The constant commenter has not been commenting these days.
WordPress’s most prolific guest poster isn’t sending out posts to any of his regular places, either.
There’s been a hole in BloggyVille where Paul Curran’s words are supposed to be shining, waxing, tickling, educating.
A few of us who’ve regularly hit the publish button to allow the friendly Canadian to share his thoughts with so many are concerned.
Willow, of Willowdot21 over in the U.K., reported that he never sent over his regular Sunday Cuppa column to her for Nov. 8, and that was after he said he was too ill to write his Nov. 1 piece.
Cordelia’s Mom confirms that she hasn’t heard from him either.
The latest guest blog I’ve found is Paul’s lovely piece on driving truck Mama Mick Terry published on Nov. 9. However, Paul did not reply to any of the 30 comments left by her readers. And he always replies to each and every person who takes the time to leave thoughts on his writing.
So that’s a concern.
I’ve been trying to figure out why.
From years with working with Paul, we know a few things. Paul writes his and corresponds on an old laptop. So we’re hoping that the answer is as simple as a busted laptop that his limited disability budget won’t yet allow him to replace. That could also explain the unanswered emails of concern.
But we also know of his weekly dialysis treatments and past medical battles. That frightens me enough that I’ve Googled his name and hometown of Ottawa. There was not a worse-case scenario hit there, thankfully. I’ve also called the biggest hospital in Canada’s capital and been told he’s not an in-patient. They would not confirm anything about possible extended dialysis treatments, however.
Unfortunately, our WordPress friendship did not go past emails. I don’t know if Paul has a phone, landline or cell, and searching his name finds no hits in the Ottawa white pages anyway.
Willow, Cordelia’s Mom and I are hoping that perhaps the right folks sharing our concern — and this post — might turn over the right rock and somehow alert Paul to our concern.
Linda G. Hill up there in eastern Canada, do you know anybody in Ottawa who might help the cause by you sharing?
Hey Ottawa Citizen Our Town reporters, you’ve got an Ottawa citizen who’s a much-loved international blogger and a terrific story, if you can find him.
So, Paul, if this reaches you somehow, here’s a message. If your problem is no laptop and short funds, I’m sure a few dozen of us who dearly miss your words would pitch in to help you get going again.
If you lost your contacts because your old laptop crashed, my email is markbialczak@gmail.com.
If you’re ill and can have somebody else reach out to let us know, please do. People care. We’ll rally to help in any way we can.
We miss you, good sir.
If you have a message for Paul Curran, please feel free to comment below. Also, please share this post via WordPress, Twitter, Facebook or any means you think may help get him the word that he’s got friends here who’d like to hear from him.
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Mark, I’ve been so wrapped up (down) in my own whatever that I had missed the news in July that Paul told Willow he was ill–which I regret terribly. He would have appreciated good wishes.
Paul’s mom lives in Toronto. Don’t know if this might help, because I don’t have her first name, but who knows? It occurred to me that if Paul needs help with his care, he might be with his mom.
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The man is loved, and I hope he sees all this soon. I’d love to help if it comes to laptops and whatnot.
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Linda G. Hill went to his apartment and found him OK, but without WiFi because of problems the landlord is supposed to handle. Thanks, GG. 🙂
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He’s lucky that you all care so much. I’ve just read your other post, so I know he has been found live and well. Many people who don’t blog don’t understand these ‘cyber-friendships’, as if they can’t be real or genuine since they don’t occur in your own neighbourhood face to face. I’ve never believed that, and this post just goes to prove them wrong. You are a good friend to have, Mark. 😊
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Thanks, Ali. I feel like I know you, really, for instance. 🙂 This WP community is like having a pen pal in “The Day,” to explain it to those out of our loop, but far more frequent and sometimes even instantaneous when it goes to the email stage.
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Yes, that’s how I always describe it too. In any case, its very real to all of us… how fortunate we are to be able to befriend people with similar thoughts and interests right across the world! It really is a small world and a global community.
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Thank you all for caring 😉
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Thank you, too, IB22.
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Just left Linda G. Hill’s place and am so happy to hear the news about Paul Curran. Not that infections and busted modems are good news but they are totally short term issues! Anyway…isn’t this WordPress community wonderful?
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It is the best news I’ve heard today, that’s for sure, JoHanna. Yes, our community came through. Hooray for Linda G.’s trip to Ottawa. ❤
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Yes Indeed. All my very best to you Mark. Have a peaceful weekend.
