Hil, good luck today.

I have concert tickets for the end of August which means that somehow between now and then I have to get ltc to start on a bottle so I can leave her with my mother for s few hours.

Feeling sad and out of sort today. One of my older friends passed unexpectedly this morning. We still don't know what happened. She was 72 going on 22. I believe everyone thought she would live well over 100 years. (Tom, this was Pat that gave us the tour of her ranch)

Pat was so full of life each and every day. She grew or raised or traded for everything her family ate. I'd bring her citrus or the mango chutney I'd canned to fill in where she couldn't do it herself. Avid hunter and big ole Republican. She would happily discuss politics with me and never considered taking it personally. At the frequent Otter Lake get togethers she would be my dance partner when her grandkids didn't get her out there first. She shoveled roofs and moved lawns and I just couldn't imagine her stopping. She had joint issues from Lyme disease that slowed her a bit on the dance floor and chores, but I didn't think she had any serious health issues.

One more lovely story of Pat while I reminisce. Pat had a number of animals, emus, hogs, chickens, deer and such. Through the years she hosted buses of disabled children and adults for farm tours. When her granddaughter was born a couple years ago with Down Syndrome she expressed her gratitude that she had known so many children and adults with the syndrome because it gave her more experience to be loving guidance for the grandchild.

We could not have been more different and we certainly had completely different life experiences, but we loved each other. It is a much larger hole for her family and the community, but I have a hole in my heart. RIP Pat. You made the world a better place.

I'm sorry, Laura. She sounds like quite a person to have known.

I'm sorry, Laura.

Is is a reminder to me that I tend to go out of my way to surround myself with "just like me" big city far left thinking people. Then today thinking of Pat I know we had almost nothing in common. We loved our families, and we loved to dance together, and we loved to talk about every subject without it mattering if we agreed or not. It just breaks my heart that I won't have a drink next to a bonfire or dance with her again. It probably wasn't a week ago that we talked about seeing each other soon. At least I am confident that she lived her last days with all the energy of the previous decades.

She sounds like a wonderful person to know, Laura. As are you. The pair of you together must have been formidable. I'm so sorry you've lost her.

Laura, I'm sorry for this loss. It sure sounds like the world lost a little of its lustre.

Hil, I hope today goes ok.

What a lovely tribute, Laura, I'm sorry for your loss

Laura, I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend. She sounds like an amazing person.

So sorry for your loss, Laura.