A great list. I am on a quasi-political/pop culture blog and frankly, I don't love it as much as personal finance. What do you think of scrapers and using a full-feed? I have a full-feed because around DC, it's difficult to get out past DoD firewalls, so my military site readers have asked me to turn it on.
I followed here from Gaping Void. I'm so sorry about your mother's stroke. My father recently had one, but is recovering. I know it's hard to sit and hold hands, but there's a lot to keeping the connection and the warmth of human touch. Just being able to be close to her is good.