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Pingback: Mr. Paul Curran has been found! | Linda G. Hill
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I emailed him a couple of weeks ago and had no response. I wondered if he just needed his space, a break from blogging. He is all over the place on WP. Keeping up with that must be demanding. AND, he has had a lot of serious health issues. I have done all sorts of internet searches trying to locate him in case he needed something but had been unable to find him anywhere. That made me think he may not want to be found? Short of calling hospitals for info, which legally they cannot give, I just dunno. I have spent a lot of time worrying about him.
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I spent so much time worrying that I put the wheels in motion here, Doc. I thought about his pulling back on purpose, but his last submission for Michelle’s blog had a tag that seemed the opposite about blogging. Also, I don’t think he’d ignore emails from us at this point even if he wanted to remove the pressures of WordPress. We shall see if we can track down our friend.
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This gives me hope bro Mark. I always wonder if anyone would notice if I go silent, and wonder why. Probably because my kids only call one or two times a week, and when they pop in to visit, if I don’t open the door they figure it’s because I’m not at home. I guess at times being a free spirit can work against people as well as for them. Since I have sworn never to spend another minute in our hospital, if I fall, I don’t call for help, but somehow manage to either make it to a chair and pull myself up, or call for assistance only. So I just wonder if I would be missed like this by my WordPress family, and how long it would take before anyone started checking on my welfare. On the worst days I even wonder if anyone cares. Weird, huh?
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I care, sis Angie. Obviously. ❤
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Just got my Internet back up a day ago bro Mark. I know you care, and I was wondering about the people a little bit closer physically to me. Got my answer though when two of my brothers called and invited me to lunch with them on Friday of this week. All is well here, unless we factor in the obvious, but I don’t think about that much now. Too busy to think about anything.
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Reblogged this on Kentucky Angel and commented:
Can anyone help find Paul?
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And there it is again, this amazing community, sticking together… seeing something like this makes me believe in this world. I’ve never read anything from him but I really hope he’s fine and I will check him out now. I do hope you find him working on setting up his new laptop and in good health and spirit. All of you are amazing!
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Thanks for your support as part of our amazing community, amv! Pop in, pop out, pop up!
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Let us know when you find him, please…
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To be continued when appropriate.
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Oh…
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Mark, Gigoid at gigoid.wordpress.com thinks he may of found him on LinkedIn with a photo, I don’t have a LinkedIn account.
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I have him on LinkedIn. But that’s his old column photo, old resume, with no recent action at all, Willow.
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Hi Mark Blog woman has his address I have asked her to contact you. Fingers crossed. xx
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Good morning, Willow. We have made progress on several fronts. Maybe a breakthrough today!
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I’ve had that happen and it is very disconcerting not knowing. I hope you find him!
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Thanks, Jan, for your support for Paul.
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Mr Curran, you are missed but never forgotten. Your stories, full of heart and wisdom are invaluable to our blogging community. Come back soon! ❤
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Sorry to be so late to reblog Mark but I have not been in much today let’s hope we can move in on our beloved Paul now we have a mailing address! Bless you Moma Terry”
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Let’s all hope he is OK, Willow. ❤
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Yes Mark I am praying for his safety. xxx
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Reblogged this on willowdot21 and commented:
I am sorry for reblogging so late but I have not been able to do so before now. This is so important please all bloggers who know Paul reblog this to spread the word!
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It seems odd to be hoping that Paul has some serious computer problems and nothing more. The internet is a great place filled with wonderful people.
Paul, we’re missing you.
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Yes, we’re wishing for a computer crash. How odd, I agree, Elyse. Thanks for pitching in for Paul’s wishes.
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He seems like a perfectly lovely man, I have never had the chance read or share a blog with him but I hope he is alright.
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He’s a true blue man of the old school, EH. Thanks for sharing your thoughts here.
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You’re welcome
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Mark, you are a wonderful friend to be so concerned about your blogger friend. I do hope he’s OK.
I will tweet this post.
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Thank you, Merril. We need to stick up for each other here, I believe. ❤
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You’ve done some serious sleuthing! I figured he was dealing with dialysis issues. We can’t lose our walking Canadian encyclopedia! Surely he is just creating another one of his amazing life chapters, soon to share with us all.
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I hope you are right, Kerbey. His silence is deafening in my ears, however. If there is one little chance that he could use our help in any way and is just too proud to reach out, I want to bridge that gap.
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Well, now you’re worrying me. I know he has been listed as a “computer expert with no computer,” so he may not have anything but a phone. And this post https://doctorly.wordpress.com/tag/dialysis/ about a man dying is making me hope he wasn’t sick when he wrote it.
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Ouch. You said it, Kerbey.
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I’ve thought about Paul too, and wondered…. his voice is missed and i hope we have a positive and easy outcome to this mystery. you are so kind to actively try to find the solution –
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We’ll reach his ears somehow, I have faith, Beth.
