Back on Burns Street Searching for the Lost Collar Blues: Monday, July 31st!

It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends. -J.K. Rowling, author (b. 31 Jul 1965)

Honeymooners in Jamaica!

Up at 6:30 am even though the felines were not agitating to go outside. Lovely and cool but knew the day was going to heat up to be a blast furnace later. Think I'll wait until very late afternoon until I go for my ride. Am waiting for heat of the day to die down before I head out today. Unfortunately, smoke is back, and pretty thick, so I only plan a relatively short ride to OK Falls and back, fueled on a delicious slab of poppy-seed cake from Farmers' Market. Have scads of things to do beforehand to ready ourselves as the August Tsunami of Freeloaders begins a week, next Thursday!

Hi Fast Eddy, et al! Enjoyed the article on expensive malt and Coke!

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/tipplers-acquire-a-taste-for-expensive-whisky/article35809609/

Alex & Sam!

Thanks muchly. Trust you are well. We're just back from Little Shuswap where Lady Dar performed the marriage ceremony for the eldest daughter of very close friends, The Squamoids, Ruthless and Ricardo, both bridge players! Wonderful, wonderful time indeed. Unfortunately, with the busy wedding schedule, no time for any bridge although we have played with a number of other couples attending, over the years.

Went for a fabulous ride this past Saturday, before the wedding ceremony itself. Even saw a gorgeous, decent sized, black bear, crossing the road ahead of me, towards the end of the ride. I rang my bell, furiously, when I first saw the creature, hoping the sound would make it scamper into the bush more quickly. In fact, the bear stopped to look right at me and I was just about to make a quick about-face when it ambled off. My heart beating I "raced" past as quickly as I could! Guess I better stick to The Seawall! Map and Stats for ride:
 
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1883710349#.WX32HB3cST4.email

Toshi-san!

Having two tables tomorrow evening, [Judy Blue is hosting], so should be fun. Many of the players are from the hiking group I've joined since moving here. Ragin' mentioned, when I was last in the city, that he'd like to get a regular game going, much as we had the year or so before Whirlygig and I abandoned Vancouver. [You may know that Giorgio is back on Galiano after a more than wonderful trip. He was even a domestique for Chris when Tour rode through the town they were staying in at the time!] Don't think it should be much trouble with you, the Carters, the Keatings and The Penguin as potential players.

Didn't join today's hike as have scads of things to do beforehand to ready ourselves as the August Tsunami of Freeloaders begins on Thursday! Lovely and cool this morning but know the day is going to heat up to be a blast furnace later. Think I'll wait until the very late afternoon to go for my ride. OK Falls or bust!
 

[Between 1640 and 1660 thousands of Irish people were sent by the British as indentured servants to work in Barbados and elsewhere in the Caribbean. The name of the island is from Portuguese/Spanish barbados (bearded ones). It’s not clear whether this refers to the people, the appearance of the dense vegetation, or something else. Earliest documented use: 1655.]

Must away as Lady Dar has just prepared a lovely omelette, with fresh basil and some of the green, heritage tomatoes from our modest vegetable patch. Nothing but designer produce here in Paradise! Our four different types of melon are doing well, not to mention our zucchini, two rows of corn, [only six stalks apiece, so one meal, if we are lucky, two or three sans Freeloaders!], as well as some beautiful Bolivian, purple hot peppers, in a planter. Glad Cannery Brewing is only a few blocks away in case I need to quench the fire!

All the best and look forward to a visit from you in the not too, too distant future! Bring your bikes as the KVR awaits, along with some pretty good hills! Fondestos from Lady Dar, working on the ceremony for her next wedding, Thursday evening, at a private residence, here in town. Cheers, Patrizzio/Il Conduttore! Pics: Corn is as high...! Bolivians along with basil and parsley; Saskatchewan Cream melon; Lady Dar performs wedding ceremony for Leah and Mason: Ricardo and Patrizzio; Lady Dar and Ruthless; Dad and daughter; Vows; signed and sealed!https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/tipplers-acquire-a-taste-for-expensive-whisky/article35809609/

Corrine looks fabulous! Oh and you don’t dress up so bad yourself Pat! Thanks for sharing the photos. OH and quick playing with the bears! You don’t have a chance. PS I’m sure you must have received Charlie and Susan’s travel letter and so now know about Charlie. Hope he is mending well. Scary stuff. Hugs,
Janet Hi Grand Slam Penguin! Glad you enjoyed the snaps. Don't worry about the bears as I know even I am no match for them!!! Still riding as Penticton is, more or less, a bear-free zone!

