Kelowna Bound and Back Blues: Monday, February 6th!

 The tragedy in the lives of most of us is that we go through life walking down a high-walled lane with people of our own kind, the same economic situation, the same national background and education and religious outlook. And beyond those walls, all humanity lies, unknown and unseen, and untouched by our restricted and impoverished lives. -Florence Luscomb, architect and suffragist (6 Feb 1887-1985)

Gustave Flaubert

Art: Eugène Giraud (1806-1881)

Blame Chuck, it is his idea. If any of you, who will open this mail and be suitably inclined to join us, Chuck and I will be going on a SHORT AND EASY snow shoe hike here, in the valley, somewhere W of Summerland. Those for whom Jim's longer and more difficult version is too much are welcome to join us. Meet at the usual place, Summerland IGA parking lot at 9:00, tomorrow, Th. Feb. 9th
Carpool and drive to a trail head - to be decided, but close Frolic for 3 hrs max.
Coffee at a suitable watering hole  Let's see how many people are opening their e-mail more often than once a week. Cheers, Al 

Hi Al, This sounds good. While we enjoy the Three Bears hike, we have a lot of shovelling to do, so this will be perfect. Thanks. See you at IGA at 9:00. Tim and Marian Photos from Al: S of Trestle, Another lovely day:  https://goo.gl/photos/ReUuJYcaipkbqb8E8
  
Wow Pat!! It's wonderful to hear, that you both are so well.Yes, Max indeed is only drinking interesting and superb wine. Therefore I really enjoy eating at her places on Sunday evenings

You don't have to feel badly for not having written. We can feel the same about it! Not long ago, Heinz and Evelyne asked me, whether I've heard from you. So I can tell you for sure all the best from them and lots of love and greetings, also to Corinne.

I'm very sorry for your loss. I enjoyed my time with Annie also very much and thought she was a very lovely woman. So great, that Clara and Dusty are well. I hope to see you all again. Okanaga seem to be a superb palce! And Mexico has even warmer weather - not to be distained. Especially as they will soon be separatet from their annoying northern-neighbour.. Do you know this videos? http://everysecondcounts.eu/ I'll go back to work, but read you soon! All the best to you and Corinne and much love, Fiona                  Hi again Fiona and Fellow Cruel Swiss! Thanks for the link to the more than hilarious, bitingly satirical, well-deserved  "everysecondcounts.eu"! I had not seen it before, although Lady Dar had seen a few of the clips I thought the one from Mars was side-splitting but all the rest are devastatingly funny as well, if not for the very serious, critical point that what they ridicule is fact, not alternative fact or false news, so to speak!

Penticton and environs is a Winter Wonderland indeed! I have attached a snap from a snowshoe outing on Monday, sent along by friend in hiking group I have joined. Had it not been for my hip rehab I would most likely have joined them.

Cheers, Patrizzio! PS: Very, very belated congratulations from Lady Dar and I to Sabine and Simon on the birth of Max Paul! I do apologize for not being in touch sooner! No excuses but plenty of reasons, as I have to say, far too, too often, I'm afraid!!! Our congratulations extend, it goes without saying, to the very proud grandparents, our more than generous Host Parents in Bern, Evelyne and Heinz! Hip Hip Hooray!

Pics: Snowshoeing near Summerland, in the Penticton Alps! Looking east across Okanagan Lake towards Naramata with Penticton, itself, to the south, out of the picture. Woman at very front is Marian Dunn, no relation, unfortunately! I have met more "Dunns" since we moved here, in May 2015, than ever before, literally, in my entire life, but no relatives!  

Thanks Corrine and Patrick for hosting this Wednesday. I'm in and hoping there we will be playing. Hugs, Olly Hi Olga Polga, et al!
 