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This is by far the most kindhearted post I’ve read. Thank you so much for your compassion and also for the compassion of others that has been shown here and through the many reblogs. I do pray that he is found safe and soon.
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Thank you, Me Who, for your kind words and support here for our Paul.
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I did some digging, but unfortunately I can’t find anything on him either. Well maybe a work number, but given his medical issues I kind of doubt that it’s the Paul we’re looking for.
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I found that work number as well, Me Who. I think it may have been an old work number for our Paul.
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Okay. Sigh…
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I’ll get Hammy on this right away and retweet it and various other social media platforms!
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Thank you so much, Skippah! You’re a prince, my friend.
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Reblogged this on HarsH ReaLiTy and commented:
Anyone seen Paul? People are worried about him. He is a good guy that people care about so if you have info please share it! -OM
Note: Comments disabled here, please visit their blog.
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I read his piece on Michelle’s blog. Truly excellent. Hope all is well. Nice of you to be concerned, Mark.
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Thanks, Marissa. He’s our guy. I have to worry. It’s in my blood.
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It is concerning. Hope you will keep us posted.
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I’ll share any news, for sure, Marissa.
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Computers are a mess. That’s most likely what it is… But just in case, I’m sending all the best thoughts. ❤
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Thank you, Rara. If it’s only that, we will strive to get a new one in Paul’s hands. 🙂
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I Tweeted and FB’d I he’s found. 😦 I’ll leave a message on his FB page but I’m sure that’s already been done too.
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Thanks, Gibber. We’re working at it still. Every little piece helps.
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An amazing bunch you are. I’m in Canada but not even close to where he lives. 😦
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I know you are on the western side of your great country, Gibberina. We have Linda G who will be in Ottawa tomorrow. Crossed fingers. Maybe.
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Here’s hoping!
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Reblogged this on Just Fooling Around With Bee and commented:
I just met Paul a couple of times via willowdots blog so I want to help to find him. I hope he is OK! Please feel free to share or if you live in Ottawa do anything you can think if to help. Thanks!
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Reblogged this on Linda G. Hill and commented:
It seems frequent guest poster and most famous commenter Paul Curran hasn’t been seen of late. If you have any information on his whereabouts or how he is, please comment here or on the original post. And if you read this Paul, we’re worried about you!
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If I can do anything Terp you let me know asap! Gatorette.
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I will be back with more words when we get a plan going, Gatorette. You are a great friend.
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Ditto Mark!
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Hmm… I’m going to Ottawa tomorrow, to the children’s hospital which is actually attached to Ottawa General. I think I remember him saying once though that he’d visited the General, so that’s probably where he’d go, if that’s what’s going on. Having said that, do you remember him ever mentioning which area of Ottawa he lives in? There are several hospitals and several different sections of the white pages as well. I used to live there, so I know the area well. Email me at bacamjoly at gmail dot com if you think of anything I can check out when I’m there… though I’ll have an impatient kid in tow, so my resources will be limited.
I doubt re-blogging will help since he’s the only blogger I know in Ottawa, but I’ll try.
Thanks for putting the word out, Mr. Mark. I’ve been away as you probably know, so I haven’t been online as much lately and hadn’t noticed Paul’s absence.
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I am going to set up an email circle with Michelle, who has his mailing address, Linda G! In a moment …
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K, thanks. 🙂
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Opinionated Man has reblogged this as well – between all of us and our readers, we’ll find out what’s going on. Maybe you’ll get lucky and see him in the hallways at Ottawa General tomorrow. That would be so wonderful.
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We at least have a shot with Linda G being in Ottawa, CM. Any other bloggers out there with an Ottawa connection, by the way?
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Most of my Canadian readers are in other areas of Canada.
Have you tried the reverse directories to get a phone number to go with that address you just got? I’m sure he must have a phone in his apartment – how else would he be able to call paratransit?
If it weren’t such a long drive for me (5-1/2 hours!), I’d just drive up there and look for him. It may come to that yet, but hopefully Linda or someone else will be able to find out something.
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Linda G. tried Canadian directories and did not find a number, she said.
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Nuts.
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His absence has been felt and Paul is greatly missed. I’ve been keeping him in my prayers and hoping for the best. He’s a rare treasure and some of us are rather fond of him. So Paul, sending you much love where ever you are.
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Thanks so much for your well-placed prayers, iB22. We’ll keep at it.
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Hoping he turns up soon. You’re a good friend, Mark.
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Thanks, Scott. I think we need to stick together.