Yes, we knew a bit about Charlie's illness. I've called a number of times and sent along a few messages but other than a short thank-you for an e-card, [Thanks so much for your kind thoughts and hope to see you both soon. Luv C & S], I've not heard more or actually talked to anyone. I suspect, and fear, that things are not going as well as travel letter suggested. I hope I'm wrong, of course. Perhaps treatment schedule/regime is simply too exhausting for everyone, particularly Charlie, it goes without saying, both physically and mentally, to allow more frequent communication. Anyway, I'll let you know if we hear more. Look forward to a visit whenever it suits. You should give Ragin' a call and help him set up a regular bridge game, if interested. Happy Bidding. All the best and  Cheers, Il Conduttore!

Hello Lower Mainlanders! Trust all goes well. Must apologize for not being in touch sooner, especially after enjoying everyone's marvellous hospitality. Colin, have you seen this the article, [See below], on expensive malt and Coke! Wednesday is our book club, hosted by Senka, owner/winemaker at Terravista. Discussing When Breath Becomes Air. Do you know it?

All the best and look forward to more visit from you in the not too, too distant future! Bring your bike, Miss Marpole, as the KVR awaits. Fondestos from Lady Dar swooning over Victor in The Young and the Useless, in the Rumpus Room, A/C going full blast! Must away as I need to suit and lube up and out on my gas mask! Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Dunbar and Kerrisdale! 

 Summer of Love 6pk Special $120

(shipping included)

You will receive a set 6pk of six different red wines from our fan favorite 2013 vintage.

Shipping is included in this limited time offer! If you want to come by the winery to pick up one of these groovy 6pks instead, we'll pick up the sales tax.  

Thanks for the update Patrick! Your veggies and melons look great. But best of all was the photo of you all "decked out" for the wedding - nice outfit!
Patrizzia#2 Wow, Man, Heavy! Groovy, groovy marketing, indeed! Peace!

Hey. Thanks for the pics, Conductore! Hi Piston Man! Glad you enjoyed the snaps. Please pass along my thanks to The Immortals for allowing me join their quest for Eternal Youth! Look forward to a visit whenever it suits. Happy Trails. All the best. Cheers, Il Conduttore!
 
By the time I'd run a few errands, (Picked up some cheese, from Upper Bench, to take to our Book Club, on Wednesday, hosted by Senka at Terravista, and latest releases from both Township 7 and Poplar Grove, then to recycling depot to return empties and worked away at my message backlog, it was close to 6:00 pm. Set off then, into the murky haze and since the wind was blowing out of the North at 16 kph I decided against fighting it on Eastside , on way back from OK Falls. Instead, I hit the Gerbil Wheel Route, hammsterizing the loop between PTC, Lakeshore and Riverside then back up to the start of the KVR and thence to Vancouver Ave and back to start all over again. Once I'd done this, with variations, two or three times, I had about 34 km on the clock so I then headed down Government, as far as Dawson before turning around to retrace the route for the final, basic loop down Ellis to PTC, my the route regulare and then home.

On the last loop to PTC, the sweet scent of dope, from the homeless camping out in the bush nearbye, overlaying the pervasive charred wood smell, and then down Lakeshore where the sun was a gigantic blood orange globe, hanging, pulsing just above the hills of West Bench, a gargantuan, primordial heart pumping rays colouring the water with streaks of neon red! Spectacular indeed but with a terrible backstory, of course, given the wildfires which have given rise to the blanket of smoke engulfing most of the Okanagan. Happy to be home and, overall, pleased with the outing, given conditions. Hip Hip, (Cough!) Hurrah! Map and Stats for ride: 

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1888215794#.WYCWTdHFGOI.email
   
Hi Chris, Here is the signed paperwork, let me know when you want to come over to do pictures, Wednesday might be best for me but I could make arrangements for either Tuesday or Thursday to work, depending on yours and the photographers schedule. Cheers, Chloë Hi everyone, Good work. Just spoke to my photographer. Unfortunately, he is not available Wednesday. Let's try for Thursday at 9ish. I'll confirm that ASAP.

I will also need everyone to send me a picture or a scan of either their Driver's Licence or Passport for a mandatory federal ID form. Did we decide on a launch day? I still think Monday, Aug 14 is a good date. Makes it easy to work around Chloe's schedule and avoids the long weekend lull. Let me know and I'll make the arrangements. Thanks! Chris Naples Real Estate Trading Representative
Macdonald Realty Ltd. Hi Chris, Yes the 14th as a launch date is fine, I'll text you a picture of my license in a bit, and Thursday is fine just let me know when you find out. Thanks Chris, Chloë!

