Chicago and the N. suburbs have been in a whirlwind turmoil these last few days. Still many street stop lights out, and thousands without electricity. Roofers will be rolling in dough for a long time to come. Flooding in many basements. Major expressways and streets had to be closed off. People are working round the clock to get the trees and large limbs off the street and to get the electric up for thousands. My nephew fell in the muck trying to clear away huge tree limbs that fell against the house and fractured his ankle. Needs a pin. He just started a new job and has two babies. I am worried sick about him. In all the heat, ferrets living in no air conditioning have probably died. I have taken in one to care for until the owners have electricity and can put the little tyke in their basement again. Her name is Ralf. She is adorable. Mold had already infested one wall of their basement. Mold stories abound. Generators and lanterns, water and flashlights and batteries sold out within the day. Lots of tension in the stores only half up with no air conditioning and areas of complete darkness. Everything has to be manually typed in...every article...at check out. I thank God for my new Martins cage. I had it made exactly like the cages at Zoos sanctuary. Unbelievable...a high...I am drugged with delight. You cannot imagine what I mean until you have one of these made just as the sanctuary cages are. I feel no guilt putting the baby on the top floor of this roomy cage, and 4 others on the bottom two floors. I am in love with this cage. I added everything Zoo added to hers to make it the best cage I could ever imagine for ferrets. If you can help out a neighbor or friend in times like these...please do so. It feels good inside and out to be there for others, as you all know. I am leaving now to help my nephew. The drive is going to be horrendous. My phone lines were down and just got back up last night from a week ago. Electric just went back on at the office. I will have to catch up on mail as i can. Best wishes to you all. Stay safe. Lisette [Posted in FML 5712]