick, let me add my sympathy and best wishes.

Rant: Wilma's Yucatan destruction and her future plans.

Rant: Got a call early this AM that my DIL who had an early 1st tri fetal demise last December now has a cervical ectopic: rare, random, dangerous and requires chemo (usually methotrexate) to hopefully obviate risky surgery.

Rave: SO arrived home yesterday after 3 weeks in the US and we're having dinner tonight with four visitors met via Fodors and Tripadvisors.

M

Time and Eternity

On this wondrous sea,
Sailing silently,
Knowest thou the shore
Ho! Pilot, ho!
Where no breakers roar,
Where the storm is o’er?

In the silent west
Many sails at rest,
Their anchors fast;
Thither I pilot there, -
Land, ho! Eternity!
Ashore at last!

~ Emily Dickinson

Dear Patrick,

I am so sorry for the loss of your dear mother. May comfort surround you and your family. STW

Patrick, I am so sorry. I am glad that she went peacefully - and that she had you in her life on a regular basis. So many don't. God bless you and Lee and all of your extended family.

Peace.

Dear Patrick, I know that I speak for so many others when I say I thank you for sharing the loss of your dear mother with us. And yes I too feel like you do, so many here on Fodor's are part of a large family. We all need others in our life to share the good times with and to help through the difficult times. Blessings to you dear one.

Dear Tuscanlifeedit, thank you for posting! I have been thinking about you also. A joy that the wedding and reception turned out so beautiful!! I imagine you need a few days to yourself now to just relax and catch your breath. Thank you again for letting me know the end results. That makes me happy!

And dear Faina, I hope your migrane is gone by tomorrow morning. I have never had a migrane but just a regular headache is miserable. Take care dear one.

Scarlett, I just saw your post regarding your dear aunt. I don't know how I missed it originally. That is beautiful news that you are now in touch with her but sad news she is dying. I am sorry dear one. And I also think every family ends up with a "family problem" one way or another. Tis sad but true in most cases.

Mikemo, I truly hope that the treatments for your DIL will be successful. I am sure you must be a big help to her. My prayers that all turns out well.

To everyone suffering I send my best thoughts and hope that "this too will pass".

To everyone celebrating joys I send a smile and wishes that they continue

Hugs to everyone. And prayers for all those that are being affected or will be due to Hurricane Wilma. May all of you be safe.

Blessings and peace on you, Patrick, on your mother and her memory, and on us all.

Rant: WILMA

OK, they now say it will be at least Tuesday before we have Wilma here in Naples IF we have any effects at all. But they started "mandatory" evacuation today (Friday) at noon and want everyone out by 8AM on Sunday -- still at least two full days before arrival of the storm. OK, so what does "mandatory" mean in Naples? According to the paper it means "it is suggested that you leave and if you don't there may not be any services available to you". Did someone change the definition of "mandatory" when I wasn't looking?

Still hanging tight here, but plan to head to high ground in North Naples at friends' house where we rode out Charley last year. Meanwhile things keep looking more and more "promising" for less effect here than originally thought.

RAVE: All the wonderful people here at Fodor's with such good thoughts.

Blessings & Peace to you, Patrick.
R5

Best wishes Patrick. Did Mama love show tunes like her baby boy? God Bless her soul and heal yours.

Hi dear Patrick, what a week you are having! I am sorry.

I guess in this case the word mandatory means "an offer you can't refuse"? Very stange isn't it.

I hope you will be able to post from your friends house so we will know that you are alright. Best get a good bottle of "something". I think you will need it dear one. Hugs to you.

Patrick, my deepest sympathy. I couldn't begin to put it as eloquently as others already have, but she was very lucky to have had you. And vice versa, I'm sure.