Hi Zamir, I have filled this out to my best ability, please let me know if I have failed miserably or what next steps are, I am heading up to Penticton on Friday where I'm looking to buy but have no property locked down as of yet. The one thing I did not put on paper is that the property I live in I partially own, and will be getting money to put down on my next purchase but the remainder goes to the other people on the title (my folks). I would prefer to qualify on my own but if need co-sign they will do that for me. Thanks, Chloe

Hey Chloe – I will get to your application as soon as I have a moment. Off quick glance: - Do you have a mortgage on your existing property? If so, please provide the following: o Balance o Rate o Lender o Payment o Property Taxes o Strata Fees - What price range are you currently looking in for your new purchase? Do you have any sample listings of what you are interested in? - What are your plans for employment in Penticton? Obviously, we are not able to use your income from here. It would be one heck of a commute. This would most likely call for your folks to co sign in order to income qualify. Are you available to chat tomorrow? We can discuss game plan. Have a good day. zamir 

Hi Zamir, No mortgage on the property I currently am living in and will sell with Chris's help, but strata is $309 a month and property tax is $55 monthly.
I am looking between 450-650 but would prefer and most probably could only afford 500-550 comfortably. I can send you some listings i'm interested in seeing this weekend in Penticton if that'd helpful? I am looking at jobs in Strata management but am open to renting the house that I purchase until it works for me to move in 6 to 12 months so that I move with a job already in place, and would staying with a friend in Vancouver. Tomorrow works for me to chat, just let me know the time that best suits you so I can make myself available. Thanks, Chloë

Hey Chloe – Attached is the application for your parents. Have them fill it out and send it over with the following: - 2014,2015,2016 of FULL T1 Generals from Personal Taxes - 2014, 2015, 2016 of Notice of Assessments from Personal Taxes - Property Tax Notice for their Existing Current House Chat soon, zamir From Zamir.......Hey Chloe – It’s just so the lender can see the actual breakdown of where their income is coming from. Some people have various pensions, investment and dividend income and the lender requires to see all the actual allocations. They can send the NOA’s for now but eventually the lender will require to see the full T1 Generals in any case. 

Hi Chloë! Here are four files, [My three Ti Generals for '14, '15 and '16, along with your Mother's for '16.] Still having difficulty finding information for other two years as TurboTax seems to have no record of her '14 and '15 returns but I will contact them again now that I know we seem to be unable to open the file I sent earlier. I'm hoping that they might be able to do so and send it, along with '15, to me in pdf format. Let me know what Zamir thinks of these files. See you soon. Love and Cheers, Dad!

Hello Aero Postales, or should I say Luau Party and Summer of Love People! (See forwarded messages, from Coffaros!) Trust you are both well. Sorry that it has taken me a bit of time to send along more thanks for your considerable outlay for postage, not to mention time and energy. Might well have been worth the expense and effort as I will now give Casa Vicente a wide, wide berth on future trips to California, so that I'm not hit with extra excise duty!

Sorry indeed, that we will miss the fabulous Hawaiian Bash but you should think about going as our representatives! Stay well, take care of yourselves. Fondestos from Lady Dar. Cheers, Patrizzio, aka Master Freeloader Extraordinaire! Pics: Two priceless Deidre's. I've been meaning to send these along for ages, ever since your sen tout your wonderful retrospective!


Doug McInnes:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/vancouversun/obituary.aspx?n=douglas-mcinnes&pid=186228175

A celebration of Doug's life will be held at the Beach Grove Golf Club on Sunday, October 1, 2017 from 1-4pm.

Vernon and Lake Country Blues: Sunday, July 30th!

Mistakes live in the neighbourhood of truth and therefore delude us. -Rabindranath Tagore, Indian Poet (1861-1941) 

[Chloe Alexis Dunn This is visiting Vernon living' hiking and HEAT!! ❤️☀️🌵 — with Robbie Romu and Katie Maness Hansford.] Up at 8:00 am to map a small pot of java industriale to ready myself for the drive to Vernon. While I sipped and Lady Dar showered, I started packing. By the time we were ready The Marriage Officiant went to see if she could find a luggage cart while I had a quick shower. Back upstairs she loaded it and then left to complete check-out while I did a last minute sweep of the room and then wheeled my bike into the hallway, Dave helping me hold the door until I was clear of its awkward bulk. Candace came to say goodbye and we hope to see them both in Penticton, at some point, as they have quite a few friends there.

Dave and I went downstairs together and then he chatted with Lady Dar while I went to retrieve the car from the near-bye lot. Didn't take long before The MarriageMobile was ready to roll and we set off for The Trans Canada, with an ETA, in Vernon, shortly after 11:00 am.

