Condolances to all. Here's hoping this thread is not required for the rest of the year. :(

Sitting on the front porch at the corner of Eucalyptus and 23rd, an inquisitive pumpkin-orange cat eyed me with suspicion. He knew he wanted to be in the house, but wasn't so sure about the weirdo hanging out outside. But the prospect of winning his way into the promised land was too tempting and figured if the Keepers of the Cats trusted me, I couldn't be all bad.

Jack (then Pumpkin) and I had some good evenings on that porch before he officially became one of the pack.

Goodbye sweet Jack, Pumpkin King. :( :(

Heidi, I'm sorry about your grandpa, and I'm so sorry about your kitty boy, Lisa and Chris. This is a :(day, indeed.

<sigh>

*hugs* LSPE, €, & NA.

Twitter is sorry to hear his partner in crime has passed on, he'll be missed.

Coney Island strong man Joe Rollino died yesterday. I read about him in a book once (on sideshows) and had no reason to know he was still alive.

Making it all the way to 104 and then being taken out by a car while crossing the street. God must have gotten impatient waiting for nature to take its course.

Sadness and condolences. I gave my kitties an extra hug last night.

No idea who he is but CNN breaking news did a tweet about it. So he must be somebody.

Teddy Pendergrass

Musician

Pendergrass's career began when he was a drummer for The Cadillacs, which soon merged with Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. Melvin invited Pendergrass to become the lead singer after he jumped from the rear of a stage and started singing his heart out. Months later the group signed with Gamble & Huff on the then CBS subsidiary Philadelphia International Records in 1972. The Blue Notes had hits such as "I Miss You," "Bad Luck," "Wake Up Everybody," the two million seller "If You Don't Know Me By Now" and many more. Following personality conflicts between Melvin and Pendergrass, Pendergrass launched a solo career and released hit singles like "The More I Get the More I Want," "Close the Door," "I Don't Love You Anymore," "Turn Off the Lights" and others.[1]

His first solo album was self titled Teddy Pendergrass (1977), followed by Life is a Song Worth Singing (1978), Live Coast to Coast and Teddy (1979), 1980's TP and the final Philadelphia International Records album It's Time for Love (1981).[1] He also sang a duet with Whitney Houston on "Hold Me", from her self-titled debut album.

This is the first time I've opened this thread - I'm sorry I wasn't there to offer my condolences for those of you who have suffered personal losses already this year. I will say, I am very glad that we have this place to keep up with one another, and share in the good times and the sorrowful ones.

There's a new, very big orange star in the sky.