Old Oak Via Peachland Blues: Tuesday, February 7th!

The President is merely the most important among a large number of public servants. He should be supported or opposed exactly to the degree which is warranted by his good conduct or bad conduct, his efficiency or inefficiency in rendering loyal, able, and disinterested service to the Nation as a whole. Therefore it is absolutely necessary that there should be full liberty to tell the truth about his acts, and this means that it is exactly necessary to blame him when he does wrong as to praise him when he does right. Any other attitude in an American citizen is both base and servile. To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. Nothing but the truth should be spoken about him or any one else. But it is even more important to tell the truth, pleasant or unpleasant, about him than about any one else. -Theodore Roosevelt, 26th US President (1858-1919)

Patrick and Corinne, It was nice to met you finally. If you are coming this way, please let us know so you can come for coffee. As promised, please find attached the 16 day itinerary for the Tibetan New Year’s Festival. The cost for 2017 was 28,900 RMB which is approx. CAD $5521 . The airfare in China was 2,800 RMB or CAD $535. It is a fabulous trip. Susan Trimble is an expert on China travel and has been doing this trip for well over ten years. Given the costs involved you may want to extend your stay in China or elsewhere in Asia to see more. Cheers, Nancy 

Hi Nancy! Lovely to meet you as well and learn a bit about your exciting life in so many parts of Asia. Thanks, of course, for the itinerary and for the invitation to pop by. Hope we will do so in the not too, too distant future, when everyone's busy schedules allow. 

Yesterday, shortly after you left, on my way to the pool I had to stop at an intersection, a few blocks from our place, to allow two large deer to cross Ellis. Female driver on the other side of the intersection was laughing, as was I, at the spectacle. Penticton, where the great outdoors is right downtown! For my part, have never seen these creatures in this part of town during the winter, although they are quite prevalent in many residential areas in the other seasons, as I need not tell you. First summer we were here one was even nibbling at shoots in our small vegetable patch. Of course, this year we will have guard cats! All the best. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi, Patrick! And Hi, Clara, Corinne, Chloe, Ayn and Pam! What fun photos!!
Thank you for all the arrangements and suggestions! They fit perfectly for me!
I appreciate that Chloe would pick me up at the airport and letting my large luggage at her place! And please don't worry about me during Chloe's work days. I will be flexible and go around Vancouver with buses or Sky Train. Remember?! I used to be an bus expert when I lived in Vancouver! Thank you!!
In Okanagan, lots of snow! It's interesting to imagine you shoveling snow. I'm coming to Canada in less than a week!! Love, Toshiko 

 
Hi Toshi! Glad everything, as outlined for Vancouver, is agreeable to you, Toshi. We knew you'd be just fine, navigating on your own. Do you still have friends in the city? In an earlier message I had intended to ask you if you might bring a couple of small knives, (Make sure they are not in your carry-on!), as we really like the Japanese style. Not as big as the wonderful ones you brought last time but something that you might use for vegetables. Thanks so much, in advance. See you soon. Travel safely. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Snowshoeing up at Riordan: Sharing some pics from an awesome snowshoeing day at Nickel Plate. Here's a link to some pics from today. Good 'shoe!!

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/view/29626041328-1486509014-87366/0

Hi Motorized Mary! Thanks for the fabulous snapolas. What a Winter Wonderland indeed!  I gather Paolo will have mentioned that we bumped into each other at the pool, along with Wild Bill. Latter was just finishing his laps and I was doing my stretch exercises, against the deep end side, after 2.5 hours of deep-water walking. Then we all gathered in the steam room for a good chat. Look forward to seeing everyone on Friday. Is Lady Dar hosting Mah Jong? If so, guess I'll see you twice that day! Either way, see you soon. Cheers, Patrizzio!