Patrick, I am planning to attend my inaugural book club meeting this Weds. I am madly reading the book now👍 Looking forward to meeting my fellow book club members�� Pam Hi Furiously, Madly Reading Woman! Terrific that you plan to join us at Senka's. I trust you will be able to make bridge, in spite of your busy reading schedule! Fondestos from Lady Dar. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Seems like Tuesday nite is the favourite!!! Patrick and Corrine are you available?? If so can you bring the bridge table? Hope you are all enjoying our hot weather 😎😎🙊 See you Tuesday Judy Hi Judy, we can come and will bring your table. Cheers Corinne Hi Judy, Please count me in for Tuesday next week or any other night that works for you Judy and the rest of the bridge gang. And thanks for offering to host. Hugs, Olly Hi all, Phil and I are, at the moment, okay for any day next week. If Kelsey and I decided to climb one evening in conflict with bridge night, which not very likely, I'd just have to back out. See you and thanks Judy Gill  

Happy Sunday morning to all, I can play Tuesday night. See you all at Judy's house Tuesday evening at 6:30. Pam Ps Patrick and Corinne would you like me to pick you up? Sure a ride would be great if you have room for the table. Corinne Hi again, Chauffeur Goil! Thanks for kind offer. I assume you will have room for a bridge table if you take us to Judy's place. Not sure if Michaelo and Jos will be playing but they can make their own way if they decide to play. Perhaps we can squeeze Olga Polga into the back seat with Lady Dar and bridge table! I'll send out a message to confirm number at gathering. Will see you around 6:15 pm, Penticton time, but probably 7:00 pm, Naramata time, as you are obviously in another time zone! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello Tuesday Evening Bridge Players! See everyone, [Not yet heard from Josinta or Michaelo], on Tuesday, between 6:30 pm and 7:00 pm in Judy Blue's ever so comfortable, inviting parlour and bridge emporium! Olga Polga, if you are coming alone, from Summeria, I'm sure Naramata Goil will let you hitch a ride if you are at our place by 6:10 pm. If the other Summerlandians plan on playing perhaps they could carpool with Upper Spiller Road Folk so let me know so that the necessary arrangements can be made. For now, including hostess, seven confirmed, Justicia! Thanks and Cheers, Patrizzio!

Thanks Patrick, I hope we get 8! Remember to bring our table!' See you on Tuesday. Kph Hi JBB! Table keeps trying to get outside so we've had to tie one of its legs to one of the dining room chairs bridge night! If we could be sure it would know how to find its way home, we might just let it go!! Cheers, Patrizzio! haha!! also fyi, Jos has indicated that she will be coming! 

Hello, hello, I am back and will be there tomorrow. Olly and I will drive together from Summerland. Jos Hi Josinta/Polga Smolga! Will you come to Judy Blue's place on your own or do you want Fast Phil to collect you two at our place, should he be willing to transport such attractive grandmothers? Let one of us know and the car-pooling will be arranged accordingly. Welcome home and look forward to seeing you, Josinta, and my favourite Rolly Polly, it goes without saying! Sorry I will miss tomorrow's hike but life is a merry-go-round at the moment. Not that it ever isn't, it seems, but spinning rapidly out of control, of late! Onward! Cheers, Patrizzio! Hi again, JBB! Fabulous! Two-tables without waiting for The Dummy! FYI, just let the table out the door and last I saw of it, it was headed down White at a good clip so should be home by 2:00 pm! Cheers, Patrizzio!


Corinne, I have room for a table and Olly and Jos too. I'll be by around 6:20 Tuesday night😊 Pam OK see you then, Corinne Hello Summerians! This just in from Spamela. [see above.] See you all for snuggleage on Tuesday! Thanks Driving Miss Daisy Webster! Cheers, Patrizzio! Hi Phillipo! Sorry, forgot to include you in this message. Guess we'll see you at Judy Blue's place. Cheers, Patrizzio! Hi Bridge mates, Jos, I will pick you up @ 6:10 tomorrow to head off to Judy's. Should anyone else would like a ride, just let me know. Hugs, Olly Hi all, Jos and I will just meet you at Judy's, if that okay. I hope that okay with you all. Hugs, Olly Hi Independent Women! Fine! See you at Judy Blue's place! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hello Vernonites, [Chloë, please forward. Thanks], et al! Thanks for the tour of your wonderful home! Can hardly wait until you are fully moved in so that we can come and use the hot-tub and stay for weeks!!! Thanks for the java and overlefts, Katie, as for the generous hootch, Brian! Much appreciated. As well, great to see you Robertito. Take care of each other and hope to see everyone in the not too, too distant future. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Vernon Villa!

Hi Pat & Corrine -

Thanks for the pictures! It was so lovely to have you come visit! I'm happy that you approved of my coffee (I am a trained barista after all) and honored that you found yourself some corn and made yourself at home 😊 Thank you so much for the champagne and goodies for my crazy kids. Next time you come we will drink it whilst hot tubbing! Xoxo Katie Hi Barista Goil! Nothing but the best at The Vernon Villa! Be careful, we might just be knocking on your door after Lady Dar's next wedding in Kamloops, weekend of 19th so start saving your corn cobs! On the feline front, Amanda, our neighbour who looks after Etta and Duke while we are away, told us that one or the other has now learned how to open the cat door when it is locked! Last few nights I have to "barricade" the door, with a bridge table to keep the escapees inside at night! Added to that, Duke somehow managed to lose his collar while we were at Little Shuswap. We had an extra one and Lady Dar was able to obtain a new name/phone tag at PetCo so he is now sporting a dashing red collar. Fashionista Woman thinks this is his colour anyway! Buona Fortuna with more unpacking and settling in. Fondestos and Cheers to you, Cappuccino Lady, The Crazy Katzenjammer Kids and Beer Can Brian, Patrizzio!