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Reblogged this on Cordelia's Mom, Still and commented:
We are all very worried about Paul Curran. If any of my Canadian readers (or anyone else, for that matter), have any suggestions on how to locate him, please let Mark, Willow or me know. Comments are OPEN on both Mark’s site and mine, and you may also email me at cordeliasmom2012@yahoo.com.
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Hope all is well with Paul. It’s so good of you to look out for much loved bloggers/commenters. Just part of what I love about this community. Thanks, Mark.
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Thanks, Van. We need to look out for each other to be a strong community, I think. Just like in our own blocks and towns and cities and states and countries and world.
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I searched too MBM. ANd came up with nothing. I hope it is as simple as the laptop and would support that suggestion you mentioned. Be well Paul!!!!
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Thanks, MBC. I will not give up. ❤ More to come when there is news.
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I’m hoping the connections being made through your incredibly moving post call for help is finding answers!!! And he knows people are thinking of him.
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Mark: You are not one to let go of this until you find Paul, and I hope that indeed it is something as simple as a broken laptop. You do indeed raise the interesting issue of a limitation in our virtual communities. Which given today’s technology capabilities is/should be an oxymoron. I am hoping that the Ottawa Citizen Our Town Reporter will get going on this ASAP.
You are just the best, Mark. And Paul, whatever your situation, there are many people globally wishing you well.
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Thank you, JoHanna, for getting to the nub of our matter here. Support is what could help us all right now!
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I just sent an email to Andrew Potter the Editor of of the Ottawa Citizen http://ottawacitizen.com/tag/around-town….asking for a reporter to be assigned. Gave them a link back to your piece for details.
Squeaky wheels get oiled. All my best to you.
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Good idea, JoHanna. I was hoping they’d find it when I linked to them this morning, but you taking it one step further is even better. Thank you.
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Already received a response from “JoAnne” at the paper saying my request is being forwarded to proper person.
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That’s PDQ in newspaper time, JoHanna. Yay.
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I admit to actually having to look up what PDQ means. Merriam says: “: as quickly as possible : immediately”
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Pretty Darn Quick!
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I love the way you build community so beautifully here, Mark. I hope Paul is okay.
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Thank you, Ann, fellow community builder.
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Mark, I hope Paul is ok. I tweeted your post in hopes that it might help to find out what’s going on. ❤
Diana xo
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Thanks so much for the Tweet, Diana. I am gong to continue to attempt to figure this out. ❤
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I’ll tweet your post too, Mark.
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Thank you up there, Jennifer. Much appreciated!
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My pleasure Mark!
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I hope Paul is okay, Mark. Also, you and Karen plus Elisabeth and George. It gets you wondering but hopefully busy or a minor setback. . .take care and happy Wednesday to you. 🙂
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Hopefully Paul is just unable to communicate with us for a SMALL reason, Robin. Karen and I and Elisabeth and George are well, thank you. As I hope you and the whole family are as we approach the holidays. 🙂
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I’ve been thinking about Paul too. And worrying. It’s funny that on the web we can feel a connection, when in the “real” world we don’t know basic things about our virtual friend. Here’s hoping we hear from Paul very soon.
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Yes, we are friends here without knowledge we need when things get tough for one of us, Barb. 😦
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Hey Mark,
Thank you so much for sharing.
I think and worry about Paul every day. He actually gave me his mailing address right before his post went up on my site. I sent him a package and a note for him to call or email when he received it. Unfortunately, I have not heard anything 😦
Thank you for sending out another smoke signal — I hope we hear from him soon. Xo
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If you have a mailing address, perhaps we can find someone who lives nearby that could go check on him? I wouldn’t publish the address, of course, but if you sent it to Mark, he maybe could do something with it.
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Good idea! I’ll send it along today.
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Hi Mark – I just e-mailed to your gmail address.
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I am going to forward it to Linda G, who is visiting Ottawa tomorrow. I do believe we may be onto something …
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Okay, good. I should have hopped on this sooner. At least we have a plan now!
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No, you should not have. We gave this the space it needed to see if it worked itself out, Michelle. Now is the time.
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I sent an email with a thought to Michelle, CM.
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Thanks for sharing that you have a mailing address, Michelle. I will be emailing you shortly with some thoughts.
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Mark, I am so hoping this is a computer issue and not something worse. Count me in if there is a Go-Fund-Me or the like to obtain a new computer plus I can ask around to see if there is anyone willing to donate a laptop to a such wonderful man.
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Thank you, Christy, for being here for our guy. The chase is only starting. ❤
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I saw the concern in earlier posts. I discovered him through you and instantly fell in love with the guy.
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They don’t make ’em like Paul anymore, truly, Christy.
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Oh, this is a concern. I hope you hear from him. Xx
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Thank you, Vonita. I mean, he’s our Paul, all of us.
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