I've thought a lot about what we do here at Huckleberries Online this week, since blog favorite Patrick Jacobs was fatally stricken. Patrick has been part of HucksOnline for as long as I can remember. I first noticed his superb music and restaurant reviews in his old blog, Making Flippy Floppy. At first, I thought he was a Spokane blogger. More than a bit offbeat. Later, I was happy to learn that Patrick lived here -- and began running his reviews of local restaurants whenever available. Still later, I recommended his work to the Spokane office -- and Patrick began his restaurant reviews for my newspaper. None of this would have happened if this blog, with all its warts and headaches, hadn't happened. I feel as blessed as you do by the personalities and pseudonyms that we've come to know and appreciate. Patrick wasn't the first HucksOnline regular that we've lost. Dave Holmes, another gentle spirit who wrote compellingly about the Coeur d'Alene of his youth and his father's suicide in the Atmospheric Ruminations blog, died a few years ago in Coos Bay, Ore., where he'd exiled himself. I still remember him stopping by the office on his way to Oregon, just to say, Hi. Stickman often refers to this place and its people as a family. I'm not certain about that. But I do know that those who comment get to know one another well. I've wanted Huckleberries to be a place where individuals of a wide range of backgrounds, philosophical beliefs, age, etc., could discuss the issues of the day amiably. During the flame wars of days gone by, I despaired of reaching that goal. But the collective mourning here for one of our own this week has shown that it's possible to set aside all our differences and simply celebrate that we got to know one so gifted. Many of you have added something to my life that I never would have experienced otherwise. Isn't that one of the best things you can say about someone else? Without social media, the blogfests, the interaction here, I wouldn't have known Patrick. Or many of you. That's why I show up in the morning to try to steer this place where everyone knows your pseudonym/DFO.