Hi, Patti. So you ruled out Mexico? I think Hawaii is a good choice. It's beautiful there. I've been to Maui and Oahu. Both were nice. Honolulu is pretty touristy, but once you get out of the city, it's really nice.

It sounds like they're getting a lot of rain in Vermont, from what my brother says. Maybe not hurricanes, but he and his wife have been vacuuming water out of their basement almost non-stop for the past week. There were a few sunny days in between and then again the rain started seeping in. If they don't vacuum, they'll have a flood. They said it's been a nightmare.

Richard have fun in CA, it sounds like you have plans to have a good time regardless of what you do. Since Lori has gotten together with you in Burlington I definitely think you should get with her on the West Coast now.

right Lori?

Now that Ivan is getting set to attack the west coast of FL I'm after my dad to get the heck out of there. He's been lucky with the last two and although they had to evacuate to a hotel, enough is enough. We just have orange leaves, rain and the usual windyness up here in the County. Fall has arrived. The potato harvest begins soon.

Dave and I are talking about going to Hawaii this Dec. He has a business trip potentially and I'll go along. We should know after this weekend. We'll consider it our 25th anniversary trip. Anybody been?

Karen, the weather is HOT. Hotter than usual. Eventually, he might need a sweater in the evening, but right now that's the last thing you need in L.A. Will you be visiting him here?

Richard, what do you mean by north L.A.? Are your friends in the Valley? I think Anaheim is about 50 minutes from us. Will you have a car? Will you have any free time on the weekend or will you be busy working? If you see you have some free time, maybe you can call and we'll see what we can work out. Do you have my number here?

Karen, great to see that you are taking in most of the local colours etc. The taste of Atlanta is happening too and you might enjoy it. There is a "DaisyFestival" in Stone Mt in the spring is you like crafty stuff and too see the park. It is the largest deposit of granite supposedly in the world (exposed that is). Wake Forest is a great school. Hope your son likes it. As for the falling trees yes, lots of old oaks have fallen as the ground was so dry and then so wet that the roots were closer to the top of the ground and let go. We sometimes get bad tornadoes too.

I have my sister in law, her husband and son, my mother in law, her friend and friend's dog all coming to my house to escape Ivan tomorrow. The word is to get out of town early to avoid the crush of people trying to leave. They told me it looks like it will be Tu before it hits FL. Good thing I love my inlaws!! Gotta go, lots of beds to change!

Lori, I would love to visit, but I don't know how difficult it is to get from Anaheim to see you or to see my friends who are all on the north side of LA. I will either be spending my evenings drinking to excess with boring sales guys or I will figure out how to connect with friends after 5. Any thoughts?

Richard, have a great time on your trip to LA. Roland, good luck with the new place. Lori, nice to hear from you. What is the weather like out there right now? Want to help my son pack.

Richard, you're going to be in L.A.?!! Give us a call. Maybe we can meet if you have time.

Karen, I am arriving in LA on the 18th for one week. My trip will be two days of fun with an old college friend and four days of work in Anaheim. I hope that your son has a good experience at Warner Bros. Studios. I have friends that work at Disney, Jim Henson Company and some independents doing special effects.

Karen, I have friends that have been and like it much. I do the coffee house thing over @ Gwinnett Historical Society. Yes, I found another place and grabbed it. Thats how things go with myself, feast or famine, ha ha. I will be trading the suburban life for a more rural life where I can have my beloved critters at my side or at least close without neighbours objecting and also a nice 10 ac pond. I don't plan on living there permanent till early next year.

Roland, things are going okay. We had a big tree come down in our yard today with all the rain and wind gusts. I was just happy that it didn't fall on the roof or in the driveway. Rich's job takes up more of his time than we would like but he likes what he is doing. His company makes exhaust components and other parts for the automotive industry. On Sat. he is leaving for the plant in South Africa for the first time and won't be back until the 17th, so guess we won't be catching the jazz this time around. But thanks for the info, that sounds like a fun thing to do. We went into downtown Atlanta last Sat. My daughter went to the zoo with a friend and the rest of us did the CNN tour and walked around Atlanta Underground, Olympic Centennial Park and then ate at the Hard Rock. We were going to do the World of Coke but my son who had been, said it was not worth the long line. He is 15 and went to the High Museum on a field trip last week - Egyptian artifact exhibit I think. Of course, he said it was boring, and he was also disappointed at the Varsity ...... which we had read was a "don't miss" for best fried food high. I guess it is hard to impress that age bracket unless it has something to do with computers or video games. Richard, my 21 year old son is headed out to LA on the 17th for 12 weeks to do a co op quarter with Warner Bros. Studios. Thought that might entice your son who is interested in digital design to look at University of Cincinnati ... has he decided on a school yet? Actually Nolan says the program has been going through some rough times with the loss of some good faculty in the past year. My son Evan is a freshman at Wake Forest and we haven't heard much from him. He told me the last time I talked to him that he is going to sign up to do a one hour radio program where he gets to DJ and play his own choices of music with commentary that is received on campus over the internet (I think). Hope he finds some time to study! I am hoping that hurricane Ivan is going somewhere other than the US, too much for one month!

Karen, How are things working out at your new place? Does Rich like his job?

I was just snooping on-line for fun things to do in Atlanta and found Friday Jazz at the High Museum. It is an evening of art & music on the 3rd friday of each month. The next Friday Jazz is on September 17th from 5-10 p.m. It looks like a relaxed, fun thing to do. It appears that the jazz is free and they have dinner, desserts, and drinks for purchase. They say is was voted "Best of Atlanta" by Creative Loafing. The pictures of the museum make it look like a really interesting place. Let me know if you do it!