Thursday 25 May 2017

Rumpus Room Shelves Completion Blues: Thursday, May 25th!

The true test of a civilization is, not the census, nor the size of the cities, nor the crops -- no, but the kind of man the country turns out. -Ralph Waldo Emerson, essayist (25 May 1803-1882) 

Lady Dar woke up around 2:30 am and couldn't go back to sleep so she went into the guest bedroom to read and had both Etta and Duke for companions. Dukos slept soundly while Miss Etta spent a goodly amount of time climbing all over the bookshelves and other pieces of furniture there. For my part, once I realized I'd been abandoned, I was able to turn on the radio and enjoyed drifting in and out of The Land of Nod until 7:30 am.

Hello Self-Correcting Message Sender! Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts. Lady Dar has talked to her Mom a couple of times since we've been home and she seems to be coping well. Clara said she's been busy baking apple pies, in case there is company, etc., so she obviously has a lot of strength. When we first heard the news of Dusty's death and Corinne called Falcon, she broke down on the phone and Clara told her to "Buck Up!", a family saying when things aren't going well! During the funeral when both Chloë and I were shedding a few tears I leaned over and said, "Buck Up!" Made us both laugh and helped to get us through some of the tough parts.

Busy time here since being back from Winnipeg. Actually had friends from Walnut Creek, [near San Francisco if not familiar with Bay Area], over this past long-weekend.  On Tuesday, Jugos Dom Pedro brought his trailer around and we picked up a yard of topsoil for the extension we made to our vegetable garden. Lady Dar, fortunately, finally, now on the mend, was busy painting the walls in the Rumpus Room. She finished the wall to which our new shelving units will be affixed. I have stained the two small "extensions" that are needed to hold the turn-table and CD player and will screw them onto the appropriate shelves today, notching out a few spots, at the back of two of the units, for electrical cords, etc., before attaching units together and to the wall itself.

Lady Dar is off to Vancouver on Friday to stay overnight with Chloë and then drive to Squamish on Saturday to meet with Leah and Mason about their wedding. Leah's shower is that afternoon. Back on Tuesday as her Book Club, in Vancouver, is on Monday. I'll be busy working on three outside storage units for bikes while she is away. Had a grand ride on Victoria Day.  Headed to Summerland as wind was out of the north at 18 kph so I wanted to fight it on outward bound leg. Has been absolutely gorgeous ever since we've been back, [Except for yesterday when it was quite cool, with a few drops of rain, following incredible storm, you mentioned, although our winds were not as fierce as you experienced. Only damage we suffered, other than leaves and such, strewn everywhere, was to one of our tomatoe plants in planter on back patio. Took a bit of a beating as it wasn't in a frame and the gusts shook it like a rag doll. Lady Dar has now staked it so it should be fine.], so am now taking my camel pack as my water bottle doesn't provide enough hydration with the higher temperatures. Longest ride, (81 km), and best AVG, (21.5 kph), since being back from Winnipeg so pleased that my distance is "creeping" up, even if my speed needs more work. Map and Stats for ride:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1749539713#.WSRXc2ka6Co.email
 

Yesterday we were treated to delicious lunch at The Hooded Merganser, at the Lakeshore Resort, [Hardly any sand showing on the beach beyond boardwalk, all the way down to the SS Sicamous, floating, though securely tethered, as a result of rising water level!], by friends from Healdsburg, winery owners, Pat and David Coffaro. They were driving back from Banff, en route to Osoyoos, for the night. We invited them to stay but for some reason Pat thinks it would have been an imposition! I'm not as reticent about such things and in fact will be staying with them when I drive down to LA, in late June for our youngest grandson's wedding. At the rate Kian is going, you be hearing wedding bells soon!



On another matter, when Lady Dar was at Huber, having car oil changed, on Tuesday, a chap came up to her and asked if that was her car with the bike rack. When she said it was he introduced himself as Dave Michael, the Sales Director for Swagman, the company here in town, which makes the racks. He had noticed that it was rusting and said he wanted to give us a new one! When I talked to him, to arrange to pick one up he told me that there had been a problem with the powder coating on one batch so whenever they see one with rust they offer to replace it. In fact, I received the new, improved model, Sitka2, yesterday afternoon! Funnily enough, I was going to drive by place we purchased it from, initially, to ask what they might suggest to arrest rusting process. Simply haven't had time, of late. Anyway, really chuffed, especially as I have been, otherwise, extremely pleased with the model.

