Hello ALL!
I said that I would post an example of an almost off-topic message and 
here it is.
Due to circumstances beyond my control I will be away from the echo till
Friday or Saturday possibly.  My older brother met a woman and fell in love 
with her 14 years ago.  She was a widow with one child and due to the fact 
that her widow benefits paid for the house payments and several other things 
she could not remarry.  Neither she nor my brother made enough money to cover
those things covered by the benefits (at least not and be able to eat too).
So they lived together for over 13 years.  Her benefits ran out earlier this
year and they decided to get married.  They set the date (a small ceremony
at the church after service with no hoopla) and were married almost two 
months ago.  About 2 weeks ago both of them came down with a virus.  My 
brother recovered from his easily, but Mary, his wife, didn't.  Hers went 
into pneumonia and she was hospitalized.  While in the hospital the doctors 
discovered a blood clot in her leg and started her on the drugs to dissolve 
it. Instead of dissolving it though, the blood clot broke into smaller pieces 
yesterday morning and Mary had a massive heart attack.  She was moved into 
intensive care, but died about 3 hours later.  No funeral arrangements have 
been set yet so I don't know when I am leaving yet, but I will be driving up
for the funeral. I expect that will be either tomorrow or Thursday.  My 
sister, Suzanne Pratt, may be joining me.  Fortunately we all live in the 
same state so I only have a short drive (2 hours).  I am not that close (and 
never
have been) to my brothers so I only knew Mary slightly (yes, even though they 
were together 14 years).  Right now I am grieving more for my brother's loss 
than anything.  I believe I will go put the label on my nephew's (Suzanne's 
son) wedding quilt and work on one of my nieces quilts. (There I did get some 
crafting into the message).  
Please behave while I am gone and thanks for listening.
Later!,
           Pat 
--- timEd/386 1.10+
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