Great that you can play, Rolly Polly! Naramata Pamela said she was in this week so we are on for sure. If Josinta and Michaelo are planning to play, even better as I think Lady Dar can ask someone from The Flatlanders as well. Maybe we can even persuade Spumoni to join us and then we'd have a legitimate two tables! With seven, as you know, Dummy will have to play at the other table. That's fine but I think it would be grand to have two tables. Anyway, let me know if you'll be playing on Wednesday and we'll plan accordingly. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Just back from Kelowna as we had to drive Chloë and Pamela to airport as all the weekend flights into Penticton were cancelled due to snow! Took the opportunity to do a Costco run so now we don't care if we are snowed in until Spring! Pics: Duke and Etta waiting for me to shovel the walk this morning! The Sisterhood at Kelowna Airport.

Hi Patrick, Yes I plan to play. See you on Weds and thank you for hosting. Pamela Hello bridge friends, I will not be playing this Wednesday, but can host next week's event. Please let me know who is planning to come, and I pick and choose doorprizes accordingly. Jos Hi Pamela and Olga Polga! There will just be the four of us as Josinta won't be playing and since I haven't heard from Michaelo, I assume he won't be coming either. I gather Spumoni has held fast to her desire not to play this week. Anyway, look forward to seeing you both tomorrow. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Corinne and Patrick, Thursday will be a long snowshoe, starting from the snowflake parking lot. It is probably safer to meet at Zia's where we have reservations for 6.15 pm under my name. Marian and Tim will be coming as well, and our common friends Paul and Charlotte from Troutcreek. Very much looking forward to it. We are planning to have a bite there as well, since we will be hungry after snowshoeing. Hugs from Jos. Hi Snowshoe Folk! Have a grand time snowshoeing. We'll see you at Zia's. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Dear Patrick What adorable cats and sisterhood! Look forward to seeing you in May--for a quick visit. We will be enroute home from Edmonton. Schedule is tight as usual and please know that we are coming for a short visit--hopefully can sit on your patio and have a nice glass of wine. Thanks for your generous invitation but as is the usual with our jaunts to Alberta we will not be staying with you as we will have to press on to Vancouver. We did at least want to duck in to see you and Corinne and those darned cats. 

Take care--too much snow! Lovely though--trees coated in white. Warmest wishes Jo-Anne Hi Jo-Anne! Sorry, of course, that you won't be able to spend more time with us but understand completely. We can certainly offer you a glass, or two, or more, of wine, or malt or local gin, vodka or beer, [The choices are endless!], but will also have something to eat to help soak up the hootch for the road, since you must be on your way. Do you have any idea of when we might expect you? Where will you be leaving from? Not a big deal but knowing, roughly, when you estimate you will be in Penticton, will help us better plan our day. You can always call from the road, when you have a better idea of your probable arrival time. Anyway, if you decide to change your plans, you are always welcome to stay.  Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Jake! Trust you and Vittorina are well! I gather that Bill did not call you. He came over a little more than a week or so ago to leave Penticton Remembers Vol II with us. He was off for Hawaii next day, for a month I believe. At any rate, you can pop by if in town or else we can arrange a time I could drop it off.

I'll be sending out a message, shortly, about Book Club. Have you any suggestions for titles and meeting times? So far, looks like Thursday evening seems to work for most of those who have responded. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Susie has snow also: attached+trump Hello Dry Creek! Terrific to hear from you and see that Susie is still protesting in spite of the snow! Onward!! Fight!!!



I think I may well have mentioned that Lady Dar and Chloë are "scheming" to sell our loft in Vancouver. To this end, Cora Lee has been looking at various "view"  properties and had set up an appointment for last Saturday when Chloë was going to be visiting. As things turned out our agent called the day before we were to take a look at the interesting property to inform us that the seller had decided to take the house off the market. Nevertheless, we are still moving towards selling the property in Vancouver with the idea of then investing in property hereabouts. As these things go, probably need to wait until spring when real estate prices are typically better for sellers.



Well, there you have it, Patrizzia and Grumpy Winemaker, a bit of a window into the life of your almost snowed-in, wine-country cousins! Fondestos from Lady Dar. All the very best,  dear friends! Take care of yourselves! Cheers, Patrizzio!