Going To The All Seasons Chapel SIngin'The Marriage Officiant Blues: Saturday, July 29th!

There was never a genius without a tincture of madness. -Aristotle, philosopher (384-322 BCE) 

Up at just after 8:00 am to find Lady Dar reading on the deck. I made her a cup of tea and brewed myself a small pot of java, using both the decaf and regulare pre-packs to give me a bit more strength for the road. I am planning to go for a fairly long ride, (distance to be determined once I'm on my way), but hope to do at least 71 km. Know the roads hereabouts, reasonably well, from past visits so looking forward to a bit more exploring as well.

By the time I'd managed to edit some of the snaps I'd taken the night before, and sent along a few messagios, it was close to 10:30 am. Then, I needed to suit and lube up so it was just after 11:00 am when I pushed my Trek out of the entrance-way to Quaaout Lodge and I was away. Started off by riding towards the point where The Squamoids have their lovely cabin but only went about one km in that direction before turning around to make for Squilax/Anglemont Rd. Just a quick run over the bridge over the narrows, which join Little Shuswap and Shuswap, and the Trans-Canada Hwy. Then a quick turnaround, once over the bridge, and back onto S/A Rd to ride towards Scotch Creek. Shoulders are not particularly wide for first five or six km and there is usually quite a bit of traffic, large pick-ups, on their own, or pulling huge campers or mile long boats, the odd dump-truck or two, and certainly many gargantuan RV's, so I always paid particular attention to rising the straight and narrow, as much as it was possible to do, until just after Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park, [I circled here, a number of times to get my water-bottle open as I didn't want to try this tricky manoeuvre with vehicles whizzing past, but inches away, at times!], where the shoulders widen quite nicely.

Ride, from then on, includes a number of gradual climbs, but nothing that even necessitates shifting out of highest gear, and I love the stretches which run around various bays, watching families picnicing on the lake-shore, kids splashing each other in the shallow water. Temperature was around 25º C but there was always a cooling breeze so I never felt the considerable heat. Just before Scotch Creek one encounters a narrow bridge and must sometimes have to wait, yielding to on-coming traffic if vehicles are there ahead of you. Bit of a line-up as I descended the small hill just before the bridge but by the time I was ready to cross, eastbound traffic had started to move so I didn't ahve to touch The Dreaded Burning Ground, Dear Reader!

Short while later I was in Scotch Creek itself and knew, from previous junkets there, exactly what my route would be. Spent a very pleasant thirty or forty minutes criss-crossing the various streets which make up this tiny village, admiring some of the incredible log-cabin style mansions, and I mean mansions, adjacent to the Captain's Village Marina where Famiglia Toews winter their boat. By the time I was back on S/A Rd I had logged a little better than 42 km so I felt I was in pretty good shape to hit my 71 km goal by the time I was back. I planned to turn off on Holding Road, (roughly 12 km from SC), about 6 km from where I started out, and thought the round trip to Interfor's Adams Lake Lumber Division, the end line for me, was about 10 km. As it turned out it is slightly more than 10 km, one way!

At any rate, once on Holding, there is very, very little traffic and I was reminded of my rides on Green Mountain Road to Apex, although Holding is not nearly as much of a long, gradual, uphill climb as the former. At times I would catch glimpses of the Adams River below and noted the significant number of kayaks dotting its surface. Obviously, this is an extremely popular recreational activity, hereabouts, especially on this waterway, given its manageable rapids, at this time of year, I assume. In fact, just east of the second large concrete bridge on S/A Rd there is a short side road leading to a raft launch ramp into the Adams.

Close to the turn-off for the Adams Lake Ferry and the delightful general store, [Liquor and Video advertised!], I passed a number of houses and noticed the wonderful garden plots nearbye, about 6 feet below the right side of the road, the rows and rows of vegetables, lovingly tended, sending healthy growth skyward, many of the branches dripping with tomatoes and sweet peppers, from what I could see and tell. A short while later, I reached the rather impressive Interfor plant and I could smell the bark from all the logs collected there, both in the water and on the land. Huge piles of massive, massive trunks so it seems logging is still alive and well in these parts, although I don't know where these trees were harvested.  