Must away as I have a number of chores, assigned, imperiously, by Lady Dar, to discharge, forthwith, if not sooner! Need to mix in compost from our two bins as she wants to start planting vegetable patch extension. Then must retrieve cushions for some of the patio furniture from highest shelf in garage.Then I want to have shelving units ready to screw together before she leaves as I need her to hold them in place while I put in first few fastening screws. Fondestso from Lady Dar, with thanks for your thoughts. Cheers, Patrizzio!


Pics: Tasting at 9:45 am, Saturday, May 20th, at Black Widow. Nothing like getting an early start to the day! Amos and Pat with Leigh, Balsamic Bliss Woman, at Farmers' Market, on Main Street, Penticton, later on Saturday; Grumpy Painter! Exhausto Woman; Waiting for Wine! Extension to vegetable patch; Rumpus Room, originale and with shelving. Outside restaurant; Spiffy new bike rack!

Patrick, I could come and look at your stereo tomorrow after golf, sometime after 1 PM, if that time doesn't conflict with your riding. Peter Hi Best Buy Boy!
I'll be here! No conflict at all! Just back from Spiller Road with two tables, seven players, but we had fun with Dummy moving. What a sunset! How is Lynne? Lady Dar is off tomorrow so just me and the felines for a frolicsome weekend! Thanks and see you tomorrow whenever you arrive. Buona Fortuna with your golf game! Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: View and players!

Dear Corinne and Patrick: First off sincere sympathies to you! You will miss Dusty so so much--what an amazing man. Please know that we feel for you very much. Clara sounds like a real prairie person--"buck up"-- sucking it up and moving on--baking pies and getting ready for company. Great strength but such a loss leaves a gaping hole in your hearts.

We will definitely be in Penticton on Sunday. We would love to have dinner with you! Really looking forward to seeing you and I will email properly tomorrow. We are in Calgary now visiting Colin's sister. Colin's mother has had a fall she is 91 and is now in Nanaimo hospital -- it seems she has dislocated her hip which was replaced several years ago. They will determine if she will need surgery and we should know that this evening.

Off for now and thanks so so much for your email. Will send a better email tomorrow. Cheers Jo-Anne and Colin


Hi everyone, Just wanted to update you about Dean and his dance OURO group. Dean will start working for Japan Exchange Teaching Program (JET Program), he will teach English in Yokoshita City, south of Fukuoka in southern Japan, in August 2017. He says he can stay in touch with the OURO group, but I suspect his time will be taken up with his new job and with local dance groups in his city. Dean and his OURO group will perform as below schedule:
 

May 25 and May 26 at the Orpheum annex in Vancouver, British Columbia. June 2, 3, and 4 Guelph Dance Festival (in The Park Series), Guelph, Ontario July 17 Machida Performance, Machido Shimin Hall, Tokyo, JAPAN OR check detail information at www.ourocollective.com

Jim and I will be back within a week. Bangkok is still very hot (32 degrees), even though it is a Rainy Season now. See you soon. Jim and Tip
Hi Tip! Lovely to hear from you. Coincidentally, Jo-Anne and Colin will be in Penticton this Sunday and are coming to dinner. They have been in Edmonton where Jo-Anne was attending a conference and then to Calgary to visit Colin's brother. Trust your time in Bangkok went well, in spite of the heat. Hello from Corinne to you and Jim. Travel safely. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Twitter Boy! [The Catherine Palace?] Trust you and The Goils are well.   Wednesday we were treated to delicious lunch at The Hooded Merganser by Pat and David Coffaro! They were driving back from Banff, en route to Osoyoos, for the night. Remeber when we first met David at Meeker? Fondestos from Lady Dar, to one and all. Cheers, Patrizzio!


Hello Card Sharps! Thanks to Jack Rabbit and Fast Phillip for hosting a lovely evening of bridge, and to Judy Blue for doing yeoman's service as The Traveling Dummy!

With respect to next week's game. both Monday and Tuesday have been suggested so I need to know which evening suits most people. We will gather at our place on the night which suits the majority so please send along your preference and we'll plan accordingly. Thanks and Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Fab view, sunset and players!


Good bridge again last night - thx everyone. Phil and I consulted diaries and we can only make it on Monday night. Gill and Phil
 
 

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