.

I have just received an e-mail telling me that our good friend Doug (Flickr member dougwaylett) collapsed today and is in the Trauma unit. Please join me in sending strong thoughts and prayers his way, and also for his wife, Flo .... Thinking of you both! Stay strong, Doug! There are more rare lichens out there for you to still discover!

Update 8:00 p.m. - apparently, Doug has now been moved to a different ward, and I'm so hoping that this is good news.

Update before I go to bed: Doug's wife was eventually located and told. When I was given this last update, Flo was at the Hospital with her hubby, thank goodness. Doug had been moved from the Trauma Unit to Intensive Care. Doug, hope you are able to get a good night's sleep and we all hope you are a little stronger tomorrow. We are all thinking of you! You, too, Flo!

UPDATE on Doug, next day, Sunday: it is with great sadness that I have to let people know that good friend Doug Waylett passed away today. Apparently, he had just given a talk in the herbarium at the University of Calgary yesterday and was looking at some lichens, when he had a massive heart attack. This will be a tremendous loss, not just personal, but Doug was a great source of information on plants, lichens and fungi. His passing leaves a huge void, especially for those who knew him well here in Calgary. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Flo, and their family.