Turned around here and then made my way back. Even though I was bucking the wind now, progress was far easier than before. Always surprises me that although one drops a goodly amount from the top of Holding to being fairly close to the water at Interfor, the return climb seems almost negligible. Why this should be so I have no idea whatsoever. I still shake my head when I think about it. At any rate, about halfway back, one passes the Roderick Haig-Brown Flume Trails Park and just a bit further along is Laokin Bear-Creek Rd. About half a km before latter what should I see but a gorgeous, fairly decent sized, black bear, crossing the road ahead of me! I rang my bell, furiously, when I first saw the creature, hoping the sound would make it scamper into the bush more quickly. In fact, the bear stopped to look right at me and I was just about to make a quick about-face when it ambled off, into the bush. My heart beating, I stood up on my pedals and "raced" past as quickly as I could! Guess I better stick to The Seawall! 

Once back on S/A Rd the traffic had died down so ride back to Little Shuswap Lake Rd was most pleasant and by the time I reached Quaaout Lodge I only needed to ride but another half km to beat my goal by 10 km! Couldn't have been happier with both the distance and the AVG so was pleased as punch, especially after my encounter with Ursus americanus, although I must admit that Regentibus Traderent Canadienses are probably more of a threat to cyclists! Just time enought o hop inthe shower and ready myself for wedding ceremony. Cheers! Map and Stats for ride: 

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1883710349#.WX32HB3cST4.email

Hi Stretchoids, et al! Sorry to report that I have yet to start stretching, what with drive yesterday and then start of wedding festivities but do plan to do a few basics before going for my ride today! Started to run into smoke yesterday when we were near the top of The Connector and it worsened as we approached Kamloops. Anyway, we are very, very fortunate as it was almost completely clear at Little Shuswap and same today, so far. Lodge has a pool and a hot tub so I plan to use both when back from my ride to the amusement of the other guests as I stretch, brazenly nekkid! Lady Dar has already left to go lake swimming and then reading in the shade. What a life these Wedding Officiants lead! All the best for now. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!

Arlo, late July!

Hi dear friends, Just to let you know, we are home, after a rewarding but exhausting trip. We had a few lovely camping days before and after Calgary, but the rest was spent helping Bodil & Vince with everything they needed. Some of that time I was tucked away in Kananaskis without phone & internet to give Jos the chance to hands-on help Bodil, then I would drive in/out to help set up logistics, build shelves, assemble chairs, etc. 

It was an incredible experience to see Arlo change from a "baby elephant with too much skin", more comfortable in the womb than the outside world to a healthy, rosy and handsome looking baby boy with big eyes (see the photos attached)! He is gaining weight quickly. He still keeps Bodil awake all night, then when she has an hour to rest during the day he wakes her up again. All he wants if buckets of breast milk! All in good spirit.TMD I know, but being an Oma & Opa is exciting! Hope to see, hug you soon! your Aart & Jos 

Hello Newly Minted Grandparents! Thanks for the lovely, lovely snaps of Arlo. Sorry I will miss you on Monday's hike. I'm sure it will be a wonderful outing and I would dearly love to join you, but I simply have too, too much to do before the next Tsunami of Freeloaders washes over Burns Street, a week this coming Thursday! At any rate, look forward to seeing my Darling Josinta Tuesday evening and hope to see you both at some time in the not too, too distant future. 

If you are around this long weekend, perhaps we can arrange to have a drink. We think Chloë will be up to look at houses, (Though not confirmed as of this writing.), as we are to sign the necessary papers to put the Loft up for sale, when we see her in Vernon, on Sunday, at the home of her very close friends who just moved there, on way back from Little Shuswap where Lady Dar just performed the wedding ceremony for the eldest daughter, Leah, of our close friends, Ruthless and Ricardo, who lived in our basement suite, in house in Kits, for seven years!! [Whew! Are you out of breath too?] Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pat, Party time for both of us by the look of things. We've had lots of guests for Jenn and Sean's Canadian wedding reception. They married in June in London and wanted to have a gathering for the Canadian friends and relatives which took place last night at the UBC Golf Club. Friends and neighbors have been very helpful with accommodation for some of those from overseas and others from the US and outlying parts of BC. 

Did a bit of riding with 2 of Sylvia's cousins out to Jericho Beach and UBC to see the blue whale and the recently erected totem pole. Looking at the fireworks tonight from a friend's home at the top of the hill at 16th and Collingwood along with numerous relatives. Hope that you and Corinne are doing well. Ray

Hi Raymondo! Yes, indeed, party time for everyone it seems! Glad you were able to get in a bit of riding over course of the wedding festivities. [Congratulations to Jenny and Sean, of course.] I took a ride out to UBC the day after we went to Steveston and I happened to see the recently erected totem pole as well, the end of Main Mall, near Forestry Building, I take it. I assume you may have seen the one by the UBC Bookstore as it has been there for some time now. I've often admired the Blue Whale skeleton every time I've ridden past. What a creature! I bumped into Peter Bourne, on Broadway, after I was back from my outing to UBC. He invited me to join Lee and two other friends. He thought that ride would be to Seymour Demo Forest but turned out to be to HB. I was happy to do latter as time, (not to mention fitness!), was a bit of an issue with Folk Fest starting that afternoon.

