Patrick, I am so sorry for the loss of your mother and now Hurricane Wilma appears to be knocking at your door. That's quite a load to deal with at once. Blessings to you, your family and friends.

No follow-up post from Patrick, but he is probably either busy or without electricity or both.

Was in Baltimore last week and focused on monitoring Mom-in-Sarasota's situation, so I missed FFRR -- and so very sorry about your loss, Patrick. What a time in your life. It sounds like you are managing in a buzzy-Zen sort of way, and I hope whatever Wilma's up to as we write adds no more burdens to you.

(I have eaten "Hurricane Frozen Veggie Soup" (also known as "Ice Storm Frozen Veggie Soup") and it's not half bad as long as you have a camp stove or gas range-top to heat it up-- and a fair number of herbs, extracts to give it taste.)

Wish we could offer a hand!

Really sorry to hear about your Mom Patrick. I'm sure you have a wealth of great memories that will help you through this sadness.

We left Longboat Key on Saturday and are in "The Villages" near Ocala. It's pouring today and no, the storm's not even near us. From what I've heard so far, LBK didn't get any damage and hopefully, God willing, not many other places did either.

So sorry to hear of your mother's death, Patrick. I do hope you make it through this storm relatively undamaged. From what I've seen on the tube this am, there is a LOT of water down there. Good luck.

Well here I am, safe and sound. Wilma was no wimp! Spent the night at a friend's house in North Naples, high and dry, but this morning we knew the noise on the roof was shingles flying off -- and they were. Many of their trees were uprooted, but we spent a safe and dry night. Paul's motherinlaw was with us (Paul's wife is in London for a week). The MIL is on oxygen, but when the power went out about 5:30 this morning, she switched to auxiliary packs. They wouldn't let us back in to Naples early this afternoon, but by evening we got home. We made many detours avoiding high water and downed trees. For those of you who know Naples, much of GulfShore Blvd is impassible, even in my Range Rover in the high mode. Crayton Road is completely blocked by huge banyan trees everywhere. But I was thrilled to feel dry floor when we entered our townhouse which is right across from the bay in Olde Naples. No interior damage at all, and just missing and twisted downspouts, gutters, screens, and lots of ripped up vegetation including a giant tree which blocks the street in front of us completely.

So here I sit -- no power and not sure how long my laptop will last. Surprisingly we have phones, so could do a dial up connection. Just wanted to check in and thank everyone for the many good wishes. We count ourselves very, very lucky considering the devastation we see around us. Many of you probably know more about it than I, since I don't have access to TV or news! I understand Marco is bad, and Everglades city is devastated.

Looks like Chicago is on for this Wednesday for a week. With no power here, and probably ages before getting it back, why not go? The amazing part is how beautiful it is, 70 degrees right now, blue skies (well before sunset they were), and NO humidity. One time we don't miss the AC.

Glad you're OK!>:D<
Belle

No power? At least you got your priorities right -- laptop and log on to Fodors! Is there any Dewers left?

We're just glad you're safe and the house is in good shape. ((b))

Patrick, Very glad to hear you are OK - you're overdue for something good, so I hope Chicago is wonderful.

Awesome, Patrick. I'm glad you rode out the storm and your house is in good shape. Enjoy your vacation!

Gee Patrick, what have you been doing in your spare time?
:)

Sincere condolences on what is a terrible loss, congratulations on surviving nature's wrath, and I can only add, things WILL/MUST get better from this point.
Best wishes

Glad everything is okay with you and your place.
I am truly sorry about your mother.

Thank goodness you and your home are ok.
And what great timing you have!! Chicago til the power goes back on :)
Big hugs to you and Lee!
Scarlett

I'll echo Scarlett's "thank goodness you're both safe". Your plan worked well!

Again Patrick I just want to say it is great to hear from you. And I am so happy that your condo is alright. Have a wonderful time in Chicago, you and Lee need a break from life! Salute!

Patrick - Glad to hear you are OK and didn't suffer much damage to your condo. Enjoy your trip to Chicago. You definitely deserve a vacation.

Good to hear that you are safe, Patrick. Come on over to Chicago. We'll give you relatively mild weather and if you want to meet up by Friday(I'm going down to warm AZ the next week), the baked goods are on me!

Glad to hear your home didn't suffer much damage, Patrick! My condolences to you on your loss.

Smart idea to head on out to Chicago. Have a great time!

Patrick, so glad y'all are okay!

Thought of you when they showed a flooded city parking garage! Uh oh!

Take care and have fun in the Windy City!

(isn't it amazing how gorgeous the weather always is after a hurricane??)

You have indeed had a lot on your plate lately. You are very blessed to have such a patient and compassionate heart.

Blessings to you and yours.

Great news Patrick! Naples was soooo lucky!

Have you seen your little Z3 yet? I wonder how it fared on the roof of the parking garage? I've got one too and have already had to replace the top so wondered if yours made it through the storm intact. Better replacing the top than the entire car of course...and if you need to do it now or ever...after-market is the way to go! :)