[Tari, Vince]

> 
> Just haven't seen much traffic here -- is everyone OK? Has 
> anyone been affected by the wildfires near Sydney? Or is 
> everybody just enjoying the holidays?
> 
> At any rate, I wish you all a happy and Oily 2002!
> 
> Take care,
> Patty in Maryland

Thankfully, there have been no deaths as a result of the fires. But a lot of
people have tragically lost their homes & basically everything they own. 

And to think that most of the fires have been deliberately lit makes me sick
in the stomach.

Vince