At any rate, enjoyed a simply wonderful outing this past Saturday, morning and early afternoon, before wedding ceremony. [Account included, if interested.]  All the best. Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Steveston Peloton! Ragin' Bull pretending he is Ferdinand, smelling the flowers! Piston Man, String-Bean Bourne and mates, just below Lions Gate! Laura and son, Riley. Elaine and Ted in their new, to be, kitchen! Ragin' Bull over for bridge!


 

North to the North Okanagan, Enderby adn Beyond Blues: Friday, July 28th!

Euphemism is a euphemism for lying. -Bobbie Gentry, singer and songwriter (b. 27 Jul 1944

[Colleen Teahan Waldron was feeling annoyed. That feeling when you forget your cell phone at the cabin :( Can still be reached via fb, email or my home phone til Sat. Guess you'll just have to drink, Marilyn! We arrived, here at Quaaout Lodge, on Little Shuswap, about an hour ago. Lady Dar is having a quick dip before the wedding rehearsal at 4:00 pm. Ruthless was parked behind us as we drove in and is busy setting up for rehearsal dinner! Must away as I've to fill ice-bucket for white wine, 2016 Township 7 Sauvignon Blanc, 12.8 %, so as not to get Marriage Officiant too, too sozzled! Cheers! Pics: Traffic jam! Colleen Teahan Waldron Fabulous!!! Sounds wonderful I hope you guys have a great time. Send our best wishes to Ruth and Rick and cheers to a lovely wedding and fun filled festivities ]

Wishing the Toews family a wonderful wedding weekend! Take pics of our wedding officiant please Ayn Hi Tinsel Town, et al! So sorry to hear about your nasty cold! What a drag to miss out on the bash at Warner Mansion!!! Anyway, hope you are feeling a bit better now. Lady Dar just walked out the door after washing the sand from her feet. I'm on my own, [relaxing in the thickest of thick bathrobes], for an hour or so, until drinks before dinner, so I will shower and change and then invite Candace and Dave to our patio for drinks, an Albariño from a wonderful, wonderful winery in Naramatia, just across the border from Croatia! Lovely room and even have a view of lake from deck. Must away as I've to fill ice-bucket for the white wine!. Fondestos and Cheers, Dad/Patrizzio/Favourite-Son-In-Law, etc., etc., etc!! Pics: lady Dar with 1.5 minutes to spare. She picked her outfit to match my Trek! View from deck; pictures on deck floor.

Up at 5:30 am to find two sleepy cats, Duke guarding Lady Dar's sore toe, Etta on the living room rug. They both went outside and then I prepared their breakfast to have it waiting for their return. Lady Dar was up just after 6:00 am and when I went into my office, I noticed Duke outside, on the patio. I could see he had something large in his mouth and when I opened the sliding door I realized it was a very large mouse! He wanted to bring his "prize" inside as a wedding present for Leah and Mason but Lady Dar's shrieks kept him away. I immediately went to put on a pair of gloves and when I reached the patio Duke was guarding the inert body so I was able to pick up the "kill" by its tail. The Boy was not amused, at all, and tried to claw his trophy out of my grasp but I was too quick for him and managed to put it into the garbage while he worried my passage to the back lane. Vermin Beware!!! Mouse carcass should be nicely aged, in bin, over the weekend, so we plan to have it on the bbq when home! Won't need to stop at Costco in Kelowna now. 

Hi Chloë, et al! [Hi Condo-Seller, et al!] Thanks for the address. We will call when we are leaving the hotel on Sunday morning and then closer to our arrival in Vernon. I'm hoping we will be at Emma's/Luca's place before noon, all going well, perhaps earlier, depending on when we leave Little Shuswap. Must away as I have to pack and do a few other household chores before we load up and head out, I trust shortly after 9:00 am. Fondestos from The Marriage Officiant. Cheers, Dad/Patrizzio! Pics: New gas line is now in place. There was another large hole under the gazebo but all the patio bricks are now back in place. Landscaper, Sandy, hired by Fortis, was here for most of the morning/early afternoon, yesterday, and did a very good job of returning patio surface to as it was. 

He said that if anything settled to give him a call and he'd be back to fix any settling. [As I scribe, Etta is sitting under table there, happy all is quiet!] Am quite impressed with whole operation although it dragged out for a week by the time all was finished. First day Fortis truck had an oil leak so the crew had to leave. Then when they returned a few days later they were called away to an emergency, a gas leak in Summerland! Then pneumatic drill which tunneled under patio bricks ran into large stones, necessitating taking up two sections of the surface. Now all we need is to save enough money to have the on-demand hot water system installed! 

Settee felines annoyed by noise of work crew! Was able to save two dolly loads worth of stones for edging borders in front yard. Corn and melon. Both Duke and Etta like to snooze on top of the fireplace, on a knee mat, in garage! Herbs drying! Looking forward to seeing you Sunday, my best to the wedding couple and family!! 😍😘 Great pics! The Toews are like their own walk-on cast of Jesus Christ Superstar with all their hair Lol The stroganoff looks delicious. Have a great wedding! Having dinner with the honeymooners to hear all about Jamaica!

Xoxo

Tummler, ​hope this finds you well. ​Checkin in from the home front. All is good here - really pleased to be home and a fine welcome home it was from everyone esp. the progeny. They are both in good form and with lovely partners right now - keeping my fingers crossed. Sleep patterns yet to return but otherwise good. Need to get back onto the ​bicycle​ and that will fix it.

Jane is with her parents in the eastern townships then she takes them home to London (Ont.) west of Toronto before coming home here herself. Her mother is struggling with dementia so Jane is trying to come to terms with that demon (can one ever) of which I know too well. To add to the mix, her father is in denial and her sister is a megalomaniac control freak... A fine welcome to the homeland for Jane. ​Returns around the 12th of August if the plan holds. ​ Let me know how you ​and ​Corinne​ ​ (and all fangdamly) are doing? What is keeping you hopping? Whatcha got on? ​ When are you coming to the Republic? ​ ​In the meantim e I am just contentedly working around the homestead - for the duration as they say. Look forward to catching up. ​​Fond regards​ to all, G

Welcome Home Whirlygig and Calamity! Delighted to learn that you are both back, safely and soundly, although we are both sorry to learn of Jane's difficult family situation. Trust things will go as well as can be expected on that front.
 

This being said, I feel nothing but extreme guilt as I have been waking at 3:00 am, every morning, drenched in sweat, screaming myself awake from the nightmare of not having replied to your wonderful message regarding Tour! [I have recorded each stage BUT have yet to watch a single one! One indication of how busy we've been, Freeloaders and such!] At any rate, so much to tell, so much to share BUT most will have to wait for a bit as we are off to Little Shuswap this morning. Lady Dar is marrying Leah. Ruthless' and Ricarado's eldest daughter, on Saturday. I'm taking my bike as there are some wonderful rides, thereabouts. On way home we will stop in Vernon. Chloë is up visiting her close friends, Katie and Brian, who just moved there. Chloë is the godmother of their two children, Emma and Luca.

Lady Dar has an appointment, in Kelowna, that afternoon, to meet the couple she will marry in early September! I'm toying with riding from Peachland, perhaps Kelowna, if I can screw up the courage! Fondestos from The Marriage Officiant to you both. Once again, glad you are back and enjoying not living out of a knapsack. Great news about offspring. How did Morita fare? Cheers, Patrizzio!
 

Holy Smoke!

Hi Brenda Louise! Sorry to hear about the effect the high risk air quality is having on you. Something to be extremely concerned about, given your already compromised respiratory system so do hope you manage as well as can be expected under these trying circumstances. Quite a shot of the smoke you are enduring. Do you live in Beijing? Or Dehli? It was just as bad when we were there two Decembers ago and I really did not enjoy our time in this otherwise remarkable city as much, due to the extreme air pollution. I could not, and still cannot even begin to fathom having to live like that for protracted periods. As you say, "Gad!" to which I would add, What a world!

[Can't even go out to get groceries as asthma acting up with the particulate in air.  Not the nicest place these days but hope that by next wedding we will have blue skies once more.  It can be absolutely clear one day and then we get a day like today where the Air Quality Index is 10+, high risk. I can see a slight trace in the air at your resort as well. Gad! What a summer]

Anyway, we are very, very fortunate as it is much clearer here than in Kamloops today, so I plan to go for a longish ride tomorrow if air quality remains reasonable. Wedding ceremony is at 4:00 pm, outside, not far from the lake-shore. Enjoyed a wonderful dinner, [I opted for Elk Stroganoff and it was delish indeed!], after rehearsal, this evening so had a pretty boisterous time, [We decided upon corkage, $25/btl, but probably cheaper than buying from wine list as we had brought along some of our favourites from Naramata.], visiting with friends and most of the members of the extended Toews family.  

Lodge has a pool and a hot tub so I plan to use both when back form my ride. All the best for now. Fondestos from Lady Dar, practicing the ceremony as I scribe! Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pics: L/R, Nikki, Alex, Ricardo, Ruthless, Leah, the bride; Alex and Dad; Deb, Ruth's sister, with her Step-dad, Lorenzo, and Mom, Marilyn; Leah and Lady Dar; Mason and Leah; Drum song of blessing; Stroganoff! Game of Thrones people on Mason's side of family! With Spencer, close family friend. Deb with her two children, Marcia adn